Securing The Bag (The Lagos Hustle)

Home Sweet Home

:::::::::

JECINCTA

Fuoyo chattered a direct Taxi from the airport and it was yet another long drive. Luckily the driver was a pro and knew a lot of hidden shortcuts which halved the time it would have taken us to reach my Town. By the time we got to the Makurdi park, Kanaku and Fuoyo helped me transfer my bags into another Taxi drop that would take me home. I negotiated with the driver while they loaded my bags and after that, we had an awkward moment staring at each other, This could very well be the last time we saw each other. I had gotten used to them and we had become close friends in such a short time. There was no doubt I would miss them but it was time to move on. They would always be a reminder of the bloody night Mr. D was killed and even if I might never fully forget what had happened or put it completely behind me, at least I wouldn't have to see them and be reminded all the time. I just wanted to spend some months with my family and seek some level of normalcy.

Kanaku was the first to grab me and crush me in a bear hug. I hugged him back affectionately, remembering how I had misjudged him the first time I set eyes on him. He was a man of many layers, easy to be misunderstood and dismissed as nothing but a mere thug but he was much more than that and beneath his hard and tough exterior and crooked ways, I knew that deep down he was just a soft-hearted man who loved his daughter and shuffled his feet uncomfortably while his girlfriend shouted at him.

"Be good kiddo, whatever you find, remember you don't owe us anything. If you truly see the map and you want to burn it, burn it....just do what would make you happy ok?" He released me and I smiled

"Thank you Kanaku..what's your real name?"

"Kanayo"

"like the actor?"

"yes," he laughed, "like the actor"

Fuoyo stepped forward a little unsure. "Jess....I want you to know I agree with Kanaku...your state of mind is more important than any stupid treasure....you were right, I've been selfish all these while, I never really thought how hard this could be for you, I promise whatever-"

"shhhh, it's alright, I'll miss you too" we embraced, it was a short hug and he gave me a gentle squeeze before releasing me.

"I understand if you don't want to see us again, but I hope we could still check up on each other at least"

I just smiled, "Goodbye Fuoyo"

My driver tried to make small talk, commenting on a radio talk show and trying to bring me into the conversation but my mind was far away. I couldn't help feeling a little guilty about how I had treated my friends. Especially Fuoyo, I had been ruthlessly blunt with him and the worst part was I didn't want to cut off contact with him....or Kanaku, but sitting in the car that morning, hearing him talk about his map theory and the cursed treasure...he had seemed almost as excited and determined as Mr. D had been, almost as obsessed as he had been the night he'd been killed for it. And that had scared me. Especially when the thought of him dying spread a kind of ache in my chest. I had to stay away, he was trouble nothing more.