THE JOURNEY.
24 hours earlier, I wasn’t prepared for this journey, but here I am on my way to a place I never imagined I’d be going to. A place I’ve never been to, a getaway from my normal life. I adjust my neck pillow, thankful for the comfort, then I close my eyes so I can escape my reality for a while. The next time I open my eyes, I check my time and it’s only been 30 minutes since I fell asleep. They said it’s 6-7 hours from Delta to Abuja, and another 4-5 hours from Abuja to Kano, but luckily I’ll be stopping over and resting at Abuja before I start another journey to Karaye, Kano. I’m trying not to count time and be nervous, so I put on my headphones and blast my favorite song, "Praise" by Elevation Worship. I can’t help but imagine how the next 20 days of my life will look and feel like.
THE CAMP.
"NYSC PERMANENT ORIENTATION CAMP, KUSALA DAM, KARAYE, KANO STATE." The big signboard catches my attention. I sigh with relief because we’ve been on this journey for over two hours since we arrived in Kano. My sigh of relief immediately turns to panic as I walk towards the gate and realize I’ll be stuck in this place for the next 20 days. I shrug off the thought from my head and step in. "Bring your bags over here!" I turn to my right to see where the sound came from, a military man signaling for us to come over with our bags. "They don’t seem nice," I mutter to myself as they ransack our bags.
THE ROUTINE.
I jump up with a jolt at the sound of something, I can't seem to place it, but then I realize where I am. I'm at the camp, and that must be the sound of the bugle. I pick up my phone, squinting my eyes as I check the time. I can hear a rumble of noises outside my room. I step out and almost bump into a naked body running down the corridor to the bathroom, and that's when I realize it's time for us to move out from the hostel. I quickly hurry up to the bathroom. By the time I'm out, I can see people already dressed in their white ensemble heading out the gate. "If you're still sleeping, you're wrong!" the female soldier yells from the door downstairs. I'm all dressed now as I scurry off towards the gate, with my friends following behind. I don't know if I can keep up with this routine for the next 19 days, but let's see how it goes.
THE GIRLS.
I planned on coming to camp to do my thing, maybe make friends or not and just leave. Well, I met some girls at the park. I met another in my room, making it three, and I’m comfortable around them. Actually, I’m comfortable around my roommates. They’re fun to be around and they’ve brought out the playful side of me that I’ve kept hidden for so long, and I’m happy about that. I’ve also met other girls in my platoon and OBS station. Most of my happy moments in camp were because of these people.
THE END.
D day, that’s what I tagged that day on my calendar - the day I get to leave camp. Waking up that morning, my box and bag already packed the night before. A smile plastered on my face as I walked to the bathroom, and I sang my heart out while bathing (something I haven’t done in forever!). I’m all dressed now, rolling my box downstairs. I won’t be missing this camp, I’ll only miss the people and the fun time I had here. Parade is over, my friends and I are walking hand in hand to the admin block, where we get to know our fate (if we’re staying behind in Kano or leaving). I wait patiently as my state code number draws near. I’m not panicking, which is very unusual. I think my faith will move mountains today. '35__' I squeal in excitement as my number was skipped. That means my relocation was successful. Goodbye Karaye, goodbye Kano!
