Chapter 5

Unedited

"Osas Osas!" The man at seat no. 8 hailed after the driver got back on the road. "You na one man army oh!" He continued and she withheld her laughter and he turned back, "You know say if you join Nigeria army, your mess to be weapon" he joked and everyone in the bus laughed.

"I no warn una?" She asked and the driver laughed.  "My mess get integrity and respect"

"Your mess don definitely earn my respect"

"Your belle dirty bad!" The guy in front of her said and she scoffed, "You wey don dey use silent mess kill me since we start this journey. No open that mouth talk before I enter you!" She snapped and he kept quiet.

Osaze stuck a earpiece in his ears listening to folk Bini songs, he glanced at Osas then back at his phone which was plugged in to a power bank. Osas was beginning to feel uncomfortable with his frequent glances, she knew he had something to say.

She hasn't stopped feeling embarrassed even if she knew she won't meet him again. He glanced at her again and this time she took out one of the ear piece out of his ears.

  "If you get anything to talk, talk. No dey look me like say I shit for body"

Osaze gazed at her without saying anything, "It's just mess, abi wetin dem call am for English? Pollution" "Fart" "Yes. The fact still remains," "What fact?" "That farts don't have toilet. I no know why I dey even explain myself to you. I no just dey comfortable with your look and as you keep quiet" she said then he cleared his throat and she waited for him to speak.

"No dey clear throat if you no get anything to talk. So.... Mr Lawyer,
If farting is a crime abi criminal offense, how many years you go jail me?" She asked, this provoked a laughter from him.

"For this havoc you just created? Maybe ten years"

Osas chuckled, moving her face closer to him  "Have mercy my Lord, ten years for wetin? Who I kill?" She laughed and he turned towards her, he wasn't comfortable with their lips close to each other.

He cleared his throat chuckling,
"Did you see the way everyone left the bus so they can breathe fresh air. You took their breath away literally!"

Osas laughed. "I'm just surprise you're not ashame" "Me way get shame no too shame, you way no get shame, con dey carry person shame for face. No be say I go meet you again, abi?" She replied and Osaze unconsciously felt disappointed.

He just didn't understand why.

They were already at Sagamu, in an hour or more, they'll be Lagos and will be going their separate ways. It's a normal thing Osaze, why are you bothered? He asked within.

"Argh!" Helen yelled and everyone in the bus became alarmed. It's only normal to assume when a pregnant woman shouts in pain, she's definitely in labor.

"Madam are you okay?"

"Yes. Don't be scared, I'm not due till two weeks! Argh! Jesus!" She screamed and Osas rose up carrying her handbag then she made her way through the little gap and bags already stacked on the floor of the bus while staggering as the result of the motion of the bag.

"Helen, you dey okay?" She asked and she shrugged, "I don't know, I feel okay but I'm not okay. My waist, argh!" She groaned, "I'm having contractions but I'm not due yet"

"Driver abeg stop" Osas' begged and he quickly made a stop in a filling station.

"Excuse me" she said to the man close to Helen and he arced his brow at him.  "You be nurse?" "You want make I test am on top you?" She asked and he moved away.

She sat down now moving her hands to Helen's belly, "What are you doing?" "Just trust me" she begged and she exhaled. Then she massaged each point of her belly.

"This baby dey come today but I pray make we reach your place before he come"

"How do you know that"

"Na gift way I get"

"But I'm not due. God it hurts"

"Your first time?"

"Yes."

"We fit still wait, until the water break"

"What if the water breaks?"

Emergency delivery! Osas replied within.

"Just pray make e no break"

The popular Nokia tune filled the bus and Osas removed her phone from her bag then she answered the call. "Where are you?" Imade asked, "I no know where I dey" "Ask person for the bus"

"Sagamu"

"Shaga.... Shagamu" She answered, "Good, when you reach, I go tell Mama Justice where you dey, she go come meet you for park at the right time, since you no go fit call her."

"I hear. Thank you"

As soon as the driver took to the road, Helen felt a leak slide down her thighs. "I think the water has broken" she yelled and everyone became scared for her.

"Driver, can't you stop by at a hospital this is an emergency!"  A mature woman asked and the driver shook his head.

