Near Miss

FIVE

The end of camp finally came .It was time to go home and most corpers were glad. It was fun and then some, but the cesspits were filled to overflowing and grounds littered with the excesses of corpers; it’s time to leave. Seyi on the other hand had a lump in his chest. The trip home is supposed to be temporary before resumption to their places of primary assignment. Seyi would rather make the trip direct. The fantasy is over and time has come to face the cruel realities. As if that was not enough weight he also had mixed feelings about seeing Datare again. Three weeks and there is still no doubt that he loves her, but he is not in love with her expectations of him right now. He just cannot face the pressure.

Seyi walked over to the bus park and made effort to keep his mind distracted to keep his concerns at bay for a few more hours. He entered the almost empty bus and waited for the other passengers that were doing last minute shopping for the four hours trip to Ibadan.

Ken was waiting for Datare at the departure point for the Lagos corpers. He crossed her path and grabbed her box from her.

"Huh, I am trying to load that unto the bus." The smile in eyes belying her stern voice.

"I know, only i have a better offer." Datare raised her eyebrows at him.

"I booked us a flight to Lagos."

"Us? Is your vacation over? What business do you have in Lagos?

"Nothing other than accompanying you home, plus i have never been to Lagos. I want to see the place.

Datare's initial excitement gave in to serious concerns. It is one thing to play games in Jos, but to hang out in Lagos with ken will defiantly result in an awkward situation.

"Exactly how will i explain you to my family and fiancé?

" Hey just showing a friend the sites of Lagos city."

Ken looked deeper into her eyes and for the first time since the banter started, he was actually serious.

"I am not ready to let go of you yet. I don't know what i hoped to find, but i found you; you think i will just let you walk away?

Datare broke eye contact. The heat that enveloped her made it difficult to breathe.

"Which way?" She had no come back for that. She just focused on the pleasure of a flight as opposed to a torturous fifteen hours drive westwards.

What are the odds that Morenike joins his bus. Seyi thought as he watched her walk towards the bus park from a distance. She met other member of the platoon along the way and they all flooded into the bus. At least this will not be a dull ride. Seyi thought as he said hello to everyone. The company included 'Niggaraw' a weed smoking parasite that feeds on the rich to fund his habit. There was also 'Dumebi', a self proclaimed money bag; needless to say, he is the host organism for Niggaraw and many other parasites. Seyi invited Morenike to sit by him to keep the other clowns at bay. Few minutes into the journey Morenike opened what looked like a journal and started writing. She concentrated on the book, writing and thinking for close to an hour before taking a breather. Being bored with the rocky scenery Seyi seized the opportunity to strike off a conversation.

"You are such fun to travel with."

"Sarcasm, great way to begin a conversation." This lady cannot be caught defenseless.

"What have you been doing?"

"I keep a journal which doubles as my creative documentation. I have been writing in it."

"Creative documentation?"

"Ideas of stories, poems, songs anything that comes to be expanded latter."

"Wow, with all your many talents you turn out to be a writer too?"

"That is the first time someone has called me a writer."

"May i read some of your works?”

"Of course." She handed the book over. Seyi was surprised that she just withdrew and did not try to restrict his access. The journal was very personal. It had records of her days on camp, thought process, experiences, ideas. Seyi expected to skim through, but he was drawn into her world.

Seyi's attention was drawn suddenly when the driver announced that he was pulling over to urinate. Almost everyone was glad for the chance to either take a leak or just stretch numb legs. The bus veered slightly away from the road and came to a stop. Everyone disembarked the bus. Some went further into the bush for privacy; others just strolled around and stretched. Seyi and Morenike were among the latter group. As they were about to resume the journey, however, a group of ten armed men came upon them.

"Lie down and face the ground." One of the men said sternly. It was at this moment that Seyi realized that the road was just a bit too isolated. The chance of an occasional vehicle going on the high way seeing them is slim at best. They were helpless. One of the corpers noticing the odds against them decided to make a run for it. He was instantly made example of. One of the men shot him dead. A gunshot Seyi realized bitterly may not be a strange sound around thick bushes such as this one. The men rallied all of them and handed out little fluid filled plastic bags.

"Drink!" The others corked their guns daring any refusal.

Seyi deduced that these men had use for them dead or alive. He promptly drank the vile substance; his eyes still on the corper that was shot.

Is there an end,

A glimmer of hope to look forward to,

In this desperation to make an end of me,

Should i fight or yield,

Will it matter if i fight,

If i hope?