My post lockdown outing. A tale of intimidation.
It began just like any other day for me. Workout done, some pictures for my status update taken (a kind of compulsive indulgence), so I headed out.
Just barely five minutes into the ride, “Madam pull over…”
“Good morning good sir.”
“Please hold on, let put on my mask before we speak.”
Laughing, I said, “It’s better to stay safe.”
In agreement he nodded. I thought in my heart, “Oh ok, here is a good guy. This will soon be over, and I’ll be on my way.”
That was what I thought, but what ensued was something else. In fact better imagined….
That a human being can be so mean and so cruel to the point that his attitude reeks of a pungent aroma of wickedness. I mean, you could literally breathe it and hurriedly shield your nose from taking in more of the offensive odour.
“Madam your papers?”
“Here sir.”
“Ok, your driver’s license good.”
“Your vehicle license good! But your insurance and Roadworthiness don expire ooh.”
“Yes they expired during the lockdown…your offices were closed as with most non-emergency offices. The state banned any form of movement around.”
“So….?”
“So sir, I am actually on my way to renew these particulars.”
“Ah madam, that one na your own talk ooh…. How do you think we make our money…anyway, open your door make I take you go our office…”
At this point my brain went into self-defense mode. “Oga, enter my car? …How? You said paper, how come we are going to your office?”
He began walking away with my driver’s license. I demanded that he give it back. He declined. At this point I asked, “What do I do now?”
“Eh, you will go and pay for ticket I will issue you and then you will renew the papers. “
I said, “Ok. Can we go?”
He said, “Open your car let me enter.”
“But we are just in front of your office…let’s walk across.”
He said, “You are not ready then!”
“Oga, please now. I left my kids at home…” I pleaded.
He looked at me sternly, “Don’t beg me”
Hearing that, my heart sank. And with tearful eyes and wet cheeks, like a lamb going to the slaughter I walked across to their office.
Then the real pain began…everyone was in on it. The target had to be met, the government makes its money that way whether wrong or right. Wow! I couldn’t believe my ears…phone calls were coming in and the obvious boss, the man in charge was adamant on meeting his target for the day. All kinds of emotions erupted from within me. I hated being there, being here, being anywhere near this project called …
I am done. I knew deep down inside me. I just could not go on like this and certainly not what I want my children to be part of….
Chukwu aju! (God forbid!)
Till I write again, I love you for reading….
Please stay safe.