So last month, I follow my friend Tolu go one wedding for Ikeja  big big wedding, everybody dey carry themselves well well. Tolu wear one tine gown wey she swear say na “custom-made” biko. From the moment she waka enter, e be like she be queen  people dey hail am, dey clap for her, dey take phone dey record. My heart dey full joy dey see my friend dey shine.

Na so everything dey go smoothly until MC shout, “Everybody make we enter dance floor!” Tolu waka go bend small, and crash! her zip tear from top to bottom. My sister, na wetin I see na shock and shame mix together. Tears start to run her face, her body dey shake small, and she dey try cover herself with hands. Everybody dey laugh, but the laughter no soft  e dey cut heart small because you fit see the shame dey tear her.

Some people try help, some dey record — my chest just dey pain. Na so I rush put my hand for her shoulder, whisper, “No worry, na only Lagos fit do this.” She begin laugh small-small, but e be like laugh through tears. 

We rush carry her waka go car, my heart dey beat for her shame and for the way people dey treat her. By the next day, people dey hail her online, dey call her “Zip Queen of Lagos,” but for me, e be like my sister don suffer small shame for enjoyment.

Even today, anytime she see needle and thread, she go sigh, dey whisper: “God punish that tailor.” 😢🤣