Good day, Hivers.
It's a beautiful Sunday, and I do hope you are starting this new week very well and stronger.
I had a surprising experience today. Should I even call it surprising? Maybe it happened to me the first time, but if you live in Lagos, Nigeria, you will agree with me that the state is full of crazy people. No doubt, it's a state of excellence; businesses do flourish here, investments do turn out well, and other office work happens here and there, but then bad boys flood this city looking for whom to extort money from in broad daylight. I have heard of how crazy some public drivers and conductors can be while dealing with passengers. I have experienced some drama happen to other people, not knowing that today was specifically for my turn. I have been trying to play smart while living in this city, especially when I am in public places, but I was caught unaware this morning. I never saw it coming, but then, lesson learned, I am alert for this bus driver henceforth.
My encounter
My family and I planned to attend the 10 a.m. church service today. So around 5 a.m., I was already in the kitchen preparing white rice, beans, and stew for our lunch before heading to church. I rounded up around 7:30 am and dressed up to go pick up an important parcel in a pack not far from my home, just like 15 minutes drive. I took this decision because I had extra time before church and also because I am expecting visitors in the afternoon. This morning was the best for me to quickly pick up the parcel at once. So I boarded a public bus #100 to the location; I had #500 with me, and upon arrival, I gave the conductor the #500, expecting my #400 balance from him. He kept murmuring that he didn't have any change with him. Many people were seated inside the bus watching us. I had already stepped down from the bus, waiting for my balance as he kept murmuring. To my greatest chagrin, he whispered to the driver to move the car, and he moved. This was the only money I picked up from my home while going. I watched them move the car, and I tried to hold back the conductor, but I couldn't. They moved with speed with my money. Oh no! I felt cheated, I felt robbed in broad daylight, and I felt sad! Many people around me asked what just happened, and when I explained, they only pitied me and expressed how wicked the acts of those bus drivers were. This is how they behave here in Lagos most of the time. Any single opportunity they see, they strike immediately. It was painful to me because I had no other money with me then; I don't have my ATM card either, and I don't even have any money in my bank account as I made a cash withdrawal yesterday but kept it at home. Trekking back home? No way. I will miss the church and stressing myself so much in the early morning. Then I remembered that I sold some hive a few days ago but left some dollars in my binance. I quickly traded, and within a few minutes, I received an alert! I searched for POS people around, transferred the money to them, and they gave me cash. That was how I transported myself back home.
The whole encounter with the bus driver and his conductor happened so quickly that it was as if I was dreaming, but it was my reality. The money 🤑💰 I lost may not be much, but the circumstances surrounding it were so uncomfortable and frustrating. All thanks to Hive; it saved the day for me as usual. I was literally stranded at that point, but I was glad to be rescued.
With this experience, I will ensure that I receive my balance next time after payment while still inside the bus. I wouldn't want to lose more money in such manner next time.
Thanks for reading!!