"I have an appointment by 4pm today and I can't afford to miss it" the man who was formerly at seat no. 8 said and Osaze glared at him. "Let's not be selfish, the woman is in Labor"

"I'll have to give a parcel to someone before four, i have a lot at stake here."

"On a Sunday?"

"Hey! I get it that we're worried about the woman but this might cost me my life too and I still have a long way to go" he replied and Osaze scoffed.

It definitely had to be drugs!

Helen groaned and Osas exhaled, "Breathe in and out" "How's that going to help me?" "Just breath in and out!" She snapped and Helen did continuously.

"Say it is well"

"It is well"

"It is well"

"It is well"

"It is well"

"In the name of Jesus"

"In the name of Jesus"

"It is well"

"It is well"

"With my soul today" she completed and Helen along with some other passengers laughed on realizing it was the lyrics to Buchi's song.

"What if the baby comes now?"

"I'll help you, you just have to trust me"

"I've never done this before and I expected to do it in a hospital, not in a public bus with everyone staring at me" she groaned then she picked up her phone calling her husband again.

"Hey honey"

"Where have your phone been? I've left three missed calls!" "I was.... Honey, I'm in church. You know that I'm always in church around this time".

"You can be in church when in labor?" She asked and he kept quiet. "You're not saying anything" "I'm shocked..... Are you still in the bus?"

"Yes and I don't think I can't last a minute more! It having this baby here"

"Give the driver the phone, he's supposed to take you to the nearest clinic"

"We're in Sagamu"

"Who cares even if he's driving through sambisa forest, he's supposed to drop you off at any clinic" "What about the other passengers?" She groaned and he exhaled.

"Honey..... I'll leave the church now, I'll be at the park waiting for you." "Please pray for me" "Nothing's going to happen to you or our baby. I love you"

"I love you too" she answered hanging up and Osas smiled.

Helen suddenly widened her leg then she took off her underwear, "Ah! Jesus!"

"Jesus!!!!" Another man yelled. "God let this cup pass over her head already. Which kain wahala be this? Women dey try oh! See as my body dey vibrate"

"I'll need clean wrapper or blanket, plenty of am!" She requested now clearing some bags from the floor.

"I have some already" Helen replied, "New Razor blade, and alcohol, any kind of alcohol, gin, anything" she requested looking at everyone.

"I have blade"

"I get alcohol" the guy who was previously sitting in front of Osas replied.

"Thank you. I'm going to need help" she turned towards the mature women in the bus. "I never do delivery before" "I just need una hand abeg. Driver whenever e happen, I go need you to stop, even if it's for thirty minutes."

"You go fit handle am?"

"Yes"

"Yes Ma" he replied and Osas chuckled.

"Thank you"

Thirty minutes later, Helen was seated on a double folded wrapper, her hands found a bag then she gripped it.

"Push"

"Aaaaaaaaaggggggghhhhhh" she screamed from the pain then she  gritted her teeth, closed her eyes and pushed with all her might.

Osaze's phone rang and his hands trembled as he picked up. "Hey Vera" "Hey Osaze, first happy Sunday and secondly, I just saw Dad's text on my phone. What happened" she asked then she heard a scream.

"What's that?"

"I'm in a bus, I'm close to Lagos and a woman is in labor"

"Jesus, shouldn't she be rushed to the hospital?" "I don't think there's time for that. She's already in labor'

"Who's taking care of her?"

"Osarieme, or better still, Osas" he replied and Vera gasped, "Same Osas?"

"Yes. The same Osas"

"How... How... How...?" She stammered, "Did you?" "No... It's a coincidence but that's not important."

"Should I call my husband to pick you up?"

"I already sent a text to have someone bring my car. Thank you" he replied, "I'll stop by at the house later, we need to talk"

"Sure. Bye Vera"

"Push"

"Aarggghhhhhh, I'm trying " Helen grunts again and Osas smiled on seeing the head fully out of her. 

"You're doing well! I don see the head just keep pushing"

She proceeded to screamed in pain and Osas grabbed the baby by its body, "One final push," she begged and Helen cried out. This was folllowed by the sound of baby cry.

Everyone sighed in relief and Osas chuckled, "It's a beautiful baby girl" she announced then she requested for the blade while another woman held the baby carefully in order for Osas to cut the umbilical cord.

Helen exhaled, even though she felt weak, she still wanted to hold her daughter in her hands.

