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The news came at ten p.m. on Sunday: Diane had to be in Kaduna State for an urgent video production. Diane and her friend, Julius had long been preparing for the production, but the news of the journey came impromptu.

As elated as Diane was, she still felt uncertain about the sudden journey. How would she bump into her aunt the next day to announce the urgent news? And since she dreaded travelling by road due to the reports of banditry attacks, how could she possibly leave Abuja?

“You have nothing to worry about,” Julius assured, “I'm buying a train ticket for you immediately.”

Before Diane could gather herself together, it was the dawn of a new day, a day that began with the dark clouds painting the blanket of the sky. Telling her aunt was no big deal, however, Diane's mind was torn in different directions. Would it rain that morning? Could it possibly affect her journey of three p.m.? 

With the pregnant thunder roaring ceaselessly, Diane realized that she wanted to see things beyond reality. And for the umpteenth time, she stared at her cousins, her eyes seemingly as bright as the first time she'd affirmed it. The rain would not soil her journey plans. 

Ten-thirty a.m. came by quickly and Diane felt she was set to go. 

“You have to be at the train station latest two-thirty to get your ticket.” Julius’ voice still rang in her ears, but not as loud as the heavy downpour slapping the roof and windows outside the house. 

And no, it wasn't the typical downpour that an umbrella could handle. Storms accompanied the downpour. Diane's eyes moved from the digital wall clock to her two cousins. As much as she tried to stay calm, the racing clock was beginning to heighten her anxiety, gradually reminding her that she would be missing her first train experience, a first-class one at that, due to an uncontrollable rainfall. 

All three of them had one question etched on their faces. 

“What will happen now?”

At some minutes to one p.m., Diane felt it was safe to dash off into the street. Or maybe just for the sake of her journey. But another issue arose. Her power bank and Android phone, which she had plugged overnight at their neighbour's house, were locked indoors as they were nowhere in sight. It took another fifty minutes to find a way to get their neighbour's first son home. 

Now with her backpack over one shoulder, she dashed off into the rainy, muddy street, navigating her way to the junction. There, the traders and bus drivers didn't help matters. 

“You can't get to the train station in thirty minutes.”

“You may need to buy another ticket.”

They all seemed to be hell-bent on making her go crazy. And, Julius’ incessant calls made things worse.

At two-thirty p.m., a bus going in her direction finally came by. She jumped onto it, letting out ceaseless sighs in her palms as she settled. 

Now and then, she asked the passengers, “How far are we from Kubwa?” her heart palpitating with each response.

If she was too dramatic, she couldn't care less. The map on her phone told her she had less than thirty minutes to get to Kubwa, where the train station was located, but the increasing downpour and noisy passengers confirmed otherwise. It wasn't a private vehicle so it was best she killed what she called hope.

A train conductor called to remind her that the train would take off in fifteen minutes, and here she was, twenty-five minutes away from the venue, pressed in the confines of a rickety bus. Julius’ call came in. He was angry. Why hadn't she left her home on time?

She screamed into the phone, her free hand holding her forehead as if calming her aching head. “It's been raining heavily, Julius, don't you get it?”

“So whose fault? The rain? You should have left earlier.”

Julius hung up. They were both angry.  

The moment the driver halted at Diane's supposed destination, she paid hastily and jumped down, flagging down the next available okada (motorcycle taxi) and jumping into it. The passengers stared at her, some pitifully, some in bewilderment. 

What was chasing her? Must she travel that day?

It was exactly three-thirty p.m. when the bike man halted at the train station. His fee was too exorbitant but Diane wasn't thinking. She paid hastily and rushed towards the entry. Immediately she sighted a train taking off and she almost fainted. She almost ran after it on impulse, but a man told her it was the train slated for noon. The rainfall had delayed the day's activities. 

For the first time in hours, Diane exhaled deeply in relief. Beads of sweat broke over her forehead as words of thanksgiving gushed from her inside. 

“But you have to hurry so this next one doesn't leave you behind.” The man concluded and walked into the lobby. 

Some minutes later, Diane was in the warm bathroom of the train, changing into a warmer outfit as her original outfit had been drenched by the rain. Her first-class seat was secured. The train would be taking off in five minutes. She gazed deeply into the mirror one last time and chuckled at the figure staring at her. 

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So, could her beauty still be retained after such a dilemma? 

She lifted her hands, as if offering thanks to heaven, then instinctively, burst into laughter. 

“What a day!”
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