I was walking through a terraced field reminiscing what was. Yobe state was a place bubbling with life, where any and everything was a feast; from plantinsg to harvesting of crops to the least of them all, the sojourning of tourists. We had life on our own terms filled with love and warmth but the closeness of the Sahara Desert made sure that our hearts would sometimes flinch.
As years went by, the Sahara Desert kept eating up our lands as fast as sugar dissolves in water; that what is left as arable land wasn't sufficient to feed us. So many flee, but those of us that stayed, were survivors. Ten years ago, the worst happened, I could still remember it like it was yesterday. A devastating sand storm struck, Mum and Dad quickly hid me in the basement but before they could join me, the storm swept them away. The last I could remember, was the sting of letting go.
After then, nothing mattered; my life was built on two principle – work and surviving.
I managed to continue the family's trade of caricature mechanised agriculture; with birds, pigs, termites, rabbits, goats, crops etc. My stock was easy to memorize but I still used an iPad to document things.
Though I worked with hired labourers and robots, I was still alone. I longed for a true friend that I could share my heart with even though it is only for just a day.
******
At Damaturu, along Umaru Musa Yar'Ádua Avenue, stood a multi-purpose mall, there I parked and alighted from my vehicle with my customised seat and wheeled in.
As I scanned the stocks in the agricultural column checking for the items I needed with the help of my iPad, a grouch figure fixed his gaze at me for a minute and shook his head as he walked on.
The attendant at the mall was beaming with smile, so I beckoned on her to help me with a cart and on we went, chatting as I selected the items dropping it in the cart which she pushed along.
She was a nubile damsel in her early twenties with a colossal hip's ad succulent breasts. She was that girl with a flawless smile; I would have asked for her number but then she was called by her boss. And another waited on me, this well, only stirred one thought – "I should be going!"
So, at midday, we carted to my van, she helped me load the goods into the van along with a male robot (M-Robo) from the mall. When they were done, I thanked them with some naira notes and zoomed off…
*******
Along old road in the outskirt of the city, I met a gridlock which resulted to two columns, the robotic team of traffic warders were doing their best in making sure the road was decongested but still somehow the road was clogged, this resulted in a robot in the left column whose queue I joined to start malfunctioning.
The left column was without a traffic warder – needless to say, we were jinxed to be almost stationary until the robot was reprogrammed which would take like five minutes – while the right column moved at snail speed.
So, I just switched on my stereo and started listening to the RoboCult – the first robotic music band in Nigeria – then, I raised my head towards my right, my eyes drooled…
I first saw a sparkling red Ferrari Fut (FutureX), the latest model, with its rider having a curly dark hair that covered her face, her neck was so fair and spotless with both her hands on the steering. Her body was succulent like a ripened mango fruit – you touch and it dips.
At that Instant, she swirled her hairs and her face was visible to me in full glare, she was a lady in her late twenties, she had seductive green eyes, with a perfectly placed pointed nose, lips that is full and deep red like her gloss mean nothing to it hew, oval face with a deep black lash – with beauty that can be termed "Whole!". I literally stared at her until she rode off without her noticing my weirdness.
******
At the road intersection close to my home, the traffic light shone red, but I was too tired to care and I sped off without checking the other lane. Before I could see, a lone car was fast approaching from that lane at high speed and I tried to step on the brakes but it was too late…
I just quickly pulled over at the road waiting for my banter; the other driver alighted and charged towards my vehicle, struck my screen with rage while ranting. Then I wind down;
"What do you think you are doing? You want to kill me!" the other driver shouted.
I just stared on my dashboard like a reprimanded child and the driver continued.
"You are so reckless!" the driver yelled with feet's stamping.
So, I opened my door and tried to move;
"You should thank your stars that your vehicle only kissed my bumper and it is only a minimal damage!" with that, she walked off without care."
"Men, always thinking that the world revolves around them!" she mumbled.
"I am sorry!" I said with a concealed smile.
