The heat punched Amina in the face as she stepped out to begin the hustle of the new day. “I wish all the climate change doubters would come to Port Harcourt today,” she thought as she walked down the street to Waterlines Junction, where she would take a taxi to meet Mrs Soberekon, her client for the day. Mrs Soberekon’s daughter was matriculating, and Amina was going to capture every moment.
“Very soon you will be calling me Mama Doctor,” she had bragged when Amina first met her. “My daughter will graduate and become the best doctor in the whole world!”
Although she loved her work, nobody thought she would make it as a photographer in Nigeria. Her old mother at home, constantly berated her on her choice of profession. Amina could still remember what her mother said to her a few days back as they contemplated their financial situation.
“Maybe you would have had money if you had studied medicine,” she had said.
“Maybe she was right,” Amina thought as she crossed the street to stand by the filling station. Things were not easy for her as an aspiring photographer. She followed her passion, got a degree in Theatre and Film Studies, and now, she struggled to get clients as a freelancer.
She stopped a cab and got in, and immediately noticed the man seating by her looked very familiar.
“You look like Justice Fubara, that man that directs movies,” she playfully said to the man.
“People say that a lot,” he said with a chuckle. “But why rich man like that…” Amina’s phone interrupted. Mrs Soberekon wanted to be clear on what side of the school they would be.
“You’re a photographer?” he asked.
“Yes o. But you know say passion no dey pay for this country,” she answered.
The man laughed.
“I know many people that followed their passions and they’re not regretting it now. I would have told you my story, but take my card and call me later,” he said and disembarked.
And like a spear, the name “Justice Fubara” hit her from the card.