LAGOS STATE
It’s a city filled with all sorts of things—people, grand houses, beautiful and fascinating places, beaches, and abundant, lovely vegetation.

Lagos is a city unlike any other. When you enter Lagos, you don’t see “Welcome to Lagos” but rather “This is Lagos.” That’s how it is.

I spotted a beautiful golden creature by the water’s edge, shimmering on the surface. I couldn’t tell if it was a water spirit or a fish.

Then I saw the creature rise from the water. My eyes widened, realizing this was no fish—it was indeed a water spirit.

I approached her. I was captivated by her stunning face, filled with laughter and calmness, as if she was enjoying the way she moved in the water. Her brown eyes sparkled, almost like milk, stirred by the breeze brushing against the forest’s surface, delighting her. Her brown hair, adorned with captivating flowers, drew the eye and mind, even to her feet.

I saw her resting by the water’s edge, catching her breath. By God, I could only say, looking at her beautiful face, that I hadn’t seen anything until now—this was true beauty. Truly, God had bestowed extraordinary beauty on this water spirit.

I was amazed because, in all my life, I had never seen such a beautiful water spirit—only ugly ones. The beauty of this one astonished me. She continued playing with the ocean water, occasionally catching her breath, floating gently on the surface.

With a heavy sigh, she spoke in the language of water spirits, saying, “Truly, the human world isn’t just beautiful—it’s full of beauty. If only I were human.” Her eyes, like pearls, glistened as she added, “Don’t forget, it was wicked humans who took your friend Jeraza.” Tears began to stream down her cheeks. Wiping them away, she said, “King of all, keep Jeraza safe and well.”

Looking up, she saw the sun setting, which made her heart sink terribly. Clutching her chest, she said, “I’ve fallen three times today. I’m certain Queen Sunaina won’t spare me.”

Suddenly, she felt a blow to the center of her head. She let out a cry and turned to face them. I saw three ugly water spirits, their faces so repulsive they could make you sick. Two were men, and one woman stood between them, holding a pearl staff. She began speaking, “Amriya, I don’t stop any servant from coming to the water’s edge.”

The one called Amriya replied, “Indeed, we’re forbidden, but Zeharis, you know that as leaders of the water spirits, you can’t deny anyone their freedom. We are living beings, just like any other creature in the world.” In anger, Zeharis spoke in her harsh, unpleasant voice, “Are we not enough for you, you lowly, foreign servant?”

Amriya retorted sharply, “Know that I am neither lowly nor a servant. Are we the lowly ones?” Zeharis pointed to her guards with her claw-like fingers and said, “Seize her and bring her to the palace now.”

ABUJA STATE
I entered G.R.A directly without delay, wandering through the streets and corners. The houses stood tall, beautiful, and captivating, so quiet you’d think everyone was in their own world.

My eyes fell on a magnificent house, the most beautiful, grand, and well-designed in G.R.A. This house was called the paradise of the world. I saw ten black cars and one white car in the middle, lined up along the estate road. People were entering the house one by one, and my eyes couldn’t keep up as the gate and bodyguards locked it. I told myself I wouldn’t be left behind—I’d get in.

“Wow,” I said, seeing the house’s incredible beauty and structure. Truly, money had wept to build this massive mansion. I only saw the exterior, not the interior. In the parking space, I saw cars lined up, and bodyguards began emerging from the black cars. One of them approached the white car in the center, opened it, and out came royalty.

After about ten minutes, I saw a leg step out, wearing white canvas shoes. Then a handsome, mature man emerged from the car. All praise and glory to God who created this beautiful being. His face carried a calm charm, yet it was stern, like a fire about to ignite. Dressed in a black suit and white jacket, the outfit suited him perfectly.

With grace and confidence, he walked as if he pitied the ground beneath him. He reached a door, pressed a pin, and the door swung open. He entered a parlor filled with luxurious furnishings, where the hum of an air conditioner was all you could hear.

