It was another Saturday, Tracy and I were getting prepared for our shopping spree at Mile 1 market. I was putting my makeup on while Tracy was having her bath. I couldn’t decide if I should wear hot red lipstick or nude. Nude it is, as I thought of the harassment I could encounter in the market (for looking too pretty of course).
I carefully picked out my black shirt, my jeans and a pair of matching snicker (snickers were a better option as someone could walk behind you and step on your slippers without saying sorry). I’m not going to be called "sisi eko" today I said to myself as Tracy stepped out of the bathroom.
We were set to go, with our money zipped tightly in our bags across our shoulder. The streets are rough, you need to be careful out there. We hopped into the “keke-maruwa” (tricycle) as we headed to the junction to get a bus that would take us to our final destination, Mile 1 market.
Of course, it wasn’t my first time as I was born and brought up in Port Harcourt city. But for Tracy, she was a JJC. I was going to show her around, but first, we have to look good.
We went through the railway as good stocks were normally displayed there. While walking through, I spotted a lovely red bag, dangling from an iron rod. It would go with my black dress I said to myself as I quickly grabbed Tracy’s hand so we could hurry before someone else grabs it.
We got to the stand....
'Madam good morning o!'
'Good morning my pikin'
What do you want to buy Tracy quickly whispered as I quickly pointed at the bag
Wow!
I know right!
Madam, how much?
Just 10 thousand my dear...
'Aha madam, na morning be this o! take am easy'
She smiled. Of course, I already know how much I was going to purchase the bag, nothing less than 4 thousand Naira. Tracy was already beating up herself with the price screaming at the top of her voice on how I shouldn’t purchase, that it was too expensive.
Babe calm down, I said to her as I continued my bargain;
'Madam, how much last?'
As I wasn’t the type to waste time when it comes to a negotiation. I have my cash at hand so the seller knows I’m ready and also serious for purchase.
'My pikin oya take am for 8 thousand'.
'Mummy, mummy, my tune changed, e be like say you never serious to sell for me o!, use me take open market na, make I give you 3 thousand.'
'Noo my pikin, that money no even reach watin I buy am she exclaimed while I smiled.'
'I took a step, ready to walk from her stand, normal Naija way to frighten the seller.'
'Aaha my pikin, you dey vex?, oya come'
I brought out three mint one thousand naira notes.
'Mummy take, I don try na, make we no too waste time here,'
'Mhmm my pikin, add am something na, e no reach, I no fit sell am like that.'
Due to the love of Christ in me, I brought out the other one thousand naira and added it to the previous money,
'oya mummy package am for me, nothing dey again. Seeing that I had a firm face, she reluctantly put my newly purchased bag into a polythene bag.'
Thank you, I said with a victorious smile while Tracy watched on, taking notes of my purchasing skills.
I remain your humble girl @josphirre sharing her experience.