Osas wrapped the baby in a clean wrapper,  she wiped the baby's face with a small towel before handing her over to the mother.
Helen leaned against the bus busting into tears of joy. "My baby"

"Who for believe say Madam atomic mess for do this Kain thing." The driver teased and everyone laughed.  "Weldone" he added. 

The trip has indeed been a memorable one for everyone! They all had two or more things to remember Osas for.

Immediately they got to the park, Osaze had Helen, her husband and Osas driven to a nearby hospital with his car so she and the child can receive proper hospital treatment.

"I hope they are no infection" Helen asked and the doctor smiled.
"From our observation, the baby is perfectly fine. I'll have to commend whoever handled the delivery"  he stated and Helen pointed at Osas.

"Oh." He turned towards her, "Are you a nurse?" "No" "Midwife?" "No. My mother was the.... Well, I just..... I just get the gift, e dey inside my body". She replied and he arced his brow quite surprised as young as she was could be effective enough to carry out a successful child delivery.

"Weldon" he said to her then it dawned on Osaze that he hasn't told her how impressed he was about how she handled the situation.

His phone rang and he went out to answer the call. "Are you in Lagos Sir" Obianuju asked and Osaze nodded. "Yes" "How was the flight?" "I use a public bus" he replied seeing Kubiat walk towards him then raised his finger up.

"Give me a minute Uju, I'll call you back" he said hanging up then he smiled at him.

"Osaze!" Kubiat called out shaking him then he smiled. "What are you doing here?" "I'm here to see a colleague of mine, she just put to birth. I heard it was in a bus, so I'm here to do the mocking"

"Helen?"

"Yes.... How? Were you also in the bus?"

"Yes... I was. Wow, this is a coincidence"

"When did you start entering buses? What happened to all the airplanes in the world?" "I was supposed to go with the whole family"

"Oh" Kubiat replied then he laughed. "I gotta go mehn" "No problem, I'll still see you around, I'm not going anytime soon"

"No wahala" he shook his hands snapping one of his fingers.

Osas' phone rang and she picked it up, "Good afternoon" "Where you dey? I hope say you dey with your load. Which Kain stress you dey put me through like this?" Mama Justice shouted, "Them call am Pillars hospital"

"I don enter the hospital where you dey?"

"Upstairs, room 34" "Aunty Weldon! Omo olope, o kare! I go come meet you for there. Make I also buy baby lotion come too? Cause na my pikin I wan visit"   She sounded sarcastic and angry.

Osas didn't even know how to respond to her. "I dey come" she replied and the woman ended the call. She scratched her neck now turning towards Helen.

"What's wrong?"

"Make I just rush go out to meet the person way I want stay with. E be like say she dey vex"

"Already? Osas, if she's not a nice person, I know of a comfortable place you can stay for a while" "Thank you, make I just rush go see her" she held the luggage pulling it out then she clashed into Kubiat at the door.

"Sorry" she apologized both sharing a look. "It's no bother" he smiled and she smiled back at him. "I need to go"

"Yeah" he replied and they both passed walked towards the same direction and Osas laughed. "Oga calm down, I'll take the right, you'll take the left"

"My left or your left?" He asked and they laughed.

Kubiat shifted to the left side and she smiled walking past him. She sighted Osaze making a call, she had the intention of meeting him but she didn't want to interrupt his calls so she walked away.

"Who's she?" Kubiat asked after walking in, she was refering to Osas. Helen glared at her husband, she didn't expect him to inform her superior at work.

"You had to call Kubi"

"Cause I needed to borrow his car but apparently he came late"

"I was at the police station, I was working a case. I'm sorry for coming late, if there was a part I wish I came early to see, it was the part where you delivered in that bus. Did you ever dream of it?"  Kubiat laughed and Helen shook her head.

"Not even in my wildest dream"

"Was there like a doctor there?"

"No. It was Osas"

"Who's Osas?"

"The girl you just bumped into"

"Oh" he muttered smiling, "Who's she?" "A savior, if it wasn't for her, I don't know what would have become of my baby"

"Is she coming back?" He asked and Helen gave him a look.

