One Girl Carri Water 1 & 2 #Featured

Chapter 10

Amina examined the UN African headquarters with fascination as she disembarked from the truck stepping onto the asphalt of the car park. The white brick building stood proud with flags of the United Sates of Africa and the UN flying on its roof. Amina took a deep breath and laughed, she was finally in Zambia.
"Baba" said Amina to her father almost unable to believe it "We're here"
Alhaji nodded to his daughter returning her smile "Yes we are."
A woman dressed in a black suit of jacket and skirt with high heeled shoes approached the truck as Amina got out her bag.
"Mwaiseni!" said the woman with a big smile
"Twatotela" said Alhaji to the woman "Balikwisa Ba Mwanza?"
"Tiyeni uku kwine kuntanshi" said the woman directing them to the front of the building
"I didn't know you speak their language" said Amina she followed behind her father
"I picked it up while I was in training. It's called ici-Bemba and it's just one of many languages used in Zambia" said Alhaji
"What did she say?" asked Amina
"She welcomed us to which I said thank you and asked her to take us to Dr. Mwanza. Her name is Linda by the way she works as a secretary" explained Alhaji
"Mwaiendele shani?" (How did you travel?) asked Linda as they walked into the building
"Awe tuliendafye bwino" (We travelled well) said Alhaji
"Cawama ico" (That's good to hear) said Linda

As soon as they rounded the corner Dr. Mwanza came into view. Amina gasped at the sight of the pretty young woman standing next to Dr. Mwanza. Tears of joy pricked Amina's eyes as she run towards her childhood best friend Salma. The two friends embraced while laughing and crying.
"Oh Amina, I thought I would never see you again" said Salma "I've missed you so much"
"I've missed you too" said Amina beaming with happiness "Look at you Salma, you look so beautiful"
"Me? Have you looked in the mirror yourself, girlfriend?" said Salma
"Nonsense, I look like a stick with legs and arms" said joked Amina
Salma burst into laughter "Don't worry we'll fatten you up so that you have a pot belly and two chins"
"You're crazy. I can't even believe this. What are you doing here?" asked Amina
"I came to finish my schooling. I'm studying medicine at The Copperbelt University Ndola campus School of Medicine" said Salma
"That's amazing, Salma" said Amina genuinely feeling happy for her friend
"Welcome to Zambia, Amina" said Dr. Mwanza interrupting the reunion
"Thank you" said Amina before shaking hands with the doctor
"Listen Salma why don't you show Amina to her suite. You must be exhausted, I'll have supper prepared while you freshen up" said Dr. Mwanza "It's really good to have you here, Amina"
"It's good to be here" said Amina. After nearly one week of travelling she was exhausted and the only thing she wanted to do was take a bath and then lay down. Sitting in a vehicle doing nothing had done nothing to ease her drug urges. She was truly glad to have reached.

"Come on let's go" said Salma relieving Amina of her bag. Amina glanced at her father questioningly.
"Go ahead I'll see you at supper" Alhaji nodded at his daughter
"You'll love it here" said Salma as she led Amina up the staircase to the main entrance "The people are so friendly"

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"I take it that you travelled well" said Dr. Mwanza while escorting Alhaji to his suite. Truth be told Alhaji was too tired to behaving this conversation but what choice did he have? The woman was relentless.
"Yes, we met up with Kidiaba in Kisangani. Her men were very helpful and provided us with everything we needed." explained Alhaji
"And you weren't followed?" asked Dr. Mwanza
"No, I'm quite sure the government soldiers are still sniffing around in Sudan unaware that we've already left" said Alhaji
"Good, that's very good" said Dr. Mwanza "How is Amina? Does she require further treatment for her drug problem?"
"I could tell that the journey was hard for her even though she was pretending to be okay but she has made tremendous progress and I think at this time all she needs is something to keep her busy" said Alhaji
"I think she can stay here for a week and recover from the journey and then we can send her to the Women's Military Training Camp in Kitwe. I was thinking with her medical background she could start helping out at the clinic there while getting her training" said Dr. Mwanza
"Yes, I think Amina will like that very much" said Alhaji "How are things at the Tanzanian border?" Before leaving Sudan Alhaji had been informed of rebel activities in the border town of Nakonde
"The government have been importing a lot of military vehicles and equipment that has been entering Africa through Tanzania and then passing through Zambia. We were hoping to disrupt their progress by causing commotion at the border and then maybe stealing some of the equipment. As you already know we've been tight on resources since the government decided to scrutinize any money coming from outside" explained Dr. Mwanza "Anyway yesterday things got ugly the Govs caught wind of the commotion faster than we expected. They opened fire and we lost two men but not before shooting down a few of their men as well."