Weeks bled into a month. Life in Garki was comfortable. The constant noise of generators was less pronounced, the streets were cleaner, and there was a general sense of security that Dogongada seemed to have lacked. Daniel rented a bigger shop nearby, even getting a salesgirl for her, and business was going well. Elizabeth seemed happier too, enjoying the better environment and her new phone.
Daniel, meanwhile, was juggling FUTA preparations, managing his MH account, and meticulously planning the Rocket Funds launch. His MH balance had comfortably crossed the N10 million mark through consistent trades. His account balance hovered around N500k, his personal spending fund. He'd bought a decent laptop, a new HP Pavilion worth about half a million, essential for both his Computer Science studies and managing his 'secret operation'.
He'd also started his anonymous social media campaign for Rocket Funds. Using a paid VPN and burner accounts, he created pages on Instagram and TikTok under the moniker 'Rocket-Funds Nigeria'. He posted generic motivational content about financial freedom, shared vague infographics about online earning potential, and occasionally dropped heavily edited screenshots hinting at profits (carefully generated fakes, not direct MH screens). He avoided showing his face or revealing any personal details. The goal was simply to build a decent-sized and curious audience before the actual launch.
One Saturday afternoon, Daniel took an Uber to Dogongada. He was mainly there to see his friend, Ayo. While Manny was a more platonic friend he knew because of Ayo about a year prior, Ayo himself was closer to a childhood friend.
After arriving, he walked the familiar dusty path, the contrast between his current life and this recent past striking him with even more intensity.
He found Ayo sitting outside on a bench with his younger siblings, fiddling with his phone. Ayo's face lit up when he saw Daniel approaching.
"Ah ah! D-Boy! See big man na! You finally remember me today?" Ayo jumped up, shaking Daniel's hand enthusiastically.
"How far bro?" Daniel smiled, greeting Ayo's siblings, who looked at him with wide eyes – he was the friend who'd bought the expensive suya.
They chatted for a while, catching up. Daniel asked after Ayo's mum, who soon came out to greet him warmly. Daniel politely deflected questions about his own well-being, keeping his answers vague about "online business going well."
He slipped Ayo's mum N10,000 before she went back inside – a reasonable sum for them, but easily manageable for him now. Ayo watched this with a mixture of gratitude and genuine happiness.
"Guy, you've finally made it," Ayo said with a sigh when they were alone again.
"Things are moving small." Daniel said, deciding it was time. "Actually, that's one reason I came to see you."
Ayo leaned forward, interested. "What's up?"
"You know that online trading thing I told you about?" Daniel began carefully. "I've been working on something… like a platform. It helps make money through automated trades, even if they don't know anything about crypto."
Ayo's eyes widened. "For real? Even without prior knowledge?"
"Yes." Daniel affirmed. "Still in the testing phase. But it's showing promise. There's a small group I want to start, for people that are serious. So they can be properly guided."
"Like investment group?"
"Exactly. But it has a small commitment fee, Like 5k. I'll pay for you anyways."
Ayo processed this. 5k was manageable, especially if the potential return was real. He trusted Daniel. "Okay… so how will it work?"
"I'll soon finalize everything. I'll create a group, maybe WhatsApp or Telegram. Once it's ready, I'll let you know. You'll be among the first people, if you are interested." Daniel kept it casual, an offer between friends, not a hard sell.
"Ah! My guy! Of course, I am interested!" Ayo grinned, clapping Daniel on the shoulder again. "Anything to leave the trenches!"
Daniel smiled. The seed was planted. Ayo, his loyal friend, would be one of the first members of Rocket Funds, a trusted early adopter. And hopefully, soon, Ayo wouldn't be talking about trenches anymore. He stayed a while longer, playing a quick card game with Ayo and his siblings, before eventually taking his leave and promising to be in touch soon.