Pa Chucks

 At number 5 Jones Street was a duplex with the layout of the old western region buildings with balconies, sorry verandahs and all. Being a posh area it seemed to stand out like a sore thumb especially with all the mansions surrounding it. Moreover, it seemed to be older than all the other buildings. The house had four flats on the first floor and eight ‘face-me-I-face-you’ rooms downstairs. Well, more like six with one toilet and one toilet cum room which was also rented it. Mornings were a problem not only with water problems but also the never ending line to make use of the bathroom. It was unfortunate to use the toilet whenever but even worse early in the morning.
There was a particular incident where they had to call the local police over the bathroom issue of a rundown building somewhere in the heart of Lagos. The fight was so severe, and Pa Chucks was nowhere to be found, I find that man a bit shady, did I say a bit? A lot.
The apartment housed twelve occupants including the landlord, how? Well you’ll see, there were people like Omo Igbo: Vincent, the typical guy that is jobless yet manages to pay rent and anytime he goes out, the first and last thing you notice is his perfume; Sisi Caro: General secretary Shaku Shaku Foundation, Major shareholder Aristo Plc., head cheerleader. The typical girl that only pays rent to have branch office, a place where she can stay but she never stays. In this case, her name is Barakat; Mr. Balo: We all had teachers that knew the workings of the cane, well, Mr. Balo occupies one of the flats upstairs. He is feared by everyone in the school where he works and always defaults in his payment of rent, well we all know, the government doesn’t pay so much.
The most important character in this house is Pa Chucks himself, the homeless landlord. He has rented out every apartment in his house because of this money, but he sleeps outside. Don’t ask me how he fares in bad weather or even in any weather at all. How about hygiene and quality rest? All I know is that Lagos is a mad place

Another Friday update.

Love,

Omo Ayan

💕