By Theem Isaac
When the people in the village heard of you to have made it to Juba city, the place village people perceive abounds with jobs opportunities and money; they think you have made it in life.
You would always receive a couple of phone calls from cousins ordering clothes and airtime without you having to object to the demands. But for one to have ever paid a visit to the Suncity, the time he/she goes back, he/she will have known the Juba lifelike.
To take you through the business, I am a victim of the dollar hike. I was called by a cousin residing in Newsite residence. ” Your babe has promised me to meet you at my house, will you come please?” he asked. Yes, I responded.
I rushed to Giada main gate, a bus stop and where boda boda riders assemble. When reaching there, I was shocked to see a built-up jam right from the bus stop up to the University of Juba roundabout. I knew boarding a bus would delay more than a motorbike; I called a boda boda rider and told him to take me to Newsite.
To my surprise, the boy stared at me and asked if I would pay for what he wanted me to. I asked him how much he needed. ” You have to pay 2000ssp sir”, he said. I asked why he was overcharging me.
” Please dollar is very high with increase in fuel prices”. A litre costs us a lot and you passengers don’t have to blame us for the boda boda price increases”, the boy stressed. As we were arguing, I already had my legs astride the motorbike. I was just there stranded glaring at him threateningly.
The boy looked to be a Dinka; he could not get petrified no matter how I gave him a threatening look. I had to call for my cousin and narrated how I got stuck in a miserable condition. ” Sorry! Dear, I can’t afford a two-way cost, would you try your best so that I will later cater for your return”. Your babe has just arrived now, be quick”, he demanded.
I thoroughly searched up my pockets as if I had anything inside, all was a load of crap! I pleaded the boda boda rider to pay him 1700ssp. He pities on me and accepts to take the pittance.
He learned I had nothing to pay. ” Bring the money before we set off, the boy said,” I told him to be paid by my cousin I was visiting. The boy did not pay attention to the nonsense. He started his motorbike, rode far a distance and I was left staring at him.
When I tried to call the cousin, he immediately had my number picked up. I picked up the call. ” You are very unlucky, “Your baby has left while very annoyed “. I breathed heavily on the phone but could do nothing. I tried her number, but it couldn’t go through. Thus, from then up to now, our sweet is no more. If this dollar inflation were a war, I would be either a martyr or a prisoner of war.