RAY LINE

SUSAN RETURNS TO THE CITY

Susan is so pained that her mistake had created a condition that she has to live with all the days of her life, as the death of her mum was never something that crosses her mind. Moreover, Susan could not believe that her dad will disown her, because she is her dad's favourite, however, now, she has become like her dad's enemy. To make matters worse, for the fear of her dad's threat, she did not even attend her mum's burial. Susan's life becomes complicated.

When she arrives in the city, she calls Lucy and informs her that she is in town. However, Lucy notices Susan sobbing on the other side of the phone.

Susan goes straight to Lucy's house and immediately she sees Lucy, she burst into tears, saying, "Lucy, I am finished. My mistake has cost the death of my mum after my dad disowns me, my mum could not take it, so she slumps after hearing my dad says to me, " I disown you..." After my mum had slumped, she was rushed to the hospital, but unfortunately, she didn't make it back alive. You wouldn't believe it, I did not even attend my mum's burial. I wish I knew this is where my relationship with Bob will land me. Now, I am the only one suffering the consequences."

"Hmmm!", Lucy respond, as she did not even know what to say. After putting herself together, Lucy decides to encourage Susan.

" Susan, everything will be fine. Just calm down and you will be fine. This phase of your life will pass. First, we have to give attention to your well-being and your baby. If I will suggest, since you are almost three months pregnant, I will advise that you see a doctor, register with the maternity clinic and start your antenatal care immediately, which is very important. Do not throw Bob away when he comes around, because you need him more now, especially to foot your bills."

Susan responds, "For now, I don't think I would want to set my eyes on Bob because his presence will increase my trauma. Maybe you will help me do the communication with him until I am ready to face him."

"Well, if you think that will help you, then, I am on your side.", says Lucy, as she asks Susan, " Have you had something to at all?"

"Not really, I have not had anything yet, because I don't even have the appetite.", Susan respond.

Moreover, Lucy says, "Please, let's go chill somewhere away from the noise. I think this will help take your mind off the challenges troubling you. I have learnt to create a counter-world against challenging situations and this had helped me overcome situations that would have weighed me down. Susan, you need to be strong to stay alive for your baby. Who knows tomorrow? What you consider a predicament now may become your only hope in future. Therefore, do not allow any negative vibrations. Common girl, let's go chill out."

Susan smiles as Lucy, says, "Common girl..."

Lucy and Susan go out to a nearby cafeteria not too far from her house. When they arrive at the cafeteria, immediately the waiter saw them entering, he motions toward them.

"Hi, ladies, you are welcome", here you go, as the waiter, hands over the food menu to them.

Lucy receives her menu and suggests to Susan to pick a food choice rich in protein.

Susan decides to pick grilled fish with a little coconut rice. While Susan picks shrimps with rice. They both had banana milkshakes as drinks. They both eat, while Lucy decides to talk about what is going on in her workplace to shift Susan attention from the things bothering her mind.

Lucy tells Susan about her boss, how intelligent he is, but very strict. She says, " My boss is an attorney, who is a workaholic, having a stockpile of cases to defend. Therefore, as his secretary, I have to keep accurate records to ensure he attends to his cases prudently. He doesn't even have time for himself, always reviewing cases to ensure he hits his target that will stand him out and make him win his cases. He doesn't take for granted his case files and being his secretary, I have to work extra hard and overtime. This is affecting my relationship, but I have to work in order not to be dependent on my boyfriend. I hate being a liability."

While Lucy is still talking, Susan is munching her food because she feels starved.

Lucy continues, "Life is full of challenges, therefore, nothing in life, is without challenges. If I tell you what I'm facing in my workplace, and going through in life generally, you will weep for me.

Susan interrupts, saying, "I am sorry my friend, we always get to talk about me, me and me alone. You don't get to talk about yourself. Sincerely, I feel much relieved to hear you share with me some of the things you are going. I wouldn't have known if you have not shared it with me. Truly, I thought, you do not have a single challenge. Nevertheless, how do you handle all these challenges that it does not affect your normal life, just the way I am affected?"

Lucy smiles, and says, "It's God's grace. Though I am not a religious person, I trust God and truly, he has never failed me, even in my unfaithfulness. Do you know what I have learned in life?"

"Please, tell me, I am curious I want to know.", Susan respond, as

Lucy continues by saying, "Ok! here is a simple truth. Our unfaithfulness, cannot affect God's faithfulness. I mean, even when we are unfaithful, God is still faithful. I deserve not the grace of God I am enjoying, however, he still gave it to me anyway. All you need is just an understanding of God's grace that gives you the right attitude of trusting Him in every situation. Truly, it is good to trust God, not man. Men will disappoint you, but God will not. He is the only one that will give you the peace you seek. So, my friend, this is how I have been handling my challenges. I cry secretly to him and smile openly at the world because I know that little smile, may ignite hope in someone who is going through challenges in life. The challenges you go through that make you cry in your secret to Him who understands when men do not will make you become a solution to those who are going through similar challenges, and people will not even know that you have any challenge."

Susan says, "Let me tell you this,

sometimes, I have to succumb to some certain temptation to keep my job. No one is above mistake. We've all made mistakes and are still making mistakes."

As Lucy talks intently with Susan, tears drip down from her eyes, as she says, "Susan, it will amaze you to know that my life is more devastating than yours. Nevertheless, I am still grateful to God to be among the living. At least you have a man footing your bills. Mine, I am the one labouring and footing his bills and it's been easy. Life is sometimes funny and we must enjoy whatever situation it brings our way, whether good or bad, your disposition toward life will determine where life will place you. I have learnt the act of a positive mindset and I have mastered the act of conditioning my mind to think positively even in negative situations. I have never told you my relationship with my boyfriend has never been smooth. However, I do not allow anything to weigh me down, because I channel my energies to trusting God."

One could only imagine the joy that fills Susan's heart after Lucy had sounded so real. You learned that sometimes in life, we may think our situation is worse until we hear about what people are going through.