HIDDEN IN THE PUBLIC

The Bridge law

"Why?" I questioned after letting out a belch

"There was a fight here day before yesterday and lives were lost so police have been patrolling and If they catch you here, Oyo (on your own), whether you are among or not, anybody anyhow, anywhere, #50,000 for bail so better respect your self and run if asked too" Obi explained and I could definitely reason why everyone ran including the hawkers and passersby.

"Obi, Na because say I see am for your side this morning na im make me carry am commot sef - (Obi it was because I saw him with you this morning , that was what made me carry him along)" the other guy added and I nodded.

"Thanks allot" I said and heaved.

So This is the life I signed up for

"My own name na Micheal, but they call me 'mico psycho" Micheal informed with a dirty smirk and I nodded again.

"For you to stay here ehn, you need the rules and na obi go tell you that one because me I wan JP, na Japa be that" he concluded and stood up.

"Ah! How far you na? Where to?" Obi questioned

"I just see one new parol and na bay this one go give me so I dey go somolu this night ( I just saw a new job and it would fetch me thousands so am going to somolu town this night)" Micheal responded

"Na only for today or.."

"No...maybe months or even year, depending on the kin parol"  he added.

"Okay ooo, no sha forget us for here ooo - don't forget us here " obi said while Micheal stood up

"You be omo Oro na, my blood. See you later" he said and ran off.

"So what rule" I said facing him squarely.

"Oya listen very well" he said while forming thick voice

"1, here for oshodi underbridge, everybody get his space and pay for rent #50 per day, na because say you dey with me ooo if not, you suppose pay too"

"Oh God"

"No yet call God for this matter na, no 2 na If you hear JP, omo you must to Japa that means run away whether left or right"

"Okay"

"This place na no man land, but there are some alaye (masters), don't pass your boundaries, I no go dey there ( I won't be there)"

"Okay"

"Everybody for himself here, one eye for an eye, if anybody punch you ehn, punch them back. "

"Okay"

"Police means protect yourself life by running away or by any means"

"Hm"

"I'll tell you the rest later, I wan sleep but remember that the difference between the bridge law and law of the land is that if you should violate the nation law, the bridge law can save you but if you should violate the bridge law, the nation law can never save you. Think about that throughout the night so better respect your self" he said and gave a yawn before stretching on the carton beside me.

"I will but By the way, thanks for today. I mean for the bread, for saving me and for accommodating me. Like you know If not for you I don't know what would have happened like you were like a savior. I really appreciate everything you've done for -" I stopped my speech when I heard him yawning heavily.

He probably had a long day.

"Goodnight" I whispered gently and laid back on the carton waiting for sleep to carry me to an unknown land.

But I was wrong.

It didn't come
_____________

A pang of headache woke me up and a part of me was happy that it wasn't water. I held my throbbing head and looked up to see Obi dusting his slippers as usual.

"Good morning" I managed to say.

"Exactly, so stand up because today am not going to feed you fish but I'll teach you how to fish" he said and crossed his arms beneath his chest.

"Urmm...I'd love to go but I've not taking my bath and it been two days now" I said still sitting on the carton.

"Oboy that one na later, get up now now" he said in a more commanding tone and I had no choice than to obey. I stood up and as he took the carton to an unknown place again.

I put on my leather slippers and cleaned up my face with my cloth.

No one cares how I look like here.

At least I have no friends here and no one knows me

I don't need perfume nor clothes all i pity is my teeth.

"We are going to the garage to hunt food" he said like a wolf going for hunting.

"Okay" I managed a weak smile.

I pray I come back in one piece

"Let go" he said and I followed like a sheep being led to the slaughter.

The garage was not even far from the bridge. Well everywhere looks like a garage coz buses were scattered. the so called oshodi market happens to be a very busy market with lot of people selling different things everywhere. I made sure I stuck to obi to avoid getting lost in this multitude of the talking people. Obi stopped at a bus lane who are probably conveying people turn by turn, he greeted a man sitting on a bench beside the line of buses. Well he wasn't alone as there were others, some were smoking, some were almost fighting about a content of a newspaper while some were thinking alone.

I stood back and watched as obi communicated with them, it was obvious that they were trying to reach a deal. After that seemed like a long time, Obi came back to meet me and drag me to the beginning of the line.

"Work don start, oya watch and learn" he announced before he began his shouting and calling upon passengers to enter the first bus.

"Yaba yaba yaba... Yaba going Enter with your change oooo Yaba three hundred naira, onipanu, palm Grove, obinikoro, jibowu yaba. Any bustop three three hundred naira only.....yaba enter yaba yaba.... Enter with your slippers and sit down with comfort" he kept shouting with a very thick voice to call more passengers. Some passengers had luggages and he also helped them to carry the luggage into the boot.

I looked at him as he ran left and right to direct people into the bus. I couldn't just stand there and watch.... I had to join him

"Yaba yaba" I shouted while forming a thick voice which I obviously don't have. Obi looked at me and gave me an half smile which I accepted.

"How much yaba?" An old woman asked me

"Three hundred ma" I replied.

"Why na?"

"Mama, petrol cost, recession everywhere, traffic sef dey. Na three hundred naira only" I replied her and she murmured some words I don't understand before entering the bus.

Within few minutes, the bus became full and the bus driver handed over some cash to Obi, we thanked him and left the lane.

" I think we would become good friends" Obi said and patted me at my back as we walked down the busy road.

"Definitely but now, what next?"

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