Mending a Psycho's Heart

Chapter Seven

Hafeezoh's P.O.V

After listening to Omar Suleiman's podcast, I got my morning energy activated. I freshened up quickly and had a 5 minutes breakfast right before I headed out.

It feels weird leaving the house without bading my sister goodbye but again, it is what it is. I was still feeling a little obdurate over my outburst the other day and I am still struggling to shake it off.

My mind wandered off to that night and I could literally feel my heart tighten again. I am not sure I can wait for her to own up to this shit and do what she is supposed to do.

It's too early to ruminate on this. I hastened my steps as I trudge down the lonely street.

This month is for strictly cutting cost and rather than ordering a ride on my Uber app, I am walking to the bus stop to board a public transport.

I quickened my steps to avoid getting to the bus stop late. The last thing I want today is a sip of my boss's craze.

Gosh, the woman's madness is not from here. Her angry voice is so terrifying that it makes a grown man shrink. The only time you see her smiling is when you over deliver your duty and there's an enormous payoff.

I reached the bus station in no time and waited for exactly 22 minutes to get a bus. Good thing I left the house two hours earlier.

As I entered the yellow bus popularly called "Danfo", the rusty smell of the iron welcomed me coupled with different natural  body cologne if you know what I mean.

This is one of the top reasons I avoid entering Danfo. The free mixing of sweaty bodies, the rusty smell of the car. Don't let me begin with having to deal with manner less individuals and an ever vexed conductor. Just be sure to carry money in lower dominations to avoid imsults and stories that touch. Lagos conductors have zero chills. If you happen to take your seat by the door, know that  his dampened, smelly armpit will hang over your head throughout the ride. A nasty experience it is.

Boarding a danfo is a whole lot to deal with in just the seating of minutes.

"Aunty, please could you help me carry this child on your lap? Our stop is not so far." A woman said in a Yoruba dialect a few seconds after settling in my seat. I plugged in my airpods and pretended not to hear her the first time.

"Aunty, I am talking to you now." She repeated and further tapped my shoulder. How can I forget to mention the children sharer which one of them happened to be my seat partner. I knew they can't be 100% avoided and the day has come.

How will a woman board Danfo with 5 to 9 children and pay for only one seat then expect you to help out with one of the kids? Like how? Someone should convince me how this is normal.

Anyway, I don't let their guilt trips get to me and I definitely dont help out. Don't look at me like that cause I learnt my lesson the hard way. I love children a lot but these child sharers have shown me 'shege' in the past.

"Aunty, please now." she jerked at me a bit harder than before.

"this is your mess not mine, so deal with it and please keep that baby's nose drenched with mucus away from my cloth." I said and that attracted boos from some of the passengers. It's not like I care so I let it be.

The woman threw me a snide comment and hissed but I didn't let it bother me. It's just a few more minutes to my stop. This is why I hate boarding Danfo. It comes with lots of wahala.

After a few seconds, this woman stylishly put the child in front of me. I knew I had lost my peace at the very beginning she started her pleas. Is it by force to lap your child for you?

I got to my destination in no time and I was so glad that was all over. I brought out my sanitizer to disinfect my hands and grabbed a cup of coffee before I walked into the building buzzing with people and threw my million dollar smile at the receptionist after signing in, who in turn flashed me a warm smile. She was new in the building.

I took an elevator to the fifth floor which was where my mini office was. I unlocked th door and the fresh smell of the room greeted me. I placed my coffee on the table closest to me and settled in before reaching back to take a sip. My office space had a cosy feel. The wall colors was painted sage green. There were colourful paintings on the wall opposite the table.

There is a floor lamp by the corner a few inches away from the poufs which was close to the couch.

I had a small desk for crayons, colouring books, mini hand paper shredder, blank books and novels. There was a multi coloured rug placed at the centre and a snake plant in the corner by the window side. The room sets a very relaxing tone that suits potential clients; children, teenagers and adults.

Perks of being a senior child pediatric cousellor. One of the things I like about my job is my office. It has a homey feel that is quite comforting. If only the pay was higher than this, perhaps there will be relief and it won't be a struggle surviving.

The thought of Khayal staying at home made me roll my eyes. If only she would stop staying at home and being less productive.

I quickly stopped myself from wallowing in self pity. I better channel my full energy to today's work instead of thinking of what I have no power over.
I scanned the list on my table to see what name we have first on the list.

"A teenager."  This should be interesting. I sipped my coffee again and heaved a big sigh.

We go again today!

Hello👀.

This chapter is giving naija vibe and another that yet to perfectly place but anyway, what do you think about it? Do you like the flow so far?

Do you have any suggestions too?

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