THE BURNING COIL(True life story)
(Events occurred in real Time)
It
was just N20, relatively cheap and easily affordable. You wouldn’t have
to stroll a long distance before coming across a Mallam who would have a
dozen of it in stock. I thought I needed to get one especially
considering how I had been a victim of attacks recently by the fearless
2k12 complaint mosquitoes that has fallen in love with my smooth body,
taking pride in the constant act of blood sucking and malaria transfer.
Those
close to me know I am the biggest fan of quick or junk food as the love
for cooking is one that I never had especially at nights where the day
had been so hectic and stressful. Just like my usual ever busy routine, I
had just returned to Lagos after two days of waka about. Can I get two
groundnuts and a sugar I whispered to the Aboki in my area looking at
the just freshly bought fried bean cake popularly called akara properly
wrapped in a nylon and carefully held by my left hand. Soaking garri
with correct chilled water accompanied by the bean cake is just an
electrifying way to give oneself a treat after a very busy weekend
filled with untold stress and fun. Beckoning to the Aboki, I requested
for a mosquito coil in addition to the placed order, afterall it was
revenge time. I needed to show the lesser living things called mosquito
that I am the boss. Honestly I can’t remember the year I last bought one
because I am really not a fan of the smell that emanates from burning
mosquito coils but on this night, I was prepared to endure the pain and
stick to the plan.
I innocently
lit the coil placing it on the rug in my room with the expectation of
having a mosquito bite free sleep, I carefully devoured the carefully
assembled mountain of garri and bean cake that stood before the son of
man, and of course after such a treat, a sound sleep is what any man
could ask for. I lay on my most loyal/favourite couch in the parlour to
reply some pings while hoping that PHCN would behave by restoring power
so I can wake up in the middle of the night to do some editing on my PC.
As I waited in vain, I ruminated on the events of the day especially
the text message I got from mum in the day having just returned from UK a
day before, the “eku-ile” message which was more like a spanking was
one I wasn’t expecting, anyway I was looking forward to seeing her later
in the week to collect my share of the goodies as I stared at the heavy
loads she sent through the family driver that was offloaded some
minutes earlier prior to my dinner. As I lay back thinking of the plans I
had for the week; the unexpected or perhaps the expected happened
.........I slept off.
Coughing
thrice and struggling to breadth well, I woke up some few minutes to
12am swimming in a cloud of flames emanating from the direction of my
room, I quickly reached out to a torchlight that usually accompany me to
bed. For once I thought it was a stunt from an epic Holywood
blockbuster but alas it was very real. Right by my very before (like my
friend would jokingly say), I saw the beautifully laid rug, the speaker
of my home theatre and the other electronics cables undergo sublimation
process although without a gas form end product. I saw the fire
gathering momentum and gradually reaching for the walls. Yepa, Ina re!
Ka ma ri. With the speed of light and with quick activation of Ben 10
mode I dashed for the nearest available bucket of water and after some
few minutes, the fire was put off but of course I couldn’t wipe off the
havoc it has caused. Many thought and “what if” scenarios flickered
through my mind in a rhythmic sequence. What if I was so engrossed in
the sleep and didn’t wake up when I did? What if I was chocked up in the
flame? What if there was water scarcity at the period? What if I hadn’t
bought the mosquito coil in the first place? What if I didn’t place the
lighted coil on the rug?
Hmmmmmnnnn,
it was indeed a foolish act to have placed a burning material not on a
solid/hard surface but on a combustible material. Be that as it may, it
could only have taken God as the master safety officer to intervene by
giving me a wake up tap at this ugly hour. Having had to stay outside
the house as a result of the dangerous inhalation condition, I couldn’t
but thank God for covering my mess once again. Sure it could have been
worse but He certainly choose to spare my household from experiencing
calamity less than nine hours after celebrating a joyful occasion of my
elder sister introduction turned engagement. I couldn’t but just put
this experience into writing especially as a means of caution for the
many potential Deji’s who might be as silly as I was considering how I
embraced the unsafe act that would have pulled the house down. Above all
I thank God for sparing my life to see another bright new day hale and
hearty. For the burnt rug and home theatre part, I expect the committee
of friends and the many humanitarian personalities associated to me to
swing into action for a replacement plan (lol).
It’s by his
grace that we are alive and not consumed, please when next you see or
hear from God, appreciate and thank Him on my behalf.... TO GOD ALONE BE
THE GLORY. Don’t ask me if I was eventually bitten by mosquitoes but I
can rightfully confirm the opening of the doors and windows to allow
the smoke escape. If you were me, would you light another coil?
Written by Olukokun Adedeji
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