He Promised Me Work In Lagos, Na Trap I Enter (EPISODE 25)

EPISODE 25 – Church Woman Wey Dey See Pain

It was a Sunday morning, Lagos heavy with heat and noise. I had sneaked out of the house early, pretending to visit a friend, but really just trying to breathe the city air without being watched. My stomach was empty, my mind racing, and my chest felt tight with a mixture of fear and frustration.

As I walked past one small church tucked between two shops, I saw her — a woman in her late forties, calm, with eyes that seemed to look straight through me. She was sweeping the church compound, humming a hymn softly.

When I passed, she called out:
“Child, where you dey go so early? You look tired for body and for mind.”

I hesitated. Lagos had taught me not to trust strangers, especially women who seemed too kind. But something about her tone — gentle, but knowing — made me stop.

“Na nothing, aunty… just dey waka small,” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

She stepped closer, eyes soft but piercing.
“I no dey believe that. You dey carry something heavy. Na pain I see for your face. Come sit, make we talk small.”

I wanted to walk away. I wanted to pretend I was fine. But exhaustion and loneliness weighed me down. I sat on the low wall near the church entrance. She handed me a bottle of water and offered a small, comforting smile.

“No be easy, child. Sometimes life go teach us lessons wey we no expect. But you fit survive. You fit shine again. You dey suffer because you dey carry chains wey no be your own.”

Her words struck me. She didn’t ask for details, didn’t pry too much, but she gave me hope — a quiet, steady light I hadn’t felt in months.

“If you need small place to stay, or even advice, come find me after service,” she said.
“No fear Lagos too much. Sometimes, God place people for our way just to guide small.”

I nodded, swallowing hard. Her kindness was like a balm, softening the fear that had lodged deep in my bones. I realized that maybe — just maybe — help could come from unexpected places, and that survival didn’t always mean facing Lagos alone.

As I walked away, I felt a small spark of courage. I could begin planning again, quietly. I could find allies. I could, slowly, start reclaiming my life.

Episode 26 Coming Soon
Nkiru starts secretly meeting the church woman, learning about safe ways to survive and regain independence. But he begins noticing small absences and becomes suspicious.