"Why are you asking? I recognize that look"  "What? Come on, I have the ability to recognize a pretty woman even when she's without make up or wig. It's been a while I've seen anyone pull off a natural village look"

Helen laughed, "Why does that sound like an insult?" "It isn't. Is she coming back?"  "She is"

Mama Justice spotted Osas, even know she has never met her before, from Imade's description and he way her eyes scattered around in search of someone, she guessed it was her.

"Osas!" She called out and Osas looked at the woman dressed in an Ankara buba and wrapper tied across her waist and a small scarf encircled across her head.

"Good afternoon Ma"

"See as i take run from Women's forum because say Imade call me say you don't reach Lagos already. You know how I take try to beat traffic so that you no go dey wait for me, only for me to reach park, imade con call tell me say you dey one hospital"

"Sorry, abeg no vex"

"No be matter of no vex be this! You know how much transport I don use so? I no even pay that kain amount when Pastor day make we sow seed. I rush commot for church, I no collect my rice and I pay contribution for the food way them go share" she hissed afterwards.

"One woman being dey labor so I help her arrange the whole package"

"You be doctor? Imade no tell me say you get degree, Weldon, doctor Osas" Mama Justice replied sarcastically and Osas scratched her hair, "We being need to rush she and her baby go hospital"

"Why you no wait for park? You be her family member?"

"No... I just"

"Them send you come Lagos to come hold labor or make you come play mother Theresa? See, Lagos no be like Benin or Auchi oh. Lagos na mind your business, nobody send you for here, what if say as you hold the labor like this, the woman con die? Or her pikin die? No be arrest them go arrest you?"

Osas' shook her head, she wondered why the woman was being so negative! "No be say"

"Make I talk first, i no want sound like wicked person, I know say as I dey talk like this. You heart dey wonder, which kain woman be this but for Lagos, you must dey wise. Wisdom is the principal thing, e dey inside bible, you get bible?"

"Yes"

"I go show you when I reach house. Wisdom is the principal thing, you gatz dey wise. No be everybody them dey help. The number one rule wey you go help you survive for this state na to mind your business. Na my twenty something years for this state oh and I'm growing stronger. Dey wise and mind your business" she advised walking away then she turned back at her.

"You no follow me?"

"I just want say goodbye to my friends"

Mama Justice hissed, "Friends, how many minutes for Lagos, you don get friends." She scoffed clapping her hands then she busted into Yoruba.  "Mo ma ro go oh," she paused before busting into Bini, "I hope Imade hasn't brought problems to my house. I no dey do friends oh, I don't like people that can sit one place and focus on what they came for. Who needs friends?"

"Sorry Ma"

"Oya, make we dey go"

Osas turned back at the building, she began to regret why she didn't say goodbye to Osaze. She didn't even get his phone number, neither did she get Helen's number.

"Make I just rush go"

"E be like say you get where you go stay shebi?" She asked and Osas' exhaled defeatedly. For a moment she had second intentions on staying with her but where would she stay? She asked within then she remembered Helen's offer.

Better the devil you know, at least Imade knows the woman and where she lives in Lagos! Should in case anything happens.

Osaze returned back to the room, "Where's Osarieme?" He asked and Helen shrugged, "She said she had to meet the lady she'll be staying with. She sounded like she'll be coming back, you can call her if you have her number"

"I don't... Do you?"

Helen shook her head, "I don't either,  we'll just wait for her. I don't think she'll be that inconsiderate to say goodbye"

Mama Justice lived in a two rooms flat, one room was the sitting room where the children sleep and the other was a room where she occupies with her husband.

The moment Osas walked into the room, she felt weird, not because of how small the room was, there was a foul about the spiritual presence that didn't make her feel comfortable. Her discerning gifts were acting up and she just couldn't make out why she felt uncomfortable.

"Mummy welcome" Her three children greeted then they all stared at Osas. The youngest among the children was 23 years old lady, the others was  28 and the oldest 30 years guy called Justice.

"Una Good afternoon oh"

"You sef good afternoon"  they all answered as though on cue then they all laughed.

"Wo bo se ri, o dabi Ara oko
(Look how she looks like, She looks like a village)" Favour began, "O dabi pe o ma duro pe o, o gberu wa (Looks like she'll be staying for a long time oh, she brought a luggage)"

"Awon ara oko yi pelu erongba lati duro pe. (All these village people and intentions to stay longer,)" Her Joy answered rolling her eyes,

"Wo eleyi (Look at this one now)" Favour laughed, "Eko ma je eleyi ni tutu (Lagos will eat this one raw!)"

