Love, Flicker, Burn- Entry 13 (Double feature!)

Ugo looked around the boarding gate. It was going to be a full flight to Lagos. Tough luck, he enjoyed light flights, they were less noisy and got ready for takeoff faster. There seemed to be several groups of people, like a bridal party or something. Nigerians were really into destination weddings these days. He continued reading his pile of  airport literature; the Financial times and a book he had bought at the bookstore; Creativity Inc. by Ed Catmul. He glanced at his phone expectantly. No message. He had sent Tiide a message at the airport a week ago that he was Johannesburg -bound with a day's stop over in Lagos. She had ignored. He thought about showing up at her door when he landed but he figured he preferred the effect of anticipation and expectancy to surprise.

He clicked on his iTunes icon and hit his 'Travel light' playlist ; his blend of Jamiroquai and Sade. He put a bookmark on page 15 and closed the book. Music helped him make sense of things stuck in a haze. In this case, how to get Tiide to agree with his suggestion. He wasn't  worried about it really, he knew Tiide, she wasn't exactly what you would call strong- willed. He always found it endearing too. He was mildly impressed that she didn't reply his message.  They were clearly right for each other....on occasion. He also knew she wasn't single as she had claimed. He didn't know who she was dating but he knew she didn't have the right to act all holy and scorned. He cheated on Adira and at least he came clean but she just sat there, nose turned up and mute.

First and business class began boarding. Ugo joined the priority lane with his boarding card and passport in hand. He could see from the corner of his eye an agitated argument on the economy queue. Sade crooned on in his ear as he boarded, blocking out the banter of the cranky passengers. He already had a seat partner.

First thought, a Lagos girl, eyebrows of perfection and very brown face...powder-brown not nature-brown, pretty too. He smiled as he settled into his seat, folding his copy of the financial times and tucking it into the seat in front of him. She smiled back, clearly in a good mood and she looked like a talker.  'So you are my company to Lagos? Were you at Peju and Jimi's wedding?', she asked brightly.

Ugo pulled out the earplugs with one jerk, ' What did you say?'

'O sorry. I was asking if you were at wedding too. Jimi and Peju's. About 90% of the passengers were'.

'No', Ugo laughed 'I unfortunately wasn't, partly because I have no idea who Jimi and Peju are'.

She laughed genuinely.

'Ugo', he said as he extended his hand.

'My name is Lara. Lara Dina.' Lara said as she took his hand.



This is a double feature.... so it's continued here!