Ajifa The Orange Seller ( Episode 2 )
" mama, I am coming to Idah tomorrow " I exclaimed with joy, as I spoke over the phone with my aged mother..
" I hope there is no problem? " she asked weakly
" no ma....we would gist when I come "
" ok ooo "
AT IDAH
" Ajifa, how have you been coping in Lagos? Have always heard how dangerous that city is. Twas your baba that once visited a relative there in the 80s, but, me, never been there. Who do you live with, how do you manage to feed, how......"
" ma....ma, you talk as if I were still a child. Come on!
" I cut in, managing to laugh
" ok, since you are not a child, tell me how you've been managing "
"
" I squatted in one of the market stores in Orile. i only came there at night to sleep but during the day, i go about cleaning toilets and gutters to raise the much i can, for feeding "
" oh my child! Is that why you got lots of mosquito bites on your skin? See the scars. You look so dark. You are not going back! " mama muttered tearfully; as she examined my arms.!
" no way! The more reason, I need to return. The race is not for the fainthearted, remember? " i winked at mama, who must have already been thinking I was abnormal...
" Where are you going? " mama questioned as I stood up from her side and made my way to our only asset 'OUR GIANT ORANGE TREE'
" These oranges aren't looking bad. As fresh as always "
" you want some? " Mama walked towards me
" this was the reason I came home "
" they don't sell oranges in Lagos? " mama asked, astonished
" sure they do! But not oranges as fresh, pure, sweet and whole as ours "
" you mean, you came all the way from Lagos to drink oranges? " she still sounded puzzled
" ma.,.le, calm down na...why are you in a hurry . Ok ok, I want to sell them in Lagos "
" I think, you are now beginning to make sense. But who would buy? I heard their markets there are very large, with 100s of persons selling just one commodity. Do you think you have the chance of earning anything substantial from this? "
" still better than not trying at allllllllll " I rolled my eyes as I passed by mama to get my long stick for oranges plucking.....
Share, like and follow this page for episode 3
