Chapter 14: Lipstick and Laughter

That lipstick na Jude Dangana friend, Mama Kudi, wey dey cook for site, buy—2,000 naira, the colour gentle, no too shout, but e dey shine, make Morayo look alive.

Morayo dey always talk, “I no be city woman o! Lipstick no dey my level.” But when she see the colour, her eye dance.

Morayo complain tire: “Why you buy this? You for buy better wrapper—2,000 naira fit buy correct one.”

Jude just dey laugh, say, “Na love gift.”

Morayo laugh, “So you wan turn me to city babe? Na wa o!”

Jude Dangana wait as Morayo carry the lipstick, black case, wine-red inside, rub for upper lip, then lower, press lips together, then ask, “E fine?”

She look mirror for corner, smile small—her teeth white, eyes dey shine.

“E fine die.” Before he finish, Jude Dangana kiss her well.

You know men—if woman rub better thing, man go wan chop am sharp-sharp.

Lipstick get level—no wonder city women dey rub am. To kiss woman wey rub lipstick na new experience. Before, Morayo lips dey dry, sometimes dey peel like old mango. But now, e smooth, e get scent.

Jude dey think, “Na so city men dey feel every night?”

Jude Dangana just dey float for lipstick smell.

He wish the night no go end.