CHAPTER 8

The invigilator instructed us to stop writing and collected our scripts. I had just finished the last question. I had not noticed how swift two hours passed by.

Professor Isah is a devil disguised as an angel, purporting to have sympathy, whereas he is a merciless man. He put questions on exam that he didn’t cover in class and the worst part of it is, the question he asked must commensurate with your answer and you can not redirect it to an area you are familiar with.

We started our examination last week and we wrote our last paper today. I am relieved that I studied hard. Now, I can enjoy my trip without worrying about my grades.

I stood up and headed to the front of the class to grab my bag. As, I walked out of the class, I searched through my bag for my phone. Upon unlocking my phone, I discovered I had several missed calls from Rahama and a text message that states, ' I’m at your house, where are you? '

I increased my speed as I headed to the hostel.

Upon getting to the hostel, I saw Rahama’s car parked at the gate and I headed for the car.

" Where have you been?. We have to go to the airport now, our flight would take off in an hour " Rahama said.

" I was in the exam hall. I would go and get my luggage " I replied then dashed off to my room.

I grabbed my luggage, hurried out of the room and shut the room door then headed down the stairs to the car. The driver assisted me to get my luggage into the trunk then we got into the car and drove out of Number 14, Turaki Street.

" Surely you all heard the news that Umar and Laibah called it quits, " Khaltum smirked, "The best news I have heard this year "

" Yeah, I also heard that she replaced him with his dad. What a scandal " Hauwa pitched in.

" That does not mean you stand a chance with him Khaltum. Get your head out of the clouds " Rahama advised.

" Why not! " Khaltum yelled.

" He is Fulani!, " Salma exclaimed, " Aren’t you aware of the ethnic hatred that exists between his tribe and ours. Don’t act ignorant about it "

" Advising someone in love is just like talking to a brick wall " Hauwa interjected.

We drove into a petrol station to fill up the tank and drove out. There was silence in the car but my mind was loud, I thought of how euphoric it would be to explore a country that I have never visited.

We arrived at Kaduna airport and drove to the international terminal where a bus dropped off a large number of students. Few students also arrived in their cars.

As we got down from the car, I searched for my plane ticket and to my astonishment, I couldn’t find it.

" What the heck, I can not find my plane ticket! " I yelled.

" Oh no!, How did this happen?. Where did you keep it " Rahama asked.

" It was in my bag while I was writing the exam. Someone must have stolen it " I lamented.

" Uh, hello, Rahama! " Khalifah called aloud as he headed to our direction.

" Hi, how are you doing? " Rahama replied with a smile.

" Hello " Khaltum, Hauwa, and Salma said in a chorus.

" I got an invite to your party, I’m sorry I let you down. I had a get together with my friends that night " Khalifah apologized.

" No, no. It- it’s fine " Rahama responded.

" Why is your friend blowing a fuse? " Khalifah asked as he stared at my angry face.

" She lost her plane ticket " Rahama replied.

" Oh, " Khalifah uttered, " In that case, why not join us in the jet "

They turned their gaze towards me and looked genuinely surprised.

" No, thanks " I responded, " It should be in my bag "

" I don’t think it is there " Khaltum interposed, " I suggest you go with him "

" If you were unable to find it the first time, you certainly won’t find it now " Khalifah seized my hand and pulled me away, " Did you come with your passport and ID? "

" Yes " I replied and yanked my hand free from his wrist.

" Wait! " Khaltum shouted then handed me my luggage, " I also lost my ticket in class, do you mind if I come along with you? "

" You lost your ticket! " Rahama shot a deadly glare.

" Sure, you can come along " Khalifah replied.

We headed to the private jet terminal and they didn’t check our identity card. We then went to the runway where the air hostess and the pilot were waiting at the door of the plane.

When we got into the plane, I got a view of the interior. It was more like a magnificent home in the sky. It had high quality seats, fine dining, a seating couch and a Tv. The girl we met at the mall was seated in front while his friends were seated at the back seat.

" Mahira, what are you doing here?! " Khaltum blurted out.

" I beg your pardon, " Mahira said aloud and a scowl came over her face, " I should be asking you that question "

" Let’s have our seat " Khalifah quickly chimed in.

