Computer Village Chronicles
I alighted from the bus at Ikeja under-bridge and let out a deep
sigh of anxiety. I dreaded coming to this strange part of town. It wasn’t
anything personal, except for the fact that I’ve heard so many tales (no, not
by moonlight) about this bizarre part of town. It was like an assembly ground
of eagles, snakes, sharks and vultures. No, you need to read that animal combination
again a little bit more slowly. It was a ground that unceremoniously preyed on its
victims.
You can’t afford to look like a JJC, else your trip will
definitely end up in SSC (Shouting, Swearing and Crying). This ground cuts you
no quarters and you better go in, do whatever you’ve got to, and head straight out.
You could easily get absorbed by the nice-looking guacamole, only to take a
bite and taste gravel. I had come to sell off my Blackberry Z10 then add money
to get myself an iPhone 6S. Finally, I was joining the Apple gang.
I smiled.
I can’t even wait to dispose this blackberry. It has always
made me look archaic – like I was far behind (in Charles Okocha’s voice).
Everyone was either using Android phones or iPhones. What was I still doing
with a Blackberry? Mtchew! Well, I’ve never bought a phone before. I’ve always
been “dashed” all the phones I’ve used. So, it’s not really my fault; I only
use what I get. Started from Sendo X, now we here. If you say I’m about to now
become a man, you might not be exaggerating.
I touched my pockets to make sure my wallet and phone was
intact. They were. Don’t blame me I’ve heard stories. Disturbing ones in fact.
Oh! I can’t forget Andrew’s saga. He had come to Computer Village to sell his
Samsung S5 and he was listening to music on the same phone. One track ended and
he kept waiting for the next song to come on. Well, that turned out to be the
last time he’ll be hearing from the phone, literally ‘cos boys had “obtained”
it.
They left him the earpiece though.
John’s case was a bit more intense. He bought an iPhone 4
from the street, and he was on his way when two angry looking guys blocked him,
asking him to allow them carry out a search on him as they were undercover cops.
They said they saw him discussing with a criminal who the public had been
warned never to carry out any transaction with. Long story short, they seized
his new phone, entered the police station, told him to go call the seller and
that was it.
“Mpphh! Bros! You wan buy, you wan sell abi you wan swap?”
The street dealer who had formed his lips like he wanted to kiss me, asked. He
was holding three nice looking iPhones.
My instincts told me to keep walking. I refused.
“I wan swap”
Immediately his face broke into a mischievous smile.
“Oya make we go relate”.
Mature Minds Talk
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