28/05/2025
Title: The Ashawo Joint in My Area
Author: Kevin Chukwuemeka
Genre: Urban Fiction / Drama
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Chapter 1: Welcome to Kasala Street
Kasala Street wasn’t on the Lagos map, but everybody knew it. Buses never stopped there officially, but conductors shouted the name like a war chant. And at the heart of Kasala Street was the infamous “Corner Side Lounge” — or as everybody called it, “the ashawo joint.”
But Corner Side was more than just what it looked like. Behind its blinking red lights and loud Naija beats was a web of secrets. And I, Jude, a barber two shops away, saw it all.
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Chapter 2: Mama T**i — The Queen of the Night
Mama T**i wasn’t your regular madam. Thick, tall, and always in Ankara gowns that hugged her curves, she ruled the joint like a lioness. She started the place with nothing but a mat and three girls. Now, she had over ten rooms, girls from all over West Africa, and even a politician or two in her pocket.
Some say she did jazz. Others say she was once the governor’s side chick. Me? I knew better. She had a past nobody could guess.
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Chapter 3: The New Girl
One Friday evening, a new girl arrived. Her name was Vero — light-skinned, tall, soft-spoken. Unlike the others, she wasn’t loud or flashy. She sat quietly at the bar, eyes scanning like she was searching for something. Within a week, she was the most requested girl.
But there was something about Vero. Something…off. And I was determined to find out what.
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Chapter 4: The Man in the Prado Jeep
Every Thursday night, a black Prado Jeep pulled up at the back gate. The man never came through the front. The bouncers called him “Chairman.” He only came for Vero.
I once caught a glimpse of him — dark shades, agbada, heavy perfume, and a tribal mark on his cheek. The way he looked at Vero wasn’t lust. It was something else… almost fear.
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Chapter 5: Rumours and Runs
By now, rumours were flying. Some said Vero was the daughter of a big man who ran away from home. Others said she was on a mission. Then there was a wild one — that she had come to take revenge on someone in the area.
Mama T**i didn’t care. As long as money came, everybody could mind their business. But that was when trouble started.
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Chapter 6: Blood on the Tiles
One night, sirens wailed. Police everywhere. Someone had been found unconscious in Room 4. It was Pastor Ebuka, a frequent guest. Foaming at the mouth, barely breathing.
Vero was missing. And so was her bag.
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Chapter 7: The Secret Journal
A few days later, I found something under the bench outside my shop — a diary. Vero’s. I shouldn’t have opened it. But I did.
She wrote about her sister, Amaka, who died mysteriously in Corner Side two years ago. The case was silenced. Covered. Mama T**i and “Chairman” were both mentioned. Vero had come for justice.
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Chapter 8: When Kasala Burst
The week that followed was pure chaos. Vero returned on a Monday morning and walked straight into Mama T**i’s office. They shouted. Then a gunshot.
People ran.
But instead of the police, DSS agents arrived. They arrested Chairman, Mama T**i, and shut down the joint. Human trafficking, drugs, underage girls — the whole mess was uncovered.
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Chapter 9: Redemption and a New Business
Months later, the Corner Side was reborn — not as a lounge, but as a rehab center and skills training school. Vero now called herself Veronica Amadi, and she was in charge.
Girls who were once used were now learning tailoring, makeup, and even coding. Me? I got a contract to run a proper barbershop inside the place.
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Chapter 10: What the Streets Don’t Say
They still call it “the ashawo joint” — force of habit. But those who know the story, know it’s deeper than that.
It’s a story of pain, secrets, courage, and rebirth.
And I, Jude the barber, was lucky to witness it all.