One Girl Carri Water 1 & 2 #Featured

Chapter 12

"What's going on out there?" asked Commander Fulani as soon as he entered General Banda's office where Mwanza was also waiting for his arrival.

Things where tense in the city of Ndola; the streets were bare of citizens and full of government military vehicles.

"After your son's announcement on the television, government troops started pouring into Zambia. They've been attacking rural areas, raiding houses and interrogating people" said the General

"We need to take Ndola back from them that's why I called you here"

"You're right, the people are scared and we need to reassure them that we won't stand by and let the government win. So what's the plan?" asked Fulani.

Lieutenant Mwanza quickly spread out a map of Ndola across the General's table. The General stood from his chair and pointed to a highlighted part of the map.

"They've set up their post right here, here and here. I've got some men gathering Intel on their security measures as we speak."

"As soon as we get all the info we need. We are going to ambush them and take over their base" said Mwanza

Meanwhile in the women camp, the thought of Andrew being there poured scorching whiskey on Salma's fainting heart. If only Isah was there also. But what can I do? She asked herself. Should I just turn myself in to be caught by Isah's men after the training? I know I would be given the opportunity to see him once again before being executed. Then came another thought; Isah won't stand to watch me die that I know for sure. And what if I am mistaken? What if he has changed from who I knew him to be? Can I really give up my education for feelings that might not even be reciprocated? Oh Allah!! Help the thoughts of my heart.

"Salma!!!! What is it again?" yelled Amina who had noticed that her friend had been so far away deep in her thoughts. "My brother again I presume" said Amina. "You better not kill yourself over a boy and like I told you if anyone catches a glimpse of your attachment to him, I fear for what would become of you. And I mean both of you. You need to be careful. Now come on let's go, the vehicle is ready to take us to the clinic."

Salma quickly followed Amina out of the mess hall where they were having her lunch. Today being their first day working at the clinic, Salma was excited to do something that would take her mind off Isah. She knew Amina was only trying to protect her but she just didn't understand what Salma was feeling.
As they set out to leave after their shift ended, the driver was just about to start the vehicle when Andrew got into the front passenger's sit. Amina immediately frowned; this Andrew boy was starting to annoy her. He was probably just another one of Dr. Mwanza's puppets.

"Are you also volunteering at the clinic?" she asked

Andrew turned in his seat so that he could face Amina and Salma who were in the back seat. "You didn't think we were going to send you out of the camp unsupervised, did you? According to Dr. Lois you are a wildcard and a possible bad influence" he gestured towards Salma "on her."

Amina rolled her eyes "What do you think I'm going to do? Start a riot among the patients?"

"If you found some sort of injustice there you might just" argued Andrew

"Oh please I--" begun Amina infuriated
"Stop it you two" interrupted Salma

"We're stuck with each other and if this is going to work you two need to start getting along"

Amina silently glared at Andrew knowing full well that Salma was right.

The clinic was about twenty minutes away from the camp and it was located near a small rural settlement. It was smaller than the clinic she had worked at in Nigeria but had no shortage of patients. Amina and Salma were given their assignment by Sister Sarah who was the nurse in charge. It was mostly basic work because neither of them were fully trained or certified as nurses. It was great to work and interact with regular people although it was a bit difficult since most of them only communicate in Bemba. They worked at the clinic two days a week - Mondays and Wednesdays and they trained on the rest of the days. Amina soon got used to her routine and started to dread the fact that she was running out of time. She would complete her training in the following month and have to go back to Nigeria. Although she was scared, Amina knew it had to be done. The sooner the President was defeated the sooner the bride choosing would be abolished and the sooner normalcy returned to the continent at large.