Anywhere Belle Face is actually a Nigerian slang which is loosely translated as anywhere the stomach faces but is actually used to describe someone who changes with the situation as long as they find another one which favors them.
So it was with mixed emotion I struggled out of bed as my grumbling stomach reminded me yet again that I didn't eat dinner the night before. Although the next door neighbor Mr Alabi was fond of playing loud music every morning and after previous arguments to no avail, I at least couldn't blame my waking early on anyone but my hunger. Surprisingly there was no music today which meant that he already left his apartment.
I quickly had my bath, brushed my teeth and dressed up as I headed to my usual spot for breakfast. I was already missing Tade my former roommate who had to move out as he'd gotten a job somewhere far and had to factor in the transportation and traffic issues he faced getting to work everyday.
Ordinarily money wouldn't have been an issue but I'd lost my job two months earlier and I was already feeling some financial constraints which was evident in the fact that I had to place my feeding on a budget hence why I skipped dinner the night before.
BREAKFAST 🥞 i thought as I smiled. Breakfast this morning would be at Mama Tobi's Buka(a kind of mini restaurant) located at the bus stop which was where I was currently headed.
I dodged a few egbon adugbos on my way but unfortunately one of them spotted me. Egbon adugbos are just senior or older guys around the area but in street slang they're used to describe guys in the area who just hang around smoking and engaging in street fights. The only advantage to knowing them is you could count on them to protect you from any form of victimization.
Fortunately I was able to extricate myself from him with promises of monetary gifts when next we meet.
My wallet was holding money just enough for one meal and I was not about to let anyone deprive me of a well deserved breakfast. Normally after eating I would stop by the newspaper vendor close to the Buka to check for job openings in the newspaper
There was usually a small crowd there everyday and you could peruse for a small token as long as the paper wasn't tampered with.
Today I met the usual small crowd in front of the newspaper stand, what was surprising was they were separating a fight between Mama Tobi, the newspaper vendor and none other than my neighbor Mr Alabi.
After much argument and a few exchange of blows we were able to get everyone to calm down and I finally got the gist of the situation.
Apparently Mr Alabi had eaten but unfortunately wasn't able to pay the full amount for the meal and his promises to pay at a later date fell on deaf ears. Mama Tobi was trying to chase after him as he made to escape but unfortunately he collided with the newspaper stand and one of the papers was now torn.
Now he was in double trouble as both sides were prioritizing their money and were in a shouting match making it a three-way fiasco. I was torn between leaving him to his fate but an idea immediately began to form in my head. I beckoned Mr Alabi to a corner and after a few minutes I was able to make him promise no more early loud music if I settled both sides and he quickly agreed.
Luckily the money on me was enough to pay both sides what he was owing them but now I didn't have enough for my own breakfast. Mama Tobi surprisingly was kind enough to allow me eat on credit simply because it was the first time I would be eating and not paying her immediately.
As I headed home satisfied both in my mood and my stomach I thought to myself that I hoped I didn't find myself in Mr Alabi situation when next I visited the Buka. But for now na anywhere Belle Face