EFE (Book 1 in The N. A Series)

Chapter X: The Search For Home

Chapter X

October 12th, 2019.

(Abia state, Nigeria.)

"Excuse me ma. Do you know where one old brown filling station is?" Efe asked a crippled old market woman selling groundnuts. She didn't seem to understand english so Efe spoke in Igbo instead.

The woman shook her head 'no' "Ndo" She apologized when she saw Efe's disappointed look.

Translation:

"Sorry"

"Biko oh.. Daalu" Efe raised her hands, smiling. "Ego ole ka Ihe a bu?" She pointed at the groundnuts.

Translation:

"Please oh… Thank you"

"How much is this?"

After days of searching, Efe was losing hope. The more people shook their heads saying 'no', the more disappointed she felt. Still she wasn't about to give up soon.

Somehow she had narrowed her search down to the places around Umuoba Road, market after market, streets after streets, she searched for weeks, until a day in October on the 24th.

"I heard you asking around for an old brown filling station." A voice called from behind Efe, she turned, observing the fair teenager. He had black spots all over his chiseled face. His small eyes watched her's.

"Do you know where it is?" She stood to her full height.

"I know where e bin dey." He kept shut.

"Well,.. Will you tell me?" The sun didn't do any good to her skin or temper.

"Ego nko?" His long hands rose to his bony hips under his oversized Hawaiian shorts.

"How much do you want?" Money didn't matter when her goal was so close.

"5k. 2k for information and 3k to carry you to the place." The boy said in his Igbo accent.

"You thief!" Efe clenched her purse. I guess money did matter to her.

"Aha m bu Uchenna" He corrected, not at all offended by her insult. He touched his white singlet top then gestured to her. 

Translation:

"My name is Uchenna"

"I am Efe. 3k"

"Efemena 5k"

"It is just Efe! 4k" Only her father called her Efemena. She hated it.

"Okay" He stretched out his hand. She dropped the money in his hand.

"Where is it?" She tucked away her blue flowery purse.

"Opposite the main road. Ana m abia let me bring my Okada from the back."

Translation:

"I'm coming, let me bring my bike from the back."

"I will follow you!" Efe walked alongside Uchenna, he laughed at her distrust.

"You don't trust people ba?"

"Not again" Efe laughed "Otu nwatakịrị dị afọ 12 gbara m aghụghọ"

Translation:

"I was scammed by a 12 year old"

Uchenna pointed to a clean men's bike, parked behind a cloth store. "Enter make we go" He started his okada.

****

"Ehen.. Those stores in the front. That is where the filling station bin dey." 

"Kwụsị, m ga-eje ije n'ihu ebe a. Daalu" Efe patted Uchenna's shoulder.