Jatelo squeezed into the already full matatu, landing in a tight spot between a snoring old man and a lady glued to her TikTok videos.

He shifted uncomfortably, reached into his pocket, pulled out a folded hundred-shilling note, and waved it at the conductor.

"Boss, give me my change before trouble starts," he said, sounding impatient.

The conductor, a skinny guy with a toothpick dancing between his lips, barely glanced at him. He was too busy collecting fare. "Relax, my guy," he said. "I'll sort you."

Jatelo exhaled sharply, rolling his eyes. He had been in this situation before. Conductors had a degree in delaying change. First, they'd ignore you, then pretend they forgot, and finally, when the matatu reached the last stop, they'd hit you with, "Wewe, si umeshuka?"

As the matatu sped off, taking turns like it was avoiding landmines, the door slid open at the next stop. A woman wearing a bright red headscarf climbed in, adjusting it as she found a seat. The matatu continued its bumpy ride.

Again, Jatelo reminded the conductor, "Boss, give me my change before trouble starts."

Murmurs arose among the passengers, wondering what trouble Jatelo was talking about. The woman with the red headscarf quickly scanned the matatu to see who was saying those words.

Suddenly—her eyes locked on Jatelo.

Jatelo felt a sharp and piercing gaze.

Her face twisted in recognition.

“Eeeh?! Jatelo, it's You?!” she blurted out, laughing loudly. “Aiii! Wewe! Huyu mtu anakula mboga yangu bure kila siku! ‘Madam, kesho nitalipa! Madam, nikishika nta-clear!’ Saa hii, unataka change kwa gari?!”

The whole matatu turned. Even the snoring old man woke up.

Still chewing his toothpick, the conductor finally turned to Jatelo, his grin wide. “Buda, si ulisema trouble gani inaanza?”

Jatelo cleared his throat and faced the conductor. "Boss, nipee change yangu tafadhali!"

The conductor smiled and said, "Fifty bob."

Jatelo sat up, hopeful. "Basi, nipee change yangu."

The conductor leaned on the seat, still grinning. “Ama tukate kwa deni ya mama mboga?”

Jatelo sighed, looking out the window like he was deep in thought. "Madam, naweza lipa na installment?"

The matatu burst into laughter again. Even the woman shook her head, smiling.

Jatelo knew one thing for sure—today, he was not getting his change.