TOLU GOES TO LAGOS

TOLU GOES TO LAGOS

Of all the places Tolu thought he would ever have to hide out from the collectors the dumpsite was not one of those places. He had been late again with his payment and Alade’s patience had just about run out with him. Hence the collectors; they consisted of a group of bulky 6ft plus thugs Alade kept in his employ for defectors like Tolu. This was going to be a long night. He was hiding beneath 4 feet of dirt hoping that the stench of rotten cabbage mixed with sanitary towels wouldn’t kill him before the collectors got to him. He grabbed a dirt rag that his hand had latched onto and held it to his nose as tears tricked down his face. Selling Marijuana was supposed to be easy; if he couldn’t get a nice job with his university degree in Mathematics he could at least sell weed. It was supposed to be comfortable because the demand was high and the customers were sometimes cooperative. Reckless spending and a deal gone bad because of the police meant he now owed Alade N125,000. Where was he going to get the money from? He would have to come clean with his parents and if he hadn’t disappointed them enough this would be the icing.

“Calm down Baba Tolu! You will raise your BP with all this shouting ooh!”

“Mama Tolu, how can you ask me to calm down? Have you not been listening to your worthless son? He has been selling marijuana all this while instead of being productive and useful.”

Tolu had never seen his father this angry in his life. He watched with his head bowed low and his shoulders slumped as his father walked agitatedly back and forth across the living room. The veins on this neck was threatening to pop out blood any moment now, beads of sweat dotted his forehead even as the fan was on the highest number and all the windows opened. He hated the look of disappointment in his father’s eyes as he looked at him.

“I am sending you to Lagos to live with your Aunty Damola. I will kill you before you murder me with problems in this house. As for your debt with Alade I will sort it out with him”.

The bus came to a final stop at Ojota; his dad had advised him to park light and carry only one box so he could guard it easily because the alaye boys in Lagos can easily discern the green horns in the crowd. He left the bus and was walking to the bus-stop when from out of nowhere two kids no older than 15 years old appeared on either side of him trying to snatch his luggage.

“Oga make we help you carry your bag reach junction na, big bros like you no suppose they suffer for this hot sun ooh”

“Eehh, thank you but I fit carry am on my own”. His father’s voice rang in his ears as he told him to speak Pidgin English so he could blend in easily and to always know that no one offered free service or help in Lagos except he had something to gain.

Haba bros, na help we dey give ooh, no be fight.

Tolu noticed the pose they both assumed; one hand on either side of his bag ready to run. He held on tighter to the middle of his bag as he screamed at the boys to let go. They finally relented and he walked on surprised that no one had even looked his way as the two ruffians attempted to rob him in broad day light.

There were many buses going in different directions; he was almost overwhelmed as he tried to figure out where the buses going to Yaba were loading. His mother had told him not to enter small buses because some of them were one chance. He was to wait for the BRT or coaster buses because those ones never got robbed. It took a while but he finally figured out where the Yaba buses were loading and he boarded one that would take him to his Girlfriend’s house at Sabo. After 20 minutes of the trip spent mostly in traffic, the bus conductor started collecting the fare of N200 from the passengers.

Oga where your money abeg. He dipped his hands into his front pockets to retrieve his wallet when he realized that it wasn’t there. He checked his other trouser pockets but it wasn’t there and in a frantic attempt he searched the side pockets of his travelling luggage and that’s when it hit him. The little rascals must have taken his wallet when he was busy trying to pry his bag from their hands. Thankfully he only had N5, 000 in his wallet including his identity and bank ATM cards. Sweat started dripping from under his armpits, legs and other places that he didn’t know it was possible to sweat from. The conductor was watching him with a menacing glare. His long neck was taut as he watched Tolu with bloodshot eyes.

