Diary of an Okada rider.

JOANITA (PART 2)
Click on PART 1 for catch up..

Joanita. Oh no, not again! What worried him wasn't the umpteenth time her name reverberated in his head; what actually worried him silly was the smile that curved his lips and then the sudden tinge of betrayal that accompanied it whenever his mind drifted to her.
   He preferred he thought of her with complete contempt. Yes, she'd played him for a fool or hadn't she? Hold on, what if that 'Americanah' had lied and Joanita really did live in that big house? Perhaps he had merely been playing the part of an irate elder sibling. Yes! That it must be, for Joanita had struck him as thorough bred. Her accent. Composure. Beauty. She was grace personified, in fact.
 A peek at his wristwatch confirmed it was 22 minutes past 4pm. One more passenger and he would retire for the day, he decided inwardly. He had barely finished thinking that when a stout -looking man flagged him down. Gladly Jaji held the brake and halted. Instantly his mind flew to the last wrestling match he'd seen on T.V  -Death Carver versus Hulk T. This man, standing right before him now reminded him of Death Carver the wrestler who had eventually won after mercilessly drawing blood from his opponent.
"Mammy Market road." Death carver croaked. Beady eyes fastened on him, and then on the road. He seemed to be in a hurry.
"Mammy na 100 nia -"
"You say wetin?! " interjected Death carver. Bushy eyebrows drew together in a tight frown. His large nostrils expanded as it twitched humourlessly.
"Oya bring 80 naira Oga -"
The next thing Jaji felt was Death Carver's heavy weight behind him. "Oya move." he spoke into his ears. And Jaji obeyed. The likes of Carver weren't to be disobeyed. Just a punch from that weather-beaten fist, and the hospital bed would be his resting place for several long months!
    Jaji started the Okada and accelerated. Coral city was still very busy with people going about the day's job. Jaji slowed down when an old woman with a walking stick made to cross the road. As she made it to the other side, she turned to him and shrieked, "Bascard! You wanto kee old woman! Bascard! " she waved her walking stick at him before she slowly limped away. Jaji shook his head in confusion. Hadn't he just done that old woman a favour? Maybe she was on the brink of becoming senile!
A car honked behind them. The blaring sound nearly deafened them . Jaji deftly manoeuvred his okada through the narrow space between two colliding cars ahead and zoom, he was back on the road.
"If you catch ya woman dey folo anoda man, wetin you go do? "
Jaji blinked.
"I dey tal' to you." Death Carver poked him hard on the shoulder. Jaji winced.
"You say? Sorry my mind no dey hia. " He quickly responded, quirking his head sideways against the howling wind. He edged nearer Death carver.
" I dey ansk you man-to-man. If  you diskova say ya woman dey folo anoda man, wetin you go do?"
Swiftly Jaji replied," I go leave am kia kia! I no fit stand a cheating woman."
Death Carver grunted.
"What if you love the woman well well, dat one nko?" he seemed dissatisfied with jaji's answer.
"Hmm, oga na to find ya way beta pass. Once woman begin cheat on you, truth no go dey dat relationship again."
" You neva undastand the tin wey dey happen! " Death Carver sounded desperate now. Jaji was surprised to hear his croaky voice break.
"My lady, my woman, dey folo anoda man. And dis yeye man kon get money! Na dat one pain me pass. Hin na big man for oyibo company. Na dem dey fly Eroplane. Eroplane. Na dem. The tin dey pain me, cos I don suffer folo Agnes. Wetin I neva do for Agnes? Tell me. I don pay for salon wia she dey learn work, I don put her broda for wia hin dey learn mecanic, for Chi&Chi workshop -hope you sabi how much dem dey pay dia??! A whole 20 thousand naira, na hin I pay for settlement. Abi na the house I rent for Aggy? I pay for one room, furnish am for Aggy and her broda. I buy radio,television, pressing Iron, carpet, Big vita foam, cooking stove. I buy am wetin go mek her feel alrite. Yet Aggy begin folow big man wey dey work for oyibo company -" he trailed off.
 Jaji was shocked to hear the almost inaudible sob coming from the hefty passenger!
 The power of a woman.
He didn't know how to console this man.
He rode on, speechless.
 But when Death Carver dragged a ragged breathe, Jaji's heart went out to him.
"Oga sorry for ya loss - "
"Which loss?! Which loss?! " Death Carver barked, rudely interrupting him, "Thunder fire you!" his voice rose a note higher. " Abeg drop me from dis ya smelling bike! Dem tell you say Aggy lost? Dem tell you say I go lose Aggy! Come on, drop me mek I com down hia, you dey crase for head. Enemy of progress! " he thundered.
" Oga I no mean say -"
Powwwwwww!
Jaji felt the sting of a slap right on his back. Suddenly he stepped on the brake and the furious passenger alighted. His eyes blazed fire and brimstone.
He was lifting his hand upward again. Whether it was to take out money from his breast pocket, or in readiness for another resounding slap, Jaji wouldn't stay to find out. He veered off and a few seconds later threw his head backward in laughter. From the rear view mirror he saw Death Carver murmur and probably curse life for being so unfair.
..to be continued.
Written by Osarhieme Okungbowa.

*Death Carver! Lol..
Jaji sef..hian!
Hope you guys enjoyed this Joanita story? Surely it will continue tomorrow. Remember Jaji is yet to find her. And trust me, he will. Lemme get to hear from you guys, okay?
Kisses N hugs..
Meme.