FLAMING HEART

THIRTY TWO - TRIP

"So Obioma, you don't recognise me anymore?" - Ugomma.

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Obioma quickly called to inform Ugomma about her arrival and also to ask for directions. Sharon on the other hand, stood by her wardrobe; pouting. She began to fold some clothes into a big bag while Obioma ended her call and walked to her; placing an arm around her shoulder.

"I'm not dying. I'm only going for a week. I can't leave if you're like this."

"I'm not stopping you from going, Oby. I'm just wondering how I'll cope without you. That's all."

"You'll do fine." Obioma encouraged.

"I hope so." Sharon shook her head and Obioma sighed loudly.

It took a while for them to pack everything necessary and when they were finally done, they walked to the living room where the house mates were seated. Obioma showed the address which Ugomma had sent to Uloma and Uloma nodded.

"We leave tomorrow early morning then." Uloma informed.

"I'll follow you to the park of you don't mind." Sharon piped in.

"What if I mind? Would you stay back? See her mouth: 'If you don't mind'. Uloma mimicked in a funny tone and the rest laughed.

"I'm pretty sure my voice doesn't sound that way." Sharon sat down next to Chiamaka.

"Says who? That's how it sounds. You better start knowing." Uloma replied.

"Oby, is it true?" Sharon asked and Obioma smiled.

"It is." Chiamaka popped in.

"Even you." Sharon pouted and put her head on her lap to feign crying and everyone began to laugh at the funny sound she was making.

"Evelyn, pass me that." Uloma said after the laugh. There was a fancy bag on the table and Evelyn picked it up; handling it over to Uloma who passed it to Obioma. Obioma accepted it in shock.

"That's for Ugomma's baby girl. Give it to Ugomma for me in addition to this." Uloma handed an envelope to her. Obioma was shocked and tried to say something when Chiamaka spoke up.

"Uloma told us about your elder sister so even though I don't know her, I'll like to give her this." She handed her another plastic bag which contained some powder and body cream.

Uju then cleared her throat and in a deep voice, she said, "I won't be the one left out. Have this also." She handed an envelope. Obioma for a while couldn't do anything as all she did was stare at Uju's outstretched hand and the envelope she was holding. Uju raised an eyebrow at her; her face unsmiling, and for a moment, Obioma felt the envelope contained a bomb.

"Oby." Sharon brought her back to reality and she finally accepted the envelope; muttering thanks. Uju looked unfazed as she returned to her phone; immediately laughing at a video. Evelyn stood up then with a card she had designed herself. She offered it to Obioma shyly and Obioma received it. Of course, that was all she could offer, Obioma thought. Sharon was the last to offer her gift which was some sum of money. Overwhelmed with all that she had received, Obioma couldn't help but smile broadly as she said her vote of thanks.

"Thanks so much, everyone." She began. "Honestly, I never expected this much from any of you. I'm very grateful. Thanks house mates. My sister would be glad.

While the rest smiled at her, Uju and Evelyn had their attention on something else: Uju, her phone and Evelyn, the television set.

That night, Sharon slept in Obioma's room and the next morning, they set out to the park. Chiamaka had hugged Obioma tight and had wished her a safe journey and all Obioma could do was nod; too overwhelmed to speak. Never in her wildest dream had she expected the house mates to act the way they did. The love was so much and for once in a very long time, Obioma felt accepted.

They drove to the park which was much more rowdier and rough than that of the village. Despite it being quite early in the morning, millions of people rushed here and there; screaming at the top of their voices. Cars were honking, bus drivers were yelling, by standers and passengers were shouting.

Obioma pondered which bus to take as there were a couple of motor parks. She finally settled for one with the name 'Flash'. The lettering on the buses were comforting as sentences such as 'Safe journey', 'Accurate speed and comfortable seats' were written.

Uloma and Sharon waited behind for her to purchase her ticket and after some minutes, people started arranging their luggage into the bus; sitting according to the number given to them. Obioma was glad her seat number was beside the window. She got in and Uloma waved to her; retreating to her car while Sharon kept standing by the window.

"Call me when you get there." She said and Obioma nodded.

"I'll be calling to know where you are, okay?"

"You don't have to bother, Sharon."

"I can't help. Be careful and be watchful."

Obioma chuckled at that and waved finally as the bus sped off. A tear dropped and she wiped it away; feeling guilty for lying to Sharon and the rest of the house mates. It was true she was going to see her sister but not for a week. She had other plans of her own. Well, they left her with no other choice, she thought; staring at the money in her purse. Uloma had not only paid for the tickets but had given her some money to travel with. Uloma could be a darling when she wanted to be but most times, she preferred being a b***h.

