'The shadow sister'

"Road to PH"

The next morning, Ehi and I and my mom woke up early, eager to catch the first bus from Jos to Port Harcourt. We knew it would be a long journey, and we wanted to get a head start. We ate the leftover food from the previous night, and my mom said a short prayer for me before we left.

As I glanced around my room, I felt a pang of sadness. I had arranged everything neatly, knowing I would be away for a while. "I'm going to miss you," I sighed, closing the door behind me.

I took one last look around the house, from the kitchen to the hallway to the parlour. I switched off the lights, and we stepped outside into the darkness. The Harmattan breeze blew fiercely, and I shoved my hands deep into my cardigan for warmth. We walked to the roadside, searching for a taxi to take us to the park.

Buses stood side by side, their destinations displayed on wooden signs above each one. One sign in particular caught my eye: "Port Harcourt, Rivers State" was written in bold letters.

After paying for my ticket, my mom handed me some extra naira notes and reminded me, "Remember what I told you: if they treat you poorly, call me so you can come back. Be respectful to your father and his wife."

With that, my mom and Ehi bid me farewell. My mom turned away quickly, wiping her eyes. Ehi looked sad too, and I watched as they both waved goodbye as our bus pulled out.

My mom's peanut butter-colored skin glowed against her vibrant Ankara gown, and the sight of her waving at me was almost too much to bear. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, and I felt a lump form in my throat. I wanted to yell at the driver to stop, to tell him I didn't want to go, but it was too late.

The woman sitting next to me stared at me, clearly wondering why a grown girl like me was crying on a bus. I stared back. I adjusted my position, put on my headphones, and searched for a song that wouldn't match my melancholy mood.

As the bus rumbled on, I lost myself in the music, trying to distract myself from the ache in my heart. The woman next to me eventually fell asleep, her gentle snores a soothing accompaniment to the music.

Outside, the scenery changed from the familiar hills of Jos to the lush green forests of the southeastern states. I watched as the bus passed through small villages, the thatched roofs of the huts blending seamlessly into the surrounding landscape.

As the hours ticked by, I began to feel a sense of fatigue wash over me. The music, which had initially been a welcome distraction, now seemed jarring and discordant. I took off my headphones and leaned back against the seat, closing my eyes as the bus continued on its journey.

As the bus rumbled on, the view outside my window changed from lush forests to towering buildings and bustling streets. The darkness of the night was illuminated by the bright lights of the city, making everything seem lively and vibrant.

And then, I saw a giant sign that read "Welcome to Port Harcourt" in bold, gleaming letters. My heart skipped a beat as I realized I had finally arrived at my destination.

I sat up straight, my heart racing with excitement and nerves. The bus pulled into the station, and I gathered my belongings, my mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come.

As I stepped off the bus, the warm night air enveloped me. I blinked, taking in the dimly lit sights and sounds of the bustling station.

I pulled out my phone, dialing my dad's number that my mom had given me. Just as I was about to press call, a man in his 40s walked up to me. He was wearing jeans, a polo shirt, and a warm smile.

"Bekah," he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

I stared at him, my mind a blank. Was I supposed to say "Hi, Dad!" with excitement, or should I jump up and hug him I didn't know how to react

"Good evening," I said briefly. We looked at each other, the silence a bit awkward. Finally, he broke the silence.

"Come, let's go to the car. You must be very tired. Jos to Rivers State is no joke," he said with a chuckle.

A white Toyota Sienna was parked just outside the gate. "Is this your only bag?" he asked, taking my luggage and placing it in the boot.

"Yes," I replied.

As we drove through the city, I couldn't stop staring at the towering buildings and bustling streets. "It's so beautiful," I exclaimed.

He smiled. "Everyone is already asleep. They couldn't wait for you," he said, glancing at me.

"Okay," I said, feeling a bit shy

He drove past a few streets before pulling up to a black gate. He honked the horn, and a tall, slim man opened the gate. "Welcome, sir," the man said, trying to get a glimpse of who was in the car.

As I stepped outside, a chubby woman wearing a white vest and a wrapper loosely tied around her waist approached us. She had a baby perched on her hip. "Good evening," I said.

She looked at my bag for a few seconds before muttering, "Mmmm, welcome," with a slight scrunch of her nose. Rude, I thought to myself.

"This is my wife and our baby boy," my dad said. "He's the last born."

"Oh," I said, looking at them in surprise. I thought Mom had told me everything about our family, but apparently, I was wrong. She had said they were only three children. My mom really didn't know anything about them, I thought to myself.

As we walked up to the mansion, I couldn't help but stare. The exterior was painted a beautiful ash color, with vibrant flowers planted along the walkway and around the house. The security lights shone dimly, casting a warm glow over the entire scene.

As we stepped inside, I took a deep breath and whispered, "Wow." I felt like I had entered a whole new world. "Are we in heaven?" I thought to myself.

The interior was breathtakingly spacious. A massive, flat-screen TV dominated one wall, while four large couches sat at each corner of the room. An abstract art piece hung on one wall, surrounded by framed family photos. The matching cotton upholstery and decor added a touch of elegance to the space.

I couldn't believe my eyes – the living room alone was bigger than our entire four-room house back at home

A plump, short lady approached us, her face warm with a welcoming smile. "Welcome, ma! Welcome, sir!" she exclaimed, her eyes fixed on me as she reached for my bag.

I clutched my bag tightly, hesitant to let go. We struggled for a moment, until my dad's wife intervened. "She will show you to your room," she said calmly. "By tomorrow, your own room will be ready."

"My room?" I repeated, looking at my dad for clarification.

"Yes," he replied, smiling. "Go refresh and come down for dinner."

"Okay," I said, following the plump lady upstairs.

As we walked down the hallway, we passed many rooms before reaching a door at the end. The plump lady knocked twice before pushing the door open. I followed her inside, and a strong perfume immediately hit my nose.

The room was stunning. A large king-sized bed sat against one wall, with a full-length mirror decorated with flowers and vines. An open wardrobe revealed a collection of shoes and handbags. The room was illuminated by blue LED lights, a ring light on the dressing table, and a mini reading table on the left.

The lady closed the door behind me, and I wanted to ask her where the toilet was. But before I could, she had already left.

I turned around, looking around and admiring the room. "My room's not as nice as this," I said to myself loudly.

I walked over to the wall, which was painted a bright pink color, matching the rest of the room's decor. I looked at the stickers on the wall, featuring Nicki Minaj and Big Latto.

I sat down on the bed, stretching my legs. I pulled out my phone from my bag and dialed my mom's number. It rang a few times before her calm voice spoke.

"Bekah!! How are you?" she asked.

"I'm fine, how are you?" I replied.

"Good. Have you reached?" she asked.

"Yes, ma, I have," I said.

"The house is so quiet. I cooked noodles," she chuckled.

"Ehi stayed with me till this event," she said.

"Tell her I said hi," I said.

There was a brief silence before she said, "Have you eaten?"

"No, I haven't. I just reached and decided to call you to tell you," I said quietly.

"Okay, eat and rest, oh my baby. Tomorrow I will call you," she said.

Just after I ended the call, the room door flung open, and a tall, light-skinned girl with black pajamas featuring pink flowers walked in. She stopped when she saw me, her phone clutched to her chest.

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