Did you all think I was walking down the aisle? 🤭😂 Wrong. The truth was bigger than any wedding plan my family could have cooked up.

What was really happening was that I was travelling to Ondo State to do an A-level program. If I passed, it would take me straight into 200 level instead of starting from 100 level. My uncle had come over and spoken to my dad about the whole program. Before I could even catch my breath, some payments had already been made, and I had to travel back to submit my documents and start classes immediately.

This was overwhelming. I was travelling next year, and next year was only a few days away. My mind was everywhere. I couldn't go and attack my dad directly, so I drew my mom into the corner. I said, "Okay, Mommy, is this really happening?" She said, "Oh, we know that working and earning is not really your thing, and you actually take your academics seriously. That is why we are putting you on this path." Gbam!!! e don happen 

I was like, "Oh, beautiful."Okay, to be honest, I wanted to go to school anyway, if JAMB hadn't messed things up. So I eventually spoke to my dad, and I accepted that this was really going to happen.

On Monday, I had to go to the Akwa Ibom State office to get my certificate of origin. My dad took me that morning and dropped me off. Going to that part of Lagos was very beautiful because, mind you, I am a "get inside" baby. I had never been there before, so I kept looking at the buildings and the bridges. I can't remember the area specifically, but trust me, it was very beautiful...When we got to the office, we were welcomed in. They started speaking their language to me, expecting me to respond. But I wasn't deeply rooted in Akwa Ibom because I grew up in Lagos, and my dad, being an English professor type, spoke his language to us once in a while... should that be so though 🤷. So there I was, walking into the man's office while he spoke to me in his language. My daddy was smiling, and he had to help me respond because I obviously didn't know what to say, I was just shinning my teeth😩

I sat down. My daddy gave them all the necessary documents, and because of time, he had to leave me to go to work. I knew my way back, or so I thought. After that, we got the whole certificate of origin done. I collected it and headed back to the house.

On my way back, I had to keep calling my dad for directions because I thought I knew the way, but I didn't ooooo. I was on one of the buses going to my area when I got a call from my manager. He said he knew I wasn't supposed to have resumed yet, and that I was probably still enjoying the holiday with my family. I said, "Oh, sir, what exactly is happening?" He told me a container was coming in and I needed to be in the office within the next two days, I think by Wednesday...me??? Office??? Ye!!!!!! .That was when it hit me that I had never told him I was going to travel. I tried to explain it to him, "Sir, actually, I was not going to be here, and this and that happened," but the network was bad and the call kept breaking. He said, "We will be expecting you in the next two days," and then the phone call ended. I was so shocked.

call from the market entered They asked, "Esther, would this bag do?" They were trying to get me things, like, "Would these slippers fit you?" My head was everywhere. I tried calling my manager back to explain the whole situation, but it felt like a lie, because we did have an office get-together and I didn't mention any of it.

I reached out to my boss and explained everything to him. Then my colleagues started calling me, asking, "Is that what's up?" Everyone I explained it to, it felt like I was lying. I don't know if anybody can relate 😿. Even I didn't see this coming, but it was what it was.

Before I knew it, I was saying bye to my friends and family, and I was leaving Lagos for the first time. I was full of emotions fear, curious, but I was still excited.

Now, this was me inside the bus, getting a lot of kisses from my mom while other adults were watching. It was so weird but sweet low key. Shuuuuu😸

And that was just the beginning. Lagos was behind me, and a whole new chapter was waiting. In the next series, I am going to take you with me as I finally escape those kisses and start the real journey to Ondo State. Trust me, you don't want to miss this one. Please engage, and of course, I love you all 🫰