She closed her eyes and rests her head on the soft, leather headrest as she enjoyed the soft, sensuous music as they cruised along. She felt completely at ease and contented with life and herself. She never knew love could be so real, never knew she could ever love nor need someone as she needs Lucas now. She thought she was an emotional ice queen until he came along and broke down her defenses. She will always remain grateful to God for bringing him her way. He was just her kind of man and it seems they have almost everything in common.
She adjusted her sitting position; glad she took this bold step. You may call it risk if you like, she doesn’t mind. She could remember the look of puzzlement and shock in her mother’s eyes when she told her that she was traveling with Lucas to his village for one week. “Away with a total stranger and a relatively unknown man for a whole one week?” her mother was mortified. “Baby, are you out of your mind? I mean, this is all crazy. It’s unlike you.” “Mum, he is not a stranger. We have known each other for months now. Besides, we could get to know each other better,” she remembered feeding her mother the same excuse he had fed her which she had fed Cynthia too. “Well, I just hope you know what you are doing.” “It’s okay, Mum,” she hugged her warmly. “Lucas is not that type of man. He is a complete gentleman and completely trustworthy.” “I hope so for your sake.” “Don’t worry, Mum. I trust him.” “You’ll be careful, won’t you?” “I will Mum.” She looked at her and nodded. She has to trust her. After all, she lived alone in school for four years in a far away city, away from her prying eyes. She could certainly take care of herself. “Penny for your thought, honey,” Lucas said and squeezed her hand. She blushed and looked out of the window. “What scenery!” “Do you like it?” She rolled her eyes “Yes, it’s absolutely beautiful. Where are we now?” “We have left the West and heading east. In a little less than one hour, we should be in Elugu State.”
She scanned the road ahead. “I can’t wait to see the Niger Bridge. I’d like to take pictures.” she said as she admired the beauty, magnificence and complexity of the forests. Trees of different shapes and sizes beautified the entire countryside. She was in awe of the complexity of the ecosystem, which seemed shrouded in mystery. She knew that in these forests lay potentials yet untapped, unexplored and unexploited. She was still admiring the scenery when she felt the car suddenly slowing down and she forced her eyes back to the road. “What is it?” she asked. But before he could answer, she caught sight of a giant python leisurely crossing the highway. She caught her breath. “Oh my God!” she cried and grabbed his hand. “Look at that!” “What?” he asked tartly.  “Can’t you see that?” she pointed at the python. “That’s only a python,” he said carelessly, releasing the accelerator and applying the brake. “It’s a common sight here.” “What do you mean by that? Is…is here a conservation of a sort?” “No, not really.” “What do you mean?” she’d expected more than that. “It is a totem animal and highly revered here.” Her eyes grew large. “You mean the python is a kind of god? Does such arrant nonsense still exist today? I thought they belong to the Stone Age?” He shrugged. “It is a taboo to kill a python in Egboyin State. In fact, they believe seeing one brings good luck.” She brought out her camera. “Are you serious?” “What are you doing?”  “Taking photos, of course.” “Don’t even try it,” he warned. “Why?” “It’s forbidden to take pictures of the snakes. Besides, it won’t appear.” “Are you serious, why?” “Try.” She put the camera down hurriedly. “This is unbelievable,” she cried again, still awestruck by the size. She has never seen such a big snake in her life before. She could still see its spooky, small eyes, menacing and deadly. “I can’t still believe that there are people who still worship animals, stones, and trees.” “Strange things happen, don’t they?” “Yes, they do.” she agreed reluctantly as she caught sight of a giant tree. “Oh my God, look at that tree!” Following her gaze, he said, “That’s a baobab tree.” “Can you wait a minute; I’ll like to take photographs.” “There’s no need for that. That’s barely 30 feet high. You will see great, great trees,” he said as he searched the forest. “There, take a look at that,” he pointed at a tree a few hundred yards away, “that’s another adansonia digitata.” “What’s that suppose to mean?” “Botanical name for baobab tree.” “I see.” 
At that moment, he left the expressway and turned into a bushy, untarred road. “Where are we going?” “To the tree, of course.” After driving for ten minutes or so, he pulled up, killed the engine, and picking up his camera, got out of the car. “Come with me,” he ordered. She joined him. 3 minutes later, they were at the foot of the tree. She stared unbelievably at the tree. “Whoa! This is definitely bigger than it looks from the highway. You know, this could be as high as 50 feet.” “60 feet exactly. The trunk diameter is about 20 feet.” “Gosh!” she was still stunned by the height and size.
“It is one of the world’s largest trees and widespread in this part of the country.”
“This is beautiful.”
“God’s absolute gift to humanity.”
“What do you mean?”
“You know, apart from holding the soil together, providing oxygen and home to many millions of wildlife, its leaves are used in making soup and for medicinal purposes.”
“Really”
“Yes. They also provide us with rubber, fertilizer, soap, and wood used for making canoes and musical instruments.”
After the photo session, they hit the road again.