Close Call At Midnight. (CNF)

Well, it just so happened that I boarded a night bus. I've loved to travel at night for a very long time because I do not like arriving at the early hours when people will see me. It's just kind of my thing. Another thing you need to know about traveling at night is the fact that it's best for broke people. And this particular day, I was so broke, so I decided to extend my trip till evening; that way I could possibly get a cheaper bus.

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After standing for about five minutes, an old bus came by. I couldn't let it go, because who knows when another will come, that is, if another even will. The bus was a little old, looked unkempt, and was making some odd sounds. Well, I'm the one who wants a cheap one to travel with. I entered, sat by the window, and rested my head against the body of the bus. I can't trust the glasses enough to rest my head on them 😁.

As soon as I entered and the bus moved, I noticed that the headlights weren't so good; the light was dim. I noticed the road ahead was dark, not the normal dark. And it's because the headlights were very dim. Well, I just tried to be a man. I'm not the only one inside. Beside me was a woman chewing bread as if it was her last supper; she didn't even have a bottled drink or pure water to wash it down. She was just chewing non-stop. Next to her was a young man and a young lady carrying a child of about eight months. No need for DNA; it's obvious they are the parents, judging from the way the father rested his head and the way the child slept with open mouths.

I was just looking around trying to get myself busy with things. In front of me were two men arguing about their football clubs. I would have loved to partake in the argument; that way I would be able to while away time, but then, I know nothing about football 🤦. So, I just tried to relax and focus on the journey ahead since I'm not the type who sleeps while traveling.

But then, something happened immediately after we stepped on the Akure-Ondo expressway. The bus gained more speed; it accelerated much more than before. It was so obvious. I wanted to shout and kind of caution the driver, but I noticed nobody was talking. Some have even slept off, so I just kept shut. But sincerely, I know something was off. This vehicle can't run like this normally. Not long after, I heard a sound; it was so loud that it jolted others out of their sleep.

I looked at the driver in front, and I noticed how hard he was battling with the pedals below his feet; it was obvious none of it was heeding his call. The bus we took wouldn't stop moving; it kept going at a high speed. The driver, on the other hand, held on to the steering wheel as if it was his life.

And that particular road happens to be one with lots of bends, very, very dangerous ones. Still, the bus wouldn't stop; rather, it seems to have gained more momentum as it kept on speeding. People were already panicking. I don't even know what to say; one of the men arguing about football earlier had moved close to the door area, waiting to jump off at any slight chance. I was just there praying silently.

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The funniest part is, we all knew what was wrong, but it wasn't until one of us shouted, *"Eei, brake dun fail o."* That was when it seemed to just dawn on all of us. Panic rose; none of us could really see each other, even the road ahead. I could hear the vehicle make various sounds, compounded with our own wailings. People began calling unto their God, saying different prayers. The driver, on the other hand, was busy blasting his horn; he pressed it as if pressing it continuously would stop the bus. But I can't blame him; he was confused, and that horn happened to be the only thing that was still heeding his call.

I just closed my eyes as I couldn't bring myself to think or say anything; I was already gone. Within me, I just thought, *"So, this is the end."* I opened my eyes to find out the bus had totally lost control now; even the driver wasn't/couldn't hold onto the steering anymore. It was just swaying left and right by itself. The few cars and buses we met on our way just blasted their horns, dodged us, and sped off.

When we got to a particular bend, I just knew the best thing to do was to just jump off. It's obvious we won't come out of this alive, but then I don't know what kept me glued, maybe fear. Immediately the car got to the bend, it was obvious it wouldn't be able to follow the track; either the car goes the other way or goes in reverse by itself, as the place is a little bit high.

I had closed my eyes, this time very tight. I was ready for anything. Everyone had gone silent. I know within me that we all had given up and lost hope. At least even if I were to get injured, it shouldn't be much. Suddenly, something happened. I don't know if I should call it a miracle or not. The tire made some creaking metal sound. The tire had deflated some minutes back, but this time, it seems the tire had finally been destroyed, as the rim was the object that made the loud creaking sound we heard. On a norm, the car wasn't just supposed to stop like that. Considering all that has happened, there should have been a little bit of drama, maybe some somersaulting and such.

But guess what, the car made a stop suddenly by itself. The stop was a very sudden and unexpected one. Some fell forward, some hit their heads on the bus window, and the car itself shook, sending out some of our luggage. That night, I tasted fear. I know what fear is called. And for about two minutes, nobody talked; even the little baby that had been crying for the past few minutes kept mute. Everywhere was dark and silent. We were just there looking like people who escaped the den of kidnappers.

I took out my phone and put on its flashlight. I checked on others to see if they were fine. I could see the young lady shivering all over. One of the men in front also switched on his phone too. I looked to my side and saw the driver, I can't help but wonder how he got here , just right beside me; he was there covering his face with his palms as he was shaking all over. I tried calming everyone, not as if I wasn't scared too, but then we can't all be sitting, shivering, and looking.

I stepped out of the vehicle to stretch my legs; I felt a lot of pain walking. Likewise, I checked the bus front and saw how close we were to death. Just about four feet away from where our car stopped was a very big tree. Assuming we had hit that tree, assuming the car hadn't stopped, it would have been a different story today, assuming... I was just imagining and assuming various things.

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And as I was making my way back to the bus, I heard people inside were already talking, and someone laughed. As I moved closer, the laughter increased as somebody else had joined in. It's obvious it was a different kind of laugh, not one that comes from happiness or joy, but one that comes from shock.

Not long after a bus came by, we first hesitated to board it because the situation of the country isn't funny. But then again, we could decide to stay here in this bush, and worse may happen. So we boarded the vehicle and arrived at our destination about an hour later. It was still very dark. As I stepped down from the vehicle, it was obvious my body was weak; my legs couldn't really carry me. But I managed

.

That night and throughout our journey, nobody talked or mentioned anything. We just kept mute; we all had felt it.

Crisis averted.

Images are AI generated.

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