Osas began to feel bad as they spoke In Yoruba. She didn't understand a word they were saying but she knew they were definitely talking about her.

"Will you all keep quiet there? Can't you see that she's in your presence? Abi are you all blind ni? Now that you're using Yoruba, how will she feel?" Their mother snapped then she cleared her throat.

"Osas, meet all my children oh. My first born, Justice, my second born, Joy, my third born, favour"

"Is a pleasure to meet you all"

They all busted into fits of laughter, "O so pe is a pleasure (She said is a pleasure)" Favor laughed and Osas felt worst, till the point she was forced to ask, "Wetin I do?"

"Welcome to Lagos" they all yelled still laughing at her. "I get rules for this house, no. 1, my husband na my own, no go chook eye for where you no sow"

"God forbid Ma"

"We go see now, and two, we no dey shout too much, we no dey smoke, we no dey drink we no dey allow guys or girls enter house, no try to bring any man"

"I no dey do man things"

"E good like that. You see all this make up wet city girls dey do, even if na lip gloss please burn it. We don't do that here, we can't let you compromise our faith, compromise our chance of going to heaven"

"Deeper life?"

"No. Jesus Followers Baptist Church"

"Which one be that one?"

"The church way you go dey attend from now on. No make up, no attachment, you look okay on your natural hair, God created us naturally, why should we spoil it with all these marine made hair"

Osas almost rolled her eyes, not making friends? There's no way she can do without making friends! The last thing she wanted was going to a church where things like no make up, no trousers, no attachments, are usually preached against! Why will the woman impose the place of worship on her?

She had intentions of joining any place of worship she felt comfortable with. She wasn't planning on arguing with the woman either, she won't want to be thrown out on her first day.

Osaze sat in his sofa on getting home then he poured himself a drink . He was beginning to hate himself for not getting Osas number when he had the chance to. He didn't even get to commend her for doing a good job!

He felt awful.

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. Vera walked in almost immediately, she looked around the untidy house then she picked up the pillow on the floor.

"Don't bother, I'll still do the same thing this night"

Vera scoffed, "It's funny when you say it as though it's a normal thing. Leave the pillow there, I'll definitely get angry and fight with myself at night. Come on Osaze! How long will all this madness last?"

"Can we not talk about this?" He requested, "Please" he begged and Vera rolled her eyes sitting on the arm of the chair.

"Just because you said please oh" she replied walking close to him. "You need to talk to me Osaze, the truth is I don't understand you anymore"

"It's a phase"

"You've been going through this same phase for the past fifteen years. Ever since you got back from the University, you became a different person entirely and I respect the fact you want your privacy but I don't think it's helping you."

Osaze groaned, "Vera" "Okay... Whatever, I'm going to change the topic, not because I want to sha. What happened that made you take the bus, before you answer that," "I wasn't even ready to answer that before, you can guess what happened already"

Vera laughed, "Was she insulting dad?" "She was insulting Charles' Choice and how the bride looked like" "
"How come you were in the same bus with Osas. I didn't really understand that side"

"It was a coincidence. She happened to be seating close to me"

"Wow. Did you tell her..."

Osaze scoffed, "Why will I tell her?" "Conversation sake" "How was she like?" She asked and Osaze creased his forehead, puzzled by his sister's interest.

"Why do you want to know?" He asked and she laughed.

"I can either dive into the old topic or you can be a good brother and answer my question" she threatened and he sniggered. "For starters, she's a talkative, I found out it's her first time being in Lagos"

"Wow. What does she want?"

"I ....." Osaze shrugged, "I didn't ask" "Why?" "I didn't want to pry and I didn't want to speak much. I wanted to end the topic, she just kept on coming up different topics" he said in reminiscence then he chuckled.

"She was just eating everything she saw. There was this time she ...." He stalled laughing and Vera pinched him, "She what? Don't keep me in suspense" 

"She told the driver she wanted to get down so she could urinate"

"And...."

"It was a damn lie, she wanted to fart but the driver didn't do it and she did it in there and the whole passengers went into uproar, it was horrible!" He laughed remembering the funny complains made by the passengers and Vera smiled, she has never seen her brother laugh so much over anything.

