At the check-in there were many people, many bags and many children; the little ones were playing. Customs officials were very busy opening briefcases and cabin bags. At this point, I said goodbye to the driver and proceeded with my luggage to the check-in counter corresponding to the airline I was going to travel on.

The airline’s logo was displayed above the counter so I didn’t have problem looking for it. My flight ticket was checked and input on their computer to tell the airline that I’d arrived and I was ready to take the flight. The officer took my bag and weighed it to ensure it was within the baggage rules. He sent it away for loading; we shall meet again in Paris.
The officer handed me my boarding pass and luggage receipt which would help me locate both my seat in the airplane and my luggage in the destination. I moved away from the counter so the next passenger could come.

I met a flight attendant in the airplane just at the gate. She asked for seat numbers and guided passengers to their seat. I located my seat and I sat comfortably. Passengers were still boarding, so the cabin was noisy. Toddlers were screaming and chattering. Others were taking selfies. I was quiet but this is even enough.

Every seat was occupied and the crew prepared the flight for take-off.

“Open window blinds and return the backrest of the seats to upright position,” one flight attendant asked.

She also asked us to switch off every electronic device or put them in airplane mode if possible. At last the seatbelt sign was turned on and passengers were instructed to fasten their belts. I didn’t know how it was done, so I looked at how others were doing it first. It was the same as a seat belt in a car except that it is fastened around the waist alone and not across your upper torso. After ten minutes, we took off. On the runway I saw the airport buildings and other planes in the airport move backwards. It felt just like sitting in a car.

I slept and began to twist and turn in the seat, coughing silently and throwing my hands about. My right hand fell heavily on somebody. The person woke me up.
“What is it?” I asked in the darkness.

“You were talking with someone and saying that you would be going to Paris,”
I breathed heavily and turned my head from side to side as if I was looking for something. I was now sitting on a mattress. I still didn’t know where I was.
“Put on the light,”

“Which light? Are you mad?” Immaculee said.

I cast my eyes around the room and found that I was in the camp.

That morning, the camp gate was thronged with men, women, and children, waiting. They wrote down several towns then they told us to listen attentively as they read them out. The place became as silent as death. Then they said, “Kibungo,” people dashed forward, “Kibuye,” Kibuye people dashed forward… “Gitarama…Nyamagabe…Kigali,”

Kigali people dashed forward shouting, “we are from Kigali, we are from Kigali…” some were saying.

Too bad I couldn’t write again. I had to get on the bus. Maybe when I get to Kigali, there will be no problem, I shall continue.

Tell us: What are your thoughts on the ending?