The phone rang while Chidinma was arranging fabrics at her stall in Balogun Market. She almost dropped the cloth in excitement.
“Oena!”
She answered immediately.
“Chidinma.” His voice sounded distant but joyful.
“How was the journey?”
“Long,” he laughed. “Very long.”
“Did you arrive safely?”
“Yes. Everything is so different here.”
“Different how?”
“The buildings are taller, the roads are wide, and the weather…” He paused. “It’s freezing.”
Chidinma laughed. “You’ll get used to it.”
They talked for nearly thirty minutes. Oena described the company that had hired him, the small apartment he was temporarily sharing with another Nigerian worker, and the busy streets of the city.
Before ending the call, his voice softened.
“I miss you.”
“I miss you too.”
“Once I settle down, I’ll start sending money.”
“You don’t need to rush.”
“I want to.”
Chidinma smiled warmly. “You’re already doing enough.”
They said goodbye reluctantly. But after the call ended, Chidinma felt stronger. Even though they were separated by thousands of miles, their connection remained strong.
A few weeks later, Chidinma moved into Oena’s family house. Before leaving for America, Oena had insisted on it.
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