Chapter 10: Rabbit Flask Memory
As she change seat with Uncle Musa, the girl begin look better. She rub hand together, body no dey shake like before. Na so small small, she get colour for face.
She look my face, then smile. "Uncle, you resemble Sango for Nollywood film." She laugh small, tension break. Even Kemi smile, the truck get better air.
I smile too. I tap chest small. "If na Sango you see, na better thunder go strike bad thing from our road tonight." Laughter dey heal body for night wahala.
She talk true—I get strong face, rough look, tall and big. At least she no fear me. As she smile, I remember say sometimes, stranger be like family for road trouble.
I give her my flask. "Take, sip small—ginger go warm your belle, cold no go see chance." I pass the flask, make she sip. The cup still dey hot, steam dey rise.
She hold the flask, dey look am for long. She rub finger round the rim, eyes dey shine for small joy.
The flask na white, pink rabbit dey on top, handle be like rabbit ear. I collect am for my last trip to Lagos, gift from client pikin, say e go bring luck.
"Uncle, your cup fine o." She touch the rabbit ear. "I think I get this kind too…" She smile soft, as if memory dey tickle her mind. For a moment, she forget fear, eyes bright.
"Serious? Who give you am?" I turn face, dey curious. For Naija, gift get meaning—sometimes, na only person wey value you go give personal cup. But as she hold the flask, her hand start to shake, eyes dey far—like she dey remember something wey no suppose come back.