" I-I’m sorry, I didn’t meant to upset, " Khaltum apologized, " I was just surprised to see you h- "

" Save it!, " Mahira silenced her and turned her cold gaze to me, " May I know you? "

" She is my course mate, " Khalifah interposed with a stern look, " If you don’t want them here then I suggest you take your leave "

" Hee- " Khaltum suppressed a chuckle.

We took our seat on the sofa beside his friends and Khalifah discussed with the pilot about the arrival time then the air hostess took our order.

" Kiki, Khaltum, I’m sure you’ve met my friends, Umar and Hamza " Khalifah said.

" Of course, I have " I replied.

" We met at a fashion fair in Pretoria last year " Khaltum responded.

" Yes, we did. Khaltum Mamman right? " Abdul asked.

" Yeah " Khaltum answered.

" I heard Asiya and Hassan would tie the knots soon " Umar mentioned.

" Yeah, and I would love it if you all could come " Khaltum responded.

" Definitely, " Umar concurred, " He is my close friend "

" I would love to attend but I would be traveling to Dubai for Eid " Khalifah declined.

" Sure, I would come along with Umar " Hamza replied, " I remember when we met with Kiki for the first time and she said to Khalifah, 'Are you okay?, you almost ran me over with your car'

We all shirked with laughter at the way Hamza imitated my accent and Khalifah’s eyes locked with mine. His beautiful brown eyes melted my heart. That uncomfortable feeling spread over me again.

The Air hostess came back with our order and we broke our gaze. We were served numerous delicacies and we relished every mouthful of it.

" Do you remember my friend, Zara? " Hamza asked.

" Yes, I do " Umar responded.

" She would be present at the all white party " Hamza mentioned.

" What does that have to do with me? " Umar asked.

" She has a thing for you, " Hamza responded, " This is your chance to spite Laibah "

" If I run a google search on her last name and I find their social status commendable, I would give it a shot " Umar declared.

" Did you all hear about the multi million resort my dad launched at Sokoto to rival Quaint golf resort " Khaltum announced.

" Great " Umar stated in a stern tone, showing lack of interest.

" Don’t be upset, he usually has mood swings, " Khalifah apologized, " I would suggest to my dad to host our events at your resort "

" Thanks a lot " Khaltum showed appreciation.

" Kiki, I would like you to accompany me to the all white party, tomorrow night " Khalifah said.

" I won- "

" You should attend, it would be fun " Khaltum interrupted.

" Yeah, sure " I responded.

After a couple of minutes, the plane landed at Kotoka International Airport then we got down from the plane and headed to the parking lot.

A long line of cars was aptly parked in a row in the well lit parking lot, rays of sunlight beamed through the transparent plastic covering of the exterior. Many passengers were coming in and many were leaving.

" Thanks a lot " I and Khaltum said in a chorus.

" It’s nothing " Khalifah replied as he got into a black SUV with his friends.

Mahira directed a contemptuous look at me as she got into a car with her friend. If looks could kill, I would be dead.

" I would like you to attend my sister’s wedding next week, which would be the talk of the town " Khaltum stated.

" Sure, I will " I replied.

" I booked us a ride, " Rahama said and began to walk in our direction, " What are your plans? "

" We’re lodging at Villa Monticello, aren’t we? " Khaltum asked.

" We have decided to lodge at the hotel owned by Khalifah’s dad. Most of our friends would be there " Rahama replied.

" That’s a great idea, " Khaltum commented, " I heard the hotel is one of the most luxurious in the city "

" I would lodge at the hotel that the committee reserved for us " I stated.

" What?, that hotel is terrible! " Khaltum said in a loud voice, " The rooms are so small that you can barely swing a cat and it is of a low quality "

" I’ve already paid for the hotel, so I would stay there, " I insisted.

" All right, we would drop you off on our way to the hotel " Rahama proposed.

" I would prefer to go with the bus since we are heading to the same location " I opposed.

" Ok, see you later " Khaltum bid me farewell.

" Bye, see you later " I replied and headed for the bus.

The bus was crowded, but I managed to get a seat in between two ladies. Most of my course mates stared at me like they saw a movie star.

" Hi " A lady whose face was vaguely familiar said.

" Hello " I replied.

" I love your Agbaya, it’s lovely " The lady who was seated at the back commented.

" Thank you "

" I would like you to join our tutorial " The class representative proposed.

" I’II give it a thought "

As we drove to the hotel, I saw tall magnificent palm trees by the side of the road. Accra has a better road infrastructure unlike Nigeria. I hope I have a great time here.