When "I'm Sorry" Doesn't Work, What's Next?

On a particular Saturday that smelled like wahala, Mr Tavi and his wife, Mrs Lase, decided to go shopping at TwoCents Mall.Just innocent shopping.What could possibly go wrong? At the mall entrance, Oga John the doorman was doing his job with the calm of a monk on sabbatical.Mrs Lase clocked that calm and already stored it for later use. Inside the mall, items entered trolley.Calculator entered Mrs Lase’s head.Confidence entered her spirit. At the counter, Nimmat, the lady attending to them, announced the bill. Mrs Lase froze.Recalculated.Re-recalculated.Then chose violence. “THIS IS WRONG!”“You people like cheating customers!”“IS THIS HOW YOU PEOPLE DO HERE?!” Nimmat blinked twice.Other shoppers gathered: Faye, Esther, and Kelvin—the unofficial Mall Arbitration Panel. After a few calm voices, phone calculators, and receipts flying like court exhibits, the verdict landed: Mrs Lase was not over-billed. She was actually short-billed. Silence. Nimmat smiled the smile of someone who just dodged character assassination.Mrs Lase adjusted her bag.Mr Tavi cleared his throat. They left. At the door, Oga John was opening it gently—still monk-like. “WHY ARE YOU SO SLOW?!” Mrs Lase snapped.“Is this door your family inheritance?!” Mr Tavi whispered, “Please apologize.”Reluctantly… *sorry was released.* On their way out of the mall, Yahweh’s Delight crossed the road without seeing their car. Mrs Lase activated again.“ARE YOU BLIND?!”“CAN’T YOU SEE A CAR?!” Yahweh’s Delight apologized.Mr Tavi sighed deeply, the sigh of a man who has seen things. “Please apologize too,” he said. They got home. That night, Mr Tavi decided to teach a lesson. --- Husband: Grab a plate and throw it on the floor.Wife: Throws plateHusband: Did it break?Wife: Yes.Husband: Say sorry to it.Wife: Sorry.Husband: Did it return to how it was?Wife: No.Husband: Do you understand? Sometimes, sorry doesn’t fix everything.Some lives, once cracked by words, accusations, rants, and curses, don’t snap back into shape.Be careful how you treat people.The life you didn’t create—don’t be the one to damage it. Mr Tavi went to bed without eating.Mrs Lase apologized.He didn’t budge. --- <h3>THE NEXT DAY…</h3> Wife: Good morning my love.Husband: Good morning dear.Wife: You ignored me last night despite my apologies. Mr Tavi paused.Then softly said, “I’m sorry.” Mrs Lase smiled.Then handed him an empty plastic bottle. “Squash it.” He did.“Squash it more.” He did.“Say sorry to it.” “…Sorry, bottle.” “Did it return to normal?” she asked. He sighed. “No.” She then handed him a slim kitchen file. “Insert it and fix it from inside.” After some careful effort, the bottle slowly regained its shape—still not perfect, but better. Mrs Lase looked him in the eye, held his hand and said: <blockquote>“Now you see… Not everything needs sorry to fix it. Some things need effort, intention, and action. Let’s go fix last night… properly.”</blockquote> And back into the bedroom they went.Peace treaty signed. --- If you’re waiting for a TwoCents Takeaway, Giveaway, or Reflection from me… I'M SORRY. Go and fix it yourself in the comment section. See you on the next TwoCents Insight

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