065: A Phone Call Away 2

With that, Sophia called out to Aliyah but got no response.

"Aliyah?" Sophia called again, her voice echoing through the house.

Still no answer.

Determined, Sophia stood up from the couch and began searching for Aliyah herself. Passing through the passage between the rooms, she walked past the guestroom where she and Kourtney were staying. Taking a few more steps, she knocked on the first room door she saw on her left-hand side.

A voice from within asked, "Who's there?"

"It's me, Sophia," she replied. "I'm looking for your mom. I have something to tell her."

"Give me just a second," Tolu said from inside the room.

He opened the door, stepped into the passage, and told Sophia to follow him, leading her to his mom's room.

As Tolu and Sophia approached Aliyah's room, Tolu struck up a conversation with Sophia. "What's your favorite thing about Nigeria since you arrived?" he asked curiously, his eyes bright with interest.

Sophia smiled, charmed by Tolu's genuine curiosity. "The welcoming and hospitable atmosphere has been beyond what I expected," she replied warmly, her voice tinged with appreciation. "Every Nigerian I've met so far has been incredibly friendly, always finding a way to start a conversation with me."

She paused, reflecting on her experiences. "It's interesting that everyone I've met starts their conversation with me using the word 'oyinbo'," she remarked.

"What does that mean?" Sophia inquired, genuinely curious about the local customs.

Tolu explained, his tone animated with enthusiasm. "It means white people, but in your case, it refers to a white woman," he clarified, eager to share his knowledge.

He leaned in, adding, "Part of the reason Nigerians behave this way is that they are not as accustomed to seeing white people in this part of the country. It's just a kind of informal greeting for foreigners, a way to acknowledge and welcome you."

As Sophia processed the meaning of the term "oyinbo," she exclaimed, "Oh, so that's what the 'oyinbo' word I've been hearing means!"

Tolu nodded with a smile. "Yes, indeed, that's what the word 'oyinbo' means."

Curious, Tolu continued the conversation. "What are your least favorite things about the country?" he asked.

Sophia thought for a few seconds before responding. "My least favorite thing about Nigeria is the harsh weather," she admitted. "It's not something I can't cope with, but I would have preferred if it were less harsh and more cool."

Tolu nodded in understanding. "Oh, that's true," he agreed. "I remember my dad telling me in one of our discussions that it took him a while after coming to Nigeria to adapt to the weather. If you stayed a bit longer or visited more often, you'd be surprised how quickly you'd adapt to the weather."

Sophia smiled, appreciating Tolu's insight. "That's good to know," she replied. "I guess I'll just have to give it some time."

As they reached Aliyah's room, Tolu knocked on the door and called out, "It's me, Mum. Aunt Sophia is also here with me." Tolu turned to Sophia and added, "Sophia wants to see you."

The door swung open, and Aliyah greeted them, "Come in, Sophia. Thank you, Tolu. You can go now."

Sophia and Aliyah entered the room, and as they both sat on Aliyah's bed, Sophia began, "I've been able to reach your husband and Richard."

Aliyah looked surprised. "How did you manage to do that?" she asked.

Sophia explained, "I tried calling Richard, and luckily, he picked up on the first ring. They're both okay and on their way back home as we speak."

Aliyah's face lit up with relief. "I thought as much," she said. "Thank you for the update, Sophia. I really appreciate it."

Sophia nodded, glad to have been able to provide some reassurance. "Of course, Aliyah. I'm just glad they're safe."

The two women sat in silence for a moment, the tension from earlier dissipating. Sophia looked around the room, noticing a few books on the bedside table.

"You're a reader?" Sophia asked, intrigued.

Aliyah nodded, a smile playing on her lips. "Yes, I love to read. It's a great way to unwind."

Sophia picked up one of the books and flipped through it. "Any recommendations?" she inquired.

Aliyah thought for a moment before suggesting a few books from the table, handing them over to Sophia. "These are some of my favorites. They're all quite different, but I think you might enjoy them."

As Sophia collected the books from Aliyah, she thanked her warmly. Pulling out her phone, she snapped a quick photo of the titles, then handed the books back to Aliyah.

"Thank you so much for these. I'll make sure to get my own copy," Sophia insisted, not wanting to take Aliyah's personal copies.

Aliyah shook her head, a kind smile on her face. "No, please, I insist. Consider them a gift. You and Kourtney are family now."

Sophia hesitated, touched by Aliyah's generosity. "Are you sure? I wouldn't want to take your personal copies."

"It's okay, really. I'm more than happy to give them to you," Aliyah reassured her, pushing the books back towards Sophia.

"Thank you," Sophia said sincerely, accepting the books and holding them close. Sophia then leaned in closer to Aliyah, a look of genuine interest on her face. "Do you miss the States?" she asked softly.

Aliyah nodded, a wistful smile playing on her lips. "I really do," she admitted. "But I'm planning on visiting in December, during the Christmas and New Year's celebrations."

She continued, sharing more about her plans. "My sister has been trying to get me to visit ever since I moved to Nigeria twelve years ago," she said, her eyes reflecting a mix of nostalgia and excitement.

Aliyah explained that she had missed her sister dearly and felt it was high time to grant her sister's request. She confessed that she had gotten caught up in life, losing track of time, and felt she should have done better as an elder sister.

Sophia shook her head gently. "Don't be too hard on yourself," she said reassuringly. "I'm sure your kid sister understands. Life has a way of getting busy."

She then asked Aliyah if her sister had ever visited Nigeria. Aliyah's face lit up as she nodded, sharing, "Yes, she has. Twice since I arrived here, with her husband."