It was the festive season-Christmas and New Year, lots of items to be gotten, lots of decorations to be made and different delicacies to be made. For me asides my birthday and the birthdays of my loved ones, Christmas and New Year were my favourite times of the Year—I always looked forward to them.
We always loved going to the village to celebrate such special occasions—there you get to meet your cousins from Adam, get to do a lot of fun things together, in a house filled with people; my parents do not miss that for anything in the world. So, my siblings and I have gotten used to the tradition of travelling to the village during festive periods(especially Christmas and New Year), but that year, I had other plans.
I had recently graduated from the University but had a part-time job at a logistics company, so I couldn't travel immediately with my family. I would join them as soon as I was given a break.
Make sure to finish on time and come to the village. I don’t want you to be all alone here My mom said.
I helped them pack their luggages and that of my siblings the night prior, and by the next morning —they were on their way.
That evening, I decided to grab some groceries and snacks at ShopRite supermarket as I was returning from the office, at least enough to take care of my stomach until I joined them.
On getting there, the supermarke was buzzing with people—hasty shoppers, sluggish shoppers and cashiers who were trying to be as fast as possible.
Will I make it out of this busy supermarket today?, urghhh
Image generated with meta ai
I picked up the things I needed and walked briskly to the counter, the line was longer than River Nile but I didn’t have a choice, so I waited for my turn. The queue moved slowly until it almost got to my turn,
Hello dear, do you mind If I stand in front of you? A heavily pregnant lady asked pleading, it was obvious she was tired and considering her condition, I obliged her.
No problem ma
Thank you
Soon it was her turn but the cashier said I could place my items too (in a bid to make the queue shorter), the lady and I placed our items at almost the same time. While they checked my items at the counter, I got a call from my father, he wanted to let me know they had gotten to the village safely and to know how I was doing since they left. I excused myself for a minute to answer his call because of the overwhelming noise.
We got to the village some minutes ago, everyone, even grandpa and grandma are a bit upset you are not here. So I assured them that you will be here soon, I hope you are okay.
Thank God for safety, I’m fine dad. I’ll wrap up everything quickly and come over, I’m at the supermarket and it is busy here—I’ll give you a call when I’m home.
Okay, take care of yourself
And, you too I replied and hurried back to the counter.
Sir, your bill is 35,650NGN, how would you like to proceed with payment?
I immediately took out my card, swiped and my payment went through thankfully, without any bank delays. I picked up my grocery bag and left.
When I got home, about offloading the things I shopped for….instead I saw things I would not ordinarily buy, at least not for now—baby diapers, baby clothes, set of feeding bottles, huhh?. That was when it hit me that my bag had been mixed up with someone else's, at the supermarket.
I put back the items into the bag and rushed back to the supermarket hoping to fix this mess—when I got there, I saw the pregnant woman I met earlier, standing by the customer service, looking as confused as I was. She had mistakenly taken my bag instead of hers, when I stepped out to talk briefly with my Dad.
I’m sorry for taking your shopping bag, I was so mixed up when I got home and saw things I didn’t buy, I guess I must have had my mind elsewhere She laughed heartily.
We exchanged our bags and left..Since then, I’ve learnt to always cross-check items because I wouldn't ever want a repeat scenario.
Thank you for your continuous support 🙏
Image generated with meta ai
Thank you