Chapter 2 LAGOS STREET GIRL

"Yemi, Yemi," Granny called from inside. Opayemi was out again. This girl would never create an afternoon for resting and relaxation. She was always on the road hustling. Doing a street business or involved in a fight

Getting into fights was a constant for her, and there wasn't a day Yemi would return home without an issue. This makes Granny's heart bleed, Yemi was her reason to keep going despite her age, but she felt she had betrayed her. Yemi had no school certification apart from her primary school era. She had no skill as there was no money to register her in one. She wasn't poised but volatile and always explosive.

Just as Granny thought, Yemi was stuck in a fight already

"Give me my money, na, are you stupid?" Yemi said furiously. You'll almost mistake her for a gangster because of how she was dressed. She wore baggy jeans, baggy polo, and stuff tied on her hair. Her hair was unmade, and she had an awkward weaving.

"You said it was three hundred naira before j entered. How is it four hundred again?" The young guy said obviously with insincerity, looking for who to scam.

He had told her he was going to another destination, but sat still in the bus till he got to another demanding to pay the money for the shorter location. Yemi knew all about this sham they did. She was a Lagos girl, after all. There's no end to their tricks and cunning lifestyle. It was, after all, a "survival of the fittest" land. If you don't go through it with violence. You're going to get hurt and used.

It was beginning to cause a scene and draw attention. Yemi smirked, not the first time she had been caught in a violent situation.

"I'll slap you now if you don't let go of my trousers," the passenger said, getting upset

"You must be stupid, slap me?" She turned to him and gave him a slap on his face.

The other passengers, seeing it was becoming intensely, quickly tried to separate them.

"You're a lady. Why get into a chaotic situation? Do you want to be beaten up?" an older lady said with anger

"He cannot try it, I'm going to show him what I'm made of m, he thinks he can trample on me because I'm a girl, never. I'm going to beat him up to pulp. "

Yemi said, drawing closer to fight him, he immediate threw the remaining money to her and ran away.

Yemi carried her stuff back to the front seat as the driver stared at her. He didn't know if he felt bad, irritation or happy. He has warned her to mind her temper and try to let go. Losses were bound to happen at some times. He felt bad because Yemi was wasting her life with this lifestyle. She wasn't the calm and delicate lady that needed protection but rather a lady whom others needed protection from. It breaks his heart to see such a beautiful girl hide under a tough personality because of the tough environment she grew up in. He was also happy,with her being around, they rarely got into a loss with money, unlike other conductors he has had. Yemi was a good person despite the profile she used as a cover, and he knew that and loved her.

As she got home that evening, Granny was sitted outside with a sad expression on her face. She was obviously gloomy and sullen, and Yemi was disturbed

"Granny, are you okay?" She asked, rushing to her side.

Granny kept mute, making Yemi worried.

"What happened na, did you get into trouble with anybody? Tell me so I'll go scatter their skulls, " She said infuriated, making Granny stare at her in terror

"Seriously, you want to scatter someone's skull?

I'm tired of this your ruthless behavior. You are becoming too boyish, and it's causing me pain. I don't know what to do about it. I know I've failed you by not providing a good educational opportunity for you, but must you choose to punish me this way?" Granny said sadly

"It gets me sad daily, and I can't even sleep at night because of it, Yemi."

Yemi stared sadly on the ground. Trying to act all tough, but you could sense the emotions in her eyes.

"Granny, you know how the street operates, you need to offer them the same rascality given to you, else you'll be toyed and trampled on. The world is not for the weak"

"My dear, you're getting it all wrong. There are certain ways the society expects you to act as a lady."

"The society ?? What about what i want Granny, this is who i am, and you should embrace me with no reservation. "

Granny knew where this would end. It's was already a lost cause. She had gotten the report today from home, Yemi hurt someone again, and a neighbor came to tell her. She wasn't surprised but she was pained. It was really getting out of hand, and she was becoming untamed.

"Okay, you're twenty four. Have you considered being in a relationship, none that i know of. But have you?"

Yemi shrugged. She hated this whole concept about being in a relationship and mama knew that.

"Well, you should try acting well enough for a good man, you're old enough to attract suitors, besides Okey seem nice " Granny said as she walked inside.

Yemi sighed

"Okey seem nice" She said mimicking Granny. She hated him so much to not bare his thoughts in her head. Okey has ever been in love with her and he tries to woo her by doing chores for Granny. But Yemi would have none of it. She wasn't ready for any guy and that's final.

"Besides, who would want somone like her." She thought

There were a million and one polished girls out there and she was no where close to being loved. Maybe she'll remain unmarried till she die. A part of her hated who she is and another loved it.Being called weak is what she hated and she'll rather kick their ass than submit to them.