A Day To Remember

18th of January 2017 was a day to remember. I was on my way to Sheffield from Leeds and I took a bus from home to the city centre. The plan was to go window shopping for a while, probably spend some money and be broke before travelling. I do not like to shop. It is the most exhausting activity of all time especially when I already have two heavy bags to carry. I would rather exercise than shop and I never exercise. But, on this cold day, Esther needed a new pair of flats.

So, after walking around aimlessly in stores for half an hour with nothing pretty to buy, I decided to save my hard earned money for my future and head over to the coach station. On my way, I noticed everyone kinda stood still while facing a particular direction. Since curiosity only killed the cat and not antelopes, tsetse flies, humans and what are you, I succumb to my overpowering curiosity to find out exactly why this unusual event was happening.

beesther

On getting there, I saw policemen and their cars everywhere. Roads around Vicar Lane, Kirkgate and Victoria Gate were on lock down. It was like watching Mission Impossible. Hmmmm… “Ki lon shele?” (What is happening?) I said to myself. While looking around trying to find a reasonable warm person to ask, the looks on the faces I saw were not approachable. I just kept moving towards the sealed of spot desperately trying to find out what was going on.

All sorts of scenarios and questions kept going through my mind: Did someone die? Was there an accident? Are they shooting a movie? (my camera was on standby just in case I see a celebrity) Is Obama here? Was Trey Songz down on one knee right in the middle of the road trying to propose to me? Are Omarion and Trey Songz fighting over me? Is money falling from heaven? Has the trumpet blown? What is going on?

After a lot of thoughts and fantasies with no friendly looking person around to ask, I decided to sum up courage, channel the journalist in me and ask a policeman.

Me: “Excuse me, sir…”

Officer: “You can’t go through here luv”

Me: “Go where? There? Where olopas (policemen) plenty? Emi ko (not me)”

Oga police gave me a strange look and I realise the Yoruba in me was coming out, I quickly changed to the British accent I bought at the airport in 2014. Olorun ma je ki owo jo na.

Me: “Oh, sorry about that, I am not going that way”

Officer: “So, how can I help you luv?”

Me: “May I ask why the road is sealed off?”

Officer: “It’s a bomb scare luv”

Me: “BOMB!!! JESUUUUUUU!!!!!”

Looking around with fear in my eyes, I wondered why people were still standing there and not running for their lives. One silly guy was actually arguing with a policeman about his right to pass through the sealed off area. Jesu Christi!

As for me, my ‘about turn’ was sharper than the one I did for Queen’s College inter-house sports match parade. Bomb? Ni bo? (where?). I was so scared I didn’t even realise I was jogging on the spot getting ready for my Olympic race. Even my two heavy bags suddenly felt empty. If you know me well, you would know that I run like a duck. But today, I graciously flaunted it. I ran all the way to the coach station, bought the earliest ticket and headed straight to Sheffield. No be only me waka come.

 

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26 Comments

  1. Chris
    19/01/2017 / 12:13 PM

    I can see you still retain your crush for TreySongs. Lol!

    Nice write up

  2. Deji
    19/01/2017 / 4:12 PM

    Hahaha.. Can’t stop laughing.. This is a really good read. Made my day..

    • beesther
      Author
      19/01/2017 / 6:48 PM

      Thank you Deji, I’m glad you enjoyed it…

  3. ola
    19/01/2017 / 4:48 PM

    Trey songs was waiting for you, u should have stayed…. u missed out on the surprise proposal. …lol

    • beesther
      Author
      19/01/2017 / 6:47 PM

      I should have really… I’m sure he’s upset with me now… 😫

  4. Seun
    19/01/2017 / 9:15 PM

    Oh my Buki!😂😂😂😂 welldone

    • beesther
      Author
      19/01/2017 / 10:38 PM

      Thank you Seun😁

  5. Dayo
    20/01/2017 / 10:52 AM

    This cracked my ribs for sure…..😂😂😂

  6. Omoh
    20/01/2017 / 11:04 AM

    Best Write up to read after coming off the night shift…Thanks #BeEsther

  7. Anonymous
    23/01/2017 / 1:11 PM

    oh dear, u made my day after facing this short but tough stress, Ose dear. looking forward to another. kisses

  8. Khadija
    23/01/2017 / 1:12 PM

    oh dear, u made my day after facing this short but tough stress, Ose dear. looking forward to another. kisses

    • beesther
      Author
      28/01/2017 / 11:38 AM

      You are welcome.. Thank you

  9. ABIOLA
    09/03/2017 / 12:39 PM

    lolx… this got me laughing for minutes, the Nigeria gene in you spring forth when you heard it was a BOMB SCARE.. Temple Run tinx

    • beesther
      Author
      09/03/2017 / 9:22 PM

      Lol… Real temple run. Thanks for reading

  10. 23/03/2017 / 2:52 PM

    Loved the humor in your post! I am visiting your website for the first time and after reading this, I am going to return for more! 🙂

  11. 23/03/2017 / 4:53 PM

    Unfortunately bomb scares are becoming so much more common in the world we live in today, and after what happened at Westminster yesterday afternoon, we need to be vigilant.

  12. 23/03/2017 / 5:41 PM

    That was alarming! No wonder they sealed off the area.

  13. 24/03/2017 / 5:13 AM

    It’s just a scary thing to think about bomb scare out there. I think I would be running like if I were training for the olypics if someone told me that.

  14. 24/03/2017 / 1:29 PM

    Too funny! Trey songs indeed! Thanks for the good laugh!

    Mae | thegospelofbeauty.org

  15. 24/03/2017 / 3:35 PM

    Now I know Omarion couldn’t have been there fighting when he was busy with me…HA! Glad to hear that you are safe and had sense enought to get the heck outta there. Love your style of writing!

  16. CourtneyLynne
    27/03/2017 / 1:30 PM

    Hahahaha too funny!! He was definitely waiting for you 😉 great read for sure!!!

  17. 16/03/2024 / 12:41 PM

    Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.

  18. 27/03/2024 / 8:25 PM

    I don’t think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article.

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