The night was hot and dark, the noon and stars were on vacation
and NEPA (PHCN) were asleep leaving the ability to use our sight at the mercy
of the security lights from houses that could afford a generator and fuel to
make it work. As we walked down the streets to where we could rest our heads
for the night, arguments on which player was at his best or worst and how the
officiating went clouded our discussions. Among us were three groups, those
jubilating that Juventus are through to the finals and those visibly
disappointed that Real Madrid could not progress to the next level and people
like us that were indifferent on the result and only enjoyed a good football
match.
The group became smaller and smaller as the journey progressed
when individuals reached the junction leading to their destination and bid the
group farewell, soon I was left alone with my thoughts as I walked into my
compound and opened the door heading straight to the kitchen to satisfy a
slight hunger harassing my system before getting down to continue writing the
report of an activity we just had in the office. At least I enjoyed watching
the champions league semi final second leg match between Real Madrid and
Juventus so I did not feel I wasted my time or energy.
As the plan to satisfy my hunger progressed arithmetically,
my plans for the remaining days of the week and the weekend ran through my
mind; I had a tailor to see to prepare my uniform which we are to launch in
church on Sunday, I had promised visiting some friends whom I have not seen
since we all traveled for the election break in March, I planned cooking “pate” on Saturday, I needed to do a
little sanitation as dust and cobwebs covered my room, I needed to do some
laundry and I had three societal meetings to attend at the weekend.
My thoughts was suddenly interrupted, my phone was ringing.
Who was calling I wonder? It is 10:02 pm who could this be and what does he/she
wants? I reluctantly moved to the phone but with the speed of light my reluctance
was transformed to anxiety as I saw the caller; it was my employer. Did I do
something wrong? Is there any emergency? Why is my boss calling me at this
hour? To satisfy my curiosity I picked the call and the following conversation
took place
Me: Hello, good evening sir
My employer: Bijimi, how are you? Hope I did not wake you up
Me: no sir am still awake
My employer: can you join us tomorrow by 7 am to go to Abuja
to conduct some interviews? We will be gone for six days? We can pick you up at
the office.
Me: yes sir, I will be in the office by 7am
My employer: ok thank you, see you tomorrow
Me: thank you sir, good night
The news swallowed my hunger and my appetite suddenly
travelled, I thought of the plans I made and I had to immediately place a call to
everyone we had an arrangement with and tell them I cannot make it or will not
be available. From some, the response was
“okay safe journey” while others was “anyhow sha, you are always traveling” and
the third group were “you will miss our activity on Sunday”. I had a few hours
to prepare, I had laundry to do and taking it to Abuja is not necessarily a
good idea but I knew I would find a way out.
By 12:37 am I was set, all pack and ready to sleep, as I laid
on my back staring at the dark ceiling enduring the hot environment and dusty breeze
dancing around my neighborhood, I thought of how a few hours ago I had
different plans with what I have now and how I will be in a different
environment than what I earlier planned for. Then it occurred to me and I asked
myself, what if it was God that called me? What if it was death that knocked on
my door? What if it was the saying that man proposes and God disposes? The
thoughts returned my hunger as it came back jumping and making its presence
felt.
I said to myself that
is how death comes; it takes you by surprise without warning or prior
notice and one will never have the time to bid friends and family farewell. Surely
then, death should be a major plan in our activities as Gods plans and the laws
of nature will always prevail.
May we be ready when God calls and death comes knocking. Amen.
By
Bijimi Daniel Meindous
