On that night when I decided to travel to Anambra State, I knew that there was no so much a money on me but I had to give it a try. After all, nothing worthwhile comes so easily.
When I got to the Peace Mass Transit Annex of the Motor Park, I hoped to get going at the same time but the Drivers were not corporating as some of them were calling different prices, which to me, was exorbitant. It got so bad that I reasoned within myself whether I should start going back to wheresoever it was that I was coming from or not.
It was a sister's wedding. So, there was no way I could have abandoned the so-called journey. The reason being that I have to be on ground and assist the other family members in putting things in order. As per Imiano, I had only the sum of N900.00 in my pocket in addition to the balance of N50.00 that I collected from the Vendor earlier on. As at the time that I got to the Motor Park, it was already getting dark but I had to put myself together as a responsible person that I am. If not for for the inconsistency in the prices being mentioned by the Drivers, we would have moved on time.
After everything, we agreed on N900.00 for the transportation price and that was how I saw myself travelling to Anambra State.
I don't know why, but whenever I hear the word, "Anambra," the name, "Ube Ekwulobia." Comes to mind but that is a story for another day but where I was going to was Njikoka Local Government Area in Anambra State of Nigeria but on this particular night, the weather was cool and we travelled slowly through Coal City State until we got to the outskirts of the State which was not bad at all.
Come to think of it, I have not told you people where I was coming from but that is not a problem because I know that I can always be safe. I am The Unknown Guest and I can't tell how much that you must have been told about me but one thing is certain; I always come and go.
When I got to Anambra that night, I knew that I have arrive late but no condition is permanent. Here I am, I reasoned within myself as we got closer to the flyover that is located there along Zik's Avenue at Unizik's temporary site (it was the famous Unizik Junction in Awka, anyways). When we got to the place, I alighted anyways, since that the Driver said he was going no further. I had to make do with the rays of light that were emanating from the solar energy powered lights that were mounted there. God so kind, my N50.00 was still with me but it was useless altogether because I had to trek. Having enjoyed the cruise of a healthy red sienna, in addition to the fact that I shared the contents of the one bottle of fried groundnuts that I bought in Enugu State that same period with somebody that I met on my way to Anambra State, I picked up my things and decided to leave. The night was far spent but I could still find my way as I am used to night journeys but the difference is that this time around, there is no Driver to talk to, no fellow passengers to speak with because I was walking all alone, from the Capital to the local government where I hail from. I am the Walkaholic.
THE ARREST..
The journey was not easy, the night was dark and the voices of the wild birds were heard from diverse corners but the Imiano was not afraid. To be a man is not a day's job but I had to fend for myself. So, I walked throughout the night and got to a point where I was arrested by some security personnels attached to a medical facility along the way because I went closer to a Shop to help myself with some groundnuts from my own bottle. As I was in the process of doing so, I got arrested.
" Hey! Hey!! Stop there, " they shouted at the top of their voices in the midst of the thick darkness accompanied by a chilled weather and I was bamboozled because I never expected it. For crying out loud, I am an innocent soul and I was only doing my own thing but they claimed that I was planning to break into the shop as it was night. They also claimed that I was not alone but I did not blame them because I believe that that is how most security operatives are trained to act. Heap a whole lot of allegations on him or her and take the person into custody and demand for the release of the names of his or her accomplices and that was exactly what they did but I had none.
To compound it all, they said that I was going to spend the night at their duty post and it was not getting funny any longer because I had a sister's wedding to attend at dawn. Knowing how grievous it was and how dangerous it was to argue with a Nigerian Security Operative on duty, I decide to open up on the matter. Since I will not be the first or the last person to have ever been shot by the security operatives, if I should get killed at this juncture, then so be it.
"Officers, you have to understand me," I said as I tried to grab their attentions.
"I am not a thief as you might have thought. In fact, I am a Microbiologist but because there was no job, I got myself attached to a Construction Company where I do casting of concrete because there was no job for me. If you doubt me, I can prove it because that bag you see contains some of my working cloths. " I said pointing towards one of the bags which they had seized by the way.
Hearing that, they decided to avail me their attentions. So, I went ahead to tell them to their very own faces that if I was gainfully employed as it ought to be; I wouldn't have been in such conditions.
After that they were convinced because of what I said, I was permitted to leave at that instance but being the Imiano that I am, I decided not to lose composure. So, I asked them for water which they gladly accepted to fetch for me with a nylon sack from one of their taps. That was how I continued on my journey after I had assured them that I am not a thief and that if they had any job opening in their facility, they should let me know. Which, of course, I would gladly fill.
THE DEPARTURE..
When I got home that fateful morning, nobody knew how I managed to get there and the last time I checked, my N50.00 was still with me as I was not able to spend it throughout the night as all the Shops were closed.
It was when I got back to Coal City State that I narrated to one of my friends the things that I passed through in the hands of the Security men that night and we both laughed it off while working at the site that day.
It was not funny actually but now, I still laugh over it because if those operatives had shot a bullet at me that night, I wouldn't have survived it and nobody would have known where my corpse was dropped but God forbid, I am alive.
THE WEDDING SAGA...
I will not end this story without telling you how the wedding went. The couple were already at the Cathedral when we got there. I bet you, Imiano did not enter the Church where the matrimonial vows were exchanged between the bride and the groom even though it was his sister's wedding. Look at what happened, by the time we got there, the mass service has dismissed. So, we only took part in taking pictures before we rushed back to the field where everything was already arranged for the reception to take place. I couldn't wait to get home so that I could remove the Cap that I was putting on. Ah ah, so because we humbly applied, somebody cannot shout in Peace again? I am not used to wearing the same design of Clothes with people all in the name of being in uniform ever since I left Senior Secondary School. So, it was irritating having to put on that yellow cap accompanied with white Senator Style of clothing known solely with the Igbo People but I had to pretend to be comfortable while the Photoshoot was going on and throughout other minor activities before we rested at home. I couldn't wait to remove them. After all, I am not a Chieftancy holder talk more of being a titled man as at then but if you were there, you would have mistaken me to be the king of my own town.
So, that was how I changed into another clothes altogether. Before I joined them at the reception for merriment, I tried to find something and eat in order to hold body and soul together because at the reception, nobody cares to know if you are the brother to the bride or not. Respecting myself has become an agelong tradition as I wouldn't like to embarrass myself as they say that respect is reciprocal. Imagine the Imiano fighting for a full plate of fried rice and few pieces of meat at the top, the headlines would have been like: Imiano at it again, - Sun News Paper.
Anambra wedding: Imiano embarrasses self.
- Nairaland.
Imiano caught on camera stealing rice at Sister's wedding.
- Sahara Reporters.