The effect of the scorching sun on my way to the food seller’s shop made little impact as I pondered on the heroic act of Aunty Faustina. It was her command of authority for me!
Some people are really angels in disguise, I concluded. Who knows, Mama could be wrong.
“Yago lo na fun mi jo!” an angry cart pusher shouted behind me and in a bid to get out of the way for him, I narrowly escaped being hit by a motorcycle.
“Are you blind?” the motorcyclist barked, “akoba, adaba!”
I sighed and just as I was about to cross to the other side of the road, an SUV pulled beside me.
I turned and realized it was Segun, my landlord’s son.
“Good afternoon, brother Segun.”
“Good afternoon, Nelly,” he responded smiling.
I was stunned and wondered what warranted that familiarity for the nick name.
“Where are you going to?” he stared at my plastic bag.
“To buy food.”
“Where?”
“Along Mobile road…”
“Mobile road? Where precisely?”
“Iya Ramota’s canteen.”
“Get into the car, let me take you there.”
“Thank you.”
“Why Iya Ramota?” he probed, oozing out an alcoholic breath as he spoke, “I don’t really see any special thing in her food, yet a lot of people throng her shop like bees.”
“Are there no canteens close to your mother’s shop?” he continued.
“There are, but my mother instructed me to go there,” I replied already getting irritated at the alcoholic odour.
“Must you always obey your mother?”
“Yes, because the bible says so.”
“I know,” he stressed, “but do you obey your mother at all times?”
I was speechless as I pondered over my next reply.
“Well brother Segun, it’s always better to do the right thing.”
“You’re such an intelligent girl!”
“Thank you.”
“I like you a lot, Nelly,” he cast his gaze at me.
“Please watch; you’re in motion!” I cautioned him.
“Never mind, I’m a master of the road; I could even drive with both eyes closed…”
My heart skipped. Driving with both eyes closed? Not when I’m still in this vehicle!
As the journey progressed, I discovered that the route was becoming less familiar.
“Please, where are we headed?”
“Relax girl, you’re in safe hands…”
“Brother Segun, where are you taking me to?”
“I say relax, Nelly, I’m really enjoying your company. I’ve always craved for this opportunity to be with you but your watchdog mother never gave me the chance.”
“Please let me out of this vehicle for God’s sake,” I was close to tears.
“Would you be my girlfriend?”
That unanticipated request brought aunty Faustina’s words to my mind…”The hunters are all over the place…”
“I’m not enjoying this roller coaster ride…”
“Speak on, Miss grammarian!”
“Sincerely, I don’t expect this from you,” I spoke calmly. “I’ve so much respect for you and that’s why I address you as ‘brother’, even though we’re not related in any way.”
He laughed heartily and before I knew it, he brought out a tiny sachet from his pocket, tore it open and emptied the entire content into his mouth.
“Nelly, you’re my African queen, the girl of my dreams…” he sang.
“Stop this vehicle, please brother Segun, I’m begging you in the name of God!”
Every plea fell on deaf ears. Could it be the effect of the alcohol or an already planned work? Was he going to harm me? Any hope of escape?
These and many other negative thoughts hammered at the door of my troubled mind.
As he was about to negotiate a bend completely away from the main road, a deafening sound sprung from the engine. Shutting my eyes tightly and fearing the inevitable end, I let out a desperate sigh. A few seconds the engines rattled, and the tyres screeched to a halt.
“Ibo witch!” he roared, “carry your wahala out of my car!”
I staggered out of the vehicle with a sigh of relief.