Leaning back and closing her eyes, she heard a voice from the back; asking everyone to bow their heads in prayer. Many choruses were led before finally praying. Obioma shut her eyes; thinking about the differences between traveling in a private car and in a public car. It was much more comfortable in private cars but boring. She loved that she could see other people traveling as well.

After the prayer, she noticed that the guy sitting on her row kept casting glances her way and she scrunched her face in disgust; turning to face the window and staring ahead, thoughts of the house mates and Francis filled her mind. Who would have thought Uju would offer her anything? It was times like this she felt for her but then, there was nothing she could do. It was not her fault she loved Francis, neither was it her fault, Francis loved her too.

Thinking about Francis, she had informed him the previous night about her journey. She had told him all about her plans and he had been excited; telling her she was a genius to come up with such idea. She smiled at the thought. What else did they expect from one desperate to be with her lover?

Rubbing her palms together, she looked forward to an eventful day in Rivers: the state Ugomma and her family lived. Pa Chika: her husband, had decided to move to Rivers where he felt he would do better in his fishing business. According to Ugomma, the job was lucrative but still couldn't provide for them all. It was sure very difficult to provide for over ten children and three wives.

Half way to the journey, Obioma fell asleep only to be woken up by the same guy that had been throwing glances at her. She looked around to see everyone getting out of the bus and panic consumed her entire body but when she found out they were in a filling station - just like the one Uloma and her had gone to eat - she relaxed.

Stretching her stiff legs which felt like they had been paralysed from sitting in one position for many hours, she joined the long queue of women waiting to use the bathroom. Right from where she stood, she heard the driver yelling that he had just fifteen minutes to spare. Obioma rolled her eyes; wondering how he expected everyone to be done within fifteen minutes despite the long queue which seemed like it wasn't moving. It finally got to her turn and after using the irritating bathroom which had disgusted her a lot, the young girl offering bowls of water brought her palm out; looking at Obioma expectantly. Obioma stared at her; wondering what she wanted and why she was showing her her palm.

"Madam, anything for me?" She asked finally and Obioma shook her head.

"Nothing for you, dear." The girl scowled at her and looked away, muttering words to herself. Though low, Obioma could hear 'yeye woman'. She contemplated for a while if she should reply but finally decided against it.

They finally got into the bus and Obioma held the plastic bag she had been given at the bread stall; munching the groundnut and banana she had bought. She smiled at the occurrence of the last minute when the bus driver yelled for everyone to return: she had been purchasing that sweet meat Uloma bought when they were coming to the city when she heard the driver yell. She had began to panic; urging the man to sell the meat quickly. She wondered what she would have done had the bus actually left her behind.

She went back to sleep since there was nothing to do and was finally woken up by the girl sitting next to her. She had earlier told the girl where she was going and had pleaded with her to inform her when they got to the bus stop Ugomma had called since she didn't know her way.

Obioma quickly thanked her and got out of the bus along with others who were stopping at the same bus top. It was evening already so she crossed to the other side as she was directed and entered a shuttle. Just then, Sharon's call came through.

"Hello Oby, I'm so sorry I didn't call earlier. We had revival service today. You know it was announced." Sharon began. "How are you? Have you arrived at your sister's home?"

"Not yet, Sharon, I'm in Rivers though but I'm still on the road."

"Oh! How is the journey so far?"

"Smooth." Obioma replied.

"Alright, We thank God. I'll call you later. Sister Divine is waiting for me. She offered to give me a ride home. Sis Glory and Sis Joy asked of you. Bro Kennedy also."

"Oh! That's so sweet. Tell them I'll be back soon." Obioma said and the call went off. Bro Kennedy had been one of the guys trying to get her attention so it was not strange to hear he was asking of her.

The bus stopped and Obioma got down along with others. She called Ugomma immediately and after some minutes, Ugomma appeared; looking like a shadow of herself. She was lean and had various wrinkles and folds. Her cheeks were sagged and three big pimples were at strategic places on her face. Obioma couldn't believe that was Ugomma so she turned away; staring else where. She had often heard people had lookalikes. Perhaps, this was one only that this one was much older and uglier. She smiled as she imagined Ugomma's reaction when she hears about her lookalike.

The touch on her wrist made her jerk a bit only to see Ugomma's lookalike staring back at her with a wry smile.

"Obioma, so you don't recognise me anymore?"