WHEN LOOKS DECEIVE

This is a true life story am sharing. While it hasn't made me paranoid, I bet you am a bit more careful with strangers! Its part of my experiences in my nation's capital Abuja.
The day was Friday, 21st January 2011. I had just finished signing my logbook at ITF and decided to see my elder brother  at Kuje, since I would be leaving for school next week. From ITF, I boarded a taxi to Wuse where I hoped to get another vehicle to Kuje. Since I hadn't been to Kuje from that part of Abuja, I needed direction and so I opted to ask around. The very first person I asked, a well dressed young man probably in his early thirties posited that it was impossible to get a vehicle from |Wuse to Kuje by that time of the day. Surprised, I glanced at my D&G designer wristwatch and the time was 3.27 pm.
So what alternative do I have, I asked
Your only option is to board a bus to Gwagwalada and disembark at Kuje junction. At the junction, you'd get a cab into Kuje.On the other hand, if you are not so much in a hurry, you could wait and follow me and I'll give you a ride in my oga's car. I thought over his proposal very carefully, accessing him as fast as possible. From every indication, I had nothing to lose from His offer. I'd save some cash as well save myself a lot of stress. Besides, he looked descent and responsible, especially with the christian literature He held very sanctimoniously.
How long do I have to wait, I asked
Not too long, He replied. The only time we would spend would involve our boarding a bus to Airport junction where I will pick the vehicle and my oga.
I'll hop along for the ride, I said
So where are you headed in Kuje, he asked

Along Hospital road, I answered
Wow Wow Wow! What a coincidence, thats exactly where my oga lives, he exclaimed
Hospital Road, I answered
Wow Wow Wow! What a coincidence, he exclaimed, my oga lives exactly on that street
Well well, I thought. That simplifies everything for me. I don't have to start searching for the house.

Well,we boarded a bus going to Airport junction.He claimed he had no loose cash around,so I had to pay our fare.All the while,it never occurred to me that there could be anything sinister about him,not with the Christian Literature he carried like a plaque.But I was wrong.When the bus got to Sudan street,I put on tracking feature of my Nokia C-2 mobile,from lack of nothing more worthwhile to do.

At Airport junction,He pointed to one side of the road as our destination.

We would follow a shortcut to the house,he said.

No problem,I replied

So,where do you work?

Oh,am a student on IT, I replied a bit apprehensively as I glanced at the shanty looking places we were passing on our way to our rendezvous.Little houses made of tarpaulin and wood scattered among very environmentally unfriendly surroundings.

Thats good, He said. I graduated from school  three years ago too,am a driver cos I haven't found any alternative for now.

Really,I asked,doubt now beginning to have doubts within me.His English was so horrible for a graduate.

From which University and what discipline did you graduate from,I queried.

I studied Economics in UNN, was his reply.

Now seriously suspicious, I quickly hid my logbook so He wouldn't realize I was from UNN and bring in Plan B,to deal with me.

Pardon my curiosity,I continued,when did you graduate?

Three years ago,he answered matter of factly.

Do you know Agwu  Chukwuma, I asked, mentioning the name of a prominent student in that set.

I've heard about him sometimes, he replied.

That settled it,this guy was scam and I had better find a way to outsmart Him,without arousing his suspicion.

All along,I hand started noticing some uncanny movements,movements that reminded me of 24th November 2006.How could I forget,it was still fresh in my memory.It was at Mount Close, Mount bus stop,along Agbani road, Enugu,when I was beating black and blue and robbed by a 'good Samaritan' and his boys,during my freshman years in UNN.Well,that would be a discourse for another day.

Why don't you come inside,the sun is so hot,the guy said.

Ha ha ha!I Laughed in my mind,so that it would be easy for you guys to implement your plans.

Oh don't worry,I replied,am used to the sun,after all,I did my IT  in a quarry company.

My brain was at work all these while and suddenly,a plan formed in my head.

We passed a small market on our way here right,I asked?

Yes,He replied.

Ok, I think I'd just run down there and get a few things, I said.

No problem,he retorted.

Phew! The first part went well, I thought. Now what next, I pondered as I walked,aware that a pair of eyes were watching me very closely, considering every step I made.

As I got to that mammy market, I bought some things, things I didn't even need! I was careful to buy at shops that were in his view, initially. I wouldn't want to alarm him or get him suspicious, that the bird he sprang a trap for, was about to fly. Next, I moved as if I wanted to buy something else at another location, where He couldn't see me. I just prayed silently that I didn't have watchers already. Once, out of his view, I made a beeline for the road through the bush path through which we came in. As I hit the road, I didn't even know where I was. Twas then I brought out my phone and to my delight, I discovered that I had set the tracking feature  on my Nokia 2710 c-2 navigation phone. So all the roots we took including my current position was indicated. I eventually, found my way out and got to Kuje with the aid of my phone. Talk about all that glitters not being gold!