04/10/2020
Iya Alate: A short story
When I was a little boy, I was that smart kid whom everyone loved to send on errands. This was because I always delivered as sent. I enjoyed presenting myself for errands because of the benefits involved- benefits like; "take this 5 Naira, use it to buy sweet". These acts inarguably made me one of the richest kids in the neighborhood, even though my father was a poor farmer.
Alas! On a fateful day, my smartness failed me and I hated myself for it.
This was what happened:
My mother sent me to buy her a sachet of powdered milk for 30 Naira and Sugar worth of 10 Naira. She handed me a 50 Naira note and asked me to hurry. Meanwhile, I was already eyeing the 10 Naira balance as my reward (she usually dashed me any balance not more than 10 Naira - I believed that day wouldn't be an exception).
On my way to the provision seller, Iya Alate, I met some of my friends playing soccer (I think this was the root of my oncoming embarrassment). I didn't join them in playing, I only had a few chats with them about the kinds of goodies I would take to school the next Monday and named those I would give and those I wouldn't. It interested me how many of them were at my mercy.
Meanwhile, I had barely taken up to six steps away from the local soccer field when I discovered that the items which were ringing loudly in my head were gone - just like that I couldn't remember the items I was to buy. I sensed humiliation and instantly started praying to God for the spirit of remembrance. Not long had I begun the prayer that I could hear some items ringing in my head again. I could hear "atagungun(ground pepper) 30 Naira, iyo(salt) 10 Naira. "This is it! It has come back", I thought. The 10 Naira balance that I would still have was enough to convince me. "Smart boy", I hailed myself aloud.
On getting home, I met my mum outside the house washing my school uniform for the new week. I delivered the items confidently. I noticed she received them with disdain and confusion in her eyes, "Why is this woman looking like this?" I wondered. After about two minutes of silence, she then asked with a low voice: "Was this what I sent you?", "yes!" I replied with a broad smile. At about the same time, I felt something like a stone hitting me on this face, I went off for about two seconds only to look up and discovered it was her slap. I opened my mouth to ask why but I couldn't find my words, I couldn't even feel my tongue anymore. That was the first time I would be receiving such a hard slap. This was followed by a series of insults right in the presence of the kids I usually bragged to - Such a dismal situation. My mum then ordered me to return the items and bring the right ones.
I got to Iya Alate with a teary eyes. Unfortunately, my obvious condition and the fact that I had never been sent to return any item before was not enough to move this provision woman. Instead, she hurled harsher insults on me - calling me olodo when I told her that I got the wrong items. The insults wouldn't have been that painful if she had afterwards changed the items, but she didn't. She rather sent me away like one of those unserious kids I always made jest of whenever they failed in their errands.
THIS DISTORTED MY IMAGE AS A SMART KID IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
Let me tell you:
At Weqasa, we are not like Iya Alate. If you purchase from us, you can return the item for a replacement or a refund within 7 days of purchase in case of dissatisfaction.
We ensure our customers get quality for their cash.
DID YOU EXPERIENCE SOMETHING SIMILAR WHEN YOU WERE A KID? LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENT BOX.
