Chronicles from Iyana-Ipaja

The sound of horns blaring in the traffic of Iyana Ipaja during a heavy rainstorm was deafening. I quickly crossed to the other side of the road, the scent of roasted corn wafting through the air. However, the fear of cholera outbreak and the sight of people suffering brought me back to reality. I continued walking, eager to catch a bus back to Oshodi.

"Oshood, Oshood 300!" I heard the bus conductor calling out as the vehicle approached.

I hopped onto the bus without haggling, seeking refuge from the relentless rain. Drenched and dirty, I felt a wave of annoyance wash over me. The bus reeked of a Fulani person's scent, triggering a sense of familiarity. Perhaps, there was a Hausa passenger in the bus, I thought.

The journey to Oshodi was swift and uneventful. I transferred to another bus to reach my final destination, where I encountered a man who seemed straight out of a Nollywood film.

I had just acquired a new pair of earpods and was relishing the moment. Seizing the opportunity, I claimed the front seat next to the driver, gazing out the window lost in thought. If only I had more money, I mused, I would have bought a new pair of training shoes. Before I knew it, the bus was full and the doors were shut.

"Mi o salọ," I heard someone say. "I am not running away."

Intrigued, I listened in on a conversation the man was having on the phone. He mentioned something about buying medication called "zeenat" for a woman who had just given birth to triplets. The cost was 10,500 Naira, and he was contemplating selling his phone to afford it.

"Kilode ti mo ma salọ, mi o salọ," he repeated. "Why would I run away, I am not running away."

I couldn't help but empathize with his situation. The struggles of everyday life in such challenging times were truly evident.

But why would anyone have thought a man whose wife just put to bed would run away if truly he has been responsible? Yet again, I remembered that “billing dey choke”. I am a living witness myself.

The thought of why they could have avoided the pregnancy flashed in my head. There are many options but you decided to have the baby. You could have remained celibate, also but you love sex more than peace of mind and I didn't want to pity the man anymore.

After locking my hearing from his conversation, I could still hear his voice evenwith my earpods on and another thought of the man being a scammer flashed and all that conversation could be a stunt to receive pitiful and financial gestures from people.

Yes, in this economy. Anybody is capable of doing anything. And I thought again, we are suffering.

Thank you so much for reading, I love y'all intentionally for this. I'd remember you when I am big and not dead, yet.