A Leap Out Of The Mire

The sun seemed to be enraged this afternoon causing people to walk quickly to their destinations or remain sheltered in their shops while fanning furiously. The hawkers weren't out in full force yet, I bet is during the eventide they will work.

My country had first class in scorch heat. By the way, I am from Nigeria. Though I loved my country, I felt like I suffered incessantly here and felt we sort of offended our creator to push us to a part of the world that had severe climate issues.

Ten minutes later, I found myself staring at varieties of vegetable leaves that almost looked withered but yet cook able according to the seller. I didn't want to spend much time in the market, so I selected the ones I felt were good enough. The seller was at attention with black nylon carefully opened in her palm. I deposited my vegetables in it and moved on to the pepper tray. I picked some fresh peppers, examining them critically when I got poked in the ribs. It caused me to drop the pepper clumsily on its tray. 

"Hey..." I couldn't complete my sentence because in front of me was my best friend Joyce.

"Oh, it's you." I finished lamely.

"Yep, what's up?" She screeched happily.

I turned my attention back on the pepper and pointed at the ones I wanted to the seller. She packaged them for me as I waited patiently. 

"Nothing's up, o. I don't feel very cheerful at all." I informed her with a fake smile.

"What happened?" She asked with a little laugh.

"This heat is suffocating. I can't stand it." I used my right hand to sweep off the heat from my forehead. She gave me a pitiful look but more or less, laughed at me. 

The truth was that I was sad about my home treatment, it seemed to have been latched to the back of my mind creating an invisible weight on my fragile heart. I couldn't tell Joyce that though, at least not here. Or maybe, there were somethings I'd rather keep to myself.

The saleswoman drew my attention back to her, querying if I wanted more items. I gave my standard reply, no and paid for what I bought. I grabbed my items and was about to step out with Joyce on my toes when a Hausa man dressed in worn-out clothes stepped in front of us. He displayed the herbal medicines that were wrapped across his shoulders with a head tie and the black nylon he held securely with his left hand.

"We don't want to buy," I said.

"Look, make I tell you this herb if you take am, your system go clean. E go wash all your malaria o, typhoid o. You go see." the man gushed.

"I see but unfortunately we don't have money with us," Joyce explained as politely as possible. Then she led me away from the enthusiastic seller by bypassing him.

"That man was desperate to sell those goods," I said as I checked if my goods were still in my arm. Fortunately, it was in my right arm.

"It could have been worse my friend."

"What are you doing here anyway?" I asked, changing the topic.

"Well, I wanted to see a friend."

"Which friend?" I asked.

"Nonso." She avoided my gaze.

"That one, joy...hmm, you need to be very careful about all these boys. What if he wants you to accompany him to someplace, what would you do?" I dipped my voice down for effect.

"Adanna, you love reading meanings to things. You know fully well that I'm not that kind of a girl. All those lousy girls opening their legs for men at the slightest opportunity, just because of BlackBerry. I'm not so poor! I'm not a bitch!" She said in a defensive voice.

I looked at her, or rather, gaped at her. This was Joyce's standard reply each time the subject of Nonso came up. I hoped she was right but I knew deep down she wasn't that sharp, no matter how she acted up at times. The boy in question was older than us with a good six years gap and was termed by many as a notorious player. The game is trying to gamble with the hearts of young unsuspecting girls like Joyce.

"What?" She asked.

"Look, just be careful," I said softly.

"I have heard, Mother Mary. Anyway, my cousins are coming to spend their holiday at my place." She deftly switched topics like an expert poker player.

"Wow!!! That's cool." I said. "It must be pleasant." I smiled at her.

"Yes!" She said with a wide grin.

"Clean up your spare room because this babe is invading!" I announced half-heartedly.

"You must come, o. Don't give me that fake acting. You must turn up." She enforced it in her way.

I smiled at her. "Alright, I am coming!!!" I said with enthusiasm this time.

A couple of people turned our way to see what the shouting, better yet, screaming was all about. I was too caught up with the moment to care.

We high-fived twice. "Now, that's what I'm talking about. I will get the room ready. We will have so much fun, you'd see." She assured me.

I nodded excitedly while giggling with her.

"We sure would. When are they coming?" I asked when I got my voice.

"Next week, Wednesday."

"Should be there by then. I have to go now." I said reluctantly, dreading by the minute what would happen when I got home.

"Sure dear, bye." She hugged me briefly, then she walked deeper into the market arena.

I doubt I'd be allowed to go to Joyce place but there would be no harm in trying...trying.