My True Story: My Worst Vacation Experience

"Had I know, always come at last" These are sorrowful words that I uttered as I came back home after village trip that supposed to be enjoyable but turned out to be a sad outing.

It happened last year, on February, I had a call from my uncle. He told me of some event that will happened at the village. Its a marriage occasions. I became very happy. Its a enjoyful event when your in-laws will come in mass and you as a host will entertain them and everyone will merry and dance away their sorrow. New home and relationship is formed! I quickly asked him when will it be, he answered that it will be on 17th July, 2022. I promised him that I will join them and arrange my affairs to be there. Enjoyment is my keyword!

Straightforward to early days of July 2022, I visited my uncle at his residence to ascertain how the preparation is going. He explain in details how they are arranging the event and things, they have done. He quickly drafted me at part of the ushering group of two person. The other person is my cousin named John. He gave me his number and we arrange how it will be. I went home and getting ready for the occasion.

On the evening of July 16th, 2022, I hooped in a booked bus with other passengers going to my hometown. Igbere, my village is in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. A place of giants thats our nickname which illustrate the fact that many famous and rich people comes from there. For instance, We have had three Governors from there with one of them currently in senate. Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, Former Chief whip of the last assembly and most prominent member. There are still other illustrious sons and daughters from Igbere doing great things in their endeavours.

Within two hours, I am at my home. Very quiet and clean place so difficult from noisy and polluted Aba City. In that evening, I started visiting all my cousins, uncles and aunties at my lived in a nucleuted settings. Many are back while others are still coming back. Without wasting time, the women starting to bring out different kinds of pot to cook. They cook as a unit of several cuisines during occasion like this. They numbered more than twenty and they follow the leadership of the most senior among them. She should be in her eighties but still strong and clever.

We, the young men were not far from the cooking site as its our role to suppy them with firewoods and arrange the meats too. Young women and girl will be fetching water and grinding of pepper etc which our uncles, father and elders sat under a big tree, discussing and drinking palm wines. The division of labour here is superb and it makes work easier. We talk freely with respect to each other. Later, We ate, drank and play several kinds of board games to our delight. In the midnight, everyone disappeared to their homes to sleep for some hours remaining. It was a pleasure!

In the morning, we sweep our big compound and fetch water from the stream behind us. Everyone bath and get dressed. We waited for our in-laws and they being our neighbouring clan, get ready too. They sent some men as messengers while our elders received them. We have our meeting in democratic setting but our most senior preferably, a man will lead the discussion and everyone is free to add to the body of the discussion. They came to know certain things for smooth sailing of the occasion and they will informed so they left to pass the message to their people.

In the evening, there came a large number of people. They came with their dancing troupe and musical instrument. We sang all kinds of song. We enjoy ourselves. We hosted the event in wonderful way. We served them foods, drinks and meats of several sort. They enjoy themselves. Later, the oldest man stood up and thank everyone present. He said that time have reached for us to discuss about the bride price and he started with the amount of money. Our in-laws appointed their speaker too and he was a good orator, he spoke very well and name their price too. If you new and don't know that women are not sold or it just for fun because nobody have ever paid in full, any amount mentioned since our very beginning. You will think otherwise. After the discussion, the oldest stood up to conclude by telling everyone that no trade was concluded that they are happy that our in-laws agree that they will take good care of our daughter which is the essence of the bride price. Then, eating, dancing and drink continues till our in-laws went home with our daughter that got married while we excorted them to a length before coming back to start another eating and drink till everyone sleep off.

Tomorrow, others were still sleeping and complaining of hangovers. John and I have bathed and getting ready to travel back to Aba. Later his mother came him so that they will discuss. Without waiting for him or anyone else, I booked a bike and went to the park. At the park, boarded a bus to Umuahia. John called me and I told him that I left. He was so disappointed and depressed. When I get to Umuahia, I boarded another bus to Aba while on the road. Accident occurs!!! Our bus with over eighteen passengers somersaulted at great speed. We all was injured. But nobody died. It was a flat tyre that caused this havoc and the drive lost control of the vehicle. Blood everywhere and some lost consciousness. Soon, many people, police and others came around to help us.

They took us to hospital and we will receiving treatment. I opened my eyes and saw John there. He was called from my phone as my last dial. He really was helpful as I spend some day at the hospital ward. I broke my right shoulder blade and other minor injuries

Later went home where I became an outgoing patient to the hospital for months. Till now, I still feel great pains at right hand. My sad ending after enjoying a great outing.

This is my painful entry on the writing prompt. Thanks to @neoxian for this platform

Posted using Neoxian City