₦airaland Forum

Life is truly fleeting, and we are all on borrowed time. In just a few years, you may look back and realize how insignificant many things seem. This brings to mind my former landlord, a retired soldier, full of life, strength, and discipline.

He built a 15-room hostel and was always active, constantly checking his property whenever he could. He enforced strict rules for his tenants, and if anyone disobeyed, he wouldn’t hesitate to call the police.

The gate to the compound had two padlocks, and he closely monitored the tenants' activities. If you fetched more than three buckets of water from the well, you had to explain yourself. He also expected tenants to help maintain his personal farm. To him, his building was almost like a sacred space, and he hardly ever slept.

After my rent expired, I moved out and didn’t see my landlord or his wife for two years. Just a few days ago, I ran into his wife at the junction while running errands. We exchanged greetings, and I asked about him. She sighed and said, "Daddy is sick. He’s had a stroke and has been bedridden for seven months."

I was shocked. He was the last person I thought could fall ill. I remembered how energetic and strict he used to be, and now, he was a shadow of his former self, bedridden and frail. It truly made me realize how temporary life is.

I pray for his quick recovery.