‎A fertility clinic with a glowing success rate, a family with a spotless reputation, and a young woman who should have been saf

It was a beautiful day, and then suddenly the breeze became restless. Initially, it was warm, then it started to turn sharp, and soon it carried the metallic scent of rain. Then by noon, the clouds above Lagos had gathered and the trees outside Alice’s window swayed and shuddered.“Oh no,” Alice muttered, pressing her forehead against the cool glass. “The rain beckons…” ‎ ‎ Alice was in her early 20s and in her fifth year of medical school. She was ambitious, stubborn, and passionate about whatever she believed in or found herself doing. Today was supposed to be a special day in her life, her flight to Abuja was for 2pm, and no, it wasn't for a birthday celebration or vacation, but it was where she would begin a 6-month-long volunteer program at a fertility clinic. She has been dreaming of this since her second year, with so many thoughts on the hands-on experience she would have, and the chance she would get at making a difference in the lives of families. But now, the rain was coming, and in Lagos, rain could do a lot of damage, from roads being swallowed by water to terrible traffic and then to plans being destroyed. ‎ ‎“Why on earth should it rain now? Just why” she thought bitterly. She pictured the airport road half-submerged, drivers turning back, her boarding gate closing in on, and she said aloud, "Oh no". A gentle tap on her back startled her. "I will take you myself" Alice turned and said. “Mummy, you don’t have to always save us all the time.” Driving in the rain was dangerous, and Alice hated the whole idea of her mother braving it for her sake. “I wish Uber would just find me a driver who’s willing to drive in this mess, even if I have to pay double but if they dont’'Her voice trailed off. Her mother’s eyes met hers. “Ever since your father died, I promised I’d do everything in my power to make sure you, Alexander, and Alexia never suffered. Alice, I am proud of you, then Alice swallowed hard, her frustration softening into gratitude. “Oh, Mummy, . Thank you for all your sacrifices.” She hugged her tightly, inhaling the familiar scent of her perfume. ‎ ‎The rain started to pour down more heavily as they drove but they reached the airport with about twenty minutes to spare. At the departure gate, Alice hugged her mother again. “I’ll call when I land.” “You’d better,” her mother said, smiling through her worry and she perfectly hid it. ‎ ‎Now the flight has taken off, and in the air, the world seemed peaceful again. Then Alice leaned back and allowed herself to breathe and engage in the thought about the clinic, Healthline Fertility Center, and the patients she would meet because fertility medicine had always fascinated her, and it was not just for the science, but for the hope it gave to a lot of families.“Oh oh,” she whispered suddenly. “I forgot to call Aunty Racheal!” ‎ ‎Aunty Racheal was not her blood aunt, but she has been family since Alice was five years old, after her father’s death, married to the CEO of Healthline, and she arranged Alice’s placement herself. Alice decided she would call once the flight landed as making phone calls while in the air was prohibited ‎ ‎“Hi,” a warm male voice interrupted her thought, although startled at first, she turned and then found herself looking at a man in his early thirties who had a clean haircut, broad shoulders, and a confident yet gentle air. She realized she hadn’t noticed him when she sat down, "You look beautiful,” he said simply.“Thank you,” Alice replied, feeling her cheeks warm, and they began to talk about the storm, Abuja, and how unpredictable Lagos's weather could be. He introduced himself as Michael, a biomedical engineer consulting for several hospitals in the city. The conversation flowed easily, as if they had known each other before or even met somewhere and before she knew it, the pilot was announcing their descent.“I hope I will see you again,” Michael said as they gathered their belongings, “Yes! I hope you will,” Alice said, smiling. They exchanged contacts and waved goodbye at the terminal. Her phone rang almost immediately after she switched it on “You this girl! When were you planning to tell me that you have arrived?” It was Aunty Racheal’s voice, a mix of scolding and affection,“ I am Sorry, ma,” Alice said, weaving through the crowd. “I just got off the plane and switched on my phone, ma.” “That is okay. I’ve sent a driver. Wait by the arrival exit don’t go anywhere". “Yes, ma, I would stay right there”.Two weeks before Alice's arrival, Rachael informed Raymond, her younger brother, about Alice's stay in Abuja for 6months, and even before she could make the request, Raymond offered to give the service apartment to Alice because he had loved Alice like a niece ever since she was born. As Alice stepped outside into the humid Abuja air, her stomach tightened. The arrivals exit was crowded, drivers waving placards, people calling names, then she scanned the sea of faces, looking for her own name, and suddenly she saw him, Michael, the same guy she had just finished chatting with during the flight. He was leaning casually against a black SUV and smiling when he spotted her.“I didn’t expect to see you here,” she said, as she walked over.“Neither did I,” he replied, “but Abuja isn’t that big. Need a ride?, ”She hesitated, "actually, my aunt sent a driver ”Before she could finish, her phone buzzed with a new message, the driver’s car had broken down and he would be at least an hour. Michael glanced at her phone“Looks like fate wants me to help you again.” Alice smiled, but something uneasy stirred up within her.