Securing The Bag (The Lagos Hustle)

Stomach Caterpillars

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JECINCTA

Despite my earlier fears and premonitions, I enjoyed the bus ride immensely. It was a hilarious journey with plenty characters in the bus which made the trip very lively.
I sat on the 3rd row beside Fuoyo, my head nestled on his shoulder while Kanaku sat beside the driver which actually started the lively interaction in the bus.

The driver had an Auxillary cord and after playing some gospel songs for about 45 minutes, Kanaku disconnected the music and plugged in his phone.
"Driver, God don hear us..Chioma Jesus don tire to dey repeat chorus for our matter, our journey is safe you hear? make we jam lively gbedu."

A youth corper at the back nodded in agreement. "you get mouth bro, abeg you get Meek Mill? make we hear the trillest"

"or Burna's latest album" a young lady on my other side chipped in

Kanaku scoffed, "Meek Mill ko, Mikano gen ni....abeg feel better song wey dey burst brain..."

we all listened expectantly until the shrill voice of popular small doctor filled the bus, [i]"They call me small doctor...Aye, Aye Aye Aye"[/i]

Fuoyo and I burst out laughing while some members began to grumble. "you for kuku leave our chioma Jesus jeje, which one be this now?"

Kanaku turned deaf ears and shuffled his Mix proudly, singing along and bopping his head.
After about 2 hours, the bus made its first stop, at a filling station/eatery. Kanaku was the first out of the bus, and for a second I thought he was pressed but then he asked Fuoyo for his phone to make a call and dialed a number from memory before walking briskly away and was soon in a heated conversation. Judging by the stressed look on his face, I guessed it was his wife or baby mama. But to me they were already more married than some officially married people.

Every other person got down from the bus except Fuoyo and I.

"I'll like to stretch my legs a bit if you don't mind" I punched him playfully on the arm. When he didn't shift for me to pass

"I know.... just a second, I want to tell you something," he sounded really serious and I shifted in my seat to get a clear view of his face.

"what's wrong?"

"Jessy, I want to assure you something, first of all...I won't lie...I really hope we find the treasure, I crazily believe it exists and we can pull it off....but I know I've been greedy and selfish, I got into this whole mess in the first place because of greed...but I want to tell you, you're more important than any fucking treasure. It's all on you Jessy, if this is too much I'm ready to call it off now and we return to Lagos..."

I was shocked beyong words. "I don't understand...where's all this coming from?"

"I heard you and Kanaku talking yesterday morning...I wasn't deep asleep cause ironically, I was thinking of the treasure...I know you're worried and it's the most personal case to you..." he smiled. "so I promise you, it's all down to you Jessy...you come first before anything else...I just hope you can trust me"

No one had ever put my feelings first, not without expecting something in return, but here was this guy who I feared had lost his soul to the obsession of the hunt like Mr D, willing to abandon the dreams so much evident in his eyes and reign in his yearnings cause he valued my state of mind more than the treasure.....
Oh my.....I suddenly felt a little teary eyed and punched him playfully. "I'll trust you only if you shift and let me get down to stretch my legs first."

He smiled at that and came down, turning and stretching his hand to help me down.
At that point we saw Kanaku walking briskly back to the bus. A bottle of gin in his hands which he had even gulped half of its content. He looked extremely pissed

"What's up with him?" I whispered to Fuoyo

"well I think he just called his wife or stay home baby mama, I can't even ask him for my phone he looks like he's looking for a scapegoat to unleash his anger" he replied in an equal whisper

"Oh that explains it," I didn't know whether to laugh or feel sorry for him

Kanaku scowled at us before getting into the front seat once more. "This driver should hurry up, he's inside there eating fufu, he should hurry up joor!" He barked

Fuoyo and I avoided the angry lion and went to buy some snacks and drinks.