SALIMA

CHAPT3R TWO

IRRA ROAD, KADUNA
MAY 1991

Salima! Salima! Salima!
"wake up now" Nana exclaimed
we are going to get late fa,she continue to nag as she gets herself ready for Tala *Hawking*

I woke up to the honourable speech of what reality was

"you can't even allow me to enjoy the comfort dreams bring to my heart" I said to my sister looking her in the eye.

She can't even allow me to enjoy the pleasure of  what a sleep can be like i kept murmuring mentally

I got up to get dress for our usual *Tala*(hawking)
then Nana started complaining  again

"Yaya try and make up now, maybe you will sell much" she said in her annoying voice.

I only gave her a murderous look which sent her the message.

I can't just start painting my face like a clown, just so that i can please some costumers or something i replied exasperatedly

its not something new, she needs to get use to this part of me, because i will just keep ignoring all her advises.
I just can't imagine looking like an idiot just to please people who don't even care about the type of life am living. I said mentally

I usually hawked kolanuts *goro* while Nana hawks Soyabeans cake *wara*

Nana usually finishes All her sells before me, because of all the makeup she wears, lucky her i guess, I just can't do that.
People usually expect you to paint yourself and keep smiling like a fool, all because you want them to buy what you are selling

Tsk!!
Well am not a Fan of that mentality I said to myself
i might have grown up in a slum, but that doesnt mean i have to degrade myself, being in a slum wasn't something i choose for myself nor my family, and am sure our future will be bright someday, I thought will great resolutions.

During Hawking

Life can be pretty much amazing, I thought as i roam about the street of Pandogari

speaking hausa *Ke! mai goro*  Man called out from the other side of the road, in a Black Honda car,
I crossed to the other lane of the road to attend to my first costumer.

"Good afternoon sir, i greeted politely, if their was anything social that i was good at then i guess is being polite i said to myself.
He smiled and replied back my greeting.
"How much is the whole tray? He said still smiling and examining the kolanuts

I stayed dumbfounded looking at him for awhile,
I was shocked, it felt like i was in some kinda world or something, I then realized i haven't answered him yet.

I stammered trying to get the words out because his question really startled me.

Uhmm! Uhmm! I stammered
"Excuse me sir? Did you just asked for the whole tray I asked again to be sure my ears wasn't playing some kinda trick with me.

He smiled and replied,
"Yes, i want to buy the whole tray if you dont mind,
"Oh!, Am so sorry sir! I quickly replied
"Its 500 naira sir!

I Was feeling cool i inflated the price by 50 naira, so that i can have something to save but to my surprise the Man brought out 1000 naira and handed it to me.
I quickly tied his goro and handed it to him, i was about giving him his change when he said dont bother, keep the change.

What! Am sure he could see the shock on my face Cause this time i almost fainted out of shock,
My mouth went wide open

he just smiled and said have a nice day then hit the road, as if nothing happened.

I stood their for some seconds before i realised i was  still by the road side with an empty tray, Cause i was still wondering whether I was dreaming or not.

Lucky me, today am going to get a lion share of the meal, I thought as i walk up to the train station with my empty tray
not that the meal it was something special though, at least i wont sleep with an empty stomach, which i usually do when i don't get to sell off my own share.

I hurried to the  part of the railway station, where Nana happens to sell her wara to give her the surprise of her life, on reaching there, i saw her attending to some customers , her bucket was half empty though.

Hey!
" Yan mata" I called out smiling,
Nana has always been that little sis of mine with dreams of marrying a prince somewhere I don't know, she always like looking her best even though a lot of people can't see the effort she puts to it,
i hope her dreams come through one day,I thought,
cause she has always been a beautiful, sweet young lady. Well, That's life for us I said mentally

Salima! She screamed
"What are you...she didnt finsh her sentence, when i held out my tray

"Yupiee!!..
"You can praise me later I said bowing down a little, imitating a film we watched outside a local cinema yesterday.

I always love going there, after the sells though, that's our only means of entertainment.

"You can't tell me she mutter.. Trying to get the words out,still looking surprised

"What happened to the kolanut Salima! She exclaimed
You know mama is going to skin you alive if you don't have a better excuse than the last one you said about being hypnotised so you couldn't sell much, Nana said, Not wanting to believe her eyes,

i smiled humbly and then showed her the new note that was given to me earlier on.

"I think mama won't have to stress her voice today, unless people aren't interested in your wara anymore I replied sarcastically.

"Hey!,don't bring your bad mouth near my business fa she said exasperatedly

I laughed, "Am sorry little sis I can already see you are turning green",
I said while laughing

Will be leaving, I guess i have over stayed my welcome here,
"Its time to explore the city more
Meet me by the bridge around 4:00pm" I said while walking

"I guess today we will be going home early", Nana screamed.

I was already by the post office opposite the train station
I turned and waved at her.

Then went to explore the city.

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