By Ghanaman
“Then she walked over to where I was standing beside my driver’s door. In a very calm, almost soothing voice, she asked where I lived. She was apologetic, but the tone was just a little too smooth. I knew exactly where the conversation was heading.
Thankfully, I was still thinking with my head… not the other body part.“
There are times when person go just come out to hustle and immediately start facing serious distractions. Temptations come in different forms in my line of work. If you no discipline yourself, you fit dey fall anyhow.
I got my very first ride on Monday night, hoping to make the most of a night that was already far spent.
After football training that day, I was too tired to even go out. But once I remembered my bills, I knew staying at home wasn’t an option. Around 9:30 p.m., I finally burst out.
Constance requested a ride to Heliconia Park Hotel along the Eastern Bypass.
Everything went smoothly until we got to the hotel. One thing I’ve learnt from this job is to always read the room, and read the passenger. Sometimes people just want silence. Other times, they want to talk. If the vibe is right, conversation can make the trip fly by.
This time, it was the latter.
She was a fine Bayelsa girl who told me she stayed in a guest house in Port Harcourt whenever she had business in town, then returned home afterwards.
We got to the hotel, but her client wasn’t taking his calls. Whether na network or the man simply decided to ghost her, nobody knew. I was already sensing danger, but I stayed calm and encouraged her to keep trying.
Still nothing.
She got frustrated and started acting up. Na me come begin calm her down. I even told her to give me the number make I try from my phone since she had only been calling on WhatsApp.
Then she dropped the bombshell.
She had angrily blocked and deleted the number.
As how nau?
Oya, who wan come pay for a ride of ₦9,000?
Interstate businesswoman no even get money for aza!
Everywhere first blur for me.
My first ride? ₦9k? No funds?
I didn’t even know where to start from.
Then she walked over to where I was standing beside my driver’s door. In a very calm, almost soothing voice, she asked where I lived. She was apologetic, but the tone was just a little too smooth. I knew exactly where the conversation was heading.
Thankfully, I was still thinking with my head… not the other body part.
Me wey dey find money to pay for a new apartment? Anybody wey don house-hunt for Port Harcourt knows the stress. Agents wahala. Inflated rents. Agreement and commission wey fit give person BP. Those thoughts alone were enough to keep my brain focused.
As she continued talking, I couldn’t help but laugh inside my head. Life really dey test person in different ways. One wrong decision fit solve one problem and create ten new ones. Some shortcuts come with receipts you no fit afford to pay later.
Just then, my app beeped.
Another ride.
Mass Central Hotel.
I told her to get back into the car. “Make we pick this passenger first,” I said. “After that, we’ll revisit your discussion… and your offer.”
Her offer?
I should simply take her home, let her calm down, and then she would start looking for someone to send the ₦9k.
Make I close work because of ₦9k?
I know this matter.
Anyways, after speaking with Dennis on the phone, I already had a plan in mind. I just hoped everything would play out the way I imagined.
When Dennis got to the car and saw her sitting in front, my guy nearly cancelled the trip instantly. In fact, he stepped out.
I quickly followed him and explained the situation. After a few laughs and plenty explanation, he understood our predicament.
He returned to the car, and soon all three of us were vibing to one very silly conversation I started, with Brymo’s Preeq No Get Shoulder playing in the background.
By the time we got to D’Matel Hotel on Stadium Road, Dennis called me outside briefly.
“Omo,” he said, “you think say I fit reason am?”
I told him, “Talk to her. If una align, I no get shaking.”
He went back to the car, spoke with Constance for a few minutes, and returned smiling.
He paid for her fee, paid for his own ride, added a little extra for the inconvenience, and disappeared with his prize.
Nothing concern agbero with overload.
Me sef carry my kaya waka my own way.
Everybody win.
Well… almost everybody.
The client who blocked himself from a good night? Na only him know wetin him miss.
