Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Lastma

A good week to everybody! Yes, I know I owe you a strong tale of a mishap that befell me me last week, or was it the week before that? I'm trying to type from my Blackberry phone and I have no idea how to put paragraphs in this thing. Nkem, you'll have have to sort this thing; it's what I 'pay' you for!. So where ever you read me shout 'paragraph!', you put one. You read? Good. :-) Paragraph!

It was a lovely Saturday afternoon and I had hitherto decided to spend the whole day lounging in my home. I had my books that I hadn't read and some delicious movies that I had saved to watch alone.; I like to rewind a lot so I can 'chew the cud' on special moments. Yes, I am not everyone's favourite movie partner. In preparation of building my cosy cocoon around me, I had bought my beloved cod fish which I was going to season with garlic, grill and devour with sauteed fluted pumpkin leaves (ugu). I'd cleaned out the fish, seasoned it and went to turn the grill on only to realize I'd run out of gas! Not to be deterred I unhooked the gas cylinder from the the cooker and drove off to the gas man's shop to fill her up. I filled my canister up and it occurred to me to indulge my sweet tooth as well. I drove to a nearby store to buy some fruit juice and my favourite potato crisps, sour cream and onion. I parked my car on the bustling road right behind another parked car and went into the store to grab my goods. I had just taken my purchase to the cashier's to pay for them when a woman rushed into the shop asking for the owners of the cars parked outside. Thinking an accident had just occurred we, the owner of the other car and I, both rushed outside to find out what was going on. To my utter dismay I saw the dreaded LASTMA tow truck already reversing into the back of Betty, its towing appendage already extended! 'Paragraph!'

I quickly ran up to the LASTMA official in charge and tried to explain to him that I had no prior knowledge that the road I was parked on was a no parking zone. He patiently listened to my entreaties, nodded understandingly while Betty was being hoisted up in the air and told me I could come and explain the situation at the office they were taking my car to. Meanwhile the other man smartly jumped into his car and zoomed off to safety. In a matter of seconds I saw my impassive Betty being carted away unceremoniously. I was nonplussed. I was at a loss of what to do. My pleasant evening was going up in smoke in the back of my car. I was still standing there looking dazed when one of the onlookers ran up to me and urged me not to let them take my car to their station otherwise not only would I have to pay a hefty fine – an equivalence of about $400 – but it would take about a week for me to get her back. I did not need to be told twice. I quickly hailed one of the okadas (commercial motorcycle) passing by and ordered him to give chase after the retreating miscreants. We soon caught up with their truck and I tried to hail them to stop so we could talk. The chief officer refused to stop and encouraged me to meet them at their station. All sense of propriety and decorum had by now left me. From where I was seated on the bike I held on to the door of the towing truck and refused to let go not caring who saw or recognized me in such an undignified position. We must have looked quite a spectacle weaving all over the road or my persistence must have paid off because the truck was soon forced to stop. They opened the door for me to get in. 'Paragraph!'

I dispatched the okada with a quick hundred naira note and clambered into the truck’s cab with the officer. I told them I had never broken a traffic law and I had merely gone to buy baby food at the shop with no knowledge that the spot I parked on was a no parking zone owing to the non existence of any warning sign to that effect. The officer turned to me and sympathetically told me that the meter had already begun running; they would have to give an account of the vehicle they had towed at the office.'Paragraph!'

The long and short of the story is that I parted with four thousand naira (about $27) before Betty’s dignity was restored to her and we were left to go on our merry way. I went back to the same store – I parked properly of course – and bought exactly the same crisps and drink I have gone to buy before. Surprisingly the store keeper refused to take my money and let me have them for free. Well that’s it folks, my misadventure on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. Till next time then, do have a great week everyone!

13 comments:

  1. Lmao...I dont know which is funnier, the story itself or your account. Understand this, I am not laughing at the misadventure in itself. that must have sucked though. You know, I kind of think that lastma together with NPF is the "devil" which was spoken about in the bible.
    Anyway, how did the fish turn out? Plus you havent spoken about Frieda in a while. Everything better be going right in that corner. As always, it was interesting reading from you.




    HoneyDame
    honeydame1.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hehehe I wish I had been there to behold the spectacle...lol. Lord knows I would be pointing and laughing out loud while taking photos (you know moments like that are once in a lifetime) hehe. Now you have a great story to tell your kids...lol

    ReplyDelete
  3. LASTMA works on saturday too? Better $27 than $400. Hope you enjoyed your fish.

    ReplyDelete
  4. The fear of road officials, lol...

    You sabi better thing sha, grilled fish and all..

    ReplyDelete
  5. MEHN! That must have sucked. The way you told it was really funny though lol!! But good thing you sorted it out ASAP and got to have your good day

    Adiya
    Muse Origins (Creative Nigerian Features)
    Muse Origins

    ReplyDelete
  6. Very interesting account... Sorry oh.. Lastma is crazy.. Read this story and have a good laugh..
    http://berryfeistypen.blogspot.com/2010/10/for-love-of-bb_16.html

    ReplyDelete
  7. sorry for dat,hope u still had ur grilled fish sha.

    ReplyDelete
  8. An amazing story never to be forgotten. Hehehe

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hello! You have an interesting website. It is nice to visit here.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I guess this is a very clear case of "no pain, no myth" but on second thought, not funny!

    i formed the picture in my head of the scene and i see myself pleading on your behalf...can't stand it when they do that, i.e, wait for you to fall into their trap before telling you its a "no parking zone." offcourse the money wont get to the office... poor Betty, hope you gave her a nice rub and sooted her feelings with a nice song while at it...

    ReplyDelete
  11. Lol true nigerian you are! Funny how fruit juice and pringles turned into baby food in the face of conflict lol. Meanwhile tell me the truth kalu were you really going to prepare the fish yourself or frieda was going to save you from poisoning yourself lol!(hey you are the one who told us of how you made what seemed like a horrid pot of beans :p but am proud of the improvement I guess. Meanwhile will your movie also premier in abuja?

    ReplyDelete
  12. Ehya pele..LOL...i'm laughing with ,not at you..
    I'm wondering how those soft-sell mags missed the drama,the headline would have read.. "Kalu Ikeagwu,ace Nollywoood actor,shamelessly went after LASTMA"...hehehehe
    i'm impressed you did not allow that to spoil your day,i would have been too distraught after the incidence..
    I'm also impressed with the store management that you went to get juice and chips from...do you mind sharing the name and location of the store?
    Thanks..

    ReplyDelete
  13. Ah!ha! I tremendously enjoyed reading this narrative. This is actually my first time on your blog.
    Well, I think it served you right for parking on the wrong spot, however that's only if it was clearly marked "no parking."
    It was a hilarious, no doubt :-)

    ReplyDelete