I worked in Aba, Abia State, for two years. My daily commute to and from work was mostly by tricycle ie keke. With three people crammed into the back and one upfront, you could quickly learn a lot just by listening and observing. Those rides became little windows into people’s everyday lives — full of stories, arguments, laughter, and the occasional gbas gbos.

In time, I realized the most interesting parts of my day weren't just at work, most of them were the daily adventures I experienced on those keke rides.

The scenarios I share in this piece are just a handful from the fleet of moments I witnessed - some funny, some heartwarming, others chaotic.

Through them, I’ve come to see how these random encounters form the fabric of our shared humanity.

I remember one particular evening, a man hurried into the keke carrying a gas cylinder. A curious passenger asked if he was off to refill it, and just like that, a story unfolded. The man shared how he had gotten home early, decided to make a quick pot of noodles, only for the food to get burnt and worse more, somehow nearly burning his gas cylinder in the process. I don't remember the exact story in full details but I do remember the laughter that filled the keke as he spoke. Before he alighted, the other passengers had joined in, sharing their own kitchen mishaps and offering teasing words of comfort.

In less than ten minutes, I watched strangers bond over a shared, everyday experience.

Moments like these happen every day, though it’s easy to miss them amid the rush and seriousness of life. These are experiences that have nothing to do with titles, careers, or social status - just people sharing a space, a time, and a fleeting connection.

I know we all have our differences and complexities; a whole other story for someone else to tell.

In this piece, I simply celebrate the small, everyday moments that connect us.

Can you relate?