Chizoba POV:
I slump into the airport chair, arms crossed, AirPods in, face set to permanent "don't talk to me" mode. The boarding gate glows in bright blue letters: Seoul - Incheon International Airport.
Beside me, my mother sighs dramatically and nudges the ticket closer. "Come on, you can't be mad at me for ever "
Oh, watch me.
I side-eye her before looking back at my ticket. South Korea. Of all places.
Dragging my finger along the paper, I read my fate: Chizoba Elysian Nwosu - Seat 24A.
It's official. I'm actually doing this.
And oh yes, I bet you're wondering how I got here.
Well, two words: My mother's trickery.
Two Years Ago - Lagos, Nigeria
It all started with my mom's birthday surprise for me.
She waltzed into my room, smirking like a woman with a plan, holding a stack of nearly folded papers.
"Happy Birthday, baby girl! We're playing a game."
I sat up slowly, already suspicious. " What kind of game?"
She ignored the doubt in my voice and held out the first folded paper. " Pick one."
Now, I'd seen this trend on Tiktok, so I played along. I grabbed the right one, unfolded it, and read out loud:
"₦ 500,000."
My mom's smirk widened. " Good choice."
Before I could even process my good fortune, she casually pulled out her phone and, in less than two minutes, sent it to my account.
Oh. Oh, this was serious.
Next round.
I eyed the two papers. Okay, I'd already picked right, so this time, I picked left because balance
Unfolding it, I grinned. Spa day. See? Strategy.
Feeling cocky, I peeked at the paper I didn't pick. Cinema date. Pfft. Spa day was the better option anyway.
Third round.
By now, I was feeling unstoppable. I picked the left one again, grinning as I unfolded it
" Latest IPhone "
I gasped dramatically.
"Mom, I LOVE this game."
She laughed and handed me the final two papers.
I squinted at her. "What's this one?"
Still smirking, she said, "Pick."
At this point, I was deep in the game to stop now. I grabbed the first one, unfolded it, and read out loud:
" Learn Korean."
I blinked.
Then I blinked again.
"Nope." I shoved it right back at her.
She chuckled, watching me a little too closely as I unfolded the second paper.
" Learn Hanguk."
I frowned.
" Wait….what's Hanguk?"
She smirked. "Korea."
My stomach dropped.
"….Mom."
Her smile widened.
"….MOM."
" congratulations my love. We're going to South Korea."
And just like that, I lost the game.
Present day - Hamad International Airport, Qatar.
I press the volume up button on my phone, trying to down out my mother's guilt trippy sighs.
" You're going to love it there," she says for the millionth time.
I turn to her slowly, eyes narrowed. " You scammed me."
She gasped, offended. " I gave you the choice!"
" You baited me with money and a phone, then threw in Korean as the last round when I was already hyped up! My phone has a cracked screen, froze every five minutes, and the battery died faster than PHCN light of course I was going to say yes!"
She waves me off. " Tomato, toh-mah-to."
I groan, leaning my head back. It's too late to argue now. The flight is boarding. My one way ticket to Seoul is in my hands.
I stand up, grabbing my bag with an overly dramatic sigh. " I hope you know I'm never playing any game with you again."
She kisses my forehead. " We'll see about that."
And with that, my Nigerian life officially ends, and my Korean chaos begins.