My Encounter With Kate - Episode 2

 

I was flabbergasted, I couldn't believe my eyes. It was my least expected state. I was hundred percent assured that i was going to be posted to Delta state. 

My elder sister who was currently serving in a government secondary school in Delta state came home for holiday, we had planned that we would travel together to Delta, She promised to take me to all the beautiful places like Sapele,  warri and other locations, the rivers , the government house and so many other places before i would head for  camp.

It was an experience I looked forward to.

Travelling, reading and writing were my hobbies, but I had  preference for traveling compared to others.

I remembered my childhood days when we travelled to Benin city, my younger brother and I would sit at opposite sides of the car looking at the  trees on the highway thinking that were going backwards. 

We were always excited whenever we realized that we would be embarking on a Journey.

I sat, cupped my chin in my Palm, I was perplexed, I was so sure I would be posted to Delta because a family friend had requested for my details and had promise to influence my posting, that was the same method that got my sister to Delta. 

I accepted my fate and began imagining myself at Kogi state. It was the first time i would be travelling there, I didn't have much information about the place, the people, their culture and traditions, their beliefs and all sorts.

I pick up my phone again, I rechecked,  it was wasn't Delta state, it was clearly Kogi. 

I dialed my mother's number.

Me: "Hello Mummy"

Mum: How are you?  any news?

Me: "I am fine, Yes o, It is Kogi i was posted to o"

Mum: "Jesus is Lord,  How come?  Kogi ke?, That place is too far o,  Arrgh, check and confirm flight cost from Lagos to Kogi

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/my-encounter-with-kate

. All is well."

Me: ** Feeling sad again** "Yes Mummy"

Mum: "Have you told your sister and daddy about this?"

Me: "Yes ma"

Mum: "Take care, there should be a solution o, when i get home we would talk."

Me: "Okay mummy"

I knew nothing could be done, i just had to go,  i develop a sudden hatred for the man that aided my sister posting, i picked my phone, went to my class alumni WhatsApp group page to see where others were posted to.

Some were posted to Kano,  Abia,  Osun, Rivers and so on, I couldn't find anyone who was posted to the same state with me. I needed to act fast i had just four days to report to camp 

I Laid on my bed with my face up, looking at the ceiling, i was imagining how the place would be, I thought of redeploying. I didn't know much about the state, from my little knowledge i knew that the capital city; Lokoja, was where the River Niger and Benue converged,  i recalled a time when our government teacher told us about his time there;  the sun intensity and the abundance of fishes. 

 Lucky, a course mate back in university who resides there once told me how rural the place was,  lacking industries, the difficulty in getting White-collar jobs except teaching and the famous Ajaokuta steel company.

I remember at friend of

mine back then, we attended the same tutorial centre during our preparation for UTME, named Feyi who was serving at  Kogi. I chatted him up 

Me: "Hi"

As i waited for Feyi's reply, I browsed the  internet, it was then i realized that Kogi state had no airport ** chai which kind backward state be this na**, i also discovered their language, beliefs, traditions and culture. I had no option than to go through road.

There was a knock on the door,  it was my elder sister; Ivie who had just returned from the market She held two bags seemingly filled with clothes and other items. 

I didn't hesitate to break the news before she dropped the bags.

Ivie: "How come?"

Me: "I don't know,  that man just messed up"

Ivie: "I have some friends there, I don't think they even pay Corpers"

Me: ** I just realized this, I hadn't even thought of it   ***hissed***

Ivie: "Anyways, The deed has been done,  it's just a year experience, God is by your side"

Me: "Amen o"

I ransacked one my elder sister bag,  it was custom for her to buy something edible whenever she goes out,  i was right, i found some cookies, she just smiled, she gave me some.  

I took my  phone to continue browsing about the state just then, Feyi message popped in. 

Feyi : "Big man, how far?"

Me: "Fine o,  You just dey soft for that Kogi abi?"

Feyi:  "Soft ke?? This place dry pass wood, i no fit wait o,  na run i dey after this service year,  I am darker than coal now, you dey fuck up o,  you just forgot me for here"

Me: "no be so o, I can never forget you o ***yeepa, so i would now be black too** "well, i have just been posted there too o"

Feyi: ***Laughs loud** "Welcome on board."

Me: "Abeg where for Lagos i go enter bus and how much?"

Feyi: "Enter New Garage, Ojota park, it is #3500.Welcome once more"

Me: "Thanks man,  i will call you for further clarifications."

Feyi: "Buy bread come o"

Me: "No wahala"

It dropped my phone to get my travelling box ready for use  and be sure it was in good shape .