Chapter 7: Paperwork and Power Moves

After I sign contract, my hand dey pain me. Na so plenty paper, my hand don dey cramp. Lagos hustle no be beans.

I collapse for sofa, try rest. My body dey shout for relief, but mind no fit rest. Hustle dey make person forget even small details.

Oh, I forget: "How much your interest rate?"

I don almost lose guard. In Naija, always check the fine print!

Lender dey fidget. "No too high—na normal. Nine out, thirteen back."

His face dey do like person wey dey hide something. For street, this kind talk no dey pure.

"Wetin be nine out, thirteen back?"

I no wan form mugu. Make e explain clear.

He point contract. "Oga, I just pay ninety thousand for you, but contract write one hundred thousand—na ‘nine out.’ After three months, you pay me back one thirty thousand—‘thirteen back.’"

I dey count for finger. If I mess up, na Opebi police go know my address.

I blink. "So, you give me ninety thousand, I return one thirty thousand?"

I dey talk am loud so agent fit hear, make dem know say I no dull.

"Oga, abeg no back out—money don go, contract sign..."

He dey beg, e no wan lose commission. I fit see am for im face.

I slap my lap, make am jump. Omo, the guy nearly fly. See as I dey flex small power.

"Correct! Na wetin I want!"

Sometimes, you gats act mad for street make dem respect you.

I carry contract, waka comot. The feeling dey sweet—paperwork for hand, new level unlocked.

"I go borrow more soon. Next time, try do one out, five hundred back! I go bless your ancestors join!"

As I talk, the agent dey laugh, lender dey pray for me. Na so life be.