"It was quite annoying when I was in the bus. Now it's just ..... funny. Did I mention that she performed the delivery, the way she handled the whole situation, it was amazing."

"Where is she?"

"I have no idea" he frowned, "She didn't even say goodbye before leaving. Not like I give a damn but a simple goodbye would have been enough! She just left that way!"

"You're angry"

Osaze scoffed, "Why will I be angry? I don't care whatever she does with her life. I'm just.... Disappointed she didn't say goodbye to me before leaving"

"That's very much like being angry, it's the same thing"

"Why are we going around in circles?"

"Did you at least get her number?"

No. I didn't think it was necessary. I don't care about her"

"That explains why you went all the way to Benin to exonerate her of those charges" Vera answered sacarstically and Osaze scoffed. "The only reason I went was because you put me to it"

Vera raised her nose in disbelief then she smiled at the possibility of Osaze liking this girl. That's new! She said within then she cleared her throat.

"I wonder where she might be now, what if her coming to Lagos is to become a maid in one rich man's house? Maids these days are usually maltreated" she exhaled intentionally now looking at Osaze who was giving it a thought.

"I ... I don't care"

"Hmm.... Na wa oh, what if she gets abused by her owners? Why am I saying negative things sef. What if something bad happens to her, Ehya, then it will in your conscience that If you had gotten her number earlier, you could have helped her out it find out how she's faring." She hissed then she rose up.

"I don't want you putting this in your mind. I'm sure she'll be fine" she said to him but she obviously meant the opposite.   "I should be on my way." Bye Osaze, take care of yourself" she muttered kissing him on the forehead before making her way out of the house.

Osaze immediately put a call through to Helen. "Hey Osaze" "Hey, how are you?" "I'm still in shock at how small the world can be. Who would have thought one of the passengers could be best friends to my superior at work? I'm fine"

"And the baby?"

"She's doing great, thank you."

"I just want to say, when you have any information about Osas..." "I'll let you know."

"Thank you"

"You're welcome and good night"

"Good night"

Osas first night made her realize why spirit was troubled on stepping into the house. "Blood of Jesus!! Blood of Jesus!!!" Justice yelled at night and the rest of his siblings joined him.

Osas opened her eyes in horror, she felt the ominious presence and something fly out the window and she wondered why she had to be in this kind of house of all places.

She has never really explored her gifts in that aspect but has always been the kind to detect when things are wrong spiritually.

Mama Justice and her husband got out quickly. She tied her wrapper well now letting out a hiss, "Mama they came again" "You no put bible for head sleep" "I put am but them came again" "Show me, how you take put the Bible" she requested and he pointed at the Bible on the  bed sheet on the floor.

"How many time I don tell you to dey open the Bible sleep on top?" She snapped letting out a loud hiss then she exhaled tiredly. "Oya everybody stand up. We're praying till dawn! The devil must die" She demanded and everyone did, including Osas.

Mama Justice didn't exaggerate, she prayed till Dawn. Osas barely had enough time to sleep and she had plans for the day!

"How your first night?" Omo asked and Osas rolled her eyes.  Dropping the broom in her hands. "Na horror movie oh, the guy dey experience spiritual problems and the Mumcy make us pray till morning reach"

"You no fit go sleep?"

"For person house?" She reduced her voice, "Na her word be Aye and Amen oh. The woman con use style harsh. She don drop rules oh, no attachment, no make up, no lip gloss"

"Shuu?"

"Na small?" She asked letting out a sigh. 

"Come back Benin"

"I never even start, today I wan go check out the adoption agency" 

Omo exhaled, "Osas, take care oh. I no ready to cry over anybody oh" "No worry, I go dey fine." she answered then she resumed sweeping the floor.

"How my brothers?"

Favor escorted Osas to the address written on a piece of paper. There was no adoption agency there, the building had been turned into a betting plaza.

"You sure say you follow the address?"

"I did! This is the address on this paper"

Osas placed her hands on her head, "Why are you placing your hand on your head as though you're in trouble?" Favor asked and Osas scratched her hair.

"You no understand, na why I come Lagos be this, so I can find my aunt, my sisters, my brother."

"They used to live in here?"

"My Aunt worked here, that year."

"How long?"

