Chuka had planned to time it perfectly, such that Folarin and Seyi were already outside and ready to leave when he drove up, so he had wanted to leave at exactly 9pm. Leo had delayed him a little, but he wasn't too far behind. He was halfway there when a call came in on his phone.
"Hey, Seyi. What's up?"
"Chuka hey. How soon before you get here?"
"Uh... I should be there in about 10 minutes. You guys out yet?"
"Not exactly. Is there any way you can get here sooner?", her tone was frantic.
Chuka's heart thumped. "Seyi?" He was almost afraid to ask. "Where's Folarin?"
"As soon as we got off the plane, he got a phone call. I didn't hear but I think it's about his mom."
"What?! What happened?"
"I don't know. He hasn't told me anything. Chuka, he's freaking out."
"I'm on my way."
He hung up and speed-dialled Folarin. No answer.
Then he dialled Mrs. Ishola. Her phone was switched off.
Chuka stepped on the gas and didn't let up until he got to the airport.
As soon as he pulled up to the pick-up zone, Chuka dashed out of the car and ran toward the entrance.
"Sir.", one of the porters called out to him. "Sir, you can't park here. They will clamp your car."
Chuka tossed his keys at him. "Park for me; I go sort you.", he said and ran inside the 'Arrivals' hall. He took his phone out and called Seyi.
"Where?", he asked as soon as she picked up.
"Are you here?"
"Yes! Where are you?"
"That's not necessary! He's just upset. We're leaving now." Seyi was saying to someone. "Chuka, we're at LagAir counter. Hurry."
Chuka ran, nearly knocking over a couple and their luggage.
He knew which counter it was before he got there. He could hear Folarin's raised voice from a distance. A small group of people had gathered round to watch the commotion, a few filming.
Chuka burst in on the scene.
"How is it possible that nobody - NOBODY - has a flight?!" Folarin yelled.
"What happened?" Chuka asked, frantic.
"He's been trying to get a flight to Akure ever since he got off the phone." Seyi said, her voice coated with worry. "We've gone to all the airline counters, and they all said there are no more flights until tomorrow. But he's not having it."
"Listen, I'll pay double." Folarin said loudly. "I can sit in the fucking lavatory or whatever the fuck you people call the toilet. I don't care. I just need to get there now!"
"Sir, let me book you for first thing tomorrow morning.", the uniformed agent at the counter said as calmly as she could, trying to maintain her composure. "I can â"
"ARE YOU DEAF?" Folarin bellowed. "WHERE IS YOUR SUPERVISOR?"
A few security guards were approaching. Chuka signalled to them to hold on.
Chuka walked up to him and took his arm gently. "Fo'."
Folarin looked at him.
"Calm down. Just chill."
"Guy, I'm calm. I just need to fly tonight." He looked back at the agent. "Not tomorrow. Tonight!"
"Come first." Chuka said, gently pulling at his arm. "Just talk to me for a second."
"She slumped." Folarin said, not moving.
Chuka stopped, his heart beating faster.
Folarin looked at him. "She slumped, Chuka."
He let go of his arm. "Is... Is she -"
"I don't know. They told me they took her to the hospital. I didn't let them tell me anything else over the phone." He paused. "I need to be there."
"She's fine, Folarin. I know she is."
"Guy, stop abeg. I no be pikin."
"Oya na. How much you wan bet?" Chuka said, trying to feign a confidence he didn't really feel. Truth was, he was just as terrified as Folarin. "You go see nau. First thing in the morning."
"I can't wait that long, Chuka. I can't."
"Guy, it's past 10. If these guys were still flying, they would sell you a seat. This is business for them."
Folarin said nothing, his rational mind slowly returning.
"First thing in the morning.", Chuka continued. "Yeah? We go find one place near here just chill for few hours. First flight like this, we move."
Folarin said nothing and then finally, he went to take a seat, his elbows resting on his knees with his head in his hands, his whole body shaking with worry, as Seyi rubbed his back to try and soothe him.
Chuka turned to the flight agent and flashed his most charming smile. "Babe. We've stressed you this night, abi?"
She smiled sheepishly. "It's okay, Sir. I understand."
Chuka peeled off more than a few thousand-naira notes and pressed them into her palm. "Have a few drinks on us when you close, ehn?"
"Oh wow. Thank you, Sir. Thank you very much.", she gushed.
"You're welcome. Oya, quickly book us for the first flight tomorrow morning.", he said taking out his debit card. "Akure. One way."
"Okay, Sir.", she smiled back. "Names and IDs, please."
Chuka proceeded to give her their information as she booked their flights.
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