As the driver drove off, I started laughing, thought of the incident was replaying in my head. I was moved by the other driver's words though filled with anger, but was kind. She never ridiculed my frailty but called me a man. She even used words like "Kissed" to describe the incident and she rode a Ferrari Fut. As I drove home slowly, I just thought of her and the incident.
*******
Four days later, at the mall, I bumped into her again;
"Hey!" I said with smiles and unease.
"Hello! Do I know you?" she asked.
"Yes, at the intersection, the reckless guy!" I retorted.
"Oh, you!" she screamed and burst into laughter.
"You nearly killed me that day! How do you do?" she asked in a relaxed tone.
"I am good. I live here!" I said stuttering.
"I know – I know!" she nodded smiling as we locked eyes.
After an awkward minute, she shot her hands;
"Oh, I am Aisha – Aisha Danjuma!" she said with a coquettish smile.
"I am Chidera – Chidera Iwu!" I replied reaching for her hands.
"Oh, I got to go!" she said as she scanned her watch.
"So, can we meet again? Maybe when you are free!" I said between gulps.
"Yes, of course. Here!" she said handing me her card.
"I would call you!" I shouted as she rushed off.
Immediately she walked out of the mall, I pressed a button on my chair and it rotated severally as I jubilated wildly.
*******
At Danladi national park – the last forest in Yobe State, I waited with jerking knees.
Then, I felt a warm touch over my face and my eyes was covered.
"Aisha!" I asked.
She uncovered my eyes smiling and stood in front of me.
"Sorry, I am late Chidera!" she said fondling her hands shyly.
For the first time, I noticed her full hips and her sparkling cleavage, as she wore a perfect white gown that hugged her body. She was so radiant that I nearly apologised for showing up too early.
"So, shall we!" she said hopping playfully pointing at the opposite direction.
"Oh, yes!" I said with a jerk.
So, she wheeled me through the park as we exhausted our knowledge of trees and other inhabitants of nature. She had a soft voice that pierced my heart, with a smile that quench my taste for words and even though she was raised in affluence, she was humane and well-coming. Her aura spells everything magical and I was lost in her world…
After spending much time touring, we beckoned on the robotic tour guide to fix us an open camp. After the robot was done, we sat underneath it on a spread ivy blue blanket.
"So, you are a farmer?" Aisha said laughing.
"Why? Because of my body?" I asked.
"No! it is just that you look more of a nerd like my dad!" she said bursting into laughter.
"Oh, your dad! Alhaji Danjuma Ibrahim, the finest inventor of our time!" I said with approbation.
"Oh, come on! He is just like any other father!" Aisha said brushing aside my compliment.
"No, he is a genius – a first rate at that!" I said protesting.
"Ok. You know what? I would tell you something. Do you know that my dad literally forgets where he kept his ties?" Aisha asked wide eyed.
"Does he?" I asked and Aisha nodded. Then we both burst into laughter.
"You see, he is not too special!" Aisha said in between gulps.
"Ok, you win. But I respect him a lot!" I retorted.
"Concerning my looks, I am a sort of nerd, you know. I actually built that – wheel chair – all by myself and incorporated it into my vehicles!" I asked.
"You did!" Aisha screamed wide eyed.
"Yes, of course!" I replied.
"But how about the "DI" logo on it? That's my dad's trademark." Aisha inquired.
"Yes, I am a big fan of your dad. So, I ripped it from the automatic lawn mower I bought from your dad's firm and I tacked it to my chair. Also, if you look properly, I added "II" inscription beside it!" I continued.
"Oh, that's wonderful! I finally meet a fan of my dad!" Aisha said trying to change the subject.
"So, how about you?" I asked pointing at her.
"I am a journalist, who works with BBC Nigeria, sometimes freelancing and sometimes…" Aisha continued.
She was still speaking but I was lost in thoughts about her that I no longer heard what she was saying. Tired of thinking, so I reached for her lips and we kissed, first reluctantly, then passionately and later greedily as we caressed with emotions and clumsiness. In her lips was sweetness beyond any, even more, she allowed me stroke her soft thighs.
