Coming to Ajegunle

CHAPTER 3:THE JOURNEY TO LAGOS

Early the next morning, the sound of c***s crowing filled the quiet village.

It was exactly 6:00 a.m.

Amaka was already outside with her parents, standing beside her luggage and waiting for her cab to arrive.

Papa Amaka looked at his daughter one more time.

Papa Amaka: Don’t forget to call your uncle when you get there, so he can come and pick you up at the park.

Amaka: Yes, Daddy. I won’t forget.

A few minutes later, the cab finally arrived.

Amaka and her parents quickly carried her luggage and placed everything inside the boot.

Mama Amaka stood beside her daughter, trying hard to hold back her tears.

Mama Amaka: Amaka, my daughter, remember everything we have told you. And please, don’t forget to call us regularly.

Her voice trembled as tears rolled down her cheeks.

Amaka immediately hugged her mother.

Amaka: Yes, Mummy and Daddy. I promise I will always call you both.

She hugged them tightly.

After a few moments, Amaka entered the cab.

The driver started the engine and slowly drove away.

Amaka turned toward the window and waved at her parents.

She kept looking back.

Her parents stood there waving back at her as the cab moved farther and farther away.

Amaka continued looking through the rear window until her parents became smaller in the distance…

Then she could no longer see them.

She sighed and turned back to face the road.

Amaka: Lagos… I’m finally coming.

As the journey continued, Amaka admired everything along the road.

She looked excitedly at the buildings, shops, vehicles and different sights passing by.

Everything seemed new and fascinating to her.

After several hours on the road, exhaustion slowly took over.

Amaka rested her head against the window and fell asleep.

About an hour later, she woke up with her stomach growling loudly.

She was hungry.

Amaka looked around and managed to buy a Gala and a bottle of mineral from a roadside seller.

She quickly ate and drank while the cab continued its journey toward Lagos.

Hours passed.

The sun slowly began to disappear, and the sky turned orange.

Finally, at exactly 6:00 p.m., the cab arrived in Lagos.

The driver stopped at Oshodi Park.

Amaka stepped out of the cab, paid the driver and collected her belongings.

She immediately brought out her phone and called her uncle.

Amaka: Hello, Uncle? I’ve arrived.

Not long after the call ended, a shiny black Lexus RX 350 pulled up near the park.

The window rolled down.

Amaka looked surprised.

Her uncle stepped out of the car and smiled.

Uncle: Amaka!

Amaka smiled with relief.

Amaka: Uncle!

He walked toward her and helped her with her luggage.

Uncle: Welcome to Lagos, my daughter.

Amaka smiled brightly.

She looked around at the busy streets of Oshodi, watching the countless people and vehicles moving in different directions.

This was Lagos.

The city she had dreamed about since she was a little girl.

But she had no idea that this was only the beginning…

Her real journey was about to start.