My name is Ade, a guy with an infectious smile and a knack for making friends, especially female ones. Despite my good-natured charm, my family often teased me for being a ladies' man, much to my mom's concern. This led to a stint in an all-boys boarding school during high school, which made me miss my female friends even more.
Fast forward to my post-high school days, I decided to take the Jamb exams (A Nigerian entrance examination board for tertiary-level) to pursue my university dreams. With the exams scheduled in Lagos, the excitement was palpable, especially because my best friend Mercy studied at the University of Lagos (Unilag). I couldn't wait to crash at her place, a comforting thought as I prepped for the big day.
Three days left, it was a whirlwind of activity. Packing, washing, and getting everything primed for my Lagos trip. My room seemed emptier with each packed bag, prompting a curious remark from my elder brother, John. "Ade, planning to relocate? You're clearing out your room like you're never coming back," John chuckled, teasingly. "Well, who knows? Maybe I'll just stick around there for a while," I replied mischievously, leaving John shaking his head in amusement.
The morning of my departure to Lagos arrived, and eager to catch the first bus, I rose at the crack of dawn 5:00am. Rushing to inform my parents about my trip, I encountered an unexpected reaction.
"Mom, Dad, I'm about to head out," I announced cheerfully, hoping for a smooth send-off.
"Leaving at this hour? To Lagos? Is there something else driving you to go this early?" My dad quizzed, skepticism evident in his tone. I knew my father's tendency to question my decisions all too well.
"Dad, I know it's just a two-hour journey from Ibadan to Lagos, why not start early and avoid the rush?" I explained, trying to ease my father's concerns. But he was bracing himself for the inevitable disagreement.
"Fine, Ade, you can go. But remember we don't have enough rooms for baby Mama's ," my dad remarked cryptically. The words hung in the air, leaving me and my mother stunned by the unexpected comment.
"Darling, that's uncalled for! Why would you say that to our son who's going to write exams?" My mother protested, shooting her husband a disapproving look.
"I Just offering some advice, dear. Remember, he's going to stay with a woman," my dad replied, trying to justify his words, but it only left a cloud of discomfort in the room
Amidst the whirlwind of parental advice that made me feel like a novice, I left home equipped with money and a lifetime's worth of guidance. My mother's lengthy counsel, though repetitive, ended with the timeless adage, "a word is enough for the wise," leaving me feeling a bit overwhelmed. Before my departure from Ibadan, I made rounds to inform friends, ending up at Nora's place. However, a chance encounter with Lola stirred unexpected emotions.
"Ade, where on earth are you going with that massive bag?" Lola's surprised expression caught me off guard.
"I'm heading out," I replied, a tinge of regret in my voice for not informing Lola earlier.
The impromptu reunion turned into a heartwarming affair, with Lola's hospitality treating me to a sumptuous meal and heartfelt conversations. I couldn't believe I finally left Lola's place very late, but despite leaving Lola's place by 3:00 pm, I arrived at the park by 3:30 pm, setting off smoothly for Lagos at 4:00 pm.
The journey was filled with bustling roads, fascinating encounters, and a series of captivating events. However, upon reaching Mercy's house at 6:56 pm, reality struck—Mercy wasn't there, and her phone remained off. I started panicking as I realized I didn't tell Mercy the day of my arrival.
Her neighbors told me that Mercy had left to visit her uncle, leaving me stranded in the bustling city, praying for a stroke of luck to navigate my way.
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