Securing The Bag (The Lagos Hustle)

Finally

Barakat was 4 months pregnant and her hormones were seriously playing ping pong with her emotions. She had the weirdest cravings, always requesting weird food combo's on a daily. Ice-cream was the only constant craving she had. She wanted the ridiculously expensive coldstone mostly but had to make do with fanice.

Like I had done when she was pregnant with Ruki, I did my best to satisfy her cravings. I was always ready to make love to her no matter how tired or cranky I was, I also constantly assured her that her cheeks didn't look fat, or that her feet didn't resemble a clown's shoe, and that she was going to have a safe delivery. Other times the hormones went into full gear and she began to cry, asking why I didn't love her and why I refused to marry her.

It was even more stressful than the first pregnancy but I wasn't the one going to push another human being out of my body so the way I saw it, I had no right to complain. I also cut down on potential spending by getting some good plywood from a contact from the street and making a baby cot. Thank God Ruki's old shawl, sheets and covers were still in a box along with most of her baby clothes. I almost found myself wishing it was another girl so I won't have to buy more clothes. It was that bad. Out in the street I was always cranky. I had been in a bad mood for years now and it only seemed to be getting worse.

The streets had failed me, with all my street smarts and reputation yet here I was hoping I didn't birth a son because I was broke.

::
Then one day, out of the blue I received a phone call.

"Hello who be this?" I snapped

"hello chairman. Na me Jackson"

"Jack who?"

"Boss I no know if you remember, we been meet like two years back, you helped me get weed and then you gave me your number that I should call if I needed your help"

I couldn't remember doing any of the things he said but I was a greyhound when opportunity was in the air, and I could smell possibilities. "okay, so what can I do for you?"

"Bros, E get one guy wey suppose help me pick my money but he die the whole funds. This is the second week now and he has been telling me story. Offering me just 4 thousand instead of 20k"

"Four thousand naira, sheesh he didn't even drop 10 atleast"

"no boss, chiarman sir....not naira dollars"

My ears immediately perked up like a satellite dish. "Did you just say dollars?"

"yes boss"

"He's with your 20k dollars?"

"yes"

Maths wasn't my strong suit but I knew that was some serious money. Definitely a couple million.

Oh Lordy Lord!

Was the big score finally here?

I cleared my throat. "Errrm, where are you, maybe we should meet face to face and you give me the complete details, the money must fall out"

"alright chairman, much respect. I dey Ikoyi now but I'll be in Mushin first thing tomorrow"

"Okay I go dey expect your call"
 
I gave a shout after I dropped the call. "Arrrghh!! Eleda ma suun, wake up, time to make this money"

I felt re-energized, angry and determined. I didn't care whoever the said guy sitting on the money was, I was an unstoppable force heading for dollar signs, anybody in my path would either get out of the way or get wrecked.

::::
The next day, I gave him directions to the motor park and we set a rendezvous time for 2pm. I was there from noon. Excited and waiting eagerly. Iya dada even noticed I wasn't frowning and commented on it. I paid her no mind, my eyes darting in the direction of any new face that entered the park.