Memory Theft - by Farouq Umar

_The haze is thick and wicked__It sets my memories ablaze._ The call came in the morning. My Dad spoke "Come with the car" Right away I leapt. Superman to the rescue My mission was simple Get to their locationSo batteries could be swapped Their car would spring back to lifeAnd life would proceed.Quite simple right? Wrong! The haze... It came.Not loudNot suddenJust quiet fingers slipping into my mindOffloading whatever it desiredAnd I—I did not even feel the theft I started the engine! I knew where they wereI had been there quite a few timesI drove off A cool steady cruiseA right turn here, a left turn thereA bendA U-turn All was well...until it wasn't An intersection...The haze...It came This time louder! Bloody thief!He took them!My memories!"Give them back" I cried"I know the road"I swear The map... It vanishedSuddenly I was a wandererLost in the desert without a compass Without a mapWithout the stars to guide my way Instincts I drove ahead This should be the right wayIt wasn't I circled back. A left this timeI'm sure it should be somewhere hereI went on, peering at the streets like a bird of prey Where are they?Why can't I see them? I was on the wrong street!Oh Lord!_Ya Rabbi_What do I do? A round about...Which side do I follow? Instincts It was the wrong oneI circle backThe same round about I took the other route Bloody mistake!A market, crowdedA narrow roadTighter than a boa constrictorSo many peopleSo many vehiclesNoise, noise, noiseI clutched my headThe din was torturous I need to get out of here! Reverse gearI look back!A Keke parked...The space beside itI could slither past right?Right?Wrong! Crash! He cursed at meFortunately that was all he didHe didn't ask me to pay for damages"That's how you rich people are. You do whatever you feel like"He said no moreI thanked him. The walls, the stalls, the people, the vehiclesA beehiveBuzzing in my headI had to escape I didBarelyBack to the heart of Bauchi city I loved this cityI was her sonBorn and bred But she became a strangerThe hazeIt stole her from me.I was lost at home.An estranged son I know this road... I have been there innumerable timesYet...SomehowI needed rescuing By the very people I was out to rescue Everyone had something to say Finger pointing Accusations You are foolish You are stupidI heard them all I said nothing A haze that devoured memories Who would believe that?

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