Bethrand Chibuike @betty

As the car moved swiftly down the road, I couldn't help but notice the changes on the roadside, the storey buildings.
Two years ago, no one could have thought that such structures could be erected and would transform the locality in the short range.

I smiled, nodding my head to the melody coming from the car speaker. The driver must have taken his time to select from my playlist; oh how much I loved those songs and how much it made me reminisce, they were not new songs.

A flyover was right ahead of us, towering feet's above the ground with its newly painted legs. It wasn't over a year that they laid the foundations to erect the structure but more surprisingly, it was the fastest project the government ever completed.

And I thought deep within me, if the nation's wealth was properly utilized, we'll be living in paradise.

Today, I ventured into the crowd marketplace with a singular purpose in mind—to find a sleeveless cardigan that would add a touch of sophistication to my school uniform. The sun beat down mercilessly, and the air was thick with the energy of vendors and shoppers alike. Undeterred by the dust and the throngs of people, I embarked on my quest, determined to locate this elusive piece of clothing.

Shop after shop, I weaved through the maze of cloth and ware stalls, inquiring about the sleeveless cardigan. Each time, my hopes were dashed as the shopkeepers shook their heads and apologetically informed me that they didn't carry such an item. Frustration began to seep in as I could not find what I was looking for. The thought had initially seemed like a minor task, yet here I was, embroiled in a fruitless pursuit through the labyrinth of the marketplace.

As the midday sun reached its zenith and my spirits began to flag, I reluctantly conceded defeat and prepared to make my way back home. However, a glimmer of optimism emerged as I recalled that a friend lived in the vicinity of the marketplace. With a sense of serendipity, I made my way to his home, intending to offer a brief hello and perhaps seek solace in familiar company.

My friend's warm welcome and the coalescence of his hospitality injected a dash of brightness into what had thus far been a disheartening day. He ushered me into his home and, to my surprise and delight, offered me a refreshing array of juices and the finest baked flour. The disappointment and fatigue that had weighed on my shoulders slowly melted away in the company of a true friend and the joy of spontaneous camaraderie.

As we sat together, sharing laughter and conversation, the woes of my failed shopping excursion faded into the background, replaced by a sense of ease and contentment. The initial frustration of not finding the cardigan receded, eclipsed by the simple pleasure of reconnecting with a friend and reveling in the gracious hospitality extended to me.