Free The Outsider(S) by Caroline Adhiambo Jakob Page B

terrified of that flight. I remembered all the advice I had so far gotten. Marta had been categorical: “Do not take an African flight!” I knew I couldn’t take any of the advice from the sharks seriously, but I also couldn’t quite shake off the sickening feeling I had in my stomach. The security instructions followed, and for once I paid full attention. I was fairly sure that I was going to need them. I checked out the life jacket and watched carefully to be sure that I knew exactly where the emergency exits were located.
    I could feel my seatmate stealing glances at me. He was busy reading an in-flight magazine with Msafiri written on the cover. I knew that takeoff and landing were the most challenging parts of flying, and I secretly hoped that in the very likely event that we crashed, it should be somewhere in Europe. I wasn’t naïve. I knew that air crashes regardless of location were death matters. But I convinced myself that the chances of surviving in Europe were much higher and much more realistic than, say, somewhere in Africa. And this wasn’t totally without reason. My recent research on the Internet had found out that most airports in Africa had no fire engines. I imagined that a crash in Africa would end up in hyenas and dangerous lions hosting a very delicious party. Or just in ashes.
    “Safe flight!” my seatmate was saying in my direction. I looked at him and smiled politely.
    I was about to point out that he needed to fasten his seatbelt when the plump woman brushed roughly past me. She pushed my elbow, but before I could say anything she was standing in front of the seat of the tall, slender woman.
    “I am praying for you!” she said in a fake, sweet voice. “I am praying very intensely for you,” she continued while handing the woman another Bible. I stared at them, perplexed. A stewardess walked up to them. The younger woman looked as if she wanted to say something, but then she shook her head in a haughty way and looked ahead. My seatmate produced a chuckle. It was as if he knew what was going on and was itching to tell me. But at that point, I had more important things on my mind.
    In no time, we took off, and it was fairly smooth. I started perusing the newspaper that the stewardess had given me, but I could barely concentrate. Somewhere along the way, however, I fell asleep. I didn’t realize I had fallen asleep until turbulence set in. I looked around the cabin. From experience, I knew that turbulence was harmless but that was a special situation. That plane was going to Africa. I listened carefully so as to be sure it was real turbulence and not some loose nuts and bolts. I watched my fellow passengers. The nuns were asleep, and the plump woman was mumbling to herself. At first, I thought that she was making a call.
    “Bind all the devils in the air!” she shouted, pointing to the slender woman. I froze. Devils? The two stewardesses looked at each other without expression.
    “Please stay seated and fasten your seat belts!” they said in unison. I suppose that was part of their training. Don’t show any emotion.
    The turbulence was becoming worse, and the crew walked to their seats.
    “Chase all the devils and clear our way all the way to Nairobi!” The plump elderly woman was sobbing and hitting her big Bible. I observed her and felt terror gripping me.
    “Almighty, I beseech you! Take control of this plane! Punish the sinners!” she shouted while looking in the direction of the slender woman. The two stewardesses looked at each other, and I could see a slight embarrassment on their faces.
    I stared at them and smiled cautiously.
    “Madam, please calm down!” one of them said in a voice that betrayed her own anxiety. A little while later, the turbulence stopped and the crew got up from their seats.
    The plump woman quickly stood up and went to the slender woman.
    “I am praying for you!” she said, while handing her another bible. My seatmate, unable to hold it any longer,