Balogun market

Author pov

The morning sun bathed the city in a warm glow as Ejiro and her mother stepped out of the house. Today was their first trip to Balogun Market, and despite her initial reluctance about Lagos, Ejiro couldn't help but feel a twinge of excitement.

"Balogun Market is a big place, Ejiro," her mother said as they walked towards the bus stop. "You will see plenty of things today."

Ejiro nodded, her eyes wide with curiosity. "I'm looking forward to it, Mom. I hear they have everything there."

They boarded a bus and soon found themselves in the bustling heart of Balogun Market. The air was thick with the scent of spices, freshly baked bread, and a medley of other aromas. Vendors shouted their wares, and the crowd moved like a living entity, pulsing with energy.

"Stay close to me," her mother instructed as they navigated the throng of people. "Let's not lose each other."

Ejiro nodded, sticking close to her mother. They moved from stall to stall, buying vegetables, fruits, meat, and various other foodstuffs. Ejiro's eyes were wide with wonder as she took in the vibrant colors and the sheer variety of items on display.

"Mom, see this fine wrapper!" Ejiro exclaimed, pointing to a stall filled with colorful fabrics. "I would like to make a dress with this one."

Her mother smiled. "Don't worry, we will buy it later. First, let's finish with the foodstuff."

As they continued their shopping, Ejiro's excitement grew. She chatted with the vendors, haggling over prices and occasionally slipping into Pidgin English, much to her mother's amusement.

"You are a true Warri girl," her mother teased as they finally made their way back to the bus stop, their bags heavy with purchases.

Ejiro grinned. "I dey try, Mom. Na so we dey do for Warri."

When they got home, they immediately set to work in the kitchen. Ejiro helped her mother wash the vegetables and meat, and they soon had a delicious pot of jollof rice simmering on the stove.

"Today sweet me well well," Ejiro said as she stirred the pot. "Balogun Market no be small place."

Her mother laughed. "I'm happy you enjoyed it. You will see, Lagos has many fun places."

After they had eaten, Ejiro retreated to her room to call her friend Judith. She dialed the number and waited eagerly for Judith to pick up.

"Hello, Judith!" Ejiro said excitedly when her friend's face appeared on the screen.

"Ejiro! How you dey?" Judith responded, her face lighting up with a smile.

"I dey oh! Today na today, Judith. I go Balogun Market with my mom. The place na correct market, I swear. I see plenty things. E sweet me die!"

Judith laughed. "I sabi Balogun Market. E no dey dull. You go like am well well."

"True talk," Ejiro agreed. "I buy plenty things. Even the wrapper wey I see, I go use am sew fine dress. I dey plan am already."

Judith nodded. "For my side, na one kain market wey I go. No be like Balogun but e still dey okay. I buy some fine shoes and one nice handbag."

They chatted for a while longer, exchanging stories and experiences. Ejiro felt a sense of comfort and familiarity talking to Judith, and it reminded her of home.

"I miss you, Judith," Ejiro said softly. "I miss Warri. But today, e be like say Lagos no too bad."

"I miss you too, Ejiro," Judith replied. "But you go dey okay. Na new place, but you go fit adapt. Just take am one day at a time."

After they ended the call, Ejiro felt a bit more at ease. She lay back on her bed, a smile playing on her lips as she replayed the day's events in her mind.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her name being called from downstairs. "Ejiro, come down here!" It was her father's voice, and it sounded serious.

Ejiro quickly got up and made her way downstairs, wondering what it could be this time. When she entered the living room, her father was sitting on the couch, his expression stern.

"Yes, Daddy?" she said, her tone respectful.

"Ejiro, I need to talk to you about something important," he began. "I have noticed that you often speak in Pidgin English. While it is fine to speak Pidgin with your friends, I want you to speak proper English at home and in school. It is important for your education and for how others perceive you."

Ejiro felt a wave of frustration but kept her expression neutral. "Yes, Daddy. I go try."

"No, Ejiro," her father said firmly. "You will not try. You will do it. I don't want to hear you speaking Pidgin in this house again. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Daddy," Ejiro replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Her father nodded. "Good. Now go and help your mother in the kitchen."

Ejiro turned and walked back to the kitchen, her heart heavy. She found her mother washing the dishes and joined her silently.

"Ejiro, what is it?" her mother asked, sensing her daughter's mood.

"Daddy say make I no speak Pidgin again," Ejiro replied, her voice filled with frustration. "Him say make I dey speak only proper English."

Her mother sighed. "Ejiro, your father just wants the best for you. Proper English will help you in school and in life. But I know it will be hard, especially for you as a true Warri girl."

Ejiro nodded, biting her lip. "I go try, Mom. But e no easy."

Her mother placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I know, my dear. Just do your best. It will take time, but you will get used to it."

Ejiro nodded again, feeling a bit more reassured. "I go try, Mom."

That night, as she lay in bed, Ejiro thought about her father's words. She understood his reasoning, but it still felt like a part of her identity was being stripped away. Speaking Pidgin was natural to her, a part of who she was.

As she drifted off to sleep, she resolved to find a balance. She would speak proper English when necessary but would never forget her roots. Warri no dey carry last, and neither would she.

The next few days were challenging for Ejiro. She caught herself slipping into Pidgin several times and had to quickly correct herself. Her mother was patient, gently reminding her when she forgot. Her father, however, was stricter, often correcting her sharply.

"Ejiro, what did I tell you about speaking Pidgin?" he would say, his tone stern.

"Sorry, Daddy. I mean, I'm sorry, Daddy," she would reply, feeling a mix of frustration and determination.

Despite the challenges, Ejiro slowly began to adjust. She found that speaking proper English wasn't as difficult as she initially thought. She still missed the ease and comfort of Pidgin, but she started to see the benefits of speaking proper English.

One evening, as they sat down for dinner, Ejiro's father brought up the topic of school again.

"Ejiro, you will be starting school next week," he said. "I want you to be prepared. It is a new environment, but I know you will do well."

"Yes, Daddy," Ejiro replied, feeling a mix of anxiety and anticipation.

"You will make new friends and learn new things," her father continued. "But remember, always be respectful and hardworking. That is the key to success."

"Yes, Daddy," Ejiro said, nodding.

After dinner, Ejiro went back to her room and called Judith again.

"Judith, I dey start school next week," she said, excitement and nervousness in her voice.

"Wow, that's great, Ejiro! You go enjoy am," Judith replied. "Just be yourself and everything go dey alright."

"I go try," Ejiro said. "I just dey hope say I go fit blend in."

"You go blend in well well," Judith reassured her. "Just remember, Warri no dey carry last."

Ejiro smiled. "True talk, my friend. True talk."

As the days passed, Ejiro found herself growing more comfortable with her new surroundings. She still missed Warri and her old life, but she began to see the beauty in her new home. Balogun Market became a favorite spot, and she enjoyed the bustling energy and the vibrant culture.

Her relationship with her father also began to improve. He noticed her efforts to speak proper English and often praised her for it.

"I'm proud of you, Ejiro," he said one evening. "You are doing very well."

"Thank you, Daddy," Ejiro replied, feeling a warm sense of accomplishment.

Ejiro also started to explore other parts of Lagos with her mother. They visited various markets, parks, and cultural sites. Each outing brought new experiences and memories, and Ejiro found herself slowly falling in love with the city.

One day, as they were returning from a trip to Lekki Conservation Centre, Ejiro turned to her mother and said, "Mom, I think I dey like Lagos small small."

Her mother smiled. "I'm happy to hear that, Ejiro. Lagos has many things to offer