I woke up early the next day, feeling a little headache. That run from yesterday was finally taking a toll on me. It had taken all the energy I had left. My stomach was rumbling, hunger evident from the sounds it made. I looked across the room, there was absolutely nothing for me to eat. Hunger was staring at me from across the room, a beautiful smile on its lips. It really had plans to deal with me today.
I came from a lot, entered a lot, and about to pass through a lot. I can't still understand why I had to pass through what I am passing through in the hands of Benegota. Did I ever offend this place? And even if I did, wasn't the punishment enough?
I sat on my bed in my one room apartment, confused on what to do at the moment. I looked above me, and noticed that the fan was missing a blade. I quickly remembered that I had sold it some weeks ago so I could be able to fund my feeding. There hasn't been a power supply for a while now, probably due to the fact that we are yet to pay the light bill.
I looked around me, my stomach still rumbling as though it wasn't me and it was passing through the same stuff. If I saw food, wouldn't I eat? Sometimes these body parts are inconsiderate.
This brings me back to last week. I had a running stomach, and it was so bad that my walking step changed. I was just releasing dangerous gases into the air, and I knew that people around me suffered. I got into a bus, and after a few releases, the driver nearly went unconscious as he couldn't stand the smell. That nearly led to an accident. It was that bad. Imagine being killed because of farts.
I kept releasing dangerous gases until the defecation urge became stronger. I clutched my stomach, and began walking in an abnormal way in order to hold it in. I don't know what mama Joy had put in my food. I only had watery beans with bread that afternoon.
Some people looked at me, and were whispering among themselves. Some thought I was walking the way I did because I had pride. If only they knew what I was passing through. I didn't dare to pollute the environment with my farts because anything coming out would be a dangerous encounter.
A man of my pedigree and capacity cannot be found in a, well, unpleasant situation. It got to a point that I had to run. I was sweating, nearly in tears. My house was about a few kilometers away, but I didn't have money to pay for a bus ride or board a bike to take me home.
I was even scared of entering one. These potholes on the roads will only make it worse.
I couldn't hold it in anymore, and I had to look around for the nearest public toilet. Luckily, I saw one and rushed towards it. This worsened my situation but I was sure that I would be able to make it in time before I disgraced myself. This theory is true as long as someone is not inside the toilet.
***
I was wrong, someone was in there, but the toilet wasn't locked all that well. I had taken the risk, and now I was about to face the consequences. But I wasn't going to give up.
I pushed the door open with all my might, the person shocked at my audacity, but I couldn't care less. I grabbed him and flung him out of the toilet, and locked the door. He kept banging on the door, while I flushed the toilet quickly and did my business.
When I was done, I prepared myself for what was ahead. I pushed the door open, and the guy lunged at me. I wasn't scared because I expected this. I was even the first person to throw a punch. The guy ended up beating me almost beyond recognition, that some people had to rush to separate us. I could barely see, and this guy kept hitting me on the eye.
The people managed to separate us, and upon hearing what he had to say, they continued from where he stopped. I had to escape. As I was running, someone held my shirt and kept giving me knocks on the head. I nearly lost consciousness, but I knew that if I did, it would be worse than this.
So I ran as fast as I could, and managed to push the person off me. There is nothing I have not faced in the hands of Benegota. This land is just full of pain.
***
I shook the memory off my mind. After I graduated from that uni, I have been through a lot. If there should be an award for someone who survived hard times, I would receive it time and time again without any competition, because I have truly passed through a lot.
This reminds me of a time I went to a luxurious restaurant to have dinner. I had been paid my salary of about 20,000 naira, so I decided to enjoy myself, since it had been a long time since I last did. I arrived at the restaurant, looking as handsome as can be, and was directed to sit at a table with a good view of the people walking past the restaurant.
I had ordered a plate of fried rice, some fried fish, grilled chicken, side salad, and one of their finest wines for a start. I was enjoying myself, but something felt off.
