LOST

Reuniting

"Sit down Mr Ntua. I have a lot to speak."

"I have rights. I need to be informed. I have certificates that prove that I'm the area chief." Mr Ntua replies.

"Papers? Who gave you the certificates? Anyway, take easy. You can pass your queries to the authorities. This is beyond my capacity."

"Capacity? Did you say? You cannot take what is rightfully mine. I will protect what I represent till the end. I will stand for my rights. I will go to court. I will win this."

"You are right. Maybe the court will help you. Now, let me speak to the congregants. Thank you Mr Ntua. You are a gentleman. You will get through this. Trust me you will."

"Is this a joke to you? People, do you think this is fair?"

(A group of the Chanians led by their chairman stands. One of them clears his throat to speak)

"You are not our chief. You gave our yard to the Musonians. (Cheers from the rest) Go and feed on your pride. We hare you. You gave oppressed us way too long."

"Stop! Stop this! This is a Church. Give God some respect. Now, can you all sit down. We have to listen to our sermon. Cool down your temper." Mr Bernard intervenes.

Mr Ntua grabs his watch and Bible. "You will all suffer for my pain. I will let God to deal with it. I stand with the poor. I stand with the truth."

"Take your stand to your wife and children." A congregant replies.

Mrs Ntua holds her head in disbelief as she watches her husband walking away. She winks thrice, and releases a long held sigh. She looks around and notices a considerable number of people is staring at her.

"Are you all going to stare at me like a scarecrow? Come on. Let us do the common business." Mrs Ntua replies.

"Enough! Enough is enough! Please now your heads for a word of prayer." The pastor speaks.

After the service, the only daughter of Mr Ntua stands at the fore fence. She is stressed up. She knows how difficult it will get. Her dad being the only bread winner, she has no idea what will happen.

"Are you worried? Are you okay May?"

(She gets shocked)

"Dan? What? When did you return? Give me a hug. Oh my God! Look at you. Very masculine and all grown. What is happening there that has made you change this much."

"Grace. The grace of God if I may say, and... peace of mind. And... feeding well, I guess that is it."

"I missed you. Wow! I had no idea you were back."

"But you have an idea now. I competed my studies in Serima. I am not going back there."

"Okay, can we have a walk down the pavement?"

"Yes May. And you, are you done?"

"Yes Dan. I am now at home. Mike is in school. I'm just there."

"What plans do you have?"

"No plans yet Dan. My Dad had promised me that I might get a chance to further my studies at Barafa. But..."

"I know May. I know."

"What do you know Dan?"

"I know... uhm... yeah! You want to go there and further your studies. Smart girl."

"Do not be a freak Dan. Anyway, you are going home?"

"Not sