A tense yet joyful traffic jam;a Christmas story.

Smiles,the taxi i took to the bus park was dramatic,theres this woman eating all sort of things in the taxi,believe you me she never offered it to any one of,she was just eating alone,you want to ask me if am pained,smiles of course I am,not because I would eat it if she had offered but you know just like a kind gesture,suddenly someone farted in the bus,immediately everyone started accusing the woman,no one cares to know if she's the one or not,some even said it to the extent that she did not give them or offer anyone what she was eaten since,I smiled and said "so no be only me think am" (so I was not the only one who thought as much).

There and then I thought my trip would be awesome,getting to the park,I got on then a lady came by,these ladies luggage seems as if shes relocating, the/loads were just too much,but we got to move,the driver squeezed some underneath the bus seat,some at the boot and some on the bus roof.

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I was getting uncomfortable as the driver started playing dome music via us stereo,I was not feeling good,the ladies load makes me uncomfortable I could not stretch or place my legs anyhow I want,it was just stiff at a place.Me that I was heading home for Christmas,i was eager to see everyone, eager to see the surprise on their faces as I wasn't home last year Christmas and I did not inform anyone I would be coming around this time also.

There was something about this time trip to my hometown,the fact that everyone would welcome me as it's been long I went home last the fact that no one would want to bother me,the special home delicacies,the special treatment,the special attention I would receive,the i won't be bothered me,I could sleep till anytime and wakeup to meet my food already made,(thats the sort of treatment you receive as a Nigerian (Yoruba)when you go home after a long time)and I day dream it all.

I jolted back to life when we approach the tollgate at Sagamu,my excitement began to wane,there was a standstill of buses and the different horns and whistles of cars rent the hair,it was night towards evening (I enjoy traveling late).The traffic was long and a sea of brake lights stretched out before me like a red carpet.I groaned in frustration,drumming my fingers against the cars body.

Then a group of hawkers came buy with different goods,advertising and selling everything from roasted plantains to boiled maize,to bread,to gala she bottled drinks and all,what attractedml me was some well decorated stands with their Christmas decorations,it was very simple yet amazing,I was seated near the window,so I rolled down my window and bought a pack of gala and a soft drink as we waited patiently for the traffic to ease.

One very young lady caught my eye,she was smiling at me as I eat my gala,I looked around her and she has nothing with her,she wasn't selling anything,she was just there by the road grinning,I smiled back at her, then she stretched out her hand,I guessed she wanted something,so I stretch out the gala to her and she quickly stood up to come for it,I was shocked, is she hungry...I gave it out with the rest of the drinks,I guessed she couldn't speak as she was nodding her head at me,I smiled at her,I was happy I could do that much,our car moved a little bit and stopped again, I looked back and...she wasn't there again,I looked at the other side, she wasn't,I was surprised, stretching my begin out, looking left and right,but she wasn't there...

"Oga,buy socks for yourself, its harmattan period" a voice said bringing me back to myself.

As the minutes ticked by,I began to feel somehow,I would definitely get home by midnight,I should look for a gist partner amongst my fellow travelers.There she was,just beside me,I caught her staring at me,she quickly took her eyes off, I smiled and called her attention back,then we started gisting,she told me she had been looking at me since,that I looked familiar, well we never met,We exchanged stories,jokes and even phone numbers,bonding over everything.

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A car beside ours was a man yelling at his wife,I looked out and said"oga calm na,na woman you dey follow drag laidat(Boss be patient,you don't need to trade words and be furious at a woman that much).He looked out and said "alaye mind your business o,we neva reach ya side" (Boss dont interrupt in our conversation,you were not called to pry into family matters)I laughed together with the lady beside me,it was indeed fun,I wished the traffic went on.....

As the traffic began to ease and we move,I felt somewhat disappointed.I had grown to enjoy the company of my co travelers,everyone was bonding so well.

But,finally I arrived in Ilorin,the capital of Kwara state.I felt a sense of gratitude for the unexpected delay.It had given me a chance to connect with strangers,to have good memories to look back on.

As the bike I took from where the bus dropped me pulled into my family's compound,every body was still out,maybe Grandpa was telling them stories of his youth or so,everybody was on there feet,who could it be,what,is it him,no oooo,its not,it is....it can't be...that was what everyone was saying upon sighting me they all ran and shouted,everyone gathered round me to take my luggage's and welcome me,I almost did not step on the ground, I was carried by this and that till I was inside.

Plates upon plates were brought before me,all covered,I can't wait to open up those covered plates send devour whatever is in them.

As I opened those heavenly dishes, huhm..Its obvious this was where I belonged.Home,surrounded by loved ones and filled with the joy and wonder of the season.....

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