The night I slept inside Mile 12 market with my tomatoes because of one woman

Raining season, maybe two years ago. I close stall around 7pm, tired, body dey pain me. I count my money, put am inside my wrapper, and I begin waka go bus stop.

One woman call me. Mama Chidinma. We dey sell together for same line. She say her own tomatoes don spoil, she no get money to buy new one, she need small loan. I look her face. I know her for five years. I open my wrapper, give her ₦15,000. She thank me, she say she go return am next market day.

Next market day, she no show. Second market day, she no show. Third day, I see her for another line, selling fresh tomatoes. I ask her for my money. She look me like say I be stranger. She say, 'Wetin be your own? I no collect money from you.'

Chai! I stand there. People gather. She begin shout say I wan disgrace her. I no talk. I just waka go my stall. That night, I no go house. I sleep for market, on top my empty baskets, because I no get transport money again. And I no want my children see me cry.

Morning, I wake up, I look my tomatoes. They still dey. I say thank God. I learn say, no matter how long you know person, if money dey involved, make you write am down. But I no stop to help people. I just stop to help foolishly. 🙏