Thief Ole! Give me my money!

Give me my money, you must give me my money today oh .

I turned at these words and saw the teenage girl in her school uniform. She was dragging an Agbero (street urchin) who doubled as a conductor for a commercial bus. I got scared for this girl and imagined what could happen to her if someone doesn't intervene immediately; she could either get battered by this man, shoved and pushed or he could just drive away leaving her in tears.

'Hey you' I called her up, she turned with her tear stained face and continued to drag the Agbero for her money. I could imagine that could be her transport back home. 'Hey', I called again, 'come with me, I'll give you the money'. I saw the unbelief in her eyes that came with relief. She threw a few curses at him and joined me still crying and cleaning her face.

I didn't bother to ask her what happened before handing her a N500.00 note. That should do for transportation and lunch I thought to myself. 'Thanks' was all she could say and she mumbled, 'he stole my N50'. I simply smiled to myself, N50 for all that trouble!

Really, sometimes it's not about the amount, it's the feeling of being cheated that is so painful.