DIARY OF AN OKADA RIDER.

 The day had begun well. Jaji often times regarded a day as perfect if a passenger graced the seat of his Okada soon as he rode out his compound.The passenger was a wiry looking old man that was too eager to pay any amount. Under his breathe he'd  mumbled something about a running stomach and hurriedly jumped on the Okada.After Jaji dropped him off he picked a woman. She too wouldn't haggle over price;in fact she left him with the balance change after she alighted.

  Before 12pm his jeans trouser was visibly swollen with crumpled naira notes -another telltale sign of a perfect day. He decided to visit Mama Jimoh's place 

for a stick of cigarette and a cold bottle of star and if 

she had that delicious fried meat ready,he would 

munch on it. In a few minutes he arrived there.He 

parked his okada under a mango tree for shade.He strode into the restaurant,his eyes scanning for an 

empty table. He found one and gestured at the

 waiter to come take his orders.No sooner had he sat 

than he felt a hand tap his shoulder.

 He looked up and exclaimed,'Matty!'

 Matty happened to be a childhood friend back in the days when his own father had been transfered to Osun state as a manager of a Tv station before death had rudely cut him off. Though he was a grown man now, he still possessed that mischievous smile and penetrating eyes.They shook hands,hugged,laughed at some unspoken joke and finally had a lot to talk about. Jaji was a bit taken aback when Matty told him he was an Okada rider as well. Matty's dad had been a multimillionaire and his mum,even wealthier.Matty seemed to read his exact thought.He smiled lopsidely and said softly,"Life no easy my broda." Jaji agreed.

 "But EVERY EVERY wan change now! I get appointment with one oyibo around 4pm dis evening and he even say mek i com with any reliable broda wey i get!' One of Jaji's eyebrows lifted quizzically.Matty went on to tell him about the white man and the 'God sent' passenger who had connected them.

 'Na just God  touch me mek i give the man hin handset wey fall from hin back pocket after i drop am yesterday. I be wan use one leg pin am down but....i just sorry for am give am. Hin com say for this good wey i do hin go connect me to hin former oga wey dey find driver. Na hin we reach there but Oyibo no fit see us.Hin busy so hin send message com down say make i com today with my broda wey dey ready to work too.'

 jaji scratched his head. He was thinking now..The idea seemed very promising..The first salary he received would give him a decent two rooms apartment where he could bring Lara to. He would be so pleased to tell Mama Kotun and her tenants a final goodbye as he moved out. He agreed to accompany Matty by 4pm,his mind on the

raw dollars.

 ..to be continued