CHAPTER 167:HOME AWAY FROM HOME.

 At exactly eight o'clock at night Paul and Mike landed at Murtala Muhammed international airport in Lagos. Mike was so tired and wanted Paul to carry him along the push cart that they were using to carry their suitcase.To add on that it was drizzling, when they landed.

"You know this was my first flight journey Paul I am so tired." Mike said as he dragged his feet, slowly following Paul.

"I know mehn you don't have to remind me." Paul said as he pushed their luggages towards the taxi area.

The the Uber driver spotted them and come running to ask them where they were heading to.

"Hello Oga sirs, where to? " A taxi driver approached them.

"You mean you know my name? How is that possible? Mike asked the driver who was confused by the question.

Mike was not aware that when someone calls you Oga, it means boss and respect. Since his surname was Oga, Mike Oga. So he was surprised when he heard the Uber driver address him with his surname.

"Ehn?, what do you mean Oga?" He asked again.

"Don't mind him, kindly take us to intercontinental hotel,how much?" Paul asked.

"Oga sir 7000 naira."

"What? In a taxi ?

"No Oga it's an Uber."

Paul looked at Mike and they entered the Uber and left the airport.

........

When they arrived in intercontinental hotel, they alighted. Paul paid the Uber driver his money then dragged his suitcase inside. Mike followed with his suitcase behind. They walked to reception and asked for the available room for a night. 

"Hello, good evening Ma'am." Paul greeted.

"Good evening sir." The receptionist said with a smile.

"Can I have two rooms that are adjacent to each other" Paul said.

"Hey mehn we can just share a room, it's just for one night it's not like I will eat you up." Mike murmured in Paul's ear.

"No I can't share a bed with a fellow nigga,I only do that with my wife."

"You still recognize her, but Ivana is not here mehn. Paul why waste money when we can share a room?"

"Oga Sir we have room 77 and room 79 they are the only room available now." The receptionist said.

"Okay then we are checking in now until tomorrow evening how much." Paul asked while fishing out his credit card.

"Oga sir let me have your detail first." The receptionist said.

Paul and Mike handed out their Kenyan identity card together with their Visa's. The receptionist took down their details then returned the creditials back to them.

"Enjoy your stay in intercontinental hotel Mr Wechuli and Mr Oga. Thank you for choosing intercontinental hotel." The receptionist said as she signalled two accommodation attendants to help them take their luggages to their rooms.

........

"Paul I am hungry mehn, I hope you are not expecting me to go to bed with an empty stomach." Mike said when they reached their respective rooms.

"Freshen up then you will come to my room, we will take dinner on the first floor. Or we can order it then have it in my room. I think you have a problem staying alone. I wondering how you managed to stay alone back home and not here." Paul said then chuckled as he entered his room. He didn't listen to Mike's reply.

"This is a new environment Paul" Mike said then scoffed as he entered his room too.

Since his stomach have been complaining from the airport. He entered the bathroom quickly and turned in the hot shower. Within five minutes he was done with bathing and changed in something comfortable that's pajamas as he walked to Paul room after locking his.

He knocked to Paul's room door.

"I was about to flash you, Paul said as he opened the door to him.

"Have you ordered the food?" Mike asked as he touched his stomach.

"I have checked their menu and the only familiar fish is fried rice with chicken stew." Paul said.

"That's what you have ordered! Mike was surprised. "You mean they don't have Ugali in their menu? I already miss home Paul. It's true as the saying goes was Wes home is always the best." Mike said with a sad face.

"It's only some few hours in Nigeria and you already missing home. Will you survive the five years study, home away from home?" Paul asked then chuckled.

"What do you mean home away from home? I will try to survive I just have to do this now that I have a golden opportunity to continue with my studies." Mike replied.

"This is still home because we are not outside the continent. So Nigeria is home away from home." Paul explained.

"I really don't know if I will make it my home or it will feel like home without my main dish. If I can find Ugali in any of the states here in Nigeria then I will make it my home or feel home." Mike said then yawned.

A knock came on the door and Paul knew right away that it was the waiter bringing in their food.

"I am sorry Sir for the delay, hope you will bear with us." The waiter said after placing the hotpots that contained food on the table.

"Hope you will not delay next time." Mike said as he walked towards the table.

"Yes sir." 

"You may leave now." Mike said without looking at him. His main need was the food.

Although the rice was so tasty, Mike still wanted to eat ugali. When Paul suggested of eating Fufu because it is similar to Ugali. He had refused saying that, it won't taste like ugali and also it won't taste good on his tongue because it's the first time he will be eating.

After finishing eating Mike walked to his room after wishing a good night to Paul. Now that his stomach had something he was good to go to bed atleast not with an empty stomach. He didn't remember his promise to Mish who was still waiting for his call. He entered his bed and drifted to dreamland.