SNOW WHITE
It is 6 AM. Yaba bus stop
is already crowded with workers struggling to board comfortable buses. Many
ignore smoky, scrappy, dirty and high-fare vehicles; Friday gives you such
luxury. It does not take too long before an accepted bus stops in front of me. The
bus is barely empty; occupied by the drive, conductor, a man and a woman
dressed like it was snowing that morning. I board the bus and suddenly, this
winter like woman hands me a tract which I turn down. She looks at me like the
devil’s advocate. I sit as far away from her as possible.
A man in front of Snow
White suddenly remembers his face mask and digs it out of his bag to protect
himself from the scream and saliva pouring from the preacher. The shouts
continue with songs, prayers and woes. We are all agitated. “Madam, you dey
shout na! This morning too early abeg wetin happen abi na only you dey inside
this bus?” The conductor snaps! She responds:
“I'm sorry if my voice
and preaching are disturbing you. You know, I cannot help it. Once the spirit
is in me you will just hear my voice rising. Soon you will get down from this
bus so bear with me for now.” She asks us to sing the song The Lord Will
Bless Someone Today but nobody ventures. Na so Snow White take am P o.
“If you like sing the
song. If you like don’t sing it but God is watching you. He will only sing to
those who sing to Him. On the last day when you come before Him, He will deny
you just like you are denying Him today. Unless I am not a woman of God, then
this will not happen. Are you bigger than God?" By now, I wish I never got
on the bus, admiring those in other vehicles as they drove past. They could
sleep, chat or listen to the radio if they pleased. We are here, being
terrorized by sound waves coming from one person without a mask on. I thought
about catching COVID after this incident. I thought about Snow White, boarding
another bus and spreading it if already contracted.
Obalende shows its
long-awaited face as Snow White says her closing prayers. We step out of the
bus relieved while the conductor holds down Snow White to pay her bus fare. I
do not wait to see the winner of this battle. I only wish her all the best and
that the conductor eats up any apple she eventually offers to vindicate
herself…
Don’t Forget to Be Honest!
The Snow Whites are everywhere in Lagos with the 'spirit' in them rising at will to the detriment of 'captives'
ReplyDeleteThis got me laughing out loud
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