Oh boy! I no dey for this jankiri oh! You better pay me my money or I go throway you comot for this bus na na! You dey craze ne? abi I resemble John Bull for ya eye! His voice rose with every word, cheap alcohol permeated from his breath as saliva dropped on the passengers sitting closest to him. Oga abeg abeg! Face another side as you dey shoot all dat nonsense comot for ya mouth. A pregnant woman sitting close to the conductor shouted. She looked to be in her early thirties. See as you dey pour me saliva for body! Abi na my fault say problem yakata for your body ne!

The conductor looked at her, opened his mouth to reply her and thought better of it before turning his attention fully back to Tolu who was wondering if this day was ever going end. Out of frustration the conductor made to shove Tolu out of the moving vehicle when one of the passengers sitting at the back of the bus offered to pay his fare. All the passengers came down at Yaba as Tolu stood by wondering what to do next.

He walked up to the man who took care of his bus fare from earlier and got directions to Yetunde’s house. Luckily for him it was the street across the junction so he didn’t have to walk too far. This was a nice area he noted. How Yetunde was able to afford living in a nice suburban quarter like this was yet a mystery to him. As soon as he got to the address she gave him he knocked on the gate and after identifying himself to the well-dressed security guard he was directed to Yetunde’s flat on the first floor. She ran out to hug him before he could knock and it felt good to see a familiar face after the long journey and turbulence of the day.

You must be very tired dear, come inside I already ran you a bath. The flat was very big; unlike anything a young single and barely employed lady should be able to afford. He noticed her checking him out from the corner of his eyes. She was probably waiting for him to start asking questions anytime soon but all that could wait till the next day. He got out of the en-suite bathroom and walked into the bedroom where Yetunde was making the bed.

 Do you want some food before we call it a night?

No, I’m not hungry.

Now that he was refreshed he was able to really look at Yetunde. Her skin was lighter; her hair was no longer in the natural matting style she loved back in Owo. She had also been working out as he could see the toned arms and flat tummy beneath the sheer lingerie she wore. He was getting lucky on his first night. He walked up to her with a smile on his face as he held her in his arms for the first time in more than 8 months.

I missed us; its’ not been the same without you.

I know love that’s why I’m here. He failed to mention the marijuana deal gone badly or the fact that he was supposed to be at his aunt’s place instead of hers’. Any moment now his phone would start buzzing with calls from his parents but for now he wanted to just stay in the arms of his lover.

I got something for us to try out. Yetunde spoke as her eyes shone with excitement.

First of all promise me that you will keep an open mind here ok? It’s something my friends say spiced up their sex life with their partners and when I found out you were coming here I went out and got some uh….some supplies. She finished with a mischievous smirk on her face.

Ok… he answered warily; curious about what supplies she was referring to. She went to the wardrobe and pulled out a small kit, came to the bed and dumped its contents on the bed.

Say something sweetie… you’ve been looking at nothing for some time now. I know you are surprised but this could be good for us as the toys are meant to rejuvenate our sex life and spice up things.

Spice up things! What was wrong with our sex life before? It was just fine to me; and what is that book there?

It’s a hand book for beginners who are just starting out with sex toys. I was hoping we could study it together, try some of the moves in there and find what we are comfortable with. Lets’ face it dear; our sex life was dull and bland. My friends have really helped me to understand there is so much we can get from sex and I am excited to try out some of these things. Can you please just try for me?

Hell no! I just got here and all of this is like a culture shock! What kind of friends are you keeping? Is this what Lagos has done to you? Goodness Lord who are you Yetunde? Because the girl I knew in Owo had no problems with our life and suddenly you want to rejuvenate! What in the world is that!

I’m sorry ok; I just wanted to do something nice for you. I thought you would be a bit more excited. Can we still cuddle? I don’t want you going to bed angry your first night here.

He sent a quick text to his Mum letting her know he was safe in Lagos and would call them the next day, ignoring the five missed calls from his Father as he turned off his phone and climbed into bed with Yetunde. What a day; first with the pick pockets, the bus conductor and finally the sex toys. This was going to be one hell of an experience. He wrapped his arms around her as he spooned her from behind, breathing in the strawberry scent of her shampoo as he tried to tell himself that he could make it work in the bubbling city of Lagos.