Efe

"Welcome to Olowu market." Said the sign at the edge of the road as I walked in. The market was opened two years ago and it still felt new to me.

The roads were tarred which added as a great advantage as cars were zooming in and out of the market. On the left side of the road had electronic gadgets stores, stationeries, fashion houses and modern treasures which anyone could buy.

The other side of the market which had kiosks filled with fruits and food stuffs, umbrellas which kept old women and their wares from the harsh equatorial sun rays. Little kids who didn't care if they got hit by a car ran across the road from one side of the other, while their parents were too busy attending to customers to even notice their kids playing a game with death.

My phone vibrated in my denim jeans pocket. Bringing it out I covered my screen with my other hand, since I couldn't see properly.  It was a list of wares to buy.

Tomatoes #1000
Pepper #500
Onions #700
Ugwu leaf #500
meat #2500
Ice fish #1500
Flour(Crown flour) #2000

With a sigh, I put off my phone and kept it in my pocket and I started walking around looking for all the respective items. Almost every store had tomatoes, pepper and onions. But some of them had rotten goods, which made me go deeper into the market. After about an hour, I got everything except the Ugwu leaves.

It was a very scarce commodity in that period of time and I had to walk further down the road, this time getting to the sandy part of the market. My black slippers got stuck constantly in the sand and I had to pull them out every second. I was really embarrassed.

I finally got to a store which had the Ugwu leaves displayed on their table.

"Who dey o!" I screamed in Pidgin English. Running out of the store was a young man, around the age of 18 or so I thought. His dark skin was soaked in sweat due to the heat back in the store, his hair was spiky and dirty. He bit his pink lips upon seeing me and made me blush like crazy. He was on a white polo shirt  which had faded to a dusty brown and his once green shorts were filled with stains which I rather not speak of.

"What do you want to buy?" He requested. I was surprised, by the way he dressed, I didn't know he was learned.

The noise of the market suddenly ceased and the only thing I heard was his voice. It sounded so rich and dreamy. I would want to record it as my ringtone. I wanted him to talk again.

"Ehm...I want the Ugwu leaves. N500 worth please." I shyly spoke.

He chuckled and went into the store which I couldn't get a good view of since it was very dark. He came out with a polythene bag and put a handful of leaves in the bag. Wrapped the bag in another bag and handed it over to me.

"Thank you." I said.

He nodded and stared at me for a few seconds and I was starting to get a little uncomfortable.

"You look cute." He said to me.

I ignored his comment and ran away from the store, knowing he was still looking at me. I didn't want to come off as rude but I didn't know why I ran.

The yellow painted bungalow which I referred to as home came into view and the memory of my mom's beating came into my mind. I just hoped she was okay.

The veranda was swept and arranged. Amanda's hand work, I knew it.

I walked in to see my mom engrossed in something on the television. She had changed out of her Ankara and sneakers into a pink jalamia gown. Her black bathroom slippers on her feet with a bottle of water at her side and a plate of popcorn in front of her. Specifically the brand "Heaven's Popcorn."

I always wondered whether the popcorn was made in heaven.

"Mum, I'm back!" I yelled so that she could lose focus on her movie and actually see me. She looked at me, and went back to her movie like I wasn't even there. I sighed and went to the kitchen, not even bothered enough to start up a conversation with her.
It was nice to see her happy though, not constantly shaking and fretting whenever that beast was home.

Amanda was in the kitchen, warming up the food which was in the freezer. Maybe mom wanted lunch.

The kitchen had black tiles all over.  A double bowl sink which was still clean from last night, with two metal tap heads which I always made sure didn't get rusty. Two shelves attached to the walls with plates and utensils in one, the other one had electronics like the blender, microwave and mixer. At the bottom of the shelves was a Saisho double gas plate which was attached to an oven we rarely used. The freezer was also at the left side of the kitchen, adjacent to all the things mentioned above.

Amanda had a blue apron on and it suited her well structured figure. Her fair skin was reflecting on the walls and her hair was in long braids. She had a smooth face, pompous lips,  rare blue eyes, full hair edges. Over all she girl was a model and she definitely knew how she looked.

"Good afternoon market woman. Shebi you blow person head today?"

She said over the pot of stew. Feeling satisfied, she put off the stove and opened the other pot which I never noticed was there. And in it was Spaghetti. My all time favourite.

I didn't even reply as I took a very large plate, served a heap of spaghetti and packed a whole load of stew on the pasta.

Amanda had an amusing look on her face but tried her best not to laugh. But seeing the almighty utensil I took in the name of a spoon, she lost it and laughed like she was going to die.

I shook my head as my mom looked at me and then my plate. Her face was even more amusing than Amanda's. When Ami saw her face she fell on the floor and rolled till she started crying tears of joy.

I for one just started munching on my food and didn't give a flying foododle on what anybody thought.