by Nene Henshaw

Finally, I understand how people die crossing the road. I always used to wonder if they were absent-minded or they just didn’t look left and right, therefore missed the coming cars but nahhhhh. It’s actually crazier.

The thing about crossing the express when a trailer, in particular, is passing is that they look really slow from afar and looking at the other side of the road, it’s you know… Not too far and you think you can make it. Uncle, don’t try it!

Well except you voluntarily want to return to dust.

I was trying to cross an express some days back (the pedestrian bridge was far away and my destination was right across. Now I know it’s better to be safe than sorry, but sorry pls I couldn’t walk that distance)

There were many people trying to cross like me, all calculating when they were to move. There was this young man who for whatever reason couldn’t wait so he attempted to go forward And he almost fell because of how close the car came in brushing him and I was just looking like smh. See this one. This is what they’re always saying about death calling somebody. Because the risk he took was definitely madness. When it’s not heaven I’m running to.

I stood still waiting to cross and this trailer loaded with plantain was approaching, I was already thinking so many thoughts like what if the plantain fell on my head and I became unconscious….. what if the trailer fell and crushed me?…

The trailer passed and I finally crossed over to the bus stop.

After which I sat in a rickety, black and yellow bus, the traffic was stagnant. It was hot and the sweat was dripping. I was thinking how lucky I was to be seated by the window until this mallam just came with the apple he was selling and might have as well put in my mouth.

After about what seemed like eternity, I finally got home and hugged my mommy, I could not start to narrate my whole experience but I feel like she could tell. She asked me to go and rest.

Anyhoo, just a note to say, be safe everyone.

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YNaija’s NEXT spotlights a more composite sampling of young Nigerians under the age of 24. We think this is a deeply important voice that is underserved and under-heard and whose narratives (mostly towards the dying years of military rule in Nigeria) must be heard, consistently. We call them the ‘authentic millennials’.”

Nene is an avid learner with a very active imagination, who has a hunger for new knowledge and creativity. She is a fast, innovative and flexible writer. Nene is also a resilient worker who does not to give up until the task is completed. She thrives well under stressful situations, is able to interact and is open to as many views as possible. Nene is conversational in English, Efik, Igbo and Yoruba.