Chapter 8: Chapter 8

we didn't even have the opportunity to go for sight seeing after checking into our hotel rooms, my parents stayed in one room, my 2 brothers stayed in the next room while I and my sisters stayed in the last room. I kept my boxes in a corner and only used the things in the duffel, my eldest sister ordered room service with her credit card in the afternoon. We had a large plate of jollof rice and peppered chicken, I went to my brothers' room to call them if they'll join us but I met an empty room. At least they were kind enough to drop a note that they had gone swimming, when I told my sisters, they abandoned their food and said they'll go for swimming too. " but you guys didn't pack your swimming suits," I said " oh we did", my second sister said and started rummaging through her bag to take it out. " well I don't have mine," I argued

" you mean this one?" my eldest sister asked holding out a sexy purple bikini for me, my eyes widened in horror, " how did that get into my bag? Anyways I'm not wearing that, no, no, no"

After much persuasion, I decided to wear it but with a bathroom on. We had fun in the hostel that day and the next.

on the D-Day, the day I was to leave for America, my family formed a ring and I knelt in the middle while they prayed for God's guidance and protection over me. I hung my purse across my shoulder, my sisters held my boxes and my brother held my duffel, my mom was sobbing. when we reached the airport, I hugged everyone and went in, alone.It was difficult for me to drag 2 big boxes and a duffel all by myself from one check point to another, luckily for me, as I was on my way to get my boarding pass stamped, a good Samaritan decided to help me.

" at this rate, I don't think you will meet up with your flight," I heard a voice behind me. I stopped moving and turned my head to my side, using the corner of my eye to look at who was speaking. He walked over and stood in front of me, " hi, I'm Trent, where are you heading to?"

"New York," I said.

"Well you're in luck because I'm going there and my things have been sent ahead, which means I'm free to help you out with a bag or two", he said smiling at me.

" I will be so grateful if you could help me out, I fear I'll fall and break my spleen if I continue dragging these bags alone. I told my sisters not to pack too many things but they wouldn't listen, do they think I'm getting married that I have to pack all my things to my husband's house? My shoulders hurt and I keep hitting the box on my leg, plus I'm trying to hurry up so I don't have to stand..." I stopped talking when I noticed he was staring at my chest.

"uhm... thanks for helping me out. By the way, my name is Ukpono," I said as he snapped out of wherever he was, he smiled and we moved to get our boarding passes stamped. We moved from one point to the other for our documents to be checked, when we reached the aero bridge, he moved in but I was stopped.

" I'm sorry Miss but you can't board this plane, we just received a call few minutes ago by a guy named Jade Kale, he has cancelled your reservation for this flight so all your flight documents are rendered invalid"."What do you mean by that?" I cried in horror.

" we're saying that your flight reservations has just been cancelled, did he not inform you?", the lady asked

"would I be here if I had an idea what was going on?" I refused to imagine what was going on. I took out my phone and tried calling Jade but he wasn't answering, I called the second time and still, no response. I started pacing, I felt a lump on my throat, I knew what was coming next, I was about to cry. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, I heard the announcement, the plane was taking off 5 minutes.

I called Jade again and he answered at the first ring, " honey what's wrong shouldn't you be on the plane now? Oh I get it, were you just told that your reservation was cancelled?"

I answered him as calmly as I could, "Jade, what's going on?"

"You can't get on that plane, that's what is going on", he replied

"why?" I asked and a drop of tear fell on my cheek

" I don't want you to use that plane, understood?" he said

"Jade, what is going on? Are you trying to humiliate me? Do you enjoy making fun of me?"

"no I'm not trying to hurt you please understand, aren't they there yet?" Jade asked.

" who?''

"Scott, why aren't they there yet? don't worry honey, everything will be sorted out."

2 minutes before take off, nothing happened, I fell on my knees and sobbed, I knew people were staring at me but I didn't care. I was still in that position when I felt a tap on my back, I lifted my face up to see 2 men on suit, they looked like private bodyguards of a wealthy person, the type you see in movies.

" Miss Udofia, we apologise for coming late, come, Mr Kale arranged for you to use his private jet and we're here to escort you", one of them said.I stared at him feeling confused, wait, private jet? It took a minute before it dawned on me what just happened, Jade didn't want me to use the plane every other person was using, he was giving me a special treatment on his private jet. I wiped my face with the back of my palm, I knew I had dented my make over but I didn't care, " then what are we waiting for, let's go", I said. Saying I was happy is an understatement, the first guy took one of my boxes and the other took my box and duffel. I walked in between the two of them, we moved to a different part of the airport where a jet laid waiting for me.

Waiting also for me were 2 pilots and 4 flight attendants, "it's an honour to take you on this trip, I hope the sudden arrangement didn't disturb you, Miss Udofia?" one of the pilots asked.

"I admit I was frightened at first but now I'm perfectly fine," I replied smiling. I moved in with them in my wake and was shocked when I saw how beautiful it was inside. I found a spot with a bouquet of flowers and sat there, there was a note lying beside the flowers, " have a safe trip darling, I'll be waiting for you... Jade"

I smiled, this is the first time I've received a bouquet of flowers and it felt really special.

The flight attendants came and asked if I needed anything and I said no. As the jet took off, I strained my eyes if I'll see my family but I didn't, I felt a sense of loneliness, I took out my camera and went through the pictures I took during the farewell party

"Good bye everyone, I promise to make you proud".