Here you are tonight at the Access Bank Atm wielding your weather-beaten Atm card.
It’s a humid and windy evening in the city with the rain threatening to fall in fury.
You are feeling tepid about just everything tonight, even the live Epl match doesn’t interest you.
As you are about to slot the card into the machine, a song bursts out from the ATM.
“There is greatness inside of you
You’re the one that the world is waiting for
Every step you take we go dey there
Cos we believe in you say one day you go make am
Oooo o oo oooo”
You have listened to the song a thousand and one times but tonight you find yourself captivated by the lyrics.
“Do you believe in me? Do you believe one day I go make am?” You ask the machine.
It’s been raining debit alerts all week on your bank account and tonight is no different.
“Yes! One day you will make it and you will no longer have to come to me to withdraw money because we will be bringing your money to you in your house in big bags!” The Atm responds.
You are startled!
A talking Access Bank Atm!
You go ahead and slot in your card and proceed to withdraw money from your account.
Sapa is waiting at the wings.
He had accompanied you to the Atm.
“Hurry up!” Sapa says to you.
The ATM whirls, puffs, heaves and spit out a wad of minted Naira notes in front of you.
You pick them up and immediately your phone vibrates.
Debit alert!
You sigh and gaze at the ATM.
“One day, one day, you go make am!” It assures you.
The words are comforting and you reply, “Thank you!”
Sapa rushes towards you and hooks your right arm with his.
He is pulling you away from the Atm.
“We are going to Eka Idara’s shop to buy some items. We have to spend this money as soon as possible!” Sapa announces.
“Leave me alone, I don’t want to walk with you, please let go of my arm” You beg.
But Sapa tightens his grip around you and leads you out of the gate of the bank.
You glance at Atm with a silent plea for help in your eyes.
“There is greatness inside of you
One day you go make am
Oooo o oo oooo, one day you go make am!”
The atm sings to you as Sapa steers you into the dark streets on a cold and windy night.
Listen to the song here
Iniobong Leroi Umoh is a storyteller, a satirist and creative writer. He blurs the line between reality and fiction and seeks to create a connection with the reader through engaging content. His works have been featured across various online and offline platforms. He hopes to one day travel around the world on a luxury yacht, sipping expensive wine and documenting all his experiences in a journal.
You can send him a mail at infoleric@gmail.com.