John did not know what to do. He just wandered about in confusion under the bridge in Ikeja bustop. He had no idea how he was going to reach Emeka that night.
Next, he saw some guys running at top speed. It looked like someone was chasing them. John joined in the race. Whatever it was, he was ready to run for his life. He ran with his box following him behind. The guys stopped and gave one another blows in a playful manner.
'What is all this?'. They were just playing. John looked around, he had been the only one running with the boys. Every other person was going about their business normally.
The guys let out a good laugh.
"O da bi pe JJC n'eleyi o (It seems this one is a JJC o)" then they laughed again.
One of them approached him menacingly. John quickly got the joke. The guys knew he was new in Lagos and soon, they'll look for a way to exploit him. He moved away from them and bumped into someone.
It was Emeka.
"Emekaaa!!!", John was so happy. His sad tales were over. He slapped hands with Emeka in a handshake and hugged him.
"Man! E remain small make I loss for this Lagos. Hian. Lagos di kwa hard o." John hugged Emeka again. "How you take know say I dey here?"
"My guy, I bin dey try your line, e no go so I con guess say something do your phone. I come talk say make I come this bustop come find you this night.", Emeka said.
" My guy, nothing do my phone o. Na thief them thief am. I put my hand for my own pocket, I no see my phone. Lagoosu a di very rough o."
Emeka laughed heartily. "Welcome to Lagos man. Make we dey go my house".
From there, they left to Emeka's one room apartment in Olaonipekun street. It was already some minutes to 10pm. In front of the house was a small shop owned by Emeka's land lady.
"Omo Igbo ti de.", the plumpy woman said, smiling. Emeka prostrated to greet her. They exchanged a few pleasantries and Emeka introduced John to her.
"Mummy mummy, na my brother be this o.", Emeka said. Iya Lukman, the land lady, flashed her torch light on John's face. John had to use his hands to block his face. 'What kind of mannerless woman is this one sef?', he thought.
"Good evening ma.", John said.
Iya Lukman had a look of disdain on her face. "So you cannot greet properly. You're standing to greet me. Oo ni respect. I don't blame you sha. Omo Igbo ni e. Good efini to you too. "
After a few more pleasantries, Emeka went in with John. John needed to rest, he had had enough for the day.
_-----------------------------------Culled from LAGOS-ISH
A series by Micheal Oscar and I.
If you want this series to continue here, say HI.
image: Kolaonifoto