Mehn, I have been helped by strangers in strange ways that I cannot even remember all of them.
During my NYSC days, I was travelling home from the East, and before then, I had calculated the time of the journey with the plan of arriving home at least by 9pm because I left a bit late. That day, my calculated time failed me. Not that there was endless traffic on the road—the traffic we experienced only lasted for about an hour—but yet, I got to my state around 1am, and I still was not home, which would take me up to another 2 hours’ drive.
Towards the final bus stop of the bus that carried us from the East, a lot of passengers had dropped, leaving just a few of us. When I finally dropped, it was dark, and vehicles moving in my direction were not available. Luckily, I met some people on the road who were also waiting for any passing vehicle to continue their journey in the same direction, but no vehicle was coming.
Time was already around 2am, and I did not have enough money to lodge in a hotel so as to continue my journey later.
Then, an angelic vehicle in a scary form appeared. It was a petrol or diesel tanker. The vehicle honked, and the few of us who were still hoping to get a vehicle rushed to the driver’s side. The driver pointed a torchlight on our faces and singled me out to join them.
Guys, I will not lie—fear caught me. I had a double mind battle going on, but I allowed 1% positivity to take its way. I hopped in, and I was told to shift back to the chamber where they sleep, not any of the seats on the driver’s side. Just two people were there, and they were chronic smokers, which scared me even more.
The journey lasted about 1 hour and 30 minutes through dark, bush-surrounded roads. We finally arrived at the entrance to my community, and I summoned courage to tell them to stop for me. They did, and although I was already thinking negative thoughts—such as them refusing to stop, like a case of kidnapping—when they eventually stopped, I quickly rushed down.
When I got down, I handed them five thousand naira, and they laughed. They said they helped me and did not transport me in order to collect money. They did not even finish saying all that before they put the long vehicle into motion and drove off, leaving me on the spot while I kept shouting “Thank you! Thank you!” at the top of my voice. The night was very calm, and I am sure my voice travelled very far.
That was it. What looked like I was kidnapped turned out to be angelic help.
At the junction, it was quiet. My house was far, and I trekked home through the lonely road, but I was not afraid at all.
Thanks for reading.
This is my entry to Week 199, Edition 03 of the Weekly Featured contest in Hive Learners Community
Photo: MetaAI