Ini

𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝕺𝖓𝖊

Inioluwa held onto her small black bag as the bus drove over a gallop. Her eyes drifted to a dark young man in front of her cursing as his head hit the top of the bus, Inioluwa held in laughter as the man rubbed his head. She was sure he was damning himself from being extraordinarily tall and still ending up standing in the bus.

She hissed a bit as the scorching sun rested on her skin. She scooted away from the window but only earned a glare from the elderly woman sitting beside me. Inioluwa politely smiled as she moved away from the woman, discomfort written all over her face as the sun continued to simmer on her dark skin.

Inioluwa's gaze averted outside the window as she watched tricycles and buses pass them by as little children carrying trays of snacks on their head ran beside buses, displaying their snacks in their small hands. Hawking, she hated to watch children hawk, but she understood why they did–to feed body and soul.

Inioluwa's smile widened as she remembered home, she was almost home. She missed her mother and her little sister and couldn't wait to pull them into big hugs.

As the bus approached traffic, little children surrounded the bus, begging people to buy what they had. Inioluwa wasn't wealthy, but she loved helping and so, she zipped open her bag and took out a one thousand naira note. She stared at the note as she remembered what she had planned to use it for, but she did want to help. Shaking off those selfish thoughts, she stuck her head through the window and handed the note to a small boy.

"Share the money." She managed to yell as the bus drove forward. She had done good was what kept ringing in her ears as another smile crept up her lips.

With a sigh, she sat back in her seat and rested her head as she shut her eyes for a few seconds before lo lo by Omah Lay began to play out loud. Ignoring the stares, she hurriedly fished out her phone and turned the volume down before hastily answering the call. It was Ayo, her boyfriend. She had met him in the University Of Lagos at her first year and now, they had been together for only a year and some months.

"Ayo." She whispered, not wanting the old lady beside her to eavesdrop on her conversation. Ayo simply said, "babe, how far? Are you there yet?" (T= How are you)

"No, but I'm close. You're home, right?" She asked and he groaned before saying, "yes, I'm home and now I have to clean up my room. This place is a dump, thanks to Kunle and he refused to clean it up with me. I'm so drained." Inioluwa rolled her eyes before chuckling.

"So, you're laughing at me, abi? Don't worry, it's because you refused to come home with me, that's why. If not, we would have both been cleaning this place." He said and she laughed again as she imagined him snorting at her. (T=right?)

Ayo had always been a bratty guy but he was a wonderful boyfriend and Inioluwa could testify to that. He was smart and his appearance told the tale–with his geeky glasses–but he always complained about chores or anything that's related to hard work and has nothing to do with reading.

"You know that my mum would never let me and I haven't seen them in a while. Don't worry, when I buy data, I'll video call, okay?" Inioluwa reassured.

"You don't have data? You should have told me. I'll sub for you." He said and she immediately frowned. She was a girl that never liked favors from anyone, even Ayo. She couldn't stand anyone helping her, she always wanted to be independent and so, she felt that she needed no one's help. (T= I'll buy for you)

"No, thank you." She said and he sighed before saying, "I miss you Ini. I hope you're doing okay." A smile was plastered on her face as she was pleased with how sweet he was being.