After printing his call up letter for the national youth service, he had just three more days left to make the needed preparation for the journey to the campsite. He had quite a handful of things to do. He needed to go to the market to buy camping items like white shirts, shorts, shoes and backpack among other things.
“But mom this money will not be enough to buy all the stuffs I want for this journey” Brandon protested as his mom handed him Forty Thousand Naira. “Brandon, you know that things are hard in the country nowadays and we have a lot of bills to pay” his mother explained. Brandon’s mom has been the breadwinner of the family after his dad passed away eight years ago. She has managed to feed, clothe, shelter and train Brandon and his other two siblings through school. Brandon’s brother is now an accountant at one of the new generation banks. He helps with the expenditures at home as much as he could.
Brandon’s sister on the other hand is yet to get a ‘real job’ after youth service some two years back. She helps out with keeping their mom’s shop. Brandon’s mom has a shop, where she sells wholesale goods but recently business hasn’t been coming by frequently.
Brandon nodded in agreement when his mom told him to manage the money she gave him. His mother is a liberal spirit, “if she had money she would have given me more”, he thought to himself. He quickly tucked the money into his pocket to avoid being seen by his friend Jones, who had followed him to his mom’s shop to get the money. He knew he would have to give a reasonable sum to him, however since he did not see the amount he would just give him five hundred for all the hassle.
At 12:30pm, the sun is high on this particularly beautiful Monday in October as Brandon and Jones boarded a bus from Niger Street in the township area of Port Harcourt. They went to the ever busy mile one market. With Forty Thousand Naira in his pocket, Brandon was extra cautious with movements around him. He had his pocket picked once in the market, and it wasn’t a funny experience.
He had just received a payment for one of the graphic designs he did for a client and decided to spoil himself with a change of wardrobe. On that faithful day, a little overwhelmed by his ‘big pay’, he took no notice of the crook sitting close to him in the bus. He had put the money at the back pocket of his denim trouser and didn’t realize his money has been stolen until the bus conductor asked for his fare. The crook had gone down from the bus a few bus stops back. Brandon wasn’t going to allow a repeat of that incidence. “Once beating twice shy” he thought to himself.
The mile one market was packed with sweaty sellers and buyers alike, it would be a hectic task for Brandon and Jones to navigate through the crowd to their customer Emeka whose shop is situated close to the railway.
“Abeg make una comot for road make we pass na” shouted an apparently agitated boy. Brandon and his friend scarily made way for him to pass. Brandon is feeling dazed already and he is yet to buy anything, “be strong, you are a man” he comforted himself.
They finally arrived at Emeka’s shop. Brandon chooses to buy from Emeka each time he comes to the market because his products are of good quality and relatively cheaper than other traders who sell the same items.
“Enya, how far na, long time no see” the smiling Emeka said shaking Brandon’s hand. Returning the gesture Brandon replied “my man, I dey o, how market na?” “Market dey fine my brother’ said Emeka in his ibo accent.
After all the pleasantries, Brandon and Jones went on to browse for the items they needed to purchase. Emeka has most of the items in stock and after trying them out, Brandon enquired the price of each item. The total price of the items was calculated to be Eighteen Thousand Naira and Brandon handed the money over to Emeka without allowing his friend to see the rest of the money in his bag.
From Emeka’s shop the duo moved to another shop to complete their shopping. At about 2:30pm they succeeded in purchasing the last item on their shopping list. Brandon liked shopping and although he has been made jest of by his mates at school that shopping is a “girlie activity”, he remains unperturbed. During shopping is one of the few times he could express himself lavishly. And because he has a passion for fashion, it was only natural for him to like shopping; he is yet to see any celebrity fashionista who doesn’t like shopping anyways.
Tired and famished Brandon decided they should get into a nearby eatery for food and rest before they head back home. Jones gladly accepted the invitation, and so the duo made their way into a newly built middle class eatery, adjacent to the market. There they ordered food and took time to regain strength for the trip back home.
When they have finished eating and rested for a while, Brandon reminded Jones that it was getting late and that they should start going home. Brandon was really feeling comfy in this cozy air conditioned eatery, which had a large flat screen television hung on the wall with the channel tuned to African Magic. “We should come here more often” he said to Jones who smiled in agreement. However, as they paid their bills and left the eatery, Brandon knew within himself that this would be his last visit to this eatery for many months.
Back home, Brandon’s mom is getting slightly worried that Brandon might lavish the money she gave him on some useless items and come back to ask for more money. While she was still going about this thought she heard Brandon coming into the house. She quickly snatched the bags from him and perused to make certain that he had at least bought the things he primarily needs for the journey. She was very pleased with what she found in the bags. Her little boy is gradually becoming a very responsible man. She knew that her late husband, Mr. Duke would be proud of how Brandon has turned out.