Ride Her Shoes

16-Jungle Justice

Reading Zainab's letter, Akudo couldn't stop the smiles that crept up her face. She would often laugh aloud and murmur a reply at each line as it amused her on how she added humor in it while telling her about her trip to the East.

Akụ,

The land of the rising sun was a  splendid place to go on a vacation and agricultural research, although work made me return against my own wish.

It was warm and welcoming and I just seem to think the sun did notice my presence. And of course, the people. They didn't fail to welcome me into their homes and large barns.

My journey back was indeed wonderful. I met a girl on my way back here, an igbo girl. Describing her here would do little or no justice to her but I definitely would not assume without a try.

Well, The girl was so full of excitement going to the university even with the way she was dressed, ashy legs and bathroom flip-flops, one would mistake her for a maid.

But she spoke so well and aside that she's a proud igbo girl, a peacock wouldn't stand a chance.

I sure look forward to visiting the East some other time but school has other plans for me. Someone needs to lecture and be lectured.

I hope you write me soon and we get to see in no distant time.

Regards,

Zainab.

Akudo laughed at her last remark on the girl ,"A peacock, I see."  She said to herself as she folded the letter and placed it in her bag while thinking of words to reply the letter with and possibly invite her over.

Seated in the back seat of her car, Akudo stared out the window at the bustling and hustling road and passerbys on her way to work as her Ahmed drove.

"Groundnut. Your sweet groundnut! Pure water!!" Some of the hawkers shouted, announcing the names of the products they sell to those that cared for it. 

You never know how tough it is in the streets until one of them runs away with your change which is one of the reasons people barely patronize them to avoid theft but Akudo knew that if they had the means to be off the streets, they would as lost of them are of school age but this is a world where the rich gets richer and the poor, poorer.

Just when Akudo's driver was going to take the final turn that led to the hospital where she worked, her mind went to her mother. At first, she tried not to be so keen on thinking about her but she just couldn't.

And gradually, memories of the date came flooding in. As if the date she planned for her with Chief was not worse than being single.

Her mother might feel she was doing the best she could give her daughter and as a matter of fact was being the best mother there is but to Akudo, she was a perfect definition of a 'Nag,' Yes, a persistent and relentless nag.

Ahmed must have noticed the frown on her face, "Madam," he called her and she raised her face in his  direction and while staring at her through the rear mirror,"Are you okay?" ." But all Akudo did was nod and look away.

She deeply misses her father and her mother wasn't helping matters as a matter of fact, she heightened it.

"Ay! Ahmed!!" Akudo screamed as the car jerked forward, making her bounce as well.

"Sorry, Madam." Ahmed apologised even though it wasn't his fault but that of the road.

"It's fine just be more careful." She advised him and he continued driving but a little slower this time.