Vanity upon Vanity

How they collected all my money at Iyana Iba Market.

I sent out a fictional piece yesterday night but for some errors in it, I took it down…. In case you already received it before I deleted it, it’s fine either way.

I’d still share the full episode when it’s ready but for now, enjoy the normal weekly mail

See let me just tell you

The Bible that said Godliness with contentment is great gain didn't lie ooo

Because ahhh😭

As a part of sustaining my mini Baby girl lifestyle, I said I should go do small shopping, get myself some nice stuff you know, just a few items to spice up my wardrobe and look more stunning for my Lord and Saviour. 😌🙏

I decided to go to the market around this time last week, and of course, I already had a clothes dealer whose shop I had been frequenting before the holidays, I had told her to help me keep some dresses before we vacated and then I planned to purchase just a few more. And that's how everything started

I got to the market smiling brightly ignoring the fact that I had my Teaching Practice levy to pay I had already planned to set aside the money.

And oh my days, look at these outfits! Givingggggggg🥹

I started to pick and in between wondering where some of the outfits had been all my life, they weren’t even too pricey at that. For what the money is worth. Brethren I made my choices, they were all beautiful, and lovely and sat on my body like no man’s business

I made the necessary payment and thanked the woman so much because I was truly glad and thankful for all the help she had offered me plus her patience in helping me retain the former outfits I had selected instead of me to leave and now head home😭😭😭

I said “Ahn ahn, Fiyin, baggy won’t be bad now” My “customer” handed me over to one man when I mentioned that I wanted baggy jeans bi a se bere irin niyen (that’s how we started the journey😭)

The man just said “Follow me” like a remote control that’s how I followed him ooo, my God, see baggy jeans😭, Deep down inside me, I was thinking I’d get like three or four then if I wanted to step boundaries five, but I knew it wouldn’t be possible because money is not water

He brought one out from one of the places we had gone to.

He looked like all these men that will hijack you when you get to a market and take you to someone’s store to purchase an item only to later go back and meet the person after your departure to give them their percentage, but because it was my “customer” that had referred him to me, I tried to stay positive”.

He picked about two and took me to his changing store, the first one didn't fit but the second one looked like “ Amutorunwa” (follow come from Heaven) on my body so I made that one my first selection. Something funny happened as I was trying them on….. I'll share that later😂please

Seeing that the first one didn't fit, he immediately said, “Wait, I’m coming”, I said “Ahh okay sir”, he went for what seemed like an eternity only to return with about eight baggy trousers, internally I was like “Wow, this man means business”, he said “Check all of them and call me when you try one”

I started checking them one after the other and of course, I found a pair of jeans that depicts the image of baggy in my mind when I think about it. My final selection was a blue (I don't know the name of the material) fitted but free enough trousers. With faith and confidence, I announced to him that I was done and that he could now take the rest back

But suddenly, I remembered I hadn't asked for the price

Why is it that whenever Igbo men want to announce or inform you about something they do it with some much drama? E.g

Ehn Madam, I no fit cheat you, this thing Wey I dey give you so na kolity material, e clean well well, check am na, Madam, wait fess, touch am by yasef, you dey see am. *Proceeds to using his hands to stretch it*

Madam, truth, I no fit cheat you

The person will na ask: So Oga how much is it?

Huhhmm Madam, this one na just tatin taaaaaaasn

*There is always emphasis on the “Thousand” and the “d” is never pronounced.

Back to my story

I asked for the price

When he answered me, I remember my first response was “Drop all and go to your house thou shall not leave by baggy alone, manage the ones you have at home” but trust Igbo men

He said, “My dear, I cannot cheat you, how much you wan pay?” If I was to go by my Mother's style of pricing the man would have ushered me out, quick! 😭

I pushed my bargain and he had a very strong turning of head, the sign of disapproval, I pushed again and he was going to give me the rundown and history of how he got them and all….

I said “Daddy I'm a student ooo”

He looked at me with these eyes that said “Hmmm, let me pity her small at least I too am a Father”.

He asked me one very last time “Oya how much you wan pay and how many are you taking?” I looked at him intently and pushed my bargain once more with a sober-looking face, he looked at me and said “Oya, bring am”.

Alas!😩

I made the transfer and left there a happy lad, I felt so responsible, I had spent wisely I thought.

Don't forget the money for my TP Levy was a part of the whole sum.

I was supposed to cross to the other side of the road and then take a bus but I saw this man who sells bucket hats….. Fiyin, one last treat, one more😭😭

Rocking my bucket hat (I think I have a thing for hats by the way) I crossed to the other side of the road and boarded a bus.

Friends🙂

Immediately I sat down and rested my back on the backrest, it hit me…. I spent the money for my

TP Levy and Manual

I was too dumbstruck to speak, too amused to say a word, I couldn't return the clothes, I couldn't return the hat, I couldn't return anything

Oya now tell me

Is life not vanity?

Ehnn?😭

If I didn't purchase anything won’t I pay for my TP levy and still have change??

No wonder Luke 10:15 says a man’s life consists not in the abundance of things he possesses….

”And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”“

‭‭Luke‬ ‭12‬:‭15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

That's how they collected all my money ooo because what do you mean by it’s how I spent money?😭

They forcefully extorted the money from me if you can't see it wait till next week perhaps God will open your eyes.

But heyyyy

The point is this, don't get so attached to things that are not eternal that you lose hold of those things which are worth holding on to and will last forever

For a man’s treasure is, so is his heart.

To wrap this up

Read what you see in the picture below

Love you so much

Till next week

TFA💜🌟