Little Ayo.

It happens all the time, children cling to me in the bus, in the mall, in the market, anywhere. But little Ayo’s clinginess was different  ! I was really tired today and the traffic was making matters worse. Heat, noise and fumes from every angle. May we live long in this Lagos.

A tired me is a very touchy me, I get cranky. A hungry me is even worse. This evening, I was tired and hungry.  Mama Oyo's amala was all I ate all day, you can't blame me. My office area is like a desert, no food, you'll have to find your way to VI or Admirality.


I was lucky to get maruwa going to Badore as it was already late, I sat beside a lady. She looked like a trader retiring home after a long day with her load. She carried her baby girl on her laps, paid little or no attention to me, nobody has time in Lagos.

I had shopped for some fruits under the bridge and now balanced them on my laps, little Ayo must have seen my banana or watermelon or orange as she starts dragging my bag with her tiny fingers. She would drag for a while and then give me a toothless smile, I would smile back.


She continued, her mum would try to stop her but she wasn't having it. Then she  moved from my bag to my hair, dragging my braids playfully and smiling, I was forced to look at her hair , few strands scattered all over, I'm almost certain she uprooted them herself. As I reached for her hands to release my hair, she held my hand to ransom.  That's was it, my heart melted. She was all over me now doing all sorts, I couldn't help but ask for her name, her mum said ‘Ayo and I replied with ‘ No wonder ‘

She was very energetic, full of life. Ayo was such a delight. Some children would cry under such circumstance but she chose to smile and laugh and her smile gave me so much joy.  It was so good that I forgot how tried and hungry I was. We were like pals, giggling and talking about things we both do not understand. Her mum couldn't care less, she literally ignored us.

I was almost at my estate as I handed her to her mum, she took her from my hands with a thank you. Brought out her breast for her to suckle and In less that 1 minute Ayo was fast asleep.


Sometimes, life is not so bad after all.  Thank you Ayo.