On Manipulative Friends

So I remembered this experience I had and decided to share.
I used to have this friend. Let's call her Rita. Both of us had serious interest in writing and were working hard to develop. I was developing faster than she was even though she was studying English Language while I was studying Medical Lab Science.

One Friday afternoon, Rita sent an article to my email inbox and asked me to edit it for her. I gladly did. She thanked me heartily.

Two weeks later, she sent me a topic and asked me to help her write a five full scap sheet long article for her on that topic. The topic had something to do with Agricultural Reforms. I wondered why an English student would be writing that. Rita said it belonged to her roommate, Odinaka who suddenly took ill and begged that I helped her, as she (Rita) didn't know much about Agriculture. I spent two nights working on that article; burning data, time and fighting sleep.

On three more occasions, She gave me articles to help her work on. One was to edit. The other two were to write them completely. I gladly did them firstly, because Rita was a friend and secondly, because she claimed they were for close friends who had either travelled or were sick. Writing articles has never been a problem for me.
Once she sent me 200 naira airtime. I scolded her for that. She told me it was just a friendly gesture and I should accept it. I did.

One weekend, I visited Rita at her school. We went to a nearby eatery in the company of her formerly sick roommate, Odinaka. While we were eating, Odinaka started gushing over how she was thankful for the article I wrote for her and how the 2k she gave me for it was nothing since she was the highest scorer in the test. She had 28/30 in the test.

I looked at Rita who was covering her mouth. So this girl collected 2k from her roommate and gave me nothing? Odinaka went on to say she envied my ability to write and make money from it. I don't know how I managed to stay calm that day.

 It was when we got home that Rita knelt down and started apologising for lying to me. She revealed that she was paid for every work she pushed to me. She collected 1000naira for editing and between 2000 and 3000 for writing full articles.

I couldn't believe my eyes. That girl used me well. I thought I had a friend in her. No wonder she sent me the 200 naira airtime then.  I just packed the small bag I came with and left for Enugu that evening. I couldn't spend one more day with a manipulative, lying and cheating human like that.

The following week, Rita transfered 1500naira worth of airtime to me and a three page 'I am sorry' text message. I ignored her but ofcourse, I took the airtime. It was mine. I edited 2 works and wrote three others for this young lady and all I got was 1700 naira recharge card, betrayal and a three page long text message.
I deleted her number from my phones and blocked her on all social media.

Make she carry her sense dey go.

Some people are in your life only to manipulate you. Be wary of them. They are only with you because of what they can get from you. When the going gets tough, they won't stay with you.
I hope you find them out early and get rid of them.
This is my story.
#JayTeeSays