ASIMIN

I am

    My name is Asimin.
My family's first breath of life after a whispered promise of sorrow.
My family had tasted the bitter loss of a child before my arrival, I grew up under the watchful gaze of my grandmother, a fiery Alajapa trader popularly know as Iya-elere whose hands were woven with the threads of resilience.

In our village, where the sun dipped into the horizon and painted the sky with hues of gold, I was forged in the fire of necessity.

At fifteen, I traded innocence for initiative, joining the throngs of village children who made the arduous journey to Lagos, vegetables slung on the Agbarigo like the weight of our dreams.My first journey to Lagos started with fear but I ASIMIN,am determined and unbroken.Determined because other children in the village has been going several times and I am not different from them, Unbroken because my dreams are big and I needed to work hard to achieve them.

I'm not only determined because of nothing, at least I had an evidence that this Ajapa business pays.My Aunt,Mami-iya-kemi as we the children in the family calls her,built two houses in the village and if u had ask her how she got to where she is today,she would say 'I started early' and to me the 'early' start now.

My parents are not interested in that business though.They do something different.My mother came from a well-to-do family and my father comes from a reputable family in Egba.My paternal grandfather was a business man,he has houses and lands across the state and where does he get his riches from;from planks.He was a reputable plank seller.He even had his own 'Okò Gedú' which he used to transport is planks.At some point he was given a title 'Are-ona-kakanfo of Egba-Land.But you know as the saying goes;'Family wealth is like a river;it flows but may not water ur own field...

My educational journey was truncated, a fleeting chapter in my life. At 14, I made a bold declaration to myself: secondary school wasn't for me. I was convinced that books and classrooms would only delay my path to financial freedom.

"I had even envisioned myself addressing my friends who had gone to school with poise and confidence.'Mrs. Lagbaja, what can I do for you?' I'd say.
'Mr. Lakasegbe, how may the Iyalaje of Lagos assist you today?'

I wasn't shy about asserting my authority; that's how confident and self-assured I was."

My grandmother's incredulous queries - 'Why, Asimin, why?' - fell on deaf ears. My resolve remained unwavering: I wanted to start 'early',I wanted to make money, and school wouldn't get me there fast enough.

Looking back, I marvel at the audacity of my 14-year-old self. How did I arrive at such a conclusion? What sparked this fire within me?

But life had other plans. We arrived in Lagos before dawn broke, the city's silhouette still shrouded in darkness. Yet, as the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, the metropolis transformed. The display of street lights, the cacophony of horns, and the relentless energy of the streets - it all conspired to shake me out of my narrow focus.

As the sun slowly rose, casting a golden glow over the city, I felt my own horizon expanding. The world awakened, and possibilities unfolded. My journey, though fraught with uncertainty, had begun...

"Ekaabo, welcome, welcome, welcome!" The chorus of greetings enveloped us as we arrived at the market. Buyers and sellers swarmed around, eager to start the day's transactions.

I stared in awe, "Aunty Maria, people are already here, and the sun hasn't even risen!"I asked Maria,the one my grandma had entrusted me with.
Maria chuckled, "That's how it always is, Asimin. Lagos market never sleeps."
"Is this the only market in Lagos?"I asked, curiosity getting the better of me

As we unpacked our vegetables, the adults helped us offload the goods from the Agbarigo. Maria began arranging our produce, expertly displaying the freshest items.

"Only market in Lagos?No ooo."she laughed lightly, shaking her head
"There are still other market ooo but this particular one is Somolu oja.We don't come here every time. Sometimes,it might be Ketu,Alapere,ojota and....they are many but just to name few"she continued

"Ohh!but...."I started, before Maria gently interrupted.

"See, Asimin, this is the best spot. We'll sell out quickly here," Maria said, winking.

"Wow, Aunty Maria, how do you know all this?" I asked, fascinated.

"How do I know all this?Years of experience, my dear. Now, help me arrange these tomatoes."

'she sure likes to repeat question before giving answer'

As we worked, Maria pointed out various vendors, sharing stories about each.

"See that woman over there?My aunt told me she's been selling Kola-nut here for 20 years. And that man, he's the best for buying plantains."Maria nodded towards the vendor.

Just then, Maria called out to a food vendor, "Aunty Iyabo!Ekaro! We want to eat rice ooo, please."

Aunty Iyabo smiled, "Ah, Maria, my dear! How much rice you want?"
"As usual"she answered almost immediately
"Asii,do you want my usuals "
Asimin, excited by the sights and smells, chimed in "Yes,but with two meats"

Maria shot me a stern glance, "Asii, raara. One meat is enough. We're not here to splurge."

I looked down, embarrassed......"But Iya-elere gave me enough money for food"I mumbled.Don't blame me, I'm used to eating big meat.Iya-elere has spoilt me to that extent.My grandmother eat good food and I'm used to that style.

Aunty Iyabo chuckled, "Ah, Maria, your apprentice wants to live large, eh?"
"Aunty iyabo, she's actually my sister. Asii,you are buying one meat. We must be mindful of our expenses."Maria playfully scolded .

I sheepishly grinned, realizing my mistake.

Maria patted my hand, "Don't worry, you'll learn. Now,call customer to come buy goods"

The market's energy was contagious, and I threw myself into the fray, eager to learn and earn.

As the morning wore on, the market's pace quickened. Maria expertly haggled prices, and I watched, mesmerized, as she navigated the intricate web of buyers and sellers.

"Aunty Maria, how much for this vegetable?" a customer asked.

"Ah, my sister, this one is 25 naira. But for you, I'll give 20 naira," Maria replied with a smile.

I helped with the sales, learning the rhythms of the market. Maria's guidance was invaluable, and I began to grasp the nuances of pricing and negotiation.

Just as we were selling the last of our produce, Maria's eyes sparkled. "Asimin, we've done well today! Let's celebrate with a proper Lagos breakfast."

We walked to a nearby food stall, where the aroma of akara-egusi wafted through the air.

"What do you want, Asimin?" Maria asked.

"I want the akara- egusi, please," I replied.

Maria chuckled. "You're becoming a true Lagosian."

As we ate, Maria shared stories of her own journey, from humble beginnings to becoming a successful trader.

"You know, Asimin, life isn't easy, but with determination and hard work, you can achieve anything."

I listened intently, inspired by Maria's resilience.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted nearby. A vendor was arguing with a customer over a disputed price.

Maria's expression turned stern. "Asimin, stay close. Sometimes, the market can get volatile."

I stayed close to Maria as she said,not because I'm scared but because Iya-elere as taught me not to stay close to a fight scene.........

At last,the situation resolved, Maria turned to me. "Time to head back to the village. We've had a good day."

As we packed up, I realized I'd learned more than just market skills - I'd gained a new perspective on life.........

ASIMIN is getting there!