THE LAST THREE DIGITS OF MY PHONE NUMBER

 "The last three digits of my phone number though".....to whom it may concern

          
       For whatever reasons I have no idea of, a mention of it brings one thing, just one thing to mind FRAUD. As to why it came up in the first place, I am yet to come across a history book that tells that story. But it appears it is widely accepted at least in this part of the world, the word or should I say the numbers 419 is very popular for all the bad reasons. And so when I bought my mobile phone chip, and made the first call to a friend to let him know my number the response was obvious; "so u turn 419 boy now? " and that was followed with a heavy lengthy laughter. 

         Amidst the confusion and everything I asked what do you mean by that, he said -still laughing- check the last three digits of your phone number. Hahahhahaha I did and it was 419. And so from then the subsequent calls at least for the familiarization period had this preamble or should I say a disclaimer;" please the connotation of the last three digits of my phone is in no way a reflection of my character" and it would proceed with a laughter from both ends before we switch to whatever we had to talk about. Funny isn't it. Hahahhaa but that was not the end of my problem. 

       Till date when I am reading out the number to a new person, I do it with a certain tact and skill such that I would avoid mentioning that last three digits together. And so this is how, I mention the first four together (0548) then (09) then( 34)- and with a long pause- i add (19)......often I get caught anyway. Lol So I say next time when you buy anything, check around it carefully to see because maybe, just maybe there might be a 419 inscription somewhere and the experience with having to explain yourself always is not so nice a thing .