Securing The Bag (The Lagos Hustle)

What will be will be

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KANAKU

"Is this the hotel you paid 30k for?" I asked Fuoyo for what had to be the hundredth time since we checked in two nights before

"yes Kanaku"

"They should give us change, na better street dem wan run us....they don't even leave the gen on overnight," I complained

Fuoyo shrugged but I was still adamant. "Nobody can play me like this, let's go to the receptionist and demand some refund"

"I paid online, with reservation fees, there's no refund" He snapped and continued staring at the ceiling

"Is this how you're going to be moping about because your girlfriend hasn't called you?"

"it's been two days"

"which should tell you to forget it, I wonder why I let you drag me along, I need to see my family, this hotel sef doesn't make sense so there's no need wasting time here. We should be planning to be back in Lagos by Friday, forget about Jessy"

"How many times will I have to say I'm not thinking of her? we came here for a reason and she hasn't even called to tell us what the package was. How can we go back without closure?"

I shook my head, "you can keep lying to yourself, but remember you told her it was up to her, unless you didn't mean it.....and stop going through those same papers over and over again, I get tired just watching you read"

He returned the papers back into the envelope. "I'm just so restless...I haven't even hustled since this whole thing started and I've spent and lost a lot of money"

"That's it, by tomorrow if we still don't hear a word from her then we cut our losses and go back, you have to be a man" I said fiercly

He sighed sadly, "I just hope she's alright...I didn't expect things to play out this way"

How could I tell him I felt the exact same way. I had dreamt, imagined, thought up scenerios where we found the map and went after the bag or satchel. If what Mr D said was true, just a piece of the precious stones it was made of would settle me and my family for life. I was vocal with my skepticism only because deep down I had begun to dream and hope. The earlier we got back to Lagos the better. Things would return to normal or could it? Could I still spend productive hours in the street smoking weed and reaping people of meager pocket change?

"I'm restless...let's stroll to that church bus stop, there's a fine woman who sells fruits there she keeps greeting me and flirting each time I pass..."

He looked at me, "what about Barakat?"

"you fool, it's just harmless chit chat, I'm tired of seeing your long face morning afternoon and night, infact stay and don't come...download some style plus songs so you can think of Jessy well well"

That got under his skin and he stood up. "you win... you win, I'm up"

We spent 2 hours outside, strolling and making friends. Benue was blessed with beautiful women and some where straightforward and direct enough to make the first move. A particular girl even stopped us and boldly offered Fuoyo her number.

He touched his pockets and smiled sheepishly, "I didn't bring my phone," he turned to me, "I must have forgotten it on the bed"

"Too bad, why don't you give me your number and i'll flash you so you'll call me later. Maybe we can hangout later tonight" she replied

I watched him call his number with alarming speed. When we were alone I elbowed him playfully in the ribs. "You see, if you were still crying in the hotel now, would you have met that pretty girl?"

He laughed and we talked about random things for a while before we stopped at a bar to drink beer and watch a soccer game.

It was getting dark when we stumbled back to the hotel, up the stairs, and fumbled with the key. I was 3 big bottles of stout gone and a little drunk, Fuoyo was 2 bottles of beer full and a lot more drunk.
Thankfully the big Generator was on and the Airconditioner was on full blast. I fiddled with the Tv remote while Fuoyo threw himself on the bed. "ehen my phone" he burped and picked his phone from the dresser. "wow that girl really means business, 4 missed calls" he exclaimed and proceeded to dial the number.

I sat on the mini-fridge, removing my shoe and listening to the one-sided conversation.

"Hi, Steff sorry I just got in and saw your missed calls, do you still want to meet up tonight? Oh....Jess? Jess! how are you? I thought you'll never call.....it's not like that...she's just someone I met earlier......wait I don't owe you any explanation, it's been 2 full days and not a word from you, not even to tell us goodbye......Are you serious....does that mean.....okay okay, it's a hotel called AI suites around....yes downtown....yes.....room 141.....okay"
He ended the call and looked at me,

"well....?" I prompted when he kept looking without saying anything

"she's taking a cab here now, she says she has something we need to see"

"Did she say what it was? Did she find the map?"

"she wouldn't say, she only said it was big news and she'll be here soon"

I sighed, "I hope she's not messing with us, hope can be exhausting"

Fuoyo yawned tiredly, "tell me about it....let me save her number now, she wouldn't have bothered to come if there was nothing, but she specifically said she had something of interest." He looked at me, "this could be it"

I kept my face neutral. "Don't expect much, it could be anything" But my pulse was already racing.

Damn Fuoyo and his wild theories, Damn Mr. D for...God rest his soul but damn him for getting me sucked into the legend, and damn that treasure....after all the stress it had put me through, it better be real.