"Is it safe? Hope no Boko Haram?(dumb question i know)I was assured of my safety.I had two choices.Leave yesterday being Friday, or leave today being Saturday.I decided to leave yesterday ,as long as it wasn't a night flight.Flying in the day was bad enough, at night was a no no.
My flight was booked for 4pm and considering the traffic in Lagos, I set out of the house by 2pm.I must have gotten to the airport around 3pm. Heading for the ticket counter, I stood in line and waited for my turn.I noticed the pretty female staff looking at me intently and still managing to attend to customers efficiently.
"I must look funny,I thought to myself, or maybe she just likes me"Getting to my turn, I walked up to her, telling her I would like to confirm my ticket.
You are miss petite right?
I looked up..Yes I am,i said with a slight blush
Wow,nice to meet you Miss PetiteWhile I was basking in my 1 second of fame she called on her male colleague
See miss petite.This is Miss Petite .*he rested his gaze on me *
" She is Miss Petite? Are you miss Petite? He said,scanning me from head to toe"*Damn I should have worn heels,or more makeup.I masked my thoughts with a sheepish smile*
I was uncomfortable.Yes, I'm used to being recognized by readers but..turning around,a gentleman had just arrived and stood behind me.
He looked more like someone who lives abroad(in a good way)I scanned him because as a blogger, I take in my surroundings and people around me .Well maybe because he had an aura..wink
Anyway,the male staff kept sizing me up and then he said Miss Petite, nice to meet you.
I was about to collect my ticket when another guy checking in luggage said
"Miss Petite, you no suppose dey fly economy oh.Next time, fly first class"Chai , see embarrassment.I smiled ,said my goodbyes and proceeded to the waiting lounge.
As I sat, the last guy's statement kept ringing in my ears
Fly First class,Fly First class,Fly First class..I tried to blog but the network just didn't connect,so I was just watching people when I looked up and briefly spotted that gentleman who stood behind me earlier.We locked eyes for a second and he walked away.
Finally, my flight was called and I boarded. Looking for my seat which was 8a,I spotted him 2 seats away, trying to place his bag .Placing my bag above and finally finding my seat,he walked up to the same seat.
I took my seat by the window and was surprised to find out his number was 8b.I had barely settled in when he said
"Do I know you somewhere"?'Yea right' I thought.After witnessing what happened at the counter, this is next.
"No you don't
Seriously,I think I know you." he insisted while peering into my faceI looked at him straight in the eye
"I don't think you know me because I don't know you.
"Oh you are trying to make me think hard.I know I know you.
Well, It must be because you witnessed my encounter with the lady earlier"
Looking confused, he retorted "Oh really, nooo I didn't even notice you or listen to the conversation to be honest(ouch).But I know I know you.Anyway,since you don't want to tell me, will figure it out "Whatever .I thought silently.Same men trying to hit up a girl on a flight.So typical
He was concentrated on his phone, as if searching for something.Then he exclaimed
"Yes,I knew I know you.You are Miss Petite NigeriaI smiled slightly.Not because he recognized me, but because it was obvious he heard the airline staff say it .How smart
"Emeh right?"I stopped in my tracks and looked at him fully for the first time.I smiled.He knew me for real because those attendants didn't mention my name.He started laughing
So you just wanted me to figure it out.My name is Hakeem.You don't need to tell me your name because I already know youHe extended his hand for a handshake and I offered mine,ignoring the ebola warning signs in my head.
I'm so inlove with your blog.I admire you,especially your diaries.You are a good writer(Head swells)I fell inlove with your blog when I read your diary about Bovi's Man on Fire show.(Here) I have been hooked ever since.And the one about your encounter with the senator,"(Here)I was genuinely thrilled.This was a genuine reader and follower of my blog.Refreshing*
" .*We laughed* I haven't been to Abuja since then."(This was in response to his question about still being in contact with the senator)I didn't even notice when the flight took off*the scariest part*we kept chatting like we had known each other for years.He asked me what I was going to do in Abuja,I told him basically to attend an event considering the fact that I rarely go out .He said he was going to Abuja for a meeting that same evening.
"Where are your parents? He inquired
"Oh ,my dad is late".I replied
"Oh I recall, sorry .Your tribute to him was so lovely(Here).Nice of you .He must be so proud.Asking about my family, I told him we were 5,I was the first...
Wow.You are a strong lady.Really strong.I admire you for that.At that point in time,I grew emotionally weak. Talking about my family,my siblings breaks me down emotionally .He could literally see tears well up in my eyes
Oh no you trying to cry..You are very emotional.I am too.I'm drawn to that.He gave my hand a reassuring squeeze and I looked out of the window, into space,my fears gone while I reminisced about my dad and all the things he wouldn't live to see.For a brief second, I thought I saw his face in the clouds,telling me to be strong,and telling me he would always be there. I smiled, and tuned my attention back to Hakeem who was fiddling with his phones
What, your phone is on? Won't it crash the plane?I said ,fear enveloping me once again. He smiled and shrugged off that thought.My eyes resting on his second cute gadget which was placed on the middle seat separating us.Since I use a lot of gadgets, my inquisitive nature got the better part of me .
"Is this a phone?I haven't seen it before"
Oh yes it is.but it's actually difficult to make calls with, but very good for music,you could use it like an ipod "
"Oh, that's cool" I said gazing at it .He picked it up and said
"You can have it" .
"Oh what..noo.You don't have to".
"No,seriously, you can have it.As a matter of fact, I'm giving it to you as a gift."He said, taking out his sim card,copied some numbers and handed it to me despite my protests.
I was overwhelmed by his kindness.Only then did two men suddenly turn around to look at us with shocked expressions. At that point, I realized they had been listening to our conversation all along ,probably wondering how it ended up with him giving a phone to a girl he just met.
I was looking at my new gift while he stood up, got to his bag and removed the charger and handed to me.I was thrilled not just because of the item in question, but because of the gesture.
He settled back and we were intercepted by the voice of the pilot who said we were 10 minutes away from landing .
I thanked God for taking me to that point safely and for making me forget my fears while we chatted.
He told me about resigning to fate when it comes to plane crashes since he travels by air constantly.He also shared some scary flight experiences and said the dangerous part of flying is the take off and landing "
As he said that, the plane landed on the runway and I held my breathe like oh my God
He laughed
" We have passed the scary part,why are you scared" We are on the runway already,the landing is when the plane is descending " he kept laughingWe disembarked from the plane and just then did I notice we had to pass through an ebola scan.
He went first, and honestly, though I don't go out much,my heart was beating fast as they scanned him .Putting the device to my ear,I was certified Ebola free and walked up to join him.
Congrats ,he said of my ebola free status.I smiled and thanked him for making my flight stress and fear -free
We shook hands and while he proceeded to claim his bag,I went off toward the exit while thinking,"Flying wasn't such a bad idea.Thank you Lord for Miss Petite Nigeria blog, Thank you for life....And hell yeah, thank you for my chance encounter with an amazing blog reader