IFEATU'S BUS CHRONICLES: EVEN THE RAIN COMES WITH DRAMA

Early morning rain has an effect on Lagosians.  I will need to carry out a research to find out if people in other cities experience this too. When the rain falls, it strangely finds its way into the brains of these city people, seeping away every memory of normalcy in their heads. Drivers and cyclists struggle to pass through the same tiny path that might let only one cyclist pass at a time. Everyone is struggling to pass through the most convenient way, hence we create the dreaded traffic ourselves. This mess is not our making only. The government is a ceremonial head. From the top to the least cadre enjoy the razzmatazz on television talking about laudable project they never accomplished. The Lagos-Badagry express way is a disaster, the government's disaster. It has consumed lives, people's means of livelihood and sanity. We are beautiful puppets with a meagre right to vote and none at all to desire good governance. So like a bad and insensitive husband, the Nigerian government rapes us. This morning, I am riding on a bike. Taking a bus is making a pre-decision to clock in late at work. I am fond of joining the military guys who drive their buses all the way to Victoria Island but the state of the road today is a tale for another day. These road does not know the military or civilian. ASPAMDA There is a faulty bus with the driver trying to spot the fault. The passengers are clustered around the driver, a military guy in his camo polo and faded blue jeans. They remind me of scared chicks loitering around mother hen. I imagine some grumbling through the day, some bagging a query for lateness to work and some being as carefree as I can be. If you wish to live long, sometimes be carefree. Passengers are on major bus stops ahead waiting for vehicles. They would have to wait for long for their trapped darling drivers to emerge with hoarse-voiced conductors announcing hiked fares. I alight from the bike and board a bus to CMS. Those in this bus are the 'chosen ones', they have managed to leave the madness behind and are heading far away to start the day.  Serene bus, driver and conductor. This is a blessing. There is a pretty lady seated infront of me, she is a wearing her human hair in a pony tail and chewing a gum. I wonder if it's sugar free, I am that nosy.  A young man in white shirt and blue trousers is by my right. He looks lost in his thought. Corporate clothes have a way of covering a lot of thing, temperance, challenges and more.Two boys most likely in their early teens are by the window. They are obviously not wearing school uniforms. Where could they be going that early? I am savouring my music. I close my eyes to meditate. My best friend, Ngozi calls it the 'brain reset mode.' "Yeeeeeeee!" The pretty lady in front of me screams, looking slightly frightened. The teens by the window are giggling. There is a tiny lizard on the lady's hair. She hurriedly brushes it off but it lands on her lap. This lizard is in love. It does not run away from her or perhaps it's too scared. The lady is still yelling and the teenagers are giggling really hard. I have never seen a lizard in a bus. Did the mischievous kids bring it along? I don't have answers. I am amused and praying the tiny creepy thing does not come close or I 'd jump through the window. Another Lady in front flips her hair and the guy beside her slaps his neck hard. He probably thinks it's the  lizard. The teenagers roar in laughter. I am laughing too. I notice, I am not alone, everyone is.  The driver brings the bus to an abrupt stop. He pers through, opens the booth and looks under the last seat. He finds the tiny intruder, he picks it with his thumb and index finger then flings it away. He rushes back to his seat, kicks the engine alive and we speed off. Lizard 1 Vs Passengers 0 ReplyForward