I saw a woman on a chair, likely in her late 50s, dressed in elegant attire, holding a newspaper. She looked up at him, smiled, and said, “Welcome, son.” With a displeased expression, he replied, “Don’t talk to me again.” I was struck by the commanding tone of his pleasant voice.

He approached her, clearly upset, sulking like it was serious. His mother smiled and said, “I’m sorry, son. I know I offended you. Please forgive your one and only mother.” He stood, went to where she sat, knelt, and said, “I’m sorry, Mom, but you know I’m upset with you. Why didn’t you call me since she went to Lagos?” She replied, “Oh, I’m sorry, Kabir. You know I’m always busy, but I won’t do it again.” He smiled, revealing his true beauty. “Now that you’re back, will you stay a month before returning?”

“What!” Kabir exclaimed. “Mom, who’s going to take care of my careers product? You know my company—we’re producing fish. I have to go to Lagos myself to oversee the fish my workers bring to the company. Last time, they messed up, costing me a hundred million just for transportation. That’s why I decided to go myself to monitor their work. If they want, they can bring the company to me.”

His mom simply said, “That’s it.” She added, “You need fresh air, Kabir. Go take your bath, pray, and come eat at the dining table.” “Alright, Mom,” he said. “Where’s Fatima?” “Oh, you didn’t hear? Your uncle took them for their holiday at his place.” “Okay, no problem,” he said. “Where’s Grandma?” Mom replied, “Grandma went to her usual work.” “What!” Kabir exclaimed. “Grandma still hasn’t stopped selling kola nuts?” “Yes, she’s capable,” Mom said. “Where’s Aunty Amarya?” Mom answered, “She’s in her wing.” “Alright, let me go. She doesn’t know I’m back.”

He went to Aunty Amarya’s wing, and she was thrilled to see him. They chatted briefly. Then he stood to head to his own wing. Seeing this, Aunty Amarya locked the door, saying there was no way he was leaving. He pleaded, but she refused. With no choice, he bathed, prayed, changed clothes, ate, and came out in casual attire that suited him well. His phone rang, and he picked it up, saying, “Hello.”

AMRIYA’S SIDE
It didn’t take long before she was brought before Queen Sunaina. Amriya knelt and said, “Forgive me, leader. This won’t happen again.”

I saw a hideous creature on a throne-like chair, resembling a water spirit. She began moving her hands, and Amriya’s body started trembling. She was lifted into the air and slammed to the ground. The ocean water began to shake. Before anyone could say anything, all the water spirits gathered, and the queen spoke in her harsh, unpleasant voice.

“Amriya, you’ve been stubborn and crossed the line. You must face a severe punishment. My judgment is that you’ll be bound for seven days, tortured without mercy, with no food or drink.”

“Please, Queen, don’t do this. Look at my frail state and have pity,” Amriya pleaded. In anger, Queen Sunaina said, “This is the punishment fitting your crime.” Zeharis rose from her throne, raised her fish-like staff with all her strength, and struck Amriya. Amriya let out a piercing scream and fell. All the water spirits pitied her. Zeharis said in her unpleasant voice, “Lift her up.”

I saw them lift her and bind her. A massive, terrifying whip, like molten metal, was brought out. If it struck a person, they’d need a year to recover. Zeharis wasted no time and began lashing Amriya. Amriya screamed, pleading, “Have mercy. I promise I won’t go to see the human world again.” But Zeharis ignored her, striking harder.

In pain and anguish, Amriya let out a scream that shook the entire ocean. Her eyes widened, turning a deep brown. She clenched her lips, let out another scream and groan, terrifying the water spirits. They flinched, and she fell, grabbing her staff and strangling Zeharis. Zeharis screamed.

Amriya began slamming Zeharis against the massive rocks in the ocean until Zeharis weakened. Then she threw her aside. The other water spirits rushed to Zeharis, surrounding her. In rage, Amriya attacked the ocean, striking the spirits one by one. In her weary, pained voice, she said, “This is the injustice you’ve done to us.”