The Diary Game: (17/06/2026) How I was handed a notice for rent increment today by my landlord and what I ate today in order to save money to pay rent.

^{Seating in the shop today happy but was made sad by my landlord}

My landlord brought a notice for increment of my shop rent today, I was shocked because no sales this days because of raining season and the condition of the country. I asked him if he knows that Nigeria is hard this period and he said he does not care, that his shop is due for rent increment. this shop rent was increased last year from 200,000 naira to 250,000 naira. now this year to 350,000 naira. I was so down and don't k ow what to do. I called him to negotiate but he said he is not going to negotiate with anyone, I felt so bad because I know how we have been struggling to keep up the bills this days.

^{I went and bought groundnut and strong popcorn}

As he left I still feel so down and don't know what to do, I thought about what to eat and remembered that my rent has been increased to a price I don't know if I will still keep up with due to low sales. Instead of eating 2,500 naira for a plate of rice I went and bought groundnut and strong popcorn which out people call (man power) when chewing this I still think of how I will pay 350,000 naira for shop and also pay 450,000 naira for my house where I live in one year with other other bills.

^{preparing to cook red oil rice without any fish or meat}

When I came back from business and was very angry and hungry as well because of the notice I got and lack of sales. not knowing what to eat I have to remember I came from a poor background and was once drinking casava paste (garri) twice a day to survive something came to my mind that I have some cups of rice and red oil and onion in my cupboard. right now I have to eat poorly to meet up this bills and still maintain my business.

^{I washed my rice and put on fire}

I put my rice in the pot, wash it very well and start cooking it, while I was cooking this I said God I need to have a little breakthrough to overcome this, while thinking about this my mind still remind me that our government is not helping us the Citezens and I became more angry.

^{I cut my onions}

I cut my onion and still thinking while crying indirectly with the onion gas entering my eye. while thinking that am not cooking this rice with any fish or meat because I have a lot on my head right now to take care of.

^{added my spices, onion and red oil}

I just put everything, I add my spices and my red oil in the pot, besides am used to eating this when nothing is going fine with me years ago. I believe one day things will get better than this and I will eat whatever I want by God grace.

^{dished out the rice}

The rice is done and I dish out a plate to eat although it came out taste, I ate and forgot my problems and pray for a better tomorrow. I believe if I can reduce my expenses this days I may meet up with my bills and continue my business. thank you all for sharing my day with me.