The Day Airtel Network Showed Me Shege

The statement, or should I say slogan, or motto, “Airtel, the smartphone network” isn't a new thing to us. We all are familiar with it. Of course, Airtel is the smartphone network and this is why I love the network provider so much.

Even when people tend to say negative things about this network provider, I always find a way to defend it. Why? Because I love Airtel.

The first sim card I bought for my first smartphone was Airtel. Their recharge plans was the first thing that made me fall in love with the network. Any recharge you make comes with bonuses. For example, if you recharge 100 naira, you get extra airtime and data. Infact, I bought two Airtel sims for my phone which is quite rare. Most people prefer to have different sim cards in their smartphone. However, I decided to do otherwise.

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My mum, particularly prefers MTN network to any other networks. But, as a result of my sweet mouth and the way I hyped Airtel network, she bought an Airtel sim for her phone and even bought an Airtel wi-fi.

Not until the day Airtel network decided to show me the real definition of shege before I realise the need to get other network providers.

It was on a beautiful morning. A morning that brings confidence knowing how well you're prepared for the test. The online test was slated for 9am. It comprises of 40 questions that would be answered within a period of fifteen minutes.

I was prepared. Really prepared. But should I say Airtel network wasn't prepared?

I began the test at exactly 9am. I was happy because I knew the answers. I read of course, really hard. I answered all the questions and ticked where necessary. I reviewed my answers and at exactly 9:10am, I pressed submit. This was where the problem began.

The server was just rolling. One minute gone, four minutes remaining.

I began to sweat. I battled with shaky hands and vibrating body as a result of fear. The reason for this fear was because the test was a compulsory course and it carries fourty marks. The lecturer, being a very strict person, repeatedly reminded us that there wasn’t going to be a make-up test. Anyone who is unable to do the test has automatically lost fourty marks out of hundred marks. A big loss indeed.

Two minutes gone, the server was still rolling. Only three minutes remaining. Although I didn't cry out, I don't know when tears began to fall from my eyes.

I took my phone and ran from the room to the parlour. With my phone in my hands, I began to walk around the parlour. Maybe the network will be somewhere there. I sat on the sofa, I stood up.

I went to the balcony. I waved my phone in the air. Network refused to come. The test refused to submit. Three minutes gone, two minutes remaining.

“Yeeeeehhh!” I screamed
“Jesus ooo. Help me,” I was crying out now.

My mum came to me after hearing my scream. “What is it?” She said. I didn't answer her. I couldn't talk. I was angry, pained, bitter, and all kinds of feelings swept through me.

I began to pace back and forth with a restless mind. Everything about me became unsettled. I was feeling hot and cold at the same time. I felt like going to the toilet to poo.

I ran outside. I sat on the stairs. I waved my phone. I ran to the compound. I began to run around the compound with my phone maybe the cool breeze will make the network come back.

One minute remaining. I dropped my phone on the floor. I couldn't touch the phone because I had lost hope completely. Tears were streaming down my face. I now remembered that I didn't pray before I started the test.

My mum came out to meet me. She saw me shedding hot tears. “I'll not use Airtel again,” was all I kept saying.

If Airtel network is a human being, I'll would have beaten life out of him with the kind of anger I felt at that moment. I took my phone to check. Lo and behold, I saw “Your response has been successfully submitted.”

This, however did not change my mind from getting other network providers. I always pray never to have that kind of experience again. What I felt that day was a kind of five minutes madness.

Posted Using INLEO