I thought I was having a normal day… until I entered a bus in Lagos.

Everything was going smoothly. I sat down, minding my business, acting like a responsible adult. When it was time to pay, I confidently brought out my money like someone who had her life together.

That’s when the embarrassment started.

The conductor looked at the money, looked at me, then shouted:

“Aunty, no be this amount we dey collect o!”

Before I could even respond, other passengers joined:

“She no sabi road be like that!”

“Na your first time?”

Ahhh 😭

My confidence just disappeared. I started explaining myself like I was defending a project:

“No, I thought it was the usual price…”

But Lagos people? They don’t pity.

The conductor collected the correct fare, still shaking his head like I had committed a serious offense.

I just sat there quietly for the rest of the journey, staring out the window like the main character in a sad movie.

That day, I learned two things:

1. Always confirm transport fare in Lagos.

2. Lagos public transport is not for the weak.

Till today, before I enter any bus, I ask twice… sometimes even three times 😂

Because me? I cannot be embarrassed like that again.