This lady and I work in the same organization and, unfortunately for me, we also use the same bank. So whenever salary drops, she always knows. Sometimes, before I even get the alert, she has already walked up to me with that familiar smile to say, “Salary has entered, abi?” And immediately after that, the request for money follows. The problem is not even helping someone. The real issue is that I have boxed myself into a corner. Over time, I have made it look like salary means nothing to me. In the office, everyone believes I have money, plenty money. They think I don’t depend on my salary, that I have other strong sources of income. Especially her. I laugh, I act unbothered, I talk like salary is just “extra”. Meanwhile, that salary is my lifeline. So when she asks, I find it very hard to say no. I give, even when I know I shouldn’t. I give until my own account is almost empty. I tell myself I will manage, that something will come up. But nothing ever does. Before the middle of the month, I am already struggling. I start calculating transport. I start cutting down on feeding. Eventually, I end up borrowing from family and sometimes friends, just to survive till the next payday. I feel trapped by the image I created. If I suddenly change and start saying no, questions will come up. If I complain, people will say I am pretending. I honestly don’t know how I got here, but I know it is draining me financially and emotionally. Please, how do you reset people’s perception without embarrassing yourself? Or is learning to say no the only way out?