Endless : The Diary Of A Nigerian Orphan - Episode 13
man must chop!
Of course, I didn’t care. Even, if I had, I never showed it. This is because, my only safe hope is the woman who fries bean balls, she has been my succor for awhile . Definitely, she must have completed the day sales, judging from the time.
When I began to trudge ‘home’ gently, amidst the chanter and banter in the street. Watching happy children starting the moonlight game so early, absentmindedly kicking at stones many a time
. I cared.
“if you don’t have ears to hear the deafening sirens of cars and motorbikes. At least, you have eyes to see them coming”, a motor bike rider shouted as me. He had only brushed the cleft of his backseat against my right rib. I looked away and shook away the thought that ‘death is still preferable’.
Where I now decide to pass is away from the busy road, but I am not very familiar with it. There is bowl of unwashed plates at the side of the road , beside it is a black tripod stand of hot coals and a pot of red bubbling stew simmered from the top. I edged closer, hoping I would get one of the unwashed plates with manageable remnant of rice.
“oh!”, I sighed. It would be impossible , if my hands doesn’t reach out. I pulled closer at the shed, as voices of jolly people greeted my ears
All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/endless-the-diary-of-a-nigerian-orphan
. I peeped through a ragged opening in the curtain and I saw their faces, their plates. Some are eating, presently, while some had eaten and were munching on the bones of whatever they might have bought. This time, perceiving the delicious aroma of peppered stew and rice, I cared.
“hey! What do you want?”, a young lady asked, probably the restaurant owner or one of the sales rep. , she took me unaware because she emerged from behind. Carrying a pile of breakable plates with her, she peered into my face and asked again. This time, it is louder. Louder for one of the men, to pull up the curtain and watch .
“good evening ma. I am hungry ma, can I have a plate of rice?”, I asked.
“where is your money?”
“I don’t have”
“don’t you know that, nothing goes for nothing? This is Lagos O. Shine your eyes!”
“Jummy”, the watching man called. “let her have a plate. I will pay”
“thanks sir. Thanks very much sir”
“not to worry”
As soon as I was served, I grabbed the plate and ate with so much relish. This was a food, I had not eaten in weeks. Fresh and warm and straight from a clean source. But before, I could finish eating, the man left, along with others.
Nothing goes for nothing. Don’t you know this is Lagos.
“maybe, I should render a service to help”, I thought as I savored the satisfaction I had not gotten in awhile.
“can I help you wash the plates?”, I went out to ask the young lady.
“you want to wash?”
“yes and every time”
“for how much?”
“pay me with food”
“good. Let’s make a deal, then”
I smiled. A pure warm smile.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Wants to study in Canada? Checkout this ongoing scholarships in Canada
- Views (2570)
- Likes (1)
- Comments (2)
- Rating (0)
Great story..... Real life
Hey Sist please try and Finnish your story oh.