The vehicle moved steadily and swiftly, leaving the military base behind. In what felt like an instant, they arrived at Maiduguri International Airport. Hamza gazed at the signboard proudly displaying the airport's name. He couldn't help but marvel at the idea that he was about to board an airplane. They made their way through the entrance, determined to ensure everything was in order before boarding the plane.
Meanwhile, elsewhere, a man named John was engrossed in his phone. He was fixated on a video featuring a young boy playing the guitar and singing. The melody and rhythm of the song had completely captivated him. As the song ended, John looked at the young musician, who was surrounded by soldiers in the video. The boy exuded an air of calm confidence, with coiled hair, deep, entrancing eyes, and a well-defined chin that carried a rugged charm. His lips were a soft shade of pink. John found it challenging to determine the boy's ethnicity, as he seemed to possess a captivating blend of Yoruba and Hausa features.
John was a small-time blogger with around 20 thousand followers on Facebook and Instagram. His niche was discovering emerging talents and sharing unusual occurrences, which had contributed to his modest online success. He watched the video repeatedly, contemplating how to edit and post it to make it more appealing. Crafting the perfect caption was also on his mind. Eventually, he powered up his computer, edited the video, and posted it on his Instagram with the caption: "#WhoKnowsThisYoungMan." John couldn't wait to see the attention and engagement the video would garner among his followers. With anticipation, he closed his computer.
Back at Maiduguri International Airport, Zara stood bewildered by the unfamiliar surroundings. The airport, although not particularly large, was unlike anything she had ever seen. The reduced crowd, possibly due to it being a quiet Sunday, added to her sense of disorientation. She glanced at her brother and Nurudeen, who were diligently completing the airport procedures. In the midst of this new environment, she felt like an outsider.
Her brother motioned for her to join them, and as she approached, she noticed a lady at the desk nodding toward her. Zara felt a bit anxious but followed her brother. When they reached the desk, Hamza showed the lady their tickets and inquired about their seats.
The lady, named Joy, appeared lost in her thoughts, preoccupied with her own concerns. Initially, she hadn't recognized Hamza, even though she had seen a recent video of a young man playing the guitar and singing, a song that had left a lasting impression on her. Startled by Hamza's calm voice, she redirected her attention to him, noticing his remarkable good looks. Managing a friendly smile, she replied, "Certainly, sir. Please follow me."
As they walked, Joy couldn't resist asking, "Are you, by any chance, a musician?"
Hamza, still somewhat perplexed by the question, responded, "Well, not yet, but I hope to be someday." He observed Joy closely, noting her slender figure, attractive face, and engaging demeanor.
Joy reached for her phone, showing Hamza the video she had mentioned. "Is this perhaps you in this video?" she asked, displaying the captivating performance on her screen.
Hamza was taken aback but nodded in affirmation. "Yes, that's me. May I ask where you got the video?"
Joy explained, "It was posted by a blogger I follow, Johnny J, on his Instagram page."
Realization dawned on Hamza. One of the soldiers must have recorded his performance and posted it online. He couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. While he hadn't even begun his journey as a professional artist, someone had already recognized his talent. It was a surreal feeling. "Thank you for letting me know," Hamza said, appreciative of Joy's recognition.
With that, Joy returned to her station, occasionally glancing back at Hamza before disappearing from his sight as he continued his airport procedures.