THE MISSING RIB
(Episode One)
Uyo became extremely boring after Uniuyo went on break. As if that was not enough, ASUU went on an indefinite strike. "I can no longer stay in Uyo. I must go to IkotAbasi, my hometown" I said to myself.
It was a regular Friday Evening. I packed my bag, and soon, I was in a keke, going to Ekom Iman Junction. I prefer taking taxi from this junction because it was cheap, and they were more passengers here, unlike the main park where one had to sit for hours waiting for the taxi to get full.
I got to Ekom Iman junction at about 6:30pm. "Oga, where you dey go?" A man asked with a strong Ibibio accent. He was a dark, skinny man in his early 40s. "Ikot Abasi" I answered. The stench of alcohol that hovered around him irritated me.
"IkotAbasi, follow me." He collected my bag and led me to a Green Audi Taxi.
Fortunately, there were 4 passengers already sitting in the vehicle. But they were all men, in their 50s. It looked like they are just returning from a traditional marriage. "Good Evening Sirs." I greeted them, and took a seat in front, since they occupied the entire back seats. The vehicle looked so small and jampacked , but the driver Won't Leave until they are 4 passengers behind and 2 in front.
"IkotAbasi! One lucky chance!" The driver shouted in a distance , beckoning on passersby to enter the taxi, while the men at the back argued about who sponsored the wedding they just attended. "It must be the wife. That woman has money oo." One of them said. "from the way the husband was dancing, you can tell it wasn't his money." Another one said. They argued noisily in Ibibio as if it was their business. It was an annoying experience.
I put my earphones on, and brought out Chimamamda's "AMERICANA" to read.
I read about how 'OBINZE' was deported from England, and I felt enormous pity for him. "Chairman, shift make person follow sit-down. No be your house be this." The skinny man who collected my bag said. I looked up and there was the last passenger waiting to enter the taxi. I was overwhelmed with joy, firstly, because the taxi was now full, and secondly, because the passenger who would be sharing the front sit with me was a beautiful Slayqueen about my age.
She was fair, not too slim and a little bit taller than me. She smelled exactly like the white woman who sat close to me in my first ever flight from Lagos to Abuja some years ago. I fixed a closer gaze on the novel , pretending to read, but honestly I was thinking about how to start a conversation with her.
"Hi." she said, with a voice sweeter than all the female presenters on Inspiration F.M. I closed the novel, and smiled sheepishly. In my mind i knew this will be the best trip i'll ever have.
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