Chapter Forty-Eight

That night, after a long and soothing bath, Dera put on her nightgown and sat by the window in her small bedroom. The rain poured heavily outside, and as she watched it, a profound sense of happiness enveloped her. It reminded her of her mother's words: "Dera, please believe in miracles. Even if you don't believe me right now, I want you to learn from the rain... The first rain was pretty much overdue, but it rained anyway. And it rained for almost two hours and stopped clean. Just like that, a fresh start was granted… Look at the trees and leaves; they look happy again after experiencing the dusty harmattan season that almost drained them of their water. Today, they are nourished by the rain…"

Everything that was happening felt surreal to Dera, like a dream turned into reality. She had been able to take her exams because of Goodwall, and now she was on her way to Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport, all thanks to Goodwall's unassuming support in fulfilling her dreams and the dreams of many others.

'I never expected this,' she murmured to herself as she arrived at Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport, accompanied by Andrew. From taking her secondary school final exams to now heading to Rome, it felt like a miraculous journey. She smiled sweetly, dragging her small leather suitcase as she made her way into the airport lounge.

Dressed in pink floral dress, white sneakers, and donning large, light-coloured sunglasses, Dera captured the attention of many in the resting area, despite a portion of her beautiful face being covered.

'Are you hungry, Dera?' Andrew glanced at her, dressed in a grey suit and a red tie.

Taking a seat on a soft chair, Dera smiled and replied, 'Just being here fills me up.'

'I won't take no for an answer.' Andrew stood up and returned with a hot dog and a bottle of coke. 'You need to eat something at least. You have a long journey ahead.'

Dera smiled gratefully, accepting the hot dog and coke. 'Thank you for understanding.'

Andrew chuckled. 'Goodwall has changed their payment method. Also, winners are now announced at the end of the challenge.'

'That's still cool,' Dera replied, taking a sip of her coke.

Andrew nodded and after a brief pause, he said, 'Goodwall just posted another challenge a few minutes ago.'

Dera's excitement grew as she expressed her interest in the new challenge on Goodwall. Eager to learn more, she turned to Andrew and asked, 'Really? Can you tell me a little about the challenge?'

Andrew nodded, happy to share the details. 'Certainly! The #NigeriaSpeaks challenge invites us to share either a captivating photo or a 1 to 2-minute video that highlights the most common challenges faced by ourselves or our family community,' he explained and continued after a brief pause, 'This exciting initiative is sponsored by TecBlu Limited, an integrated technology service company. I heard that Goodwall was recently launched in Nigeria in collaboration with TecBlu Limited, its Nigerian partner.' Andrew further elaborated, 'The #NigeriaSpeaks campaign serves as Goodwall's way of rolling out in Nigeria and providing a platform for young Nigerians to share their unique vision for Nigeria's future. It's an opportunity to shed light on the challenges we face and collaborate in finding solutions. 'And the best part is, there are incredible prizes worth up to $1500 waiting to be won by the most outstanding participants.'

Dera's enthusiasm swelled as she grasped the significance of the challenge and the chance to make a meaningful impact. She eagerly anticipated participating in the #NigeriaSpeaks challenge, and share her vision for Nigeria's future.

Dera took a sip of her coke and responded, 'When I get to Rome, I'll definitely participate.'

'Okay,' Andrew acknowledged, then continued, 'The #NigeriaSpeaks initiative, as I read in an online article, aims to empower young Nigerians to express their vision for Nigeria's future… Taha and Omar Bawa have truly done an admirable job. They deserve applause for creating a platform like Goodwall.'

Dera nodded in agreement, appreciating the efforts of Taha and Omar Bawa in establishing Goodwall and providing a platform for Nigerian youth to share their voices and aspirations for a better future.

They engaged in conversation until they heard the announcement. Dera stood up, hugged her brother, and turned to leave. After passing through security checks, she entered the waiting area.

After a half-hour wait, around 1 o'clock in the morning, she began boarding the plane. Just as she was about to enter, she received a message from Andrew. Smiling, she replied that she was boarding and doing well, sharing a few photos with him.

With a warm smile, she settled into her seat in the Economy Class Cabin. After listening to the instructions from the friendly flight attendant, Dera glanced around at her fellow passengers, secretly pinching herself to ensure she wasn't in a dream.

'Thank God I found Goodwall,' Dera sighed happily as she pulled out her phone and read the chats from the other two girls who were already making their way to Rome. They would be arriving around the same time.

