I have always been familiar with mornings filled with the cold and dusty mood as we were in the Harmattan season. That kind of usual harmattan season that will make my lips crack and make some lines. Sometimes, one's nose will be so blocked due to the dust in the environment. On this particular day, I was so in a hurry to attend a meeting I was already late for.
Normally, I will have woken up around 5am to prepare. But this fateful morning, I woke up a bit late around 7am. I was already running late for the meeting.
I rushed through the street of the market, which was my usual route to get to the meeting. In a bid to cover for the time I have wasted, my shoes are already covered with lots of dust, which was expected, though. I have no choice, that is the price to pay if I still want to meet the meeting.
Getting close to the bus stop, I was left disappointed because the last bus had just left the park. That means I will be waiting for another turn, which will take another 30-40 Minutes. For me, that is already late for the meeting, and that is not the best option for me.
"Oga Conductor, please wait" I waved my hands to the conductor, who was just about to leave the park with another bus.
"Mr Man, enter with your change oo. I did not want any stories". The conductor responded in a harsh tone.
Well, I am not surprised, as that is how the Lagos bus conductor always responds.
I instantly rushed to the bus and found my way. Trying to find the bus, the driver kickstarted the bus and was about to move; I began to feel sliding backwards. I shouted to the driver.
"Mr Driver, Wait a bit, I am not yet balanced" I voiced out as I tried to balance myself on the bus
"Uncle, Make sure you balance yourself well", someone on the bus shouted.
I was trying to reposition myself again in the bus, trying to find something I could grab which could give me the balance I sought; well, it turns out it was the conductor belt I grabbed.
"Mr Man, do you want to spoil my belt?" the conductor cried out in anger and frustration.
Suddenly, there was silence all through the bus, and everyone began to laugh as they heard the response of the conductor.
"Uncle, please do not destroy our conductor belt o. Don't let his trousers begin to drop". A woman on the bus responded on the bus.
Everyone laughed including the driver and the bus conductor. Truly, I should be careful of holding the conductor belt as that might destroy his belt and make his trousers start falling.
I finally found a balanced place right beside an old woman to sit inside the car and finally set the bus conductor belt free.
"Thank God My Belt Is free now" the bus conductor responded jokingly.
We finally get to the place I will drop. I dropped off the bus with a bit of relief. At least I am free from the usual up-and-down movement on the bus. As I find my way to my office, even though I know I am late, I have no choice but to put a smile on my face.
Not necessarily because of the meeting ahead but because of the adventure on the bus. Sometimes what we need to save us from life can be as little as a bus conductor belt.