That's My Real Hair

The woman had not expected to see Lanre here. She wondered why she had come to her shop. She felt guilt creeping up her heart as she got to realise that Chidinma has not been coming for the past one week and she never called to know what happened.

“Chidinma aunty, it was even you sef!” The woman said. Then she asked Lanre about Chidinma’s well being. Lanre scoffed when the woman acted concerned. It irritated her that this woman dared mention Chidinma’s name with a filthy mouth.

“I do not wish to exchange pleasantries or tell you anything concerning Chidinma. I’m hear to take my money”. Lanre said to the woman. The confectionery owner asked Lanre what money she was talking about.

“Dinma will not be coming here to learn how to make confectionaries anymore. So please do give me a refund of the money I gave you”. Lanre said. The woman looked at Lanre up as if sizing her.

“Refund ke? Refund for what? We don’t do that here!” The woman said to Lanre. This point Christian understood what Lanre meant by she was going to fight with somebody. From the way it is, if this woman refuses to give Lanre a refund, she was going to make a scene. As for a brawl, he was not sure if Lanre could manage against a woman who is twice her size.

“Some people are mad! Some people are crazy! But I will show them say Lanre de craze”. Lanre said in a sing-song manner. The woman turned around in attempt to go inside. She told Lanre to get out when she was done fooling herself. But Lanre seemed ready for the trouble. She seized the woman by the collar.

“My money or one person go fall down from this upstairs. And it cannot be me”. Lanre said. The woman tried to pull Lanre’s hand from her collar but Lanre tightened her grip.

“What is all this harassment na? Leave my clothe”. The woman said. At this point Lanre let’s out a crackling sound. She asked the woman if beating a teenager was not an embarrassment.

“Who did I beat?” The woman asked. That question must have been what actually riled Lanre up. She slapped the woman across the face. Christian mumbled something. Then he dragged Lanre away from the woman. He thought it was best he prevents a fight before one breaks out. He was not sure Lanre would not get beaten. And besides, they were on the second floor. He could not afford such a risk on Lanre’s part.

“Let’s go!” He said to her yanking her off the woman. But there was absolutely nothing he could do to prevent the fight. The woman came after them on the stairs while he was trying to pull Lanre away. The woman attacked Lanre’s hair.

“That’s my real hair you evil woman!” Lanre yelled. One would think she was wearing a wig or had fixed it directly to her hair because of the way it was. But she actually had a natural afro that’s so full and long. People usually think at first glance that she fixed it.