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I was supposed to fly with Emirates Airline on that faithful day. However, due to an oversight, I saw 1 pm instead of 11 am. I pleaded frantically to be allowed into the aircraft. However, my plea only made things worse with the officials.
Eventually, I paid a penalty fee of $100 to take a flight the day after to Europe. My wife, Bisola, a part of the UK Marine, had been waiting for my response when she asked about the flight timing and other details.
I responded that I did not miss the timing. She said that I should switch to a WhatsApp video call, which I did. She then replied, Pamzy, you did not turn on the call, why? I smiled and then turned it on. Pamzy, how far, babe? Oya, show me the image of .your flight ticket.
I told her, Bisola, “why you wan stress my life,” which was an exaggeration of her trying to stress me. After a while, I showed her clearly the time, 7 am, of the scheduled flight. She muttered, thank you..
In my mind, my wife was my little mum, always correcting and ensuring that everything about me was cautiously attended to. Without her, I would not be who I am today.
She sends me money, a lot of which I have invested in Nigeria. More so, I have started a piggery farm with quite a number of workers. Though, I helped her during the her schooling and visa application.
The day of the flight arrived, and I was the first person to wake up. I muttered, thank you, Lord. No sooner had I muttered thank you, Lord, than her phone rang. I said, speak of the devil. I was accustomed to calling her every morning before anything else, but on this occasion, bingo, she called. Thank God she was not busy.
I picked the call...
Good morning!
I responded in a sleepy voice, Phamzy, this is 5 am. Do not tell me that you are still sleeping. Bisola, I am going back to sleep until I hear the word good morning. She then started to say a form of Yoruba archaic eulogy. Baale mi o. Olowo ori mi a le elomi. Se da a da lagi o. Se e to jeun. Ha ha ha. I burst into laughter because she was beginning to lose her Nigerian accent.
Ha! I shouted, Bisola, you are no more Nigerian, you know. Nigerians will disown you. While all this was going on, I was busy showering and doing other things. She replied, why do you say so? Ha ha ha. Look at your accent now, it is diluted.
Another round of laughter was heard across the phone. Bisola, do not worry, we would talk soon. I am heading to the airport.
Alright, babe. Do so... Bye.
Even if it was for a moment, I did not want to miss the call with my wife.
I checked the time. It was 6:13 am. I muttered, thank God.
I was already in the Uber I had booked earlier.
The hotel was sweet and lovely but sadly i had to depart from it.
On the plane, I took my first shot as I saw the aircraft ascending towards the sky. We had earlier been instructed to fasten our seat belts, which I did. A woman beside me held what seemed like a jingle bell, and she was singing the song, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way...
That immediately reminded me that we were in the Christmas season. Yes, it was an Xmas holiday.
Wow! Christmas holiday visit, I muttered.
She responded, Xmas Japa!
We both laughed. I am Pamilerin, by the way, and you?
I am Joy. Wow! Joy! Your jingles tell me about Xmas, and in fact, it is the origins related to Christmas.
Technically right, the jingles. Funny how jingle bells song. was once a racist song, but its meaning changed over time. I could not help but open my jaw widely. You do not mean so, I said.
Yes, she said. She then narrated the bitter history behind the jingle bells to me.
We discussed for a while before the plane landed. My eyes opened wide as I saw my beautiful wife carrying a placard with Pamzy written on it and two love stickers. I ran to her immediately and hugged her tightly.
She was really happy, and we embraced each other.
Where is my ponmo?
I paused as if i forgot to buy it.
I would punch you... Were is it...
It is in the bag... I said to her.
Trust you won't forget my ponmo.
Bisola is from ijebu-igbo nigeria, a place popularly known for processing ponmo.
She kept asking for different items she reminded me to bring along. My babe and I talked like kids, as if we had known ourselves from a world beyond. We sang the jingle bell song in our own modified version, just as it sounded in our early years when we did not know the lyrics.
Thanks for visiting.
Bye!