“I’m so confused”.
“No. Lost. Lost is the word you’re looking for. We’re lost and no one is ever going to find us,” Bukky barked.
I just sat on my bag listening to my friends panic and throw words at each other.
We had just graduated a week ago, and before it was time for our mandatory service to our country (NYSC), we decided to take a break. You know, go on an adventure.
I went on this so called adventure with my friends Simi and Bukky. Simi suggested we go to her village since her sister will be getting married. We would attend the wedding and have an all time adventure, killing two birds with one stone. I didn’t like the idea at first but Bukky also thought it’ll be a nice idea, so why not?
Lola(Simi’s mom) told us just before she left for the village to make sure we arrive before 9 p.m., and if anything was going to delay our trip, we should travel the next day. She didn’t give us reasons, but she looked serious.
It was a lovely monday morning and our bus was supposed to leave by 5:00 a.m. prompt because of the distance. I was there, Bukky was here,
“Where in God’s name is Simisola” Bukky complained, and I understood her worry. The bus was about to leave. 5:30, and Simi was nowhere to be found.
By the time Simi arrived, the bus had left and we were asked to wait for the 7:00 a.m. bus.
I was a worried, 7:00 a.m. means we’re probably going to get there by or after 9:00 p.m.
“I think we should move our trip to tomorrow, remember what your mom said,” i said, looking at Simi, waiting for her response.
“I don’t think it’s that deep, girls, you know mumcy likes to be extra most times and she doesn’t like late nights. We’re already here, let’s go. She’ll scold us and that’s it. Life goes on.” Simi said.
I could tell Bukky was not happy but she she nodded in agreement with Simi.
We boarded the 7:00 a.m. bus and began our journey.
We arrived Ondo state at 8:30 p.m. We boarded another bus to take us to her village. The more we went, the more we were loosing network. I turned to Simi who was sleeping peacefully.
“Does this girl have any atom of self preservation at all?”. I thought to myself.
I turned to Bukky, who was looking like a bun in an oven. She was angry and looked so tired. Bukky has always been a bomb waiting to explode at the slightest provocation.
“Wake up, madam,” i said as i shook Simi. I was getting agitated, I really hate road trips!
The bus suddenly came to a stop. We had arrived at our destination.
I looked around me and all i saw was trees, no lights, no buildings. I looked at my phone and it was 9:03 p.m., and wait… no network!
Simi was talking or pleading with the bus driver.
“What’s going on Sims?, is there a problem?”
“Somehow,” She replied
“What do you mean, ‘Somehow,’ Simisola, are we lost?” Bukky said.
“No, I asked him where we are and he said to get to my village, we might have to walk for another 30 minutes… and I don’t know the way, so I’m pleading with him to come with us.”
“I’m sorry, did you say, you don’t know the way?!, why didn’t you tell us?”
I couldn’t believe what i was hearing.
Bukky was quiet, too quiet.
“ Please calm down,” Simi said as she turned to the driver. “Sir, could you direct us which way to go since you can’t come with us.”
Apparently, he had to go back to town and it was getting really late.
He described the road to the best of his ability and then left.
Watching his bus drive away felt like giving up on life. I couldn’t help the thoughts running through my head.
Should i run after him? Aren’t we making a big mistake letting him go?
“Let’s go,” I heard Bukky say pulling me out of my thoughts.
So we began our mini journey with nothing but flashlights from our phones and my power bank (I’m so greatful I brought it). It felt like we’d been walking for hours… our phones were low.
“Guys… where are we? Are we lost? I asked, hoping to get a positive response
“I’m so confused,” Simi responded
“No. Lost. Lost is the word you’re looking for. We’re lost and no one is ever going to find us,” Bukky barked.
“Why are you shouting at me? Is it my fault I don’t know the way? If you haven’t noticed, it’s dark and you know i lose my sense of direction once it’s dark plus, the last time i was here was about 10 years ago.” Simi said, already tearing up.
I just sat on my bag listening to my friends panic and throw words at each other.
“Ladies, we don’t know where we are, but panicking won’t help. Don’t sweat it, let’s think. Remember the driver said we’ll see a mango tree that’s abnormally short. Let’s walk for a bit we might see it soon.”
Bukky was praying. I didn’t know she knew how to pray. This would’ve been funny if we weren’t lost right now.
We kept walking. It’s been over 30 minutes and nothing! Absolutely nothing.
I wanted to cry. I was frustrated. We all were.
“God please, just one more chance. Help us. I’ve never been married or had kids… please,” Simi was crying.
I couldn’t help it, a small smile played on my lips. it was a funny thing to be thinking of in such a situation but i said nothing.
“Amen!” Bukky responded to Simi prayer.
I said amen too, in my heart.
While we were walking, we saw a flashlight from the left side of the bush. A little panick rose inside me.
Should we call for help? What if it’s a bad person?
Before I could finish processing my thoughts, Simi shouted”Excuse me, please help us!”
Is she for real? Where’s her brain for Christ sake!
She went towards the light before we could stop her.
As we went closer, it turned out it was a Herbalist that came to pluck some herbs. I was happy but still a bit weary.
Simi didn’t wait to be told, she told him where we we’re headed and told him we were lost.
He smiled and said “You’ve reached your destination. What family are you looking for?”
I couldn’t help myself. I let out the tears I’d been holding.
My friends were talking to him happily but I couldn’t make out the words they were saying.
My whole life flashed before me in the past few hours. I’m going to accept Victor’s proposal the moment i get a signal on my phone.
Kaira! Kaira!, i turned in shock. I didn’t realise how much i was lost in my thoughts.
“Let’s go. He says he knows my grandmother and he’ll take us there. Are you okay?” Sinmi asked, looking at me worriedly.
“I’m fine, but can we trust him?” I asked.
“We’ll be behind him, if he tries anything funny, we’ll deal with him. We can take him, it’s three to one.”
I am not surprised. Bukky will always be Bukky. The Queen of voilence.
We followed cautiously and quietly behind him.
Simi broke the silence with a whisper. “But we didn’t see the mango tree.”
“As long as we reach our destination, tomorrow you can go look for it, since you’re obsessed with it,” Bukky said, half smiling.
“We probably missed it when you both were shouting at each other.” I said.
After a minute or two, we came to a stop. We had arrived.
Simi’s grandma’s house was quite cheery. The generator was on and there were a lot of women around, cooking and chatting.
This was the exact kind of energy we needed after what we just went thorugh!!
One thing was certain: we’ve had one hell of an adventure!
