Call Me Bond

 · 

I had a very busy week.
The biggest event in the whole of West Africa is holding in Ghana today - Night of Bliss with Pastor Chris Oyakhilome.

As it should be expected, I had been doing everything possible to get a market share of travelers. Besides, na "we-we", so it was more like sorting out the family.

So there I was booking flights and getting my team to check-in all travelers. Our standard email had all details imaginable. From latest time for airport check-in, to the mandatory travel documents eg Yellow fever inoculation card, to Airport terminal to board (shockingly it dawned on me that the bulk of travelers planned to board from local airport for an international flight. And Yes! Ghana is considered international?).

So, there we were late yesterday evening, thinking all T's were crossed and i's were dotted when I got several calls by 6:30am today from Pastor T.

This could not be. "My spider senses were tingling". Gate closes by 6am and flight time was 7am (Medview).

We spoke.
I had to take a seat to swallow what I had heard.

Pastor T (6:30am): Hello Br Dave I left my passport at home. Please... (My mind went blank)

Help me go get it, my driver is at Oshodi. Help give it to him.
Me: Okay Sir! Am on my way.

I put on fresh clothes, got my own international passport. I foresaw I may do some running into the International airport and I did not need any security personnel stopping me due no travel document.

I raced to his place in 10mins, got his passport from his very anxious wife.
"I packed everything, how did this happen?" She said.
I smiled, "don't worry Ma, I will fix this. It's what I do"

I got the GSM number of the driver and in 5mins we were heading to the airport from Surulere. Time was 6:45am.

Ring! Ring!
Pastor T (6:45am): Bro Dave where are you?
Me: Pastor I am with the driver and we are leaving Surulere right now.
Pastor T: Okay, they say I have till 7:20am to board.
Me: Okay Sir, you will get it shortly.
Pastor T: God bless you Br Dave.
Me: Amen Pastor

We drove.
F-A-S-T
Our main exit linking to Ojuelegba Road was blocked - ROAD REPAIR.
Lawanson was our worst nightmare at this rush hour but at this time it was our only route to connect to the Express. I prayed in tongues as I screamed at the driver G-O...!!!

It was free, at Ijesha... Ring! Ring!

Pastor T (6:50am): Br Dave they said I have till 7:00am
(The car spun round).
I shook my head to clear the shock effect.
Me: Okay Pastor, relax! God is in control we will get there as fast as possible.

A voice from inside me screamed "ARE YOU CRAZY? YOU WANT TO BLOW THE EXPRESS TO THE AIRPORT IN 10MINUTES?

Pastor T: Okay, so where are you right now? Are you at the warehouse?
Me: Yes Pastor
Pastor T: Okay thank you.

As I dropped the phone, Babalola (the driver) caught my eye. He heard, switching gears, He swerved from the service lane into the Express and tore through the cluster of buses at Ilasa and blew through Aswani to connect the bridge linking into Airport road.

I prayed as I saw a cluster of cars by 7/8 bus stop.
We passed through amidst horns blazing and swerves.
I checked my watch - 6:55am
My heart beating... I closed my eyes and prayed the only way I knew how (in tongues).

"Do you think he will make it?" Babalola asked?
I replied with my eyes still closed "I believe in miracles, do you"?

Ring! Ring!
Pastor T (6:57am): Brother Dave where are you now?
Me: NAHCO, Sir
Pastor T: Okay, am coming outside

I squinted as we fast approached the NAHCO intersection.
I wondered if Babalola had plans to slow down for the cars moving through the intersection but alas, he was squinting calculatively too.
This was "Fast and Furious" epic finale and I bet he thought he was Vin Diessel.
We blew past as I clutched my car seat as he swerved and avoided a miss.

Phew!!!

The usual traffic through the ascent upward the Departure wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport was dry! Very odd!!!
Lo! I spotted Pastor T as I unhooked my seat belt, unlocked the car door, opened the car door, as the car was grinding to a halt!!! I had seen this in a movie somewhere.

As I stepped out, Pastor T smiled and said "Hmmm, James Bond"!
He took the passport from me as we both ran through Security (with me showing my international passport).

He passed through the checks cos he had already collected the boarding pass.

As I waited for final confirmation, I asked myself, what if I had not pre-checked him in? This would have been a disaster.

I called him in 10mins time and he said, "wow! I made it... You did this.
Thank you, God bless you"

As I strolled out of the Airport, as I heard Pastor T's voice again "James Bond"...

I smiled as I walked towards the car park. 15 minutes from Surulere to The airport... Hmmmm

These are real time events.

Signed

David Chiaka

05 February, 2016