95% of the people eating here kept glancing at me, some muttering among themselves. I didn't quite understand what was going on, but I couldn't care less. They weren't there when I was passing through a lot, so why should I be bothered by what they think of me.
The waitress walked over to a table next to mine, probably to clear the table and hand over the bill. I believe the guy and his friends were poor because they had each ordered a bottle of water, and a few snacks. I mean, who does that?
One of the guys on seeing the bill shouted. Everyone turned to look at him, their eyes filled with pity. No one flinched. It was as though what just happened was a normal occurrence.
I yelled at the guy, and asked him to sit down and stop shouting. I mean, who does that in a fancy place like this? The guy looked at me with red eyes, tears gathering in them.
He kept staring at the bill, and finally decided to openly ask the waitress a few questions.
"Are you sure this is my bill?" He asked her, as though expecting a different answer.
The poor and questions. Well, I was once in his shoes.
"Yes sir, bottled water here is sold for just 7000 naira." She said with a smile.
I nearly choked on my food. You said what? Bottled water costs how much? This is something I do get for just 200 naira in my area, and you are saying it's 7000 naira.
If bottled water is 7000 naira, how much would you say this food I ordered costs?
Reality dawned on me, and I began to sweat despite the air conditioner. Why me? Every single time, me. Is it a crime to try to be normal?
Or maybe I should try to run away.
The guy paid the bill, though grudgingly. The food in my mouth lost its taste, and the rest on the table seemed to irritate me. There was nothing I haven't passed through in the hands of Benegota.
After about half an hour, the waitress walked over to my table, and dropped my bill. I took a look at it, and my heart sank. The total cost of the food I ordered was about half a million naira. I mean, I just ordered fried rice, fresh fish and a few other things. It's not like I killed anybody, so what's with this outrageous bill?
Tears welled up my eyes, because I have heard how this restaurant in particular doesn't listen to pleas like "I wasn't informed." They had bodyguards on standby to deal with people like me.
Today's beating wasn't going to be funny.
After about three hours, a waitress approached me, and asked if I was done eating. I nodded hesitantly, and she signalled to someone, who came and cleared the table. She brought out a POS (point of sale) machine, and asked if I wanted to make a transfer or pay cash.
My body was visibly shaking, and she asked if I was okay. Half a million naira bill, and you think I'd be okay? If it were you, would you be okay?
I should have just eaten at Mama Joy restaurant. At least, I'd avoid all these dramas.
I finally found my voice and tried to explain to her. She laughed on hearing my explanation, and snapped her fingers, signalling to the bodyguards to come. The people left at the restaurant seemed to know what was happening, and pretended as though nothing was going on. No one bothered to beg on my behalf.
She stretched out her hand, and collected the 20,000 naira I had on me, and asked the bodyguards to "handle me". These guys led me to the back of the restaurant, covered my mouth, and dealt with me mercilessly.
I kept begging, but it seemed as though every plea sounded like encouragement. After they had beaten me to the point I could barely walk, they invited the lady in. She told me plainly that I'd work for them for a year to cover my outstanding debt.
I tried to explain that I had a job I was already doing, but that only earned me a resounding slap. No one told me more than twice to agree and sign the papers she gave me. These people seemed prepared for people of my category.
The bodyguards escorted me back home, took a few of my valuables as collateral, and told me when to resume.
I would have ran away, but where do I want to run to? Under the bridge?
Nah, I heard that place is filled with people without joy.
Should I report to the police that my fundamental human rights were abused?
Nah, I might be one to end up in prison.
***
I shook the memory off my head. I have really been through a lot. This is not what I had imagined my life to be when I threw my hat up on that graduation day. Life just seemed to have had me in mind.
I stood up from bed, had my bath, wore the same clothes as yesterday, and went out in search of a possible party. At least, I'd eat there. I just have to be careful so as not to run into any of those guys, but as it stands now, I just don't care.
Maybe today might be better than yesterday.