Vagrants

Chapter 52

Things weren't going well for me as a person and things became even worse for the country. I wasn't active on my social media platforms and I used WhatsApp only on few occasions and I wasn't well informed because I didn't have a T.V or radio. I only got news from people talking about it or sometimes the Landlord's radio. The Landlord was seldom around anyway so there was no way I would have known.

It was a weekend. I went to the market to get few things that I would need for the following week. I was shocked by what I saw in the market place. There were more crowds than usual. And these weren't normal traders and customers, these were protesters.

I tapped someone. "What's happening?"

I should have tapped a male because the girl I tapped was very rude.

"Can't you see?"

That's when I realized that they were holding up posters and cardboards and written boldly on them was "ENDSARS". No matter how uninformed I was, I knew what this was about.

It was about a brutal police force designed to protect the citizens from armed robbers. These special anti-robbery squad also known as SARS are doing what they're supposed to be protecting us from. They extort money from people and in most cases take away their lives. It was disheartening to hear this from the people living in the residence.

Just last week, about the time Seyi and I were on a date, one of the boys got killed for refusing to give the police some money. This guy used to wear dreads and had few tattoos all over his body. Some of Jesus and Holy Mary and some of his ex-girlfriend who recently dumped him.

The Police must have thought he was a Yahoo boy and that's why they brutally attacked him before taking his life. Normally, I'd have wished it happened to Damba because I presumed him to be a Yahoo boy but I wouldn't wish such treatment on anyone not even my enemy.

Having a Fatherless baby is a story on its own and having the Father of your baby dead is another disheartening story.

I walked quietly into the market, head slightly bowed as I tried to find my way around. My hand bag and Polybag were on one arm as I bought things from different traders. I didn't have time to look for the stalls of the regular traders I purchased from and there was definitely no time to bargain.

"Aunty, what are you doing in the market?" Someone asked while I was trying to find my way back home.

"I came to buy..."

"You better return quick. You and this your condition. These people don't care if you're a woman and they definitely do not care if you're pregnant too." A man said and walked away.

I learnt that these protests have been on since the previous week and I knew nothing about it. I was just going from school and back home as my regular routine. I didn't spend time in school or have discussions with people in the staff room so I knew nothing about it.

I was walking back home on the almost quiet streets when I heard deafening noise of gunshots. I could even hear the bullets dropping down unto the tarred roads.

They fired the gun into the air to disperse the protesters. Nothing to worry about.

I tried to comfort myself and not fear what was going on around. I crossed the road and was veering towards the direction of the residence when a large hand caught my right arm. Fear enveloped me, Did I just get caught by a Police officer?

I remembered the words of the stranger. These people don't care if you're a woman and they definitely do not care if you're pregnant too.

My heart started pounding hard against my chest. I cannot afford to lose my life nor this baby's life. I tried to wriggle free without looking back at the harsh face of the officer but his grip got harder.

"Let me go!" I cried, already imagining myself being shot.

"Adeola, Calm down."

I turned around to see Seyi and I hugged him. I didn't care about the awkwardness that had occurred between us. I just knew I was in safe hands.

"S-Seyi."

"It's okay now. Come let me take you home."

"W-Where is your car?"

"I parked it down the road. I couldn't drive all the way here since the roads have been..."

"Yes! Let's go." I couldn't spend one more minute there. I was already terrified.

Once Seyi walked me down to the residence, I broke down into tears.

"It's okay. Calm down." Seyi rubbed my back. "Why did you go out?"

"I...I went to get some things."

"In this situation? Don't you know what's going on out there?"

"Not really. I..."

"You're not on Twitter, at least?" He took a seat.

I shook my head.

"Don't kid me. How can you not be on Twitter? So you don't have any news source rather than the half-broken radio your Landlord carries about?"

"The men here talk about..."

"They don't know anything. They just alter the news!"

"I didn't know that." I sniffed.

"Now that you do, will you open Twitter or should I do it for you?"

"I...I will."

"Okay good." Seyi sighed. "Calm down. That must have terrified you, I know. Just get a hold of..."

"Seyi, thank you. Please I want to be alone."

"What?"

"Yes." I sniffled. "I'm very sorry. I just can't wrap my head around everything. Let me be for now."

"Okay." Seyi got up. "Call me if you need anything."

I nodded. "Thank you."

With that, he left. I decided to open a Twitter account. I wanted to know what more had happened that I wasn't aware of and so I did. I was shocked by what I saw online.

Videos and images of innocent lives being killed by these people got me very scared that I couldn't sleep at night.

*

Seyi didn't show up for a week and things kept getting worse. I wasn't comfortable staying in the residence because it wasn't far from the market where protesters gathered and most of these protesters passed in front of the residence with their posters and cardboards. I didn't feel comfortable after seeing this and I knew so well that I could be in danger if I stayed any longer so I decided to give Folake a call.

"Hey baby. What's up?"

I couldn't keep my emotions in check so I cried.

"Adeola. Are you okay?"

"Y-Yes. I need your help."

"Anything for you. Tell me what it is."

"Do you know anyone living in Lagos or somewhere I could reside in please?"

"I thought you said you found a residence."

I did tell her that but I didn't tell her what an austere place it was. I just told her that I found a place I was happy to stay in.

"Y-Yes. But it isn't safe for me."

"Well, Tayo and I stay in Lagos but I'd have to talk to him and let you know once he gets back."

"O-kay." I sighed. "Thank you."

Folake hung up and I didn't hear from her for few days until she and Tayo drove down to the residence to pick me up. Turns out they've been living in Lagos for quite some time. I didn't actually care to talk about how they let me suffer in that residence when they had a house in Lagos, all I was grateful for was that I was safe.

They both were happy to see me. It has been months and I looked quite bigger with my protruding belly and Folake kissed my belly saying she wants to be my baby's godmother. They allowed me to stay in the guest room of their house and I was really grateful and happy to have this.