*******
At noon in my farm, I was walking round the cocoa section inspecting the seedlings, when I received a notification. So, I rushed to the irrigation facility and washed. Then I hung the towel on my neck and wheeled towards the partitioning, there I met Aisha beaming with smile.
"Good afternoon!" she said blushing.
"You came!" I screamed with amazement and she nodded energetically.
So, I took her round my farm, the termite's mounds and after hours of question and discussion, we returned back.
"Aisha! Can I tell you something?" I asked skeptically.
"Yes! Go on Chidera!" Aisha said brushing her curly hairs aside as she stooped staring me in the face.
"Aisha, see! For the past months, you have been my world filled with laughter and warmth. I feel I am more and this feeling of completeness is so strong that I am afraid of ever losing it!" I said and paused with Aisha expectant.
"So, Aisha, would you be my girlfriend?" I asked and Aisha just stared into my eyes shocked, for a while deep silence rocked. Then, Aisha flashed a grin and said;
"Yes, I would!" we hugged in deep excitement.
"I love you so much Aisha!" I said softly.
"I love you too Chidera!" she replied warmly.
She then wheeled me away from the farm towards the farmhouse, while we chatted.
********
Two days later, Aisha drove to my house in her Ferrari Fut and parked, then I wheeled joyfully to her. We kissed and then she said;
"Can we go to the centre today?" Aisha muttered while playing with my lips.
"Ok. Let's go!" I affirmed.
We then drove to the Magic T (Termites) centre; and on getting there, Luke Ademola – an albino – the facilitator and head was greeting participants at the concluded workshop, he organized. As he saw me and Aisha, he smiled and waved. After some minutes, he came;
"Chidera, you came with a friend?" Luke asked beaming with smiles.
"Yes, I did! Luke – meet Aisha!" I spoke.
Luke and Aisha exchanged pleasantries and Luke took it up;
"Yobe is the most hit by desertification in the whole of Nigeria and desertification brings about starvation, erosion, drought and famine. Recent updates shows that two years from now, Yobe would become part of Sahara Desert.
So, the need for this centre; the centre is built to cater for termites. After years of research, it was discovered that termite's mound was an antidote to desertification. Does it sound boring?" Luke asked as we burst into laughter.
"Now come let's see some action!" Luke said with finesse.
Luke led us to the termite's mound site; the mounds were built to the height of normal buildings.'
"You see with little help; the termites now build their mounds the way we want it. And termites are special engineers and inventors that we can learn several stuffs from them – medicine, engineering, community life, survival and every other thing!" Luke orated.
"Now look!" Luke said pointing at a particular mound joining another.
"In that mound is a complete ecosystem, there you have labourers, mason, lovers etc. And this mound helps to enhance our soil moisture thus preventing soil erosion and in turn prevent desertification and sand storm. So, our job at the centre is to sell this idea to the people of Yobe!" Luke stopped as one waiting for questions.
"But can termites really help Yobe?" Aisha asked.
"Yes, they can!" Luke retorted laughing.
"You know what Chidera? I already like Aisha. So, Aisha, would you like to be a volunteer?" Luke asked expectantly.
"Like I can say no!" Aisha blurted as we all laughed.
"Ok, I agree! Only a volunteer!" Aisha said raising both hands up in protest.
"Thank you very much!" Luke said placing a tag on her dress.
Then Luke took us to the control room of the centre and pointed at a chart,
"From our report, it shows that ten months from now, Yobe would be hit by a devastating sand storm more than the last!" Luke paused.
I and Aisha was solemn;
"We have notified our centres in other northern states affected by desertification and its time we get to work!" Luke shouted clapping both hands playfully and then he led us to the health centre where aged termites (as soup) were used to cure asthma and other ailment, the engineering centre – where termites mound structure was studied to make natural cooling system and each department of the centre modelled after the beautiful genius – termites.
Aisha frequented the centre more than I do because the folks there were warm and family and in no time, she started taking weekly correspondence for the centre.
