Yesterday on my way home from grocery shopping, I was approached by an ex-colleague of mine (I shall call her Lynn) from years ago. I haven’t been working for close to eighteen years. Obviously, it took me a while before it dawned on me who she was. I didn’t recognize her at all as I was not on very friendly terms with her. Besides, we were working in a multi-national corporation then and she was attached to a different department than I was.
She proceeded unabashedly to ask me for a cash loan of Fifty dollars apologizing that she tried to withdraw money form the ATM but the machine confiscated her card. There was indeed an ATM machine nearby. However, every nerve in my body was on alert, telling me to be careful. So, I took her words with a pinch of salt. Then, she explained that she needed the money urgently as her mother just passed away and that day was the seventh day of her mother’s death anniversary. She wanted to buy some prayer items and food to pay respect to her mum. She sounded and looked so sincere that I actually believed her. I mean that woman had tears in her eyes and her face was veiled with sadness. How could anyone with a sense of decency doubt her? I was thinking to myself that nobody would lie about such a thing, especially when it involves his or her parents. Immediately, I felt a huge pang of guilt for being so skeptical. However, my mind took over and would not allow my heart to rule in this matter. Therefore, to err on the side of caution, I spun a tale of my own by telling her that I’m in dire straits and do not have any money. I can only loan her ten dollars (which my sensible mind thought, if she didn’t return it, I’ll take it as a donation to her mum). However, she progress to insist that it was insufficient and wanted more money. Lucky for me I just finished my grocery shopping and did not have much cash left over. I had only twenty-four dollars left in my wallet. I showed her my wallet and she strongly suggested that I give her the other ten dollars. My mind felt the greatest reluctance, but my heart was feeling rather sorry for her, my heart won and I parted with my last remaining ten dollars.
I thought that was it, but she seems to want to chat and advanced to narrate her recent life story to me. She was divorced, have no children and lived alone. She kept reiterating that she ran into some bad luck recently and was cheated by a close friend of hers. That friend wanted to rent a room and out of the goodness of her heart she hired and paid a property agent to hunt for a suitable place for her friend. This friend however repaid her kindness by stealing all the valuables from the owner. Her friend achieved this by prying open the master bedroom door when the owner was out of the house. Her friend then disappeared, leaving her to bear the responsibilities. The owner refused to return the two months deposit to Lynn and made a police report. It seems the police suspected that Lynn was in cahoots with her friend to steal the valuables and whenever it pleases the police they would demand that she visit the police station for questioning. Well, I found that story hard to swallow!! I just don’t understand her point of telling me all this. Perhaps she thought by appearing as a victim, she would gain my trust.
Lynn also restates that she has lots of money in her bank account. She is more than willing and happy to extend a loan of a couple of thousand dollars to me if required. She never falls to emphasize that she has lots of money. Sigh, I just see a pattern emerging here. People who do not have money would keep reassuring themselves and others around them that they do have money. I told her that I was not in the habit of borrowing money from others. I always try to work around my budget however little money I have. In any case, I still need to return the money that I borrowed and what happens if I am unable to return that money, then what????
Of course, I told Lynn about my job search and she explained that she has legions of contacts and she would make some calls to see if she can hook me up with a job. I thanked her but didn’t place too much hope of anything concrete materializing in that arena.
At long last, we parted and I gave her my cell phone number. She promised she would call that same night to obtain my account number so she could transfer the money to me.
The night came and gone and not a single word was heard from Lynn. I was overcome with disappointment, not because I couldn’t get my money back but I was secretly holding out a small hope that Lynn was better than what she made herself out to be. Oh well….sigh….
Lynn has a diploma and she told me that she is currently working as a delivery driver, yet she does not have enough to make ends meet. Her employer provides her with a van, pays for the season parking in her home and office, petrol and all parking charges. I think she could be lying about her job. Perhaps she does not have one, that could justify her lying and cheating ways. I wish she could come to her senses soon and make an honest living for herself. The lying and cheating ways will catch up with her one-day and she might be forced and trapped like an animal into a corner with no way out. It might be too late for her to repent then.
Initially, I really felt so extremely guilty for thinking ill of her, but right now at least it was justified. I’m extremely saddened that she had to resort to lying and cheating to get money. I just don’t know how many people out there are just like her. I don’t ever want my children or anyone to be in such a predicament. Obviously, I don’t know the whole story as to why she’s been reduced to this state but my sincere believe is that no matter how tough life is there is still a way out. We must not give up on ourselves, if we do then who will have faith in us.
Anyway, I still wish her and anyone like her the best and hope life gets better and don’t ever sell yourself short. If you need help, get help. Don’t ever let anyone give up on you particularly yourself.
