Hello again Hive Naijans. This week's prompt is one I could not wait to hop on.
Write about your experience with something significant.
I thought I was already used to traveling but I was wrong. Thinking back, except for when I returned home from school as a student, I never really packed a suitcase and wandered around the world alone.
Even after marriage, I never traveled without my husband. So I got used to the luxury of him making all the arrangements. From booking our trips, passports, accommodation, transit, and even down to our meals. As such, I didn't have to take note of anything. I simply enjoyed the princess treatment because after all, I’m royalty. Hehe!
One day, I had an emergency. I needed to travel to my parents to sort out some things. It was a matter of time and urgency. We didn't plan for it and my husband could not come with me. I had to do it all alone. I remember the look on his face the night before my trip. “Once I drop you off at the airport, you are going to be all by yourself.”
I looked at him and nodded. At that moment I had this hilarious picture of myself standing in the middle of a jungle and not knowing how to navigate the wild creatures. “I can take care of myself,” I replied firmly. I didn't want him to believe that I dreaded the moment he'd leave me by myself.
I did several mental preparations before the day came. One thing I love so much about myself, when something feels daunting, I like to prove to myself that I can do it. And so I did.
I calmed my nerves as I looked around. Everyone appeared like they had it all figured out so I tagged along with a brave face. I would occasionally note the people on my route while keeping my eyes on the FIDS and pass at the same time. In a nutshell, I just followed all the instructions and announcements. Voila, just like that, I was already locating my seat and fitting my luggage in its compartment. My husband did one final check-in with me before taking off. “You aren't lost are you?” was the first thing he said.
I merely smiled even though he couldn't see it. “I told you that there is nothing I can't do. I often let you take the lead because that's your role.”
He laughed and I felt relieved. I relaxed into the moment as I enjoyed the rest of my trip. Every bit of it. I longed for the food because I was famished for staying alert and taking note of everything. That moment made me appreciate my husband more. I began to reminisce about our previous trips together. I would always stuff the extra fillings and toppings in my bag while my husband teased. “What? We paid,” I'll always say as I take pictures of him munching away. This time, I smiled and ate in silence.
When I arrived, I sighed a sigh of relief. I did it alone. To others, it was just catching the next flight. But to me, it was conquering the world.
When it was time to return, alone again, I was so confident that ladies and gentlemen, I forgot my luggage at the airport. I kept feeling off as I boarded my connecting flight until I realized I wasn't holding my hand luggage. Hehe! That part is a story for another day.
photos are from my gallery