*******
Two days passed and I didn't hear from Aisha, I was so worried and on the third day, she came moody,
"What's wrong Aisha, you scared me!" I said soberly.
"Sorry Chidera!" Aisha replied looking away.
"Aisha! Are you alright?"
"Yes, my love. It's just that mum and dad want us to move away from Yobe!" Aisha said stroking the edge of her jacket.
"Why?"
"Dad is afraid of the next sand storm that is coming and wants us to leave!" Aisha said sitting beside me.
"Oh!" I exclaimed.
And then, we stared into space speechless…
********
Since the sand storm was posing a threat to our love, then Aisha and I decided to combat it by taking full time membership at the magic T centre.
Aisha and I spent months sensitizing the people of Yobe, we visited – mosque, churches, pubs, hotels, homes, schools etc.
Then the numbers started increasing to twice its rated outreach feedback, many started embracing the use of termites, nearly all homes in Yobe had several termites' mounds. Some even used the termite fence design to beautify their homes.
This resulted to us spending more time together, which I cherished more than life itself.
********
During the weekends, I was working in the farm with Aisha on a particular robot that was crashed into by an angry goat,
"Aisha, can you go into the room and fetch me my tool box?" I said while looking at the damage."
"Ok dear!" Aisha said robbing my shoulder tenderly before leaving.
After an hour of waiting, she came with the toolbox in one hand and in the other she dangled a diary – my diary!
"Give it back now!" I screamed with tears in my eyes.
"Ok – ok!" Aisha said frightened as she handed it over to me.
After some minutes, I got hold of myself and then I apologized.
"You know, ever since my parents died, this diary has been my only companion. And I never allowed any one to look at it!"
"Why?" Aisha asked.
"Because it reminds me of pain and regret!" I said as I wept bitterly.
Aisha simply placed my head on her chest while I continued sobbing. After a while,
"Do you want to?" I asked.
"Yes!" Aisha nodded slowly.
"Ok!"
Then we both started reading each page, laughing and gesticulating as time slipped away….
*******
Two months to the predicted sand storm at the height of the heat waves, I received a text from Aisha that she was leaving, she sent me the picture of the train ticket – classic ways train – and I was heartbroken,"
"What could I have done to avert this!" I asked as tears freely flowed down my cheek.
******
Later that day, news of a train accident enveloped the whole city, then I found out it was classic ways train that was involved in the collision. Though many survived including Aisha's parent but Aisha died.
I was terribly devastated, I couldn't cry but continued to scream, I lost my voice, I was in that state till I fainted in the farmhouse.
******
Two years later, Alhaji Danjuma embraced me after cutting the ribbon of the ultra-modern, fully automated magic T centre, he had donated to us in Damaturu. In his speech, he was so emotional that he broke into tears. Alhaji Danjuma became a patron to the centre, funding and supporting it.
After the success of termite's mound in Yobe and other northern states, the president of Nigeria conferred national honours on the whole team at the centre and a posthumous award went to Aisha Danjuma.
*******
I and Luke was walking round the new centre, remembering our previous experiences and how the idea of termite's mound in combating desertification has become global, then;"
"Chidera Iwu, I want to tell you something!" Luke said smiling quintessentially.
"What my chief!" I responded and we both laughed.
"I want you to be in charge of things! Simply put, take my position please!" Luke said shutting an eye expectantly.
"Ok. I will!"
"Thank you!" Luke said pressing my shoulder fondly.
"What would you be doing?"
"Don't worry, come let me show you something!" Luke said as he wheeled me away.
*******
One misty morning, I walked to the train station, passed through, with all the alarm system and surveillance camera down, I dropped my toolbox at the side of the track and wheeled myself to the centre of the track with my diary on my laps and I wrote. When I was done, I threw the diary close to the toolbox and a great wind ensued from the opposite direction; this forced the pages of my diary to flip and it later stopped at a page where I wrote – "I love Aisha!".
The sound was faint, the track vibrated and the approaching train collided with me…