My family and I push our suitcases across the terminal, eyes wandering around. People of all shapes and sizes scurry past each other in different directions with their baggage, meeting loved ones who have come to welcome them. We head straight for the road outside where dad's driver awaits in a white sedan.
"Joseph!" dad greets his driver. "It's been so long. How have you been?"
"I've been alright, sir," Mr. Joseph replies with a broad smile. "Hello everyone," he addresses the rest of us."
"Good evening, sir," Agnes, my younger sister and I chorus, sitting at the back with mum.
"Mrs. Smith, I hope you had a pleasant trip down here," the middle-aged man asks mum.
"We did," she smiles sweetly at him.
"Everyone, this is Mr. Joseph. He worked with my father when he was alive and offered to work for me when he found out we're coming into the country," dad explains to us. "Joseph, meet my wife, Arabelle and my daughters, Isabella and Agnes." Agnes and I wave when he points at us. "Jason and Alex could not come with us immediately."
"It's nice to meet you all," Mr. Joseph smiles at us and we send him our replies.
After stopping by an eatery to order take-outs, we head to our new house on the island. I fix my gaze outside the window on the completely different scenery running past. The roads of Lagos are much harder to navigate, compared to the ones we are used to in Texas. The intense hustling and bustling, the unbearable holdups at some points, all make me miss Texas even more. Agnes starts to gripe lowly about not liking what she sees. By the time we arrive the island, it's terribly late. We had to eat our food during the drive before they get cold.
Seeing how different and calm the street we're going to be living in is, my feelings about staying here start to change. Our house is a cozy-looking one-storey duplex, sitting in the midst of others, slightly similar to it. I heave a sigh when we pile out of the car. A new journey begins here and I hope coming to Nigeria will do me more good than harm.
With an excited smile, I mutter, "hello Nigeria!"