My Encounter With Kate - Episode 4

 

I felt uneasy, a young lady and I were that only one whose parent was present.

I wrote my name on the manifest that was on the seat closest to the door, I was number seven on the list. I observed the spacious park it was filled with buses going to states located in the North central. I heard two young men perhaps who came to the park together and from their discussions one could conclude they knew themselves before here, they talked about them being fortunate to meet the first bus. 

While I was observing my environment and noticing every incoming traveller, I deduced that ninety percent were Corp members.  I wanted to associate with few but I restrained i wasn't in the mood to talk. Just then my Mum appeared from wherever she went to.

Mum: "I bought a bucket and this soft drink with gala."

Me: "Thank you Ma"

Just then, a man of about fourth five years old announced that all passengers to take a seat, I excused my mum . I choose the middle seat at the last row because of my long legs so I could be able to adjust anytime.

We were seated in threes, we were fifteen including the driver, our luggage were strategically arranged inside the bus, my mum came to the window by my right side, she place her hands on my head and prayed loud not minding if people were in the bus, I was sure people gossiped me being a mummy's boy. 

 She advised me to be prayerful and not to engage in strenuous tasks, she finally bade me farewell. I was left alone with strangers I gazed; they were only two adults present in the bus excluding the driver

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

. One was seated beside me and the other in the second row of the first column. It was twenty five minutes past eight, the journey was five minutes since we embarked, I observed nobody had prayed concerning the safety of this journey, I wanted to but I was being careful, I suspected the bus services detest it, I also thought of maybe it was a strange practice for other religion, i was used to starting a journey with prayer, I prayed silently, committing the journey into the hands of God. 

The traffic in Lagos -Ibadan expressway was much, some in the bus began to bond, I placed my earpiece listening to Nigeria info fm, looking at the trees that seem as though they sped, and I appreciated nature.  The journey was taking too long, when I felt lonely I slept, I played games on my phone, I scrolled through my pictures. 

It was past twelve, a young lady in the row in my front alerted the driver that she wanted to urinate, the driver at first refused, it was after other in the bus altogether pleaded that he finally stopped.

Just then the lady by my left who had earphone stuck in her ears asked why the driver had stopped, I narrated what was happening, they where few thatched houses in sight. I used the opportunity to stretch my legs and also walked a little.

I noticed they lady that sat beside me staring at me but I pretended not to notice when she turned I looked at myself to see if I putting on or holding anything unusual, I then quickly scanned her, she didn't wear makeup but she was endowed with natural beauty, her hair extended to her shoulders and the trousers she wore moulded her buttocks to a perfect roundness, her bosom was moderate. 

I felt reinvigorated after the few minutes out of the bus, i took my phone and was playing game. I noticed that she was still staring at me just then I decided to engage her in a chat.

Me: "Hello"

Her: "hi"

Me: "Seems you enjoy music a lot?"

Her: **laughs** "not really. Why do you say so?"

Me: ** chai, who send me ask this question na** "because you fixed earphone all through"

Her: "Not really o, it’s just to while away time,  i can just be staring"

Me: "you have a point"

I was really interested in her, her smile was gorgeous I didn't want to let the conversation end,  i thought of a strategy,  she sounded friendly and innocent, that was my typical girl. 

Me: ***tapped her*** ”Are you heading for the camp?"

Her:  "yes, and you"

Me: "Sure"

She gave that her lovely smile, her gap tooth were visible, she smelt of rose flower, our eyes jammed I looked away. She removed her earphone and dropped them off into her small bag placed on her lap and locked both palms. 

I felt my stars were beginning to shine.  She was still, probably examining other passengers.

Her: "You have been quiet all through"

Me: ***Pretended as if I didn't hear**

It felt bitter, I regretted not replying, probably I wanted her to recap, I thought ought to have tapped me.

Read " Tales of Nene " by the same author ( Osazuwa Omorodion )

. I insulted myself for being so dull.

 I came up with an idea.  I ransacked everywhere as if i had misplaced something; I shifted and bent downwards making her inconvenient. 

Her: "Any problem"

Me: "Not really, a necklace pendant dropped but i just found it" **Osas you get masters for lying o**

Her: "Good then"

Me:  ** Voice cracking ** ”I don't know your name please"

Her: **Smiles** Her white set of sell arranged  teeth were visible. "I am Ada"

Me: "wow, such a lovely name, Adaeze in full right?"

Her: "Nah (in a nasal tone), Adanma""

We began to gist, she schooled at Benin Republic, she was from Anambra state, and we talked about various topics ranging from her culture, ambitions, and hobbies. Occasionally her hands around my shoulders and whenever she wanted to sleep she would lean on my shoulders with one arm around my neck making me to feel the side of her bosom, but I controlled myself, it was warm.

When we got down for a short break she bought me a bottle of drink which made me to like her more, I envisaged us starting a relationship and it was evident that she was fond of me and she found me interesting. 

When it rained, water leaked through a tiny opening, I assisted her in holding her buckets and sometimes, she was grateful, we had lot of more interesting conversation, she was never boring.

It was 5:36 pm when we passed the border between Ondo and Kogi , one of the adult in the bus assured us that we would get to the camp any time soon. I was really anticipating, Ada was happy too, she told me she attended a military secondary school and any drill we would partake in camp wouldn't be a big deal to her, I didn't doubt her,  I saw her with her mum when I got to the park in the morning putting on a camouflaged cap,  I joked about her being my defender from any attack if need be,  she just laughed it off, we took selfie.

We all alighted at a roundabout, Ada and someone else boarded a cab, much activity wasn’t present in the state, the roads were less busy unlike Lagos, but i didn't draw a conclusion. We reached a point where it was clearly written.    "No vehicle beyond this point."  I paid for both mine and Ada fare, she was appreciative.

 Armed Military men stationed across post ordeedr us to present some documents after checking and approvad our luggage, we were ransacked for contrabands.

Ada walked few meters before me, it was when i had a clear view, her gait was majestic, she cat walked like a Royal, counting each step slowly with her buttocks in rhythm.

Sounds of rain made battering noise on the tarred road, We approached the camp gate which was craftily constructed, as we approached the gate, we were ordered to stand still, I heard the sound of trumpets, but had no idea of the song being blown.

Afterwards, Ada informed me it was custom in every barracks, a signal Nigeria has gone to sleep. I nodded in response. We presented our documents to various officers, we went through procedures.

I assisted Ada as much as i could; her registration was more tedious because she was from a foreign school.

It was already past eight, those of us that entered the same bus while coming aided ourselves, I was through with mine. We were given kits, prospectus, mattress and other necessary items. 

I exchanged contacts with Ada, she thanked me for my assistance, we hugged for about two minutes, and she now smelt of sweat, I accompanied her to her hostel which was a few metres from mine. I promised to check on her once I was settled. 

I looked at my wrist watch, it read past ten,  I was very weak, I covered the torn-stricken mattress with my bed sheet,  I was very hungry, I had eaten just the snack that my mum bought for me in the morning with the bottle of drink Ada bought for me.

The room i was given had almost hundred bunks in there, they was mild noise. I laid facing up facing the up bunk; I thanked God silently for journey mercies. By the time it finished my prayers, it was light out.