š Chapter 2: Bread, Markets, and Second Looks
The morning after meeting Precious on the street, Mr. ģ§ė awoke with a strange energy. Lagos was noisy, crowded, overwhelming ā but something about it made him feel alive. And that girl from the church... then the mango stall... what were the odds?
He was sipping papaya juice when his tour guide, Emmanuel, entered with a cheerful voice.
Today, sir, you eat what Lagosians eat. No hotel food!"
"I definitely agree" ģ§ė replied.
They headed straight to Balogun Market, a maze of humanity and color. Traders shouted from every direction. The air smelled of roasted fish, fabric dye, and engine oil. Emmanuel walked confidently ahead, dodging handcarts and street preachers.
"Today you try Gali, the most delicious food in Nigeria" Emmanuel said, "It's soft bread with pepper sauce. Best eaten with bare hands!"
They stopped at a small food stall nestled between a fabric vendor and a tire repair shed. Emmanuel shouted, "Madam, you get Gali?!"
Then, the voice replied.
> "Yes, sir! Gali and stew, hot and ready!"
ģ§ė froze.
He knew that voice.
He leaned forward.
And there she was. Precious. In an apron, stirring a large pot. Her hair was tied up in a bun, and sweat glistened on her forehead.
She turned and saw him.
Her eyes widened, just a little. "Ohā¦ you again."
He raised his hands in mock surrender. "I swear I'm not following you."
> "Well, Lagos is smallĀ maybe you're just lucky," Precious saidĀ "
Or maybe God is arranging meetings," he replied "
She blinked, then turned back to the pot.
Precious add proudly "Sit down. I'll serve you".
He sat and looked at her working. There was something magnetic about how serious she was. So different from the softness in her voice the day before. Precious served him the Gali with stew and plantain, then looked at him with her arms crossed.
He took tasted It was spicy, delicious, and full of surprisesĀ just like her.
"Wow," he was surprised. "You sing like an angel, sell like a businesswoman, and cook like a warrior."
She raised an eyebrow smiling. "So"Ā
Ā You are the most confusing "he said".
Ā
Precious shoke her head really "Finish your food before you confuse yourself more." she added
After the meal, he handed her the money and added a tip.
I've paid. The rest is forā¦ being Miss everywhere."
She took the money smiling "Thank you, sir."
But just before he walked away, she added, "Next time, try not to be surprised when you see me. I work. A lot."
"Noted,Miss" he said, walking back into the market chaos, her words following him like a warm aftertaste.