He sat on what he considered the sturdy area with an empty gaze, staring at nothing in particular. He had barely had enough to eat today. His legs sporting a fresh coat of brown from the dust he had picked up plying the streets all day.
Being almost completely void of any layer of flesh, his skin had an unnatural bond with his bones as there was little keeping the two entities apart.
Amongst the street kids, he had the nickname, “ófüm mén” which meant feather weight in not as many words. He definitely weighed about as much as a feather he often thought to himself. That would of course explain the graceful poise he exhibited on the perimeter fence of the local airport somewhat akin to a seasoned tight-rope walker.
His wandering thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a not so subtle growl breaking loose from the depths of his abdomen.
“I know, we need to find a meal as soon as possible”, Daniel said whilst giving his stomach an understanding pat. Talking to himself was a coping mechanism he had developed to get through the lonely times he’d had.
He felt another growl emanating from his gut once again. He smiled. His stomach sometimes acted like a spoilt brat throwing tantrums until it had been appeased.
Before it could break through the surface however, he felt an all too familiar rumble.
It was one of the reasons he always found his way to the same spot every day at the exact time as well.
As the rumble intensified, a shrill squeal broke through as the passenger airline began its descent procedure.
Airplanes; they had been an object of fascination to Daniel for as long as he could remember. Growing up around the environs of the airport had filled him with a sense of wonderment as regards these awe-inspiring machines. The airline swooped ever so gracefully towards the runway, golden streaks of sunlight reflecting off its tail caused Daniel to squint a bit. The proud inscription “Island air; the safe way to fly” come into view.
A sharp screech pierced the air as the tyre of the airplane had its oh so passionate kiss with the domestic tarmac of the Margaret Ekpo International Airport.
Daniel watched the airplane go from a blistering pace in the distance to a lazy stroll that was almost casual, proud, like an alpha peacock strutting about with its gorgeously adorned wings in full display for the world to see.
The plane finally came to a stop although its engines still squealed out pitches professional sopranos could only dream of.
This had slowly become a routine of his. No matter what he had to do, he always made time out to catch the last domestic flight of the day. There were other flights during the day but there was just something almost magical about the last flight of day. The cool breeze softly caressing his neck, the sweet fragrance of evening flowers tickled his nose, the setting sun at an acute angle; showered the evening sky with dazzling colours. This is paradise to Daniel; his own private Eden, untouched and unspoilt, bar the airport of course.