The first time I travelled to the East was when I attended the burial of my father-in-law. He died the very week I was to go and 'pluck a flower', as the Igbos will call it. In other words, I was going to let him know my intentions of taking his daughter as my wife. But, he never lived to see that day.
The second time was when I finally married my wife. As it was expected of us to travel to her village, so her people can know us and we know them as well. It was a long journey and for one who was going to his traditional marriage, I was so stressed. My mom and dad were also with us, along with one of the pastors in our church
I didn't think travelling from Lagos to Imo state could be so stressful. Anyways, love made me cross many oceans.
My legs were aching, my dad, because of old age was already stressed but we had to endure. We took a night bus so we could get there by morning, since the marriage ceremony was going to be taking place in the evening.
By the time we got there, I saw my wife beautifully dressed. Her uncle welcomed us and we were given something to eat. My wife cooks delicious food, by the way.
Well, that's not the case now. Most importantly, I now know how long the distance is from Lagos to the East and I think, travelling around helps to make one more knowledgeable about certain things.
The third time would have been last Thursday and that would have been my last day on earth as well
On the last day in the month of March, we got a saddening news. A brother in the church had passed on after battling for long with cancer.
It was such a heartbreaking moment as he was loved so much by all. Service of songs were held three weeks ago and on the 31st of May, we were to lay his body to rest.
For someone who wants to have more memories, I decided to take pictures of the road. I thought to take pictures, so they could serve as memory.
The road was beautiful in some of the cities, while there were some underdeveloped areas as well.
Because I have always wished I farmed when I was a kid, I'm always fascinated each time I see crops growing so healthily.
We passed through the rolling hills and the tall trees as well. I think, green is actually a beautiful colour - add life to the earth. The scenery was so amazing.
I enjoyed watching everything and when my eyes got tired, I started to doze off. Suddenly, I felt our car jerk. My eyes were opened and right before my very eyes, we were going to be crushed to death by a container.
Immediately, the driver held the brake and dived to the bush before the container could get to where we were. And, that's how our car was rolling from the hill, hitting different places, bouncing back and forth. I was already saying my last prayer. Then from the bridge, we fell into the river. This was at Benin Ore road.
It happened that the driver of our car was trying to overtake the car ahead of us without getting to know why the car slowed down. Our driver was moving in full speed and the moment he rode past the car, he drove right to the front of the container. With the full speed, there was no way he was going to escape as we were going to be crushed to death by the container. So, he quickly had to dive.
I thought I wasn't going to survive it. The people around had already gathered and some of them came there with axes in order to dismantle the car and bring out the bodies because, no one was expected to have survived it. According to them, people don't survive there. In fact, there had never been a time an accident occurred there without claiming the lives of the victims.
One of the men involved in the accident with us, was about giving up and we all tried to revive him. I was seriously injured and had my ankle shifted.
This was exactly where I sat
We were rushed to the hospital where we were placed on drips till the next day. No one was able to attend the burial.
After we were discharged, we took a bus back to Lagos where we continued treatment.
So far, I'm getting better, just the pains and weakness, too. I know I'll get better.
Thank you for reading through.
All images are mine.
