The time on my wristwatch read 5:45PM as the bus slowly came to a stop at the Marina Train Station bus stop, and my mind started its way to a mild panic.
This was my first time going to the station by myself; the last time I was here with a friend, this wasn’t where the bus dropped us off at. Where am I? What do I do now?
I could see the station from where I stood, but I had trouble locating a path towards it as I was on top of a bridge while the station was on a separate bridge. I looked to my left and saw a group of people hurriedly trekking down to the other side, so I proceeded to ask them for help.
After doing a quick scan for the most approachable person, I walked up to a very elegant, light-skinned lady who appeared to be in her mid- to late twenties. I tapped her softly on the shoulder and asked
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“Good evening, dear, Are you guys going to the train station too?”
"Yes, we are; you can follow me,” she replied and proceeded to walk quickly down the bridge.
I promptly took my place on the line, at her back, and followed them. As we got down to a sandy area, she slowed down and fell into pace with me. She then asked if it was my first time using the train, to which I shyly responded.
“It’s actually my second, but it’s my first time using it on my own.”
She nodded kindly and told me not to worry. We later got to an area where there was a low fence we had to climb over. She offered to hold my bag while I managed to maneuver my 5-foot self over this fence.
After I got to the other side, I abandoned her and sprinted to the station. Nah, I’m just kidding 😅. I took my things from her and returned the favor by helping her hold her stuff. When she was done, we continued our journey; the station was in clear sight at this point.
We crossed a road and then made our way to the entrance of the station. When we got there, we hopped onto the escalator and reached the top of the station, where there was a huge line of people waiting for the train.
For some reason, as we were rushing to go join the other people, I didn’t see her again. So I went to the card area to put some money in my card. After that, I thought I’d lost her, only for me to make my way to the line, and then I saw a hand waving at me from the front.
Lo and behold, it was her. She had managed to get herself a spot in the very front of the line and was motioning for me to come join her. My heart melted at her gesture. I’m sure strangers around all thought that we were sisters or friends or something.
I quickly went to join her in the front, where we both waited for the train staff to activate the electric card pole machine thingy so we would tap our cards to pay. I attempted some small talk with her, during which I learned her name—Oluchi—and apparently she was also headed my way.
The conversation did go far though, as we both eventually got distracted by our phones. Minutes later, the train came; we paid and entered the train. We still didn’t say much to each other, even though deep down I wanted to talk to her so bad.
I did, however, make sure to let her know just how grateful I was for her help by telling her “thank you” every chance I got.
18 minutes later, we got to our destination. She told me she was going the other way; Kiri Kiri prison, I believe, was what she said. I said one last, “Thank you for everything." And we parted ways.
I sincerely do hope we cross paths again on the train some day…
She was a sweet angel.
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