LAST FIGHT TO DUBAI Episode 1

 

Last Flight to Dubai

Episode One

“I will marry you.” Chidiogo tells Chike. It was her dream proposal and it was a total surprise as she never expected it when it came. Although, she knew that Chike would ask her to marry him, but not so soon. It was barely two years after he got a job after his NYSC, so she had expected him to dilly-dally like many men would do. Also, it was barely six months since they started dating, and the proposal came rather fast. 

All the same, she stretched out her left hand and Chike inserted the shiny diamond ring in her long finger. Chidiogo is already thirty and she has no time to play hide and seek in a relationship. Chike had gone to Wuse Market the week before and bought the ring for N85,000 and it fit perfectly well on her finger.

Immediately after Chidiogo said yes to Chike both families were informed and a wedding date was announced. Soon, invitation cards were printed and every preparation set in motion. The traditional wedding was to be held on 20th of August 2020 and the white wedding on the 21st. Everything was set and the two lovers looked forward to their big day, but something happened that upset the apple cart.

One Monday morning, Chike got to work and was handed a transfer letter by his boss, Mr Achibong.

“Congratulations Chike. You have been transferred to the UAE and you will be the head of our IT department in Dubai. You are proceeding this Friday.” Mr Achibong said with a broad smile on his face. Mr Achibong was the CEO of Authority Bank where Chike worked as head of IT and cyber security.

“What? How did this happen? How can you transfer me? It’s barely two weeks until my wedding.” Chike said. He was livid with anger. But in fact, Chike and Mr Achibong never had a cordial relationship. Not that they were fighting, but there was this unstated suspicion between the two. Worse was that Mr Achibon had tried to fire Chike a month before, but he was overruled by the bank board of directors. The transfer was his latest game.

“I can’t take this. I mean, I can’t abandon my wedding plans half-way. No way!” Chike yelled at his boss. Chike is a very confident and competent staff and the bank cannot do without him. Two months ago, he helped the bank burst a major fraud problem that was suspected to have been carried out with strong internal help. Internet fraudsters had gained access into the banking details of 1000 rich customers and secretly moved funds to an account suspected to have been created by a high-ranking official of the bank.

 With the help of Chike who detected the suspicious movement of funds early, the account was frozen.  In fact, he had concluded his investigation into the N3 billion fraud and he was going to present his explosive findings to the board of directors that very Friday. Every top ranking member of staff was scared of what might come out of the case. So he was right to be suspicious and surprised when he got the transfer letter.

“What about the N3 billion fraud investigation? I have concluded my investigations and the findings are ready. And the police have been informed to be present on Friday for the presentation of the findings to the board of directors. Is that canceled?” Chike asked Mr Achibong. 

“The board has approved your transfer. And there is no going back. There is a major IT problem waiting for you to fix as soon as you get to Dubai. To compensate you for this sudden transfer, the bank is raising your salary from N1.5 million per month to N3 million and also a three bedroom flat plus two official cars in Dubai. I suggest you take it.” Mr Achibong said as he left the office.

That evening after he closed from work, Chike visited Chidiogo in Asokoro where she lived so that they could discuss the sudden development. It was supposed to be a very difficult discussion, but Chike was surprised that Chidiogo made it simple for him.

“We can shift the wedding. In fact, why not do it in Dubai? Let's have our wedding in Dubai. It would be so sweet. There is nothing bad about the transfer. Besides, it comes with a very generous package and a chance for us to finally leave this country. My love, I support that you should take it.” Chidiogo said.

“Do you really understand what you are saying? I mean, I’m not leaving with you immediately since you don’t have a visa yet. It means we may have to spend at least six months away from each other.” Chike tried to explain things and put them in proper perspective for Chidiogo, but she insisted he take the transfer and he did. They agreed to reschedule their wedding by six months.

That Friday, Chike kissed Chidiogo goodbye at the Abuja airport and departed for Dubai. When he arrived at the Dubai International Airport, he was arrested by the police after 5kg of cocaine was found in his bag. Chike was locked up with immediate effect!

“How did cocaine enter my travelling bag?” He asked himself when he was taken into the maximum security prison where he was remanded. There was no way to know and there was no one to help him. Chike’s troubles have started and he is very far away from home.

Crazy days ahead!

Watch out for episod 2.