SNOW WHITE

 

SNOW WHITE

It is 6 AM. Yaba bus stop is already crowded with workers struggling to board comfortable buses. Many ignore smoky, scrappy, dirty and high-fare vehicles; Friday gives you such luxury. It does not take too long before an accepted bus stops in front of me. The bus is barely empty; occupied by the drive, conductor, a man and a woman dressed like it was snowing that morning. I board the bus and suddenly, this winter like woman hands me a tract which I turn down. She looks at me like the devil’s advocate. I sit as far away from her as possible.

 

The bus is finally ready to kick off with all passengers in their seats. Many of us are with our face masks but not Snow White. Suddenly, we are jerked from our sleepy states by a deafening shout: “repent my brothers and sisters, everything is vanity. God loves you so much even if you cannot create the world, or the rivers or the sky. Or can you.”

A man in front of Snow White suddenly remembers his face mask and digs it out of his bag to protect himself from the scream and saliva pouring from the preacher. The shouts continue with songs, prayers and woes. We are all agitated. “Madam, you dey shout na! This morning too early abeg wetin happen abi na only you dey inside this bus?” The conductor snaps! She responds:

“I'm sorry if my voice and preaching are disturbing you. You know, I cannot help it. Once the spirit is in me you will just hear my voice rising. Soon you will get down from this bus so bear with me for now.” She asks us to sing the song The Lord Will Bless Someone Today but nobody ventures. Na so Snow White take am P o.

“If you like sing the song. If you like don’t sing it but God is watching you. He will only sing to those who sing to Him. On the last day when you come before Him, He will deny you just like you are denying Him today. Unless I am not a woman of God, then this will not happen. Are you bigger than God?" By now, I wish I never got on the bus, admiring those in other vehicles as they drove past. They could sleep, chat or listen to the radio if they pleased. We are here, being terrorized by sound waves coming from one person without a mask on. I thought about catching COVID after this incident. I thought about Snow White, boarding another bus and spreading it if already contracted.

 

Obalende shows its long-awaited face as Snow White says her closing prayers. We step out of the bus relieved while the conductor holds down Snow White to pay her bus fare. I do not wait to see the winner of this battle. I only wish her all the best and that the conductor eats up any apple she eventually offers to vindicate herself…

Don’t Forget to Be Honest!