Amended Hope

"Welcome to the beautiful city of Lagos, where many dreams are shattered while some struggles to be seen" Peter said to me. My name is Jack, an orphan without background knowledge of my parents and where they came from.

It was a cold Sunday afternoon; as an orphan, struggling to feed but with hopes of going to college. Lost in thoughts of what the future holds for me, i walk into Oshodi Park, came on the serene environ of the park with umbrella flowers, the bridge was deserted unlike the usual weekdays.

Slowly I walked making sure i match each thought with my next step, then i paused, setting my eyes on a bird chirping across the grape tree at the other end, my thoughts paused and unintentionally i said out loud "I wish I can be free like a bird, do whatever I want, be whoever I want and go to wherever I want."

As I stood there to ponder on more important and less important things, darkness was no friend to me, the day ran swiftly to embrace the night. Again, i rose up and the wall clock rung to call the attention of anyone around that the time is 07:00pm. Having no money left with me, I've to go the Chinese cafeteria, Mrs. Wong had been generous to me, always keeping leftovers for me with a little wine to quench my thirst. But then Victoria Island is far from Oshodi, I came here seeking for menial jobs to survive, I'll be needing at least 300NGN (Nigerian Naira) to be able to take me back to Mrs. Wong cafe. I saw this passenger's bus, knowing fully that hanging behind a bus is dangerous, if the driver doesn't drive zigzag to make sure i jump off, the Police at Obalende might apprehend me, but then again, I have no money with me and I can't walk through the 3rd Mainland Bridge down to Obalende, to Ikoyi and Victoria Island. The bus was the only option, sighting the bus making a stop underneath the bridge, I ran to meet the driver and pleaded, fortunately he agreed, I hung by the side as the bus accelerate into the highway. Five minutes into the longest bridge in Lagos and Africa, the 3rd Mainland Bridge was busy as I predicted it to be, much traffic. Just as I was feeling tired hanging there, I felt a cold hang tapping me, I lean forward to behold a beautiful girl with her accentuated voice she said "come in, sit, I'll pay." With a smile I said "thank you ma'am." As I sat down.

Another 10 minutes in the locked traffic, I noticed she wanted asking me questions as her eyes always turning to face me, not one of us wanting to speak out. Another 5 minutes and the bus wasn't making a move, I decided to break the ice, I turned and said to her "I really appreciate this kind gesture, seriously"

With her French accent she said " it's actually not a big deal"

Trying to hold back questions about her accent, she said "yes I've French accent, I was born in Paris and my mum is from Dijon, my dad a Nigerian, Anambra State precisely"

"Oh how did you..." she cuts in "all written on your face that you want to ask"

"So, where you heading to? " she asked. "Oh, to Mrs. Wong Small chops" she giggles, "you eat at that expensive restaurant?"

Embarrassed to answer because I wasn't going to eat and pay but to eat leftovers, then I said "not really, am going for another business, prefer not to say, if you don't mind, I appreciate your help at this point"

The rest of the ride was silent with no side talk, she had her headphones and I closed my eyes.