"Twenty five years ago"

Favor scoffed, "Does this look like a Mexican soap opera to you? How are you going to find them?" "Na all this negativity I no need! I am positive, I go find them"

"This is a bet naija building, how are you going to find them. This was your only lead! Let's go back"

"I'm not going back, I'll enter there and find anybody that knows someone that someone that knows about this adoption agency. Maybe them move, everybody dey move these days"

Favor folded her hands, "I'll go back oh" "You get transport?" "No!" She answered then Osas made way towards the building, "I said I don't have transport!"

"You fit either trek go house or you follow me. Abeg, just help me out, I need to find my sisters" she begged entering into the building and she followed her.

Osas waved at young guy, "Guy how far" she greeted stretching her hands and the guy shook her hands. "My name na Osas," "You look familiar, like say I don see your face before"

"How come?"

"You don enter any social media contest before?"

"I no even dey social media. I dey find person way being dey stay for this building before when e be adoption agency"

The guy shook his head, "I don't think I know that kain thing oh. Since I know this building, na bet naija building I dey call am. I no think say I ever hear say them adopt anything for here but you fit go ask Baba beji"

"Huh?" Osas asked and the guy turned back to see the Baba beji coming their way. "Na him get the building. See an here sef!" He pointed smiling at the man.

"Baba beji, won wa yin oh? (they're looking for you)" he announced walking away.

Osas walked towards the old man "Good afternoon Sir" "Good afternoon, ki lo n wa? (What are you looking for?)" He asked and Osas scratched her head now looking at Favor.

"Wetin him talk"

"He wants to know what you want"

"You no Sabi to speak yoruba?"

"Ara oko ni, o jẹ igba akọkọ rẹ no eko (She's a village girl, it's her first time in Lagos)"

Osas gave her a look, "Wetin you tell am?" "I tell am say, you no sabi speak the language" "Why I dey feel like say no be wetin you tell am be that?" She whispered and the old man cleared his throat.

"I dey go out before you come oh."

"I dey find the owner of the adoption agency way being dey this place"

"Adoption agency? Ah!" The man scoffed, "Eyen ti pe (It's been long). That one don tay" "I want see the owner of the building"

"Na me get the building, them just being dey rent the place but sha them con move" "Go where?"

"I no know oh. The person way supposed know sef, no dey around" "Who?" "My wife" "Na where she dey. I fit wait for her"

"Ehn?" Favor asked, "Who will wait? Let me start trekking back home now"

"You no go fit wait. She go Ekiti, she no go come back until next month"

"Jesus! Next month?" Osas asked and the man gave a gentle nod.

This time she placed both hands on her head. How was she going to survive in Lagos without cash or an income for a month?

She couldn't think straight after she got back to the house. The money she had at the moment wasn't enough to do much. She sat on the fence at the backyard of the compound now thinking of her life.

Should she go back to Benin and come back the following month or just wait and find a job? "Fine girl" A young lady who had just sat down on the fence with her called out and she turned towards her.

"How you? I even see you"

"Wetin you dey think of?" The babe asked and she scoffed, "Nothing" "You sure? I fit help you oh, shebi na you be the new person for Mama deeper house now"

"Who he Mama..... Oh" she said on realizing it was Mama Justice she was referring to. 

The girl laughed, "Wetin be your problem? You want run already? She don dey frustrate your life shey?" "Not really.... I just need job, I being come from Benin to come find my Aunty and sisters but person way supposed know where my aunty dey no dey for Lagos at the moment so......."

The girl blinked her eyes in confusion, she had no idea what Osas was talking about. "If na job you want, you be fine girl and I fit help you"

"Seriously?"

"But.... You go gatz to commot for that woman house cause she no gree you do the Kain job way I dey do"

Osas stalled, she wanted to ask the kind of job it was but deep within she knew it was prostitution. "Make I no just conclude but... Which Kain job?" "Which kain job you think before?" She asked and Osas shook her head.

"I no fit do asewo"

"You get certificate? Secondary school, University, polytechnic?" She asked and Osas shook her head, "I no get but ...."

"But nothing. I promise you, at first e dey always be like that. You go dey shame but I promise you, na you go dey hold the proudly an asewo badge waka for street. I go show you the way, so..... What do you say? Are you in or not?"

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