Saved by my nightmare (A Nigerian Story)

CHAPTER 35

Kano, Nigeria
2019.

"Yes, the plane just landed about an hour ago" Rumaysa spoke into the phone, her voice weak and defeated.

The person on the other side of the line said something to her which made her expressionless face turn sour in an instant.

"Naji, abba (I've heard, dad)" She whispered, her lips caught between her teeth to muffle her sobs.

Once her father hung up, she discreetly used her scarf to dab her eyes, trying to avoid calling attention to herself.

She proceeded to the conveyor belt, waiting for her luggage to get to her.

Her phone vibrated in her hands as she pulled out the hand of her black trolley.

'Liya' the screen read.

Subtly clearing her throat, Rumaysa picked up the call, telling Maliya she just arrived and that she would call her back.

****
Outside, Rumaysa walked around looking for anyone with her name on their placard.

The description of the driver her mother had given her was based on the colour of clothes he wore and skintone.

But she could see several light-skinned men in blue shirts and black trousers.

Sighing frustratedly, she prepared to dial her mother when a voice started screaming her name.

"Kai, hajia" the man yelled, flailing his arms in the air with the placard that showed her name written in her mother's familiar handwriting.

"Ina wuni(Good afternoon)" She greeted the man who looked to be in his early twenties, probably around her age.

"Lafia lau" He replied her greeting, escorting her to where the car was parked.

Rumaysa entered the backseat, sending a message to her brother to tell him she was on her way home.

The hot sun reflected the hustle and bustle of the streets outside.

Men in kaftans and babban rigas, and women in their hijaabs and atampas.

Rumaysa's eyes flickered along the street, trying to see if there was anything she could remember of what she would now call 'home' , if her father had his way of course.

Past the busy markets, Rumaysa's eyes  caught hold of a familiar ferris wheel that towered over all the buildings in sight.

She sighed then turned her head away.

At least she remembered something.

Rumaysa shifted uncomfortably in her seat at the curiosity in the eyes of the driver as he watched her discreetly from the mirror.

Trying to make the silence less awkward and to shake off the nervousness she felt under the driver's scrutiny, Rumaysa plugged in her earphones, turning her sight to the roadsides as the upbeat rhythm of the song blared into her ears.

****
About an hour later, the driver, who later introduced himself as Hassan, pulled into a familiar street.

Rumaysa's gut plummeted as an uncomfortable sensation overtook her.

She recognized the all too familiar building a few block away from where she was.

Her dad, although retired had been the FOC (Flag Officer Commanding) Western Naval Command before leaving the service so he'd built their house in the more high-class areas in the city.

Away from the bubbly market and rowdy streets, Rumaysa's mood plummeted as Hassan navigated the car through the quiet, overly beautiful estate.

Every house was built to perfection, with perfect green lawns that ran miles, large courtyards filled with several cars and superb architectural work.