This was the second time that NK was trying to get on a flight to Lagos. Yesterday, he arrived at Kotoka only to be told that what he thought was the departure time from Accra was actually the arrival time in Lagos. Unfortunately, all flights to Lagos, yesterday, were fully booked, and he could only manage to secure the 11am flight for today. He was really looking forward to spending yesterday with Seun, one of his childhood best friends. Now, they have only a few hours to do that as he has back to back meetings, and he needs to return on Friday. “At least, I was booked into a hotel on the mainland, so this will make it easier for us to meet,” NK thought to himself.
“It was good that we left the time we did,” said Elorm, one of NK’s best friends, who had offered to drive NK to the airport.
“Oh yes,” NK responded. “Today’s traffic is really bad. I wonder what caused it. Good thing I had my suitcase already packed, and you were on hand to drive me to the airport when all the bolt cars were 60 minutes away.”
“You could have tried Uber or yango or even Shaxi, you know, but you just needed to interrupt my first day of leave. Why I decided to build my house in the same neighbourhood as you, I will never understand.” Elorm said.
Just before NK could respond, Elorm’s phone rang. As his phone was already connected to the car system, and seeing that it was Elorm’s fiancée, NK pressed the accept button for Elorm. Elorm informed his fiancée that she was on speaker and that he was driving NK to the airport. After saying hello to each other and she taking the opportunity to remind NK about the blind date with one of her friends, NK drifted away from the conversation between the lovebirds, to his thoughts.
NK remembered the lady he saw at the Bole International Airport. She looked too peaceful to disturb that after he borrowed her charger, he decided not to engage her further. She seemed to be having a ‘me time’ moment, and NK felt any further engagement would have been seen as a nuisance. He still remembered her playsuit, sneakers, braids, smell, and the peaceful smile she had on as she enjoyed the view in front of her. Occasionally, she took pictures of the scene and even selfies of herself enjoying the view. “I should have offered to take those pictures for her.” NK said to himself. “That could have led to the conversation the charger couldn’t generate.” He wondered if he was ever going to meet her again and if he did, whether he will muster the courage to have a conversation with her.
Elorm ended the call with his fiancée and proceeded to tease NK. “Why you no tell am say the girl you dey look for dey Bole International Airport?”
“Bro, hmmm.” NK sighed. “I no sure say I go see am again.”
“But you dey still pray give Baba God say make e happen.” Elorm teased again.
“Chale, can’t a man dream, pray, and have faith again?” NK asked rhetorically.
They continued with the playful teasing and banter until they arrived at Kotoka, five minutes to Nine O’Clock. After saying goodbye to Elorm, NK headed into the departure hall, hoping to be the first person in the queue. Once bitten, twice shy. He arrived at the check-in counter for Africa World Airlines and realised that ten people had beaten him to it, and check-in was yet to start.
As he stood in the queue, he remembered what Elorm told him before they said goodbye to each other, “Today you go meet am in Kotoka.” This made him chuckled. “What are the odds of meeting her at Kotoka? She could be from any of the African countries. Even if she was Ghanaian, would she also be travelling to whatever destination at this time?” The more NK tried to see the different ways Elorm’s ‘prophecy’ could come true, the more he thought it ridiculous. “I bet he recently watched ‘Love at First Sight’ on Netflix.” NK whispered to himself.
The check-in finally began just about quarter past Nine O’clock. The first three passengers were called to start their check-in as three check-in counters were being used. NK got his passport ready and checked if his ‘travelling glasses’ were in the bag. He usually used it when there was a need – spying on someone without the person knowing because ones eyes were hidden behind the ‘shades’. “For an hour flight, I doubt that I will need it.” NK thought.
The queue was building up, but the check-in was slow. One could hear the passengers at the counter being told to wait for a few minutes as the system rebooted. NK sighed and looked around the queue to see if the passengers behind him had also realised that it was going to be a long day at the check-in. And it was only then, their eyes met.