Traveling with Mum

by Linda Fremah (Ghana)

A leap into the unknown Ghana

"It's enough, just get in the bus!", mom throwed at me like I was a piece of paper work to get rid of. I couldn't ask any more question and headed straight to my seat, as the ninth grader that i am. I still have a billion dollar question haunting down my mind, nevertheless mum won't stop her pouncing eye looks on me. It's my first time traveling with her and the surprising part is, we are traveling in the night. The bus had a two by two seating arrangements with a walk way in the middle. It had a double axle back wheels and skinky smell of a new paint. I heard our next seat boarder say it's quarter past eight to someone. Mum was still outside making sure our luggage go on board. I was with her before she scolded at my question and sent me here in the bus. I was going to that old lady at the front seat and heck...there stands my mum. I walked quietly to my seat; Mum had already seen me coming to my seat and had popped out her eyes as though she wants me to pluck them out of its sockets. She was walking to me and yelling," what were you doing there ! I told you to sit down and keep mute and stop asking questions" and it continues on and on, like the old nagging Granny Ruby; a neighbour at our backyard in Conakry. She's even glued all eyes on us already...oh my God...I put my headset on and pretended am way far in music land. Oh, waoow...it worked. She kept quiet but certainly wont stop eyeing. I'm watching her from the tinted glass of the window reflecting her image. I love my mum but she get me twisted with those looks of hers when she's pissed. "Don't make us a scene, Fannie" she whispered as she removed my headset and stalked me on herself for sometime of which i was getting uncomfortable. I was trying to pull away from her but it seems she wasn't ready to let loose. "M..u..m," i murmured and she let go of me and gave me the keep quiet look which i plainly read from her face. I remained quiet for a while and the chauffer signalled everyone to be on board and get ready, the bus was about to take off. People trot to the bus. Some with their handy bags and carriers. Seat belts were not really our thing but yet, was announced to be worn of which few heeded. Mum asked me to put mine on and i need not to oblige. The chauffer blew a large horn and i didn't know what that meant. I felt the engine of the bus start and it soaked in me a lot of absurdity. I was speechles even though there were thousands of questions i wanted to ask. The driver finally sets on the high streets of Conakry and accelerates on the top speed. Night driving had a benefit and that was less traffic. Soon we got to a toll booth and we passed by the night cops successfully without stress. Some cops could be really frustrating with paper checks and driving certificates. We drive pass the Central Christian Jubilee church. The cold soothing night wind made it so easy for most of us to sleep. I felt mum pulled a large blanket and clouded me in it. The seating was not what i expected but at least i managed to sleep, and i didn't know how. The loudest horn sounded and it seems we were going out of Conakry this time; or perhaps Guinea at large. I cant really tell where exactly we were but i knew one thing, i have missed my bed in Conakry. If i guess right we have driven about one or two hours and All this time my eyes are glued to the window and just watching the places we drive pass. We are on a highway with no buildings, just the bush and few desert areas. I have never seen this before and we are still driving on. To be continue....