SATURDAY NIGHTS WITH SPARKS

 

Diary of an Ekaette in Lagos...

I think I am just realizing that Lagos is a wonderful place but it is too rough for me.

So, one lovely evening, I stepped out to get some provisions and toiletries in another street outside my estate. Just a few metres I can cover to and fro in about 15minutes, I was wearing a dress and a pair of flat slippers, with my headphones in one ear, listening to my kind of music.

A few seconds after I stepped out of my house, I saw a group of boys, probably returning from a soccer training session, standing by the food stand directly opposite my house, all waiting to buy food. So, I couldn't greet the food vendor who happens to be my friend...

As I walk towards the estate gate, barely 2minutes after walking past those guys, I heard someone screaming behind me, followed by "catch am!! Thief!!! Catch am oooooo"....a lot of whistling and shouting followed. I think say na film o...

By this time, the noise had not quite registered on my mind, but as the screams grew louder, I became aware of my surroundings, and at this point I almost died. Why today ehh?? Why now?? I have been inside the house all this while, so why didn't this thief run past since?? All these thoughts happened between the moment I was aware of my surroundings and when I turned to look back.

You cannot hear people screaming and just start running, you have to see where it's coming from, so you don't run straight into the source. my peoples, no be so?

When I turned, I noticed that the thief was running towards me. Now lemme describe my position at that time, I was directly in front of the estate gate, the food stand was behind me and the guys, there was no way I could run back to my house as the thief just ran past it towards the estate gate.

Now, the people chasing him were shouting that the footballers should catch him, one of them tried but the thief brought out something from his pocket, waved it at him and he ran off the road.

At this point, I knew I was in trouble, as there was no other person in front of the thief apart from me...out of nowhere...I heard the footballers shouting....."Sister, sister!! Abeg catch am! Put leg for am"....

Inside me, I was like; "hian...the people don chop winch oo...are they madt!? you that has been doing exercise and training everyday didn't dribble and put leg for the guy, it's LAZY me...that sits in front of my computer all day you are sending, I didn't come to Lagos to come and catch thief....abi die o!!!!

If you saw me running towards the gate ehhh, you would think Usain bolt is my coach, the thief no send me o. He just zoomed past me and I was left panting."

Long story short, those guys ran after him, wading in between cars on the road till they caught him and dragged him back to our estate, what they did to him, I don't know and I don't care...I just wanted rice krispies....and I got it.

Moral lesson - Exercise regularly, u may need it one day.

About the Author
Here is what Andikan Inyang also known as 'Sparks' has to say about herself......................

As a Chemical Engineering graduate, former Immigration Officer and present day banker.....and most importantly, a foodie, I hide behind my pen.......therein lies my strength. I hope to pursue a career in writing and explore the world of poetry. So help me God.