15th November, 2018. The day I first attended a book fair organised by Grace & Light International Ministry. (The date was inscribed on a book from the fair; my memory failed me. Do you inscribe dates and information alike on your books?) The book fair is an annual event when/where books are sold at cheaper rates and other bonuses are offered to customers.
Manji was a stranger I met when seeking the venue for the first annual meeting of Book-Troverts in 2018. Little did I know he was the one behind the calligraphy on the book club membership certificate. The book fair was announced at the meeting.
Manji reached out to me, a few days before the book fair. I had abandoned my intentions to visit because funds was not available. He asked me to prepare. He came on the deal day.
Three years later (18/11/2021). I am heading to the same venue Manji and I visited in 2018. I wanted to surprise him. To remind him of how grateful I am. And to make memories together again. I could not reach him. His contact is down for far too long.
I trekked from my house to the same point we got a tricycle from in 2018. Memories flashed back. Vivian called to tell me she could not find his contact. No rider is willing to take me there. If Manji and I were together, it would have been easier as it was. Unlike in 2018, I trekked against my wish. I wanted to travel faster than go farther; with Manji, I'd choose the latter.
The first tricycle rider who was willing to take me to the venue, wanted to exploit me. He billed me N400. He said it is for charter. I thought he'd have other passengers as we travelled. Plus, Manji and I paid N300 to go there. The venue is in an isolated area, less traveled by public transport vehicles.
Another was willing to go. Without bargain, I was charged N100. Seriously? It sounded ridiculous. My thought was that the price must have doubled by 100%, given that my trip with Manji was 3 years old already. I mean, the price for a cardboard sheet is now twice the price it was last year.
En route we learn a few things from each other, the rider and I. He bade me farewell. We wished each other success.
Someone in my contact list on WhatsApp donated to this cause in cash. I got five amazing titles from the book fair. However, the book fair wasn't lively as the first one I attended. The customers were few. The books were lesser. And there was no bonus package in form of books. In 2018, a purchase worth N1,000 makes the customer entitled to 5 books for free; the customer chooses from a separate store. This year every purchase incures a discount of 10%.
Manji ensured I attended the book fair in 2018. Someone I barely know for over a month did same this year. How the universe conspires in one's favour, Paulo Coelho would say.
Boarding a tricycle when returning, I was charged lesser than all the others demanded when I was coming. It then occurred to me that the advantage an adversary has is the ignorance of his subject.
Few titles from the book fair
Which of these have you read:
1. C. S. Lewis on Scripture by Michael J. Christensen
2. The Dawkins Letters by David Robertson
3. Why Pro-Life? by Randy Alcorn
4. The Bible Jesus Read by Philip Yancey
5. What's So Amazing About Grace? by Philip Yancey
Have you read other books by any of the authors?
See what Lengdung Tungchamma says about Philip Yancey: Where the Light Fell.
Beautiful 👏👏
The image you create with your words... never stop writing.