She eagerly awaited takeoff, hoping nothing would hinder her journey. Finally, after the half-hour wait, the plane took off, ascending into the skies. She knew there would be a stopover in Casablanca, and a sense of excitement filled her.

After the stopover in Casablanca, Dera boarded another plane bound for Rome. Finally, around four in the evening, the plane touched down at Leonardo da Vinci International Airport in Fiumicino. Her smile widened at the sight of the beautiful surroundings.

The other two grand winners of the #Food4Thought challenge were already at the arrivals area, eagerly awaiting Dera's arrival. As Dera approached, they greeted her with excitement, thrilled to finally meet in person. Among them was a friendly lady, an intern from Bites of Transfoodmation, who warmly welcomed Dera and her fellow winners.

Dera felt a genuine sense of appreciation for the intern's kind and warm-hearted nature. The warm welcome instantly made her feel at ease and excited for the upcoming experiences they would share as part of their grand prize.

As they walked through the bustling arrivals hall, Dera couldn't help but admire the diversity of people going in different directions, amidst the noise. Instead of chatting with the other girls, she decided to soak in the beauty of the place and the warmth of the people around her.

Now, as they settled into the car assigned to pick them up, Dera's gaze was drawn to the mesmerising scenery outside the window. Feeling inspired by the beauty she found in Goodwall, she retrieved her diary from her bag and gently placed it on her lap. With a sense of purpose, she began to pen her thoughts, reflecting on the transformation she had experienced:

In the past, my dreams were limited to becoming a wealthy Journalist, solely focused on attaining financial success and indulging in luxuries for myself. I had even harboured thoughts of relishing in the misfortunes of others, unaware of the impact it had on my own humanity. I was willing to turn my back on those who had caused pain to my family during our most difficult times. However, the unexpected help from Goodwall has taught me the importance of kindness and compassion towards all.

As Goodwall exists in the digital realm, where connections thrive and screens come alive, where hearts of both old and new intertwine, where hopes whisper in untold pixels, and where gracious hands reach out across great distances, it has become my aspiration to be a source of support for many. Through uplifting words and caring gestures, Goodwall has reminded me of the significance of sharing a touch of sweetness and sprinkling light in every interaction I have, extending goodness and kindness to others without dwelling on the sadness inflicted upon me.

A profound sense of gratitude fills my heart for Goodwall. It has empowered me to stand tall and face my challenges without compromising my self-worth. Today, as I traverse the enchanting city of Rome, I silently celebrate the presence of this remarkable social networking service within my heart. Each day, I am reminded of the inherent beauty that Goodwall brings to the world.

As I embark on my few days' stay in Rome, I am filled with excitement and a sense of awe. It's truly surreal that I find myself sitting here, penning these words in the enchanting city of Rome. It feels like a dream that I never want to wake up from.

After pouring her thoughts onto the pages of her diary, Dera gently closed it, feeling a sense of accomplishment. She couldn't help but smile brightly as the evening sun illuminated her face through the car window. The spark of determination within her burned brightly, despite knowing that her dream of becoming a journalist was still a few years away. Instead of dampening her spirit, this realisation fuelled her hope and ambition, igniting a fire that pushed her forward.

As Dera caressed the cover of her diary, she reflected on the support and encouragement she had received along the way. Gratitude welled up inside her, overflowing like a river bursting its banks. Her family's unwavering love and belief in her had been her foundation, giving her the strength to overcome challenges. Her form teacher had been a guiding light, offering guidance and wisdom to help her reach new heights. And Goodwall, the platform that had connected her to an incredible community, had been a constant source of inspiration and empowerment.

Dera's heart overflowed with genuine gratitude towards Goodwall, recognising its pivotal role in her journey. She envisioned the platform soaring to new heights, becoming a top-ranking app in the world. While she acknowledged that there might be other similar apps she wasn't aware of, Goodwall held a special place in her heart. It had served as the catalyst for her journey, propelling her forward on her life's path. The realisation filled her with profound gratitude, appreciating all that Goodwall had bestowed upon her.

Looking out the window, Dera marvelled at the vibrant scenery passing by. The world seemed alive with possibilities. Leaning her head against the glass, she relished the smooth journey ahead, seeing it as a metaphor for her own aspirations. She vowed to savour each step, embracing the growth and knowledge that would accompany her.

In that moment, gratitude and excitement welled up within Dera. She knew challenges would come, but she was determined to face them head-on. With hope in her heart, knowledge in her mind, and dreams in her diary, Dera eagerly embraced the journey ahead. She was ready to make her mark on the world, bringing healing and compassion to those in need.