Pretend Issues #projectnigeria

Pretend Issues: Chapter 4

Song of the day - The Lost Boy by LostBoyCrow

Very Short Chapter

Chapter 4

Going back to school after the weekend, was always a mix between scary and anticipation. It was scary because let's face it, college life on it's own was one of the scariest things we had to face in life. Choosing the right major was a daunting process of doubts and tribulations especially when you aren't sure of what you want to do in life or if your parents want you to do a particular major you don't like. And no, that doesn't include dancing, singing, acting and the likes because if you're Nigerian, I honestly don't need to say more as those are not considered worthy for Nigerian Parents.

As for anticipation, I couldn't wait to see my friends and learn new things. I get a thrill when I learn new things, try new things or meet new people. Nigerian lecturers can kill someone's interest sha but we won't let them.

I sound drunk on rainbows which is ironic because the morning had a dreary potential to it.

🎶 Monday (sunday) morning, rain is falling 🎶. I'm joking, but it was drizzling. I was supposed to go back to school the previous day Sunday, but I got lazy after church. So here I was at 7:30 waiting for a taxi to get to school. Thankfully my class didn't start till 9:00 am so I was good. Feeling someone's eyes on me, I turned to my left and I saw Rala in his car stopped at a red light. He was looking straight at me and I was already getting ready for him to pick me up but to my uttermost shock, he drove off not before making a show of stirring himself making it look like he was daydreaming; like i'd fall for that. I knew he was looking at me.

Well I wouldn't have got in even if he had asked. I know I'm lying but that hurt in a way I couldn't explain. Even though the car ride was quiet yesterday, I thought we were 'almost friends'. I was still angry when the taxi finally came.

Two guys were already sitting at the back of the taxi with someone in front. Normally I would have stayed at the front but my anger was too big to be squeezed in such a tight spot, so I decided to stay at the back. I was about to enter the back seat when the guy in the middle came out. I guessed this was his stopping point but he had to open his mouth and further ruin my morning.

"Go inside. I no go fit sidown for middle when small girl like you dey here." He says boldly.

WOW, just WOW. Major WOW, I couldn't believe this. Sexist much????

That wasn't the first time something like that was happening to me with a male passenger, always a male passenger. Normally I would just sit in the middle to avoid trouble but today I was feeling some type of way and wasn't ready for his bs. With anger still roaring in my system, I climbed onto the back of the car and closed the door, the rude man still standing outside. The guy opens the door and puts one leg in, trying to come in.

"Please excuse me, what are you doing?" I ask him politely.

"I am entering the car na." He says that like I was wrong to ask him the question.

"Hold on,let me come out." I scoot out of the car and when he is settled in the car again, I enter back in."

"What is this nonsense." No answer "My friend what kind of rubbish is this?" he says again in disgust pushing me out of the car.

"Ah ah, oga what is it?" I feign ignorance.

"I told you to stay in the middle." See this one oh. "These children don't have respect these days again o" He was lamenting to the other guy beside him. "abegi go down." He finishes his nonsensical lament.

I came down from the car. The taxi driver and the other passengers start to say that I should just get in the middle so that we can go.

"You know what, just be going. I'll wait for another car."

I learnt something new about myself that day. I never knew I could get that angry even to the extent of being downright disrespectful but the guy deserved it. I was proud of myself at least for a short while.

When another taxi came, I sat down at the front and lucky me, I sat down with a fat person. Let's just say the anger was squashed out of me.

When I got to school, I was feeling really small and tired.