"But why is everything this loud m...." I said to myself and sighed as I looked around the market.
I was so lost in thought, more like I had even forgotten I was in the middle of the market.
"Brother, abeg are you buying something or you and to block customers for me.."
It came from a market woman I was standing right in front of her shop, it was her words that jolted me back to reality. I was long gone.
"Mama, I'm sorry please, was just looking around." I replied her trying to feign a smile.
"You're in a market and ya looking around, does it look like a zoo.." she said.
I just looked at her, sighed and without even realizing it, I said it out.
"How u wish there's a stall where the sell happiness."
"What did you say?" Said a young lady who just arrived at the same stall to get something. She had in her back a small boy who seems to have experienced all the hardship of the nation
"Ohh, sorry about that m, I didn't mean to." I replied.
"No, it's alright, just want to confirm I heard you well." She said.
"Ok, I said I wish there was a place where happiness could be bought. You know the way we buy fish and all." I said, then laughed.
Because, it does sounds funny. Suddenly, just as if she just made send of what u said, she joined in the laughter too.
"Huhm, and you think there can be anything like that, and even if there is, so you think it will be affordable to the likes of us." She said.
"Who knows, it might be. Just the same way we could fill our gas and it will last us for a week, the happiness could be sold that way too. You can get for a day, a week...."
"Huhm, how I wish it were possible. But then, will they sell on credit?" She said.
"I doubt that." I said.
"Don't even think too far my dear, there's no way you can buy happiness that will last you for a lifetime. Money can't buy happiness." Says the market woman we were standing in front of her shop.
"I beg to differ o" I said looking a bit serious.
*"My dear, anything money buys is temporary, maybe things that you can derive comfort from for a moment. How do you buy the likes of peace and happiness. They are way above money.
I just sighed. I looked at the woman and the young lady by my side and nod my head.
"Sell #300 tomato for me ma, let me be on my way." I said.
"Just #300 own..." she said eyeing me.
"That's what I can afford." I replied.
"Big boy like you.." she said, and we all burst out laughing.
"Let me help you add more Sha, but next time don't come here and start pricing and buying happiness o...." She said and we all burst into laughter again.
I thanked her and made my way to leave. As I took few steps away, I hear the voice of the young lady calling out to me.
"Brother, brother...." She said.
"Yes ma." I replied as I turned to face her.
"If you sha see happiness buy, abeg buy for two." She said smiling.
"Definitely ma'am." I replied smiling as well.
I decided to take a walk home instead of taking a bike. And on my way, I kept recalling each and every of the discussion we had in the market. Indeed, happiness might not be for sale, but that short time at the market somehow made me feel as if I got happiness at no cost, at least, for that moment.
🌹
Images are AI generated.
Thanks a lot for taking your time to read through, kindly do well to stop by my blog 
❣️❣️❣️