Lost and Found

A very loud noise pierced my dreams as I tried to make sense of what was going on— Groggy the Monday morning alarm blared. I glanced at the clock and realized it was finally time to prepare for class. Damn, I hated going to school because I often felt it wasn’t meant for me. I could barely grasp what was being taught, and every moment I’m in class I utterly get drained trying to fit in. I’d always been a slow learner, and my teacher seemed to dislike me for it.

I knew I wasn’t presenting the best version of myself, especially since I rarely did what my peers did like play video games, watch football, or experience the joy of cycling. I was terrible at all those things, and now I realized something must be wrong with me, as I felt different. Maybe I should have been a girl because, honestly, being a boy felt so difficult. Those thoughts crept into my mind as I watched my friends play games and invite me to join.

“Hey Pius, grab the game pad let’s play,” one called out. “Or Can’t you play this too?”

“I can, but I’m not in the mood,” I replied.

“You’re always not in the mood,” they teased.

Tears rolled down my cheeks as I reflected on my life. I hadn’t achieved anything nothing at all, as I prepared to step into the world after college with yet another low grade. My classmates seemed to have their lives on track, some with new cars, others surrounded by girls or with skills I’d always wished I had. But my life felt dull and empty. I’d resigned myself to being a poor man wandering around, I’d lost my focus, and instead of building my skills, I spent my days battling with depression while I scroll through social media, jumping at giveaways, gambling, and liking videos of those who had their lives together.

Days slipped by, tears kept falling, until one day, everything changed.

“Hey Pius, how are you? You’re really lucky to have won this giveaway. Come to 9 Bello Street, beside the Faculty of Arts I’ve got cash to give to you.” he said under my instagram comment where I was begging for giveaways as usual.

I felt a surge of joy, I’d just won $500. I hurried there, expecting a reward, only to be asked, “What’s in your pocket?”

“Nothing. What do you want?”

“I’m just here to collect my prize,” I mumbled.

Then, someone among them said, “We’re here to pick up our phone prizes.” That was how I lost my only companion “my phone”.

I had no real friends, no connection and now no phone. I was too depressed. I feared the worst, but somehow, life took a turn. I made a new friend Josh.

“Ooh God,” Josh cried out. “I left my phone here.”

“You left what?” I asked.

“My phone. I left it in my bag, and now I can’t find it.”

“Damn, I was robbed of mine yesterday. This school isn’t safe at all,” he replied.

In an effort to avoid sinking into despair, I sought entertainment elsewhere. It seemed we were both in the same mess.

“Sorry about that,” he said, extending his hand.

From that moment I felt chilled, I can’t remember the last time I’d truly smiled.

We became close friends joking, sharing stories and eventually, we decided to work together to buy new phones. That experience was incredible. Fun without phones, without the constant need to check social media, was freeing. Every night, we drank ourselves to sleep, avoiding the darkness in our minds. As others scrolled lazily through their feeds, depression lifted from my heart. I realized I didn’t envy those Instagram models or their luxurious lives—I was genuinely happier without my phone.

“Hey Pius, your story is really interesting. Tell me one more,” Josh said, eyes bright with curiosity.

I smiled and started talking, the words flowing freely as hours slipped by. We kept sharing stories late into the night, until exhaustion finally pulled us into sleep without needing a drink to drown our sorrows as usual.

“How do you know all of these stories?” Josh asked quietly.

“I don’t know they just come from within,” I answered.

Josh nodded thoughtfully. “You should write them down honestly. They’re really captivating. Please, tell me more.”

And just like that, I discovered a new gift I could tell stories without reading them, spinning them effortlessly for hours on end

We spent two months without phones, growing closer, happier. But then my friend Josh got a new device, and I found myself alone again—searching for the next person to lose their phone so we could start anew. Could it be you? I hope so.