It was supposed to be a very normal evening.
Chris had called me earlier that day while I was still lying down pressing my phone.
“T..., make we go buy Hollandia yogurt,” he said.
I laughed , Na only yogurt you dey think about every time.
Omo leave me, that thing dey calm me down.
At that time I was in Uyo staying for some weeks and honestly, one thing I noticed about Chris was that he was a regular customer at one particular store close to his area, everybody there already knew him.
So later that evening, we walked to the store together.
The place was busy as usual. One woman was shouting at her child, somebody was pricing bread loudly, and the cashier lady was pressing her calculator like her life depended on it.
Chris picked two Hollandia yogurts from the fridge and handed me one.
You sure say na only this you want buy? I asked.
Yes na, before you start adding things we no plan for.
We both laughed and headed to the counter.
The cashier collected the yogurts, scanned them quickly, then mentioned the price.
Chris transferred the money immediately without even thinking twice, That is one thing about him, he hardly checked receipts, once he trusted a place, he just relaxed completely.
The lady handed him the receipt with one fake polite smile.
Thank you sir.
We left.
—
When we got back home, I dropped my yogurt on the table while Chris turned on the fan.
Ahhh, he said dramatically “This heat no get respect.
I picked the receipt absentmindedly while opening my drink.
Then I paused.
Wait oooo,
Chris looked at me, What?
I looked at the receipt again carefully.
Chris ooo… did we buy three yogurts?
He frowned immediately, Three ke? We bought two na.
I showed him the receipt.
There it was clearly.
Hollandia Yogurt x3
For a few seconds both of us just stared at the paper.
Then Chris hissed loudly.
This woman again.
That means she charged for extra one?
This is not even the first time, he said, standing up immediately, I have been suspecting them.
I looked at him, You mean this has happened before?
Yes! Sometimes prices dey too high but I no dey check receipt, I just assumed maybe things don cost.
I shook my head. Omo no. This one na stealing.
Chris was already wearing his slippers.
Come, we are going back there now.
—
By the time we returned to the store, the place was less crowded.
The cashier lady looked up and immediately recognized us.
Welcome sir—
Chris dropped the receipt on the counter.
How many yogurts we buy?
The woman blinked, Eh?
How many yogurts did we buy? Chris repeated louder.
Two…
So why did you charge us for three?
At that point everywhere became quiet small.
The woman picked the receipt quickly and started pressing her calculator again.
Ahh… it was mistake.
Mistake? I said,so the other times too na mistake?”
She looked uncomfortable immediately.
Chris folded his arms, I buy things here almost every week, you people think because I no dey check receipt, you can just add anything.
People nearby had already started listening.
One man even muttered, these people dey do am well well.
The cashier lady tried to smile. Sir calm down, I said it was mistake.
Chris was not smiling at all.
No, because this thing don happen too many times.
The manager came out from inside after hearing the noise.
What’s going on?
Chris explained everything angrily while showing him the receipt.
The manager apologized quickly and refunded the extra money, but honestly, the whole thing already left a bad taste in our mouths.
As we were leaving, Chris just shook his head.
Imagine if we didn’t check.
I laughed tiredly, Omo from today ehn, receipt first before trust.
Seriously, he said, because some people will really take advantage of you if you let them.
And honestly, that day taught both of us something very simple…
Always check your receipt. Always.
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