Lagos, where Favour lived was an impassionate bustling city that didn't care about anything or anyone. It was impressive though and whenever it was festive seasons, it was overwhelming. Christmas, Easter, Valentine, Ramadan and other celebrations, the dwellers of Lagos took it upon themselves to make Lagos a beautiful place. Favour’s favorite month of the year was February. It wasn't just because it was the season of love but also because it was the month of his birthday. He loved the fabulous display Lagos took on then. When night came, you could see the twinkling lights of red and white zigzagging the expanse of Lagos. Stores would be blazing with lights and their fronts would be sprinkled with red roses and bouquet of flowers. Favour loved the fragrance of February. The fragrance of Valentine.
But this year was different. Favour wasn't as happy as he had thought he would be. February was drawing closer, yet he felt a certain sense of dissatisfaction with his life. He did not feel the excitement and anticipation that normally crept in when February was near. He had a good job that earned him a steady income, a roof over his head and he was living quite the good life but he couldn't figure out the reason behind this unhappiness he was feeling, this feeling of being without purpose. As days passed, the feeling of dissatisfaction mounted, and with it came sadness.
Favour was busy at his laptop. He was in an online chess competition and was a tad close to putting his opponent on checkmate when he heard a knock. He decided to ignore as he was running out of time. The knock came again, this time louder. It distracted him and he made a blunder. This made him lose the competition and he felt a burning anger race through him. He wondered who was knocking, because he wasn't expecting anyone. He walked to the door and opened it and there, staring at him was a young boy who could not be more than ten years old. The boy’s clothing was tattered and his face was caked in dust with little bit of black stains. He was holding a basket filled with odds and ends. There was a big needle, a black thread, shoe polish, a transparent bottle of gum and a dirty piece of clothing amongst other things.
“What do you want?” Favour was really angry now, because it was a street urchin that had made him lose his chess game.
“Shoes? I fix shoes.” The boy said, lifting his basket up.
“I don't have any shoes. Now leave.” Favour was about to slam the door in the boy’s face when he saw the tears shining in the boy’s eyes. Favour’s heart melted at that. He watched the boy slowly turn away and start making his way back to the street. This was not a beggar. This was a child who had chosen to work for his pay.
“Wait.” Favour's voice stopped the boy in his tracks. “Come back. I…I don't have shoes for you to fix. But maybe you could polish them?”
The boy eagerly nodded and made his way back to Favour’s doorstep. He sat on one of the steps while Favour went in and brought out three of his office shoes that he hadn't gotten round to polishing. He carried his laptop along and went outside. Then he handed the shoes to the boy. He sat on the step with the boy and engaged in another chess competition. From the corner of his eye, he watched the boy gently apply polish to one of the shoes and buff them to a shine. Then, he concentrated on his game.
Soon, the boy was done and he cleared his throat to get Favour’s attention.”I finish.” Favour took in his glistening shoes. The boy had meticulously cleaned them without leaving a corner untouched.
“I can see that. How much for them?” Favour asked.
“Two hundred naira, sir.” The boy replied. Favour drew out a five hundred naira note from his pocket and handed it to the boy.
“Please, no change, sir.” The boy said.
“You can keep the change.” Favour said dismissively, already packing up his shoes.
“No, sir. I come here tomorrow and clean your shoes again.” The boy countered.
“Okay.” Favour shrugged, then went inside with his shoes and laptop. He watched the boy through the front window and saw the way he leapt for joy. And Favour felt a stirring within him. Something close to happiness.
The boy became a regular at Favour's doorstep. He and Favour would sit on that step and he would polish shoes while Favour played chess. Favour would learn that the boy’s name was Yousuf and that he was thirteen. Favour would learn that Yousuf lived in the slums on the other side of town with his family. He had two younger siblings and a mum. He never spoke about his dad and Favour did not urge him to. A day came when there were no shoes for Yousuf to clean. Favour decided to teach Yousuf chess. Yousuf was so excited to learn it and Favour always enjoyed watching the determined set in his face and the way his eyes always furrowed in concentration.
During one of their games, they had a conversation.
“All the money you earn from fixing shoes, what do you use them for?” Favour asked, as he moved a pawn forward. Yousuf took his time to respond. He moved his knight, then replied.
“My mum want make and fix clothes. She want sewing machine. I save money. I buy for her. She happy.”
“What of your dad?” Favour knew he had asked a deep question when Yousuf stood up, clenched his fists and paced around.
“My dad die. He drink too much. He fall down one day and he die. Mum happy now though. Everyone happy. No one collect our money from us.” Favour looked at this young boy who had decided to take it on his shoulders to provide for his family and make them happy. Circumstances had driven them to live in the poor slums of Lagos and they still sought happiness. And here he was, living a good life and still feeling a sense of dissatisfaction. That was when clarity struck.
It was Valentine's eve. Favour couldn't contain the excitement he felt within him. He sat on the front doorstep and waited for Yousuf to show up. Soon, he saw Yousuf strolling up the street with his little basket in his hands. Favour stood up and waited for Yousuf to reach him before saying, “No shoes today, Yousuf.”
He watched Yousuf’s shoulder slump. “What about chess, sir?” Yousuf asked.
“No chess, Yousuf. Let's go to your house. I would love to see your family.” Favour requested.
“No. My mum angry that I bring strangers home. No strangers.”
“Okay. I understand. Can you at least show me where you live?”
Yousuf eventually agreed and they went to see where Yousuf lived. When they got there, Favour was struck by the abject poverty that was the slums. Rubbish piles on the sides of the road with thin dogs digging in them, shirtless children roaming the streets, houses that were almost dilapidated in nature. Finally, Yousuf told Favour to stop his car and pointed at a one room house whose blue paint was already flaking.
“My house, sir.”
“Alright, Yousuf. Thanks for showing me your place. Thanks for wandering into my life. I won't be around for the next couple of days because I'm traveling. But when I am back, I will come and see you. And we can play chess again. Please, have this for you and your family. Favour extended a slender envelope to Yousuf. He saw joy erupt in Yousuf’s eyes as he accepted it.
“Thanks so much, sir. You be happy too.” Yousuf alighted from the car and waved at Favour as he drove back home.
The next day, Favour watched from where he hid. He saw Yousuf come out of the house and stumble on the big brown box that was placed at their doorstep. He watched Yousuf go back inside and call his mother. His mother came out with a baby strapped to her back and a young girl of seven trailing behind her. He watched as she paused and stared at the box before gradually opening it. He knew what she would see inside. A portable sewing machine, a new chess set, diapers for the baby, clothes for the children and some money in an envelope. He just hoped she could read. He watched her open the envelope and read the letter he had placed in the envelope. He saw the smile that lighted up her face. He saw the way she hugged Yousuf and his sister to her chest. He watched as joy spread within them and in his own heart. He felt dissatisfaction fade away.
“Happy Valentine's day, Yousuf.” He muttered, then walked away, feeling freer than ever. Feeling joyful than ever. Feeling the warmth of Valentine's day course through him.
