The Prodigal Daughter (Episode 5)

When word finally came down to the parked vehicles that the road ahead was safe, Kate Udoh’s journey to Akwa-Ibom state continued.

However, her mood was greatly changed. She ignored her chatty neighbour and plugged her ears shut with earphones, staring out the window moodily. Her feelings were a mix of disappointment and mortification. And it was all because of the Ford truck driver, the handsome stranger named Chris.

She cringed as she remembered all the fantasies that had filled her head after she first saw him. Feverish mental 3D movies of passionate kisses and unleashed libido. When he had approached her, she had been almost tongue-tied, and sure she would have been red-faced if she were fairer. Being lost for words became the smallest problem however, because after his greeting, she had managed to blurt out her name and then held her breath, looking up at him, waiting for what she imagined would be an incredible conversation, but the handsome stranger had simply smiled again and moved off.

Kate slapped herself mentally as she remembered how she had stared after him as he strode off with long strides, mouth open as all her expectations screeched to a halt. The enigmatic Chris seemed to have lost interest in her as quickly as it had taken her to introduce herself.

She tortured herself with possible reasons for his behaviour. Had she somehow put him off? When he came closer did he suddenly realize she was maybe not as pretty as he had initially thought?

Far from afar, but far from fine, Kate muttered to herself. Her seatmate interrupted her thoughts by offering her some peppermint which she declined. Her paranoia set in again. Why had the man offered her the sweets? Was her breath bad? Could that be what had chased the handsome stranger off? She turned aside and surreptitiously checked; blowing warm air into her cupped hands, relieved when she realized her paranoia was unfounded.

After that point, anger set in. Anger at the mysterious Chris for just walking away, and anger at herself for expecting more from a stranger. But the feeling soon faded into amusement. Kate had a great sense of humour, and had no qualms with laughing at herself. Why was she so upset about a man she would probably never run into again? There were numerous states between Ore and her destination and he could be stopping at any one of them, so her feelings were silly. And looking on the good side, the incident had distracted Kate from her concerns about her family in Lagos and what awaited her in Akwa-Ibom state.

The rest of her journey was uneventful, save for some unexpected traffic jams after Onitsha. The delay put them behind by an hour or two and by the time the bus reached Uyo, Akwa-Ibom, it was later than she expected. She was slightly disappointed because she had heard stories of how beautiful Uyo was and had been looking forward to a little sight-seeing as they drove in.

As they pulled into the bus park, she weighed her options. Her plan had been to get in early and look for a very cheap hotel to lodge in, but she decided to call Barrister Bishop Ekanem to let him know she had arrived.

His voice was warm and friendly, even though he was obviously taken unawares. “Welcome to our beautiful state, Miss Udoh. I hope the journey was not too stressful. But I’m surprised you came in this late.”

“The journey was alright sir, but we met some traffic jams at…”

“Excuse me? Did you say traffic jams?” the lawyer sounded aghast. “You came to Akwa-Ibom, all the way from Lagos, by bus?”

Kate raised an eyebrow. Had he expected her to trek? Because she definitely could not afford to fly. “Yes, sir. I did.”

“Then I must apologize, Miss Udoh. Arrangements were already in place to pay for your flight ticket. I’m surprised and disappointed that the Itah and Associates rep who called you did not explain this. Was it not included in the email?”

Kate began to respond in the negative, and then remembered the email she had consigned to the spam folder after just a brief perusal. “Um… it’s possible it was there. I guess I missed it. But it’s okay, sir. I don’t mind travelling by road.” She added cheerfully. It was the truth, but also true was the fact that she had never been in an airplane before, and bus-riding was all she knew.

“Still, I have to apologize. Now, please tell me exactly where you are, so we can have you picked up and taken to the Itah mansion at Ewet Housing Estate…”

Picked up? Mansion? “I’m to be picked up?” Kate blurted, bewildered. “I was actually just planning to find a cab and a hotel to …”

“Oh no no, Miss Udoh. That’s out of the question.” The lawyer said immediately. “In lieu of paying hotel bills, Mrs Bassey Itah has kindly offered that you stay at her home for however long you want. Unless of course, its unacceptable to you…”

“No, no. I mean yes, of course it’s acceptable.” Kate cut in hastily. The last thing she wanted to do was refuse the offer and get on the bad side of her late father’s wife. She was still reeling over the fact that her transport and accommodation had already been planned for. “I’ll be glad and grateful to stay there.”

She provided the address of the bus park, and stood patiently, waiting for the car that was supposed to pick her up. While she waited, her wild imagination began to run riot again. Mansion? They were taking her to a mansion? This journey was turning out to be the adventure of a lifetime.

Make them no carry you do money o!

Kate laughed to herself. The advice had come from paternal step-grandmother. Called Mma Ette by everyone, the late Ekerette Benson’s mother was funny and wise, and amazingly fit for a 65 year old. Once again, Kate blessed her stars for having someone to watch her mum and siblings while she was gone. She didn’t moan over the fact that taking care of them had fallen to her young shoulders, but only prayed to be able to provide a fairly comfortable lifestyle for them all. She knew that as long as she had a head on her shoulders and hands to work, they would never starve. But her mother’s health concerns were steadily growing beyond her financial capabilities. She needed a miracle, sooner than later.

She was roused from her thoughts by a voice calling her name. It was a young, smiling man who immediately relieved her of her luggage, informing her, in heavily accented English, that he was the official driver assigned to her during her stay in Akwa-Ibom. When he led her to a black, gleaming jeep, she almost stopped in her tracks. The vehicle oozed opulence and luxury, something she had definitely not used to. Already, she could feel the eyes of several people at the bus park staring in envy and curiousity. Her step-grandmother’s advice came back to her and she muttered a little prayer under her breath before she climbed into the back seat of the jeep.

God abeg o! Cover your girl with the blood of Jesus!

Click here for episode 6