After her graduation, Morayo was expected to join her father’s company. Her parents believed she would learn how to manage the business. They gave her an office with a big chair and a shiny desk.

But Morayo did not enjoy working. She came late, left early, and spent most of her time on her phone. She scrolled through pictures, sent messages to her friends, and planned parties.

“Daddy, I need to travel with my friends this weekend,” she said one day.  

“You just started work,” her father replied.  

“I’m tired,” Morayo said. “I don’t want to sit in an office all day.”

Her father frowned. He had worked hard to build the company. But his daughter didn’t care.

Meanwhile, Tolu was still studying very hard in school. She read day and night, made notes, attended every lecture, and joined group discussions.

Years passed and Tolu remained diligent, on the day of her last paper, she smiled brightly. “I’ve made it,” she whispered. Her friends in school hugged her and they took photos together.

When she got home, her parents hugged her tightly. “We are proud of you, Tolu,” her father said with tears in his eyes. “You’ve shown us that hard work truly pays.”

But because they still didn’t have much money, they couldn’t celebrate her graduation. Tolu came home during her free time to work again as a house help for Morayo’s family.

Morayo was surprised when she saw Tolu sweeping the floor. 

“You again?” Morayo asked. “Don’t you have anywhere else to go?”  

Tolu just smiled. “I’m helping my parents,” she said.

Morayo laughed loudly. “You’re a graduate now, but you’re still cleaning my house.”

Tolu didn’t reply. She knew her worth. She had grown wiser and cannot feel embarrassed again.

One afternoon, Morayo’s mother called her daughter aside. “You need to stop wasting time,” she said. “You’re not a child anymore.”

Morayo rolled her eyes, she didn’t like her mother scolding her. “I’m just living my life, Mum.”

But deep inside, she was starting to feel empty again. Parties and pictures were not enough.  

She saw how happy Tolu looked even though she had less. 

And it made her think that maybe she needed to consider what her father mentioned sometimes ago about getting married. Maybe being married would make her happy like the way her mother was happy.