TITLE: Attai EPISODE: 3 AUTHOR: FoxyRebirth “Wanne irin iskanci ne wanna, yanzu ne safe ya zo a gidan ka” (What kind of behaviour is this, is it now that the day broke in your house) My boss queried me. “Haba mai gida na, ka san wai gida na da nisa” (Its not that oga, you know my house is far) I replied him before walking to the changing room. Not exactly a changing room, but a shack where clothes are kept. I quickly pulled my fineboy clothings and replaced it with the usual clothes I wear, put a face cap on my head and used a big black shade to cover my eyes. I also used a black artificial beard to cover below my nose with a goatie on my chin. I came out looking different and like every other tout under the bridge in mararaba and orange market. “Ka shiria kenan ko, kai, amma kai dan iska ne, idan mutum bai san ka zai gan Kaman kai dan Arrabiya ne” (You are now ready, but you are truly a jackass, if someone doesn’t know you, he might mistake you for an arab) I laughed. “Haba oga, a yan lemo kuma, mai zai kawo dan turawa nan” (That’s mischievous, not in orange market, what’s going to bringan Arab man here) I replied him. “Manta da lamarin nan, nemo mun customomi, za mu je Kaduna yau kuma zaka raka ni, Adamu bashi da lafiya” (forget that talk, just get me customers because we are headed for Kaduna and you will accompany me, Adamu (his conductor) is sick). I just twirled round and using a voice more baritone than mine, started screaming: “Kadunaaaaa buuuuussssssss, Kaduna busssssss” Soon the whole car became full and the journey to Kaduna progressed with me entertaining both the Hausa men and other tribes going to Kaduna with jokes. We made it to Tudun Wada, reloaded and came back to Abuja that same day. I was really tired at the end of the whole journey that I mechanically went to the “gidan wanka” located at orange market, paid N50, collected soap and jumped into the toilet to offload my system, after which I switched to the bathroom to take my bath. My mind replaying the incidence of that day and musing over the fact that I still hadn’t close for the day. I changed into my normal clothes and boarded a bus this time going to my destination instead of the normal bike which is by the way costlier than the bus. Getting to the bus-stop, instead of walking straight home, I took the same dusty path that led to the uncompleted building, got to a door which I opened and entered into it. Inside the room is a table which I shifted to the extreme end of the room, climbed on and took a brown envelope which was tucked in between a broken block on the ceiling. I came down, made my way to the door, peeped left and right and then came out locking the door behind me. I got to the gate of the house sooner than expected, went into the compound and matched straight to Ekaite’s room, knocked on her door and retrieve my keys from her. I opened my door and was welcomed by an inviting aroma. Ekaite had cooked and kept it in the room awaiting my return. Without thinking twice, I pounced on the food, divulged it and laid back to sleep. The alarm on my phone rang at exactly 8:30pm waking me up. The time has come to complete my business for the day. then walked to the far end of the room where a plastic bucket that contains water for drinking is kept. I scooped a little from inside using a cup, walked outside and washed the remaining sleep from my eyes. Drying my face with the towel, I applied a little powder to make it smooth. I quickly changed from the old clothes into a new one which I Ekaite had washed earlier, then applied lots of body spray, put my leg into a palm slippers and stepped out of the house. I was accosted on the way by Ekaite who seemed to have been coming from where she went to buy something as she was holding a black leather bag in her hand. Attai, na where you dey go now, abi night never do for you to sleep . You know say we go late gate by ten abi I smiled to myself. No point telling me as this wasnt the first time Im scaling the fence of opening the gate from the outside. No worry, na me go come wake you up personally with the chicken wey I go buy for you in the mornin I replied her. She screamed playfully and grabbed me by the shirt to which I gently pushed her hands off to prevent the shirt from squeezing. I bidded her goodbye immediately and walked off not glancing behind me for once. Soon I was in a busy part of my area, I paused under the cover of darkness and looked ahead of me, truly, the recharge card girl was in her kiosk all alone by herself. I smiled, just what I had prayed for. I crossed to the other side, walked boldly to her kiosk and greeted. Na now I know why moon no gree comot, men see as you dey shine like sun sotey moon just hide inside sky To which she raised her head up and mumbled a silent... Good evening I looked her over once again. Her fair face which carried a little make-up radiated under the light of her battery powered lamp, her small lips placed gently on it. Her eyes, yes that eyes that haunts my thoughts and a nose that looked like it was the last to be created on her therefore a lot of time was taken to make it fit properly to her face. She truly is an epitome of beauty in its unrefined form. She was putting on a pink top with a black pencil trousers and a pink rubber slippers to match. All these I took within the few seconds of standing by her side. Forget about my description, I had only seen her the previous day when I had come to that part of the area in search of recharge card. Was surprised to find her there as it is usually a man that sits in the shop. So, sister, dem dey call me Attai I said expecting her to pick clue but instead she made a pop sound with her mouth and turned her face. Aiye yarinya (babe), thats how you treat strangers with popping music without knowing whom they are first? I queried in a nice british accented english. No, it is not like that, I just come here to sell cards not tell my name to strangers I took note of what she had said and the manner at which she said it. I smiled. This one is going to be easy I told myself. I immediately switched back to pidgin English: No be so na, na who go see you waka pass. That person go reach house begin regret. You for know how I feel yesterday when I forget ask you your name na This brought a smile to her face. I was making progress. Forget say you dey here o, if by mistake you attend beauty contest just to watch, na for your seat them go crown you queen because you na real queen She brought her head down shyly for a few seconds while I threw sumersaults in my mind, danced alingo remixed version, my etigi better than the Calabars. If you think say I be one of those girls, then make you think again because I know wetin I want for this life and no be to hear yeye talk from person like you. See if no be card you wan buy, better waka leave here before I embarass you. Her voice came out loaded with deadly threats. I was taken aback because I had not expected the reaction. Just the slight raising of her voice had raised my hairs and drawn a few attention, no imagine her carrying out her threat. Her tongue is really coated with fire. I admired the fire that flew from her eyes while she spoke and the dead seriousness in her eyes. Surely my kind of woman. Say person dey talk to you as friend na im make you wan wound am with your mouth, abeg give me zain 50 naira make I dey go. Meanwhile no vex say I make you uncomfortable with my talk I apologised as she reached into her purse to give me the card I had demanded for. Im sorry I mumbled again before turning to leave. Im sorry too I acted like I did not hear her as I held my shoulder high above her head whilst dialing a number. O boy, na where una dey I spoke into my Nokia torch. See me dey come I cut the call and quickly rushed to the house to get the brown envelope. I was in for an adventure that night. Watchout for episode 4
Posted on: Mon, 22 Sep 2014 21:18:22 +0000
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