“How much is the Milo?” The young man at a provisions’ stall was about her age and probably standing in for the real owner, his mother.
“Two thousand naira.”
“Ah, ah, when did it become so expensive?” She loved the challenge of good haggling and would not be fleeced. “I still bought two cans for three thousand last week. Are you trying to cheat me?”
Before the trader could respond, Akin chimed in, “Treat my sister well o. We wan buy from you but if you no give am good price, we go carry our money go o.”
Renike bristled. She didn’t need anybody’s help. She’d been shopping alone at the market for close to two years now and getting great deals without any assistance, thank you.
The trader’s eyes swiveled from Renike to Akin. “Na yer sister? She fine o. Okay, bring one nine.”
“Take one six now, my fine sister wan drink Milo today now,” Akin pressed.
“Okay, you be my customer, take am for one eight. I wan mae’ you come back next time.”
Renike gave him seventeen hundred naira. The vendor counted it and shrugged. She moved on to get the next item on her list. She would have got the same price by herself.
“You don’t need to follow me around,” She told Akin.
“Hey Baby, it’s my pleasure.” He stuck with her; haggling on her behalf every chance he got. By the time they left Dugbe market that afternoon, Renike had filled her grocery basket with great bargains and Akin had bargained his way into her heart.