It all started from when I was trying to build a web application, specifically a chatbot that's low budget. I needed to host the server for free, so I researched and found out about the GitHub Developer Pack, which offered free services, but I needed a dollar account to activate some perks. As a Nigerian with only a naira card, that meant one thing: a trip to the bank.
The trip to the bank wasn't long; I was lucky there was a branch about 35 minutes away from my home. I signaled the Keke driver at the bus stop; he looked at me through his small window, and he called the price of the trip ₦300. We haggled, and I was able to beat the price to ₦200; he agreed, and I boarded the Keke (small bus). 30 mins later, I alighted at the entrance of GT Bank. I won't lie, the quadrangle was looking good.
When the security checked me and allowed me entry into the main building, I was in awe. I never owned a GT bank account, so I had no reason to go there; it was my first time entering the bank, and it beat my expectations. The architecture, lights, and air felt like royalty. I asked for directions to the room where I could open an account, and I was directed to a white office, and the first thing my eyes stumbled upon was the painting of a lady.
A young woman was behind a monitor working. I couldn't see the whole of her face because part of it was covered by the monitor, although I could tell she was the one in the painting because of how the eyebrows were drawn. This lady didn't seem to even pay attention to me, who sat and was trying to start a conversation. When I deepened my voice a bit more and said, 'Excuse me.' She then peeped over; I caught a glimpse of her name boldly written on a tag that says Lisa.
Lisa is a young lady that seemed to be in her late twenties; she was slim, and I could see her brilliant eyes through those anti-glare glasses she wore. I told her I’d like to open an account. She handed me a form, which I filled and submitted along with two referrals. I went to another room to have my biometrics taken; the people there were a bit rude, and I had to call their attention to the ill attitude. When a customer asks for help on information, it's your duty to answer and not just ignore or act like you're being disturbed. I finished up with biometrics and went back to Lisa; she said I would get an email of my account information in a few days. I then left the bank.
A few days later, I didn't get any email, so I went back to the bank and told her. She seemed so sure of herself and went to print a slip for me as evidence because she felt accused. She came back and had this conceited look on her face, and as the low-key troublemaker that I am, I then made the audacious statement:
"All GTBank staff are proud," I said.
Her eyes narrowed. "We’re not proud."
I smirked. "Oh… so it’s just you."
It was a risky statement to make, but with the right tone and humor coupled with boldness and eye contact, I made her smile. We spoke more; our conversation went from forms and signatures to smiles and laughter.
I won't lie, I rizzed her LOL.
She leaned forward; her eyes were softer, and her tone was lighter. She tilted her head slightly when she laughed, and her eyes behind those glasses became even more beautiful. Funny how the same lady that seemed so nonchalant suddenly became more interested in talking, and her tone was more babyish.
From my side view, I could see her colleague, who was a middle-aged woman, smiling at the rapport of two young people and the smiles we both frequently exchanged. I try not to spoil the tension by talking too much, then I smile and walk away, keeping a bit of myself still mysterious.
Thank You for Reading
All Images was AI generated using Googles Nanobanana:
https://aistudio.google.com/prompts/1bGxH8ajTVvROM8mXQaig54W8S-mhQ__T
Non-Fictional Story