The flight information display system must have gone nuts. How could it have clocked 7:30 already? Just a while ago, at three o' clock, we were fast approaching Istanbul. I stared back at the display system, anticipation filling me as I hoped it would correct its error. Yet, the words "gate closed" remained resolute on the screen. Anxious, I reached into my pocket and retrieved my phone, my fingers trembling as I checked the time. The illuminated digits displayed 7:32, a cruel reminder that time had slipped through my grasp. 7:32! Disbelief coursed through me, an unwelcome realization settling in. Alas, I had missed my flight.
In that moment, a tumultuous tide of thoughts surged within me, leaving me mired in confusion. Would my cherished Turkish Dream find its conclusion here? Did this signal the end, forcing me to depart from my adopted home back to Nigeria? The uncertainty overwhelmed me, each possibility more confounding than the last. Amidst this whirlwind of emotions, a singular question echoed relentlessly: What should be my next course of action?
After a few moments of contemplation, I gathered my courage and approached a man who appeared to be an airport employee. "Excuse me, sir. I missed my connecting flight to Ankara, and I'm unsure about the next steps."
He gave a thoughtful nod and replied, "No worries. Head over to the counter just over there. They'll assist you in getting a ticket for the next available connecting flight to Ankara."
His words filled me with a sense of relief and optimism. I was so elated that without thinking, the words just spilled out of me, "Thank you so much, man. I truly appreciate your help." With his guidance in mind, I walked towards the Turkish Airways counter. As I approached, I noticed several individuals dressed quite formally, as if they were bankers, engrossed in their work at the computers before them. My shyness almost held me back, as I assumed they wouldn't have a moment to spare for me. However, my determination to salvage my Turkish adventure pushed me forward.
Caught in a dilemma between my Turkish aspirations and my inherent timidity, I hesitated. But then, I reminded myself that regardless of my choice, I would eventually need to interact with these individuals, whether it was for a ticket to Ankara or a return to Lagos. Coincidentally, just as I was weighing my options, a middle-aged gentleman approached the counter, striking up a friendly conversation with one of the women present. Seeing their positive interaction emboldened me. Within half a heartbeat, I found myself standing at the counter, sharing my predicament with an attentive Turkish woman wearing a hijab.
Listening intently, she asked for my original flight details, her fingers dancing across the keyboard before her. In the blink of an eye, a new ticket materialized as if by magic. She handed it to me with a warm smile, saying, "Here's your new ticket. Your flight is scheduled for 10:00 AM."
Grinning widely, I couldn't help but express my gratitude, "Thank you so much. I truly appreciate your assistance."
With an equally bright smile, she responded, "Wishing you a pleasant flight."
Following the directions on the new ticket, I quickly found my way to the departure gate, my excitement building once again. I located a vacant seat by the window and settled into it. After approximately two hours, the gate was opened for boarding, and I was among the initial passengers given clearance to step onto the plane. Within mere minutes, I found myself aboard another flight, ascending into the sky amidst the clouds. It was a departure not destined for Lagos, as my 7:32 AM self had presumed, but rather bound for Ankara.
Roughly 45 minutes later, the plane began its descent, gradually descending onto the Ankara airport's tarmac. After about twenty minutes, the aircraft came to a halt, and I disembarked, making my way towards the luggage retrieval area. To my relief, the process of reclaiming my belongings was smooth and uneventful. "Thank God. Now, the next step is to get to Çorum," I mused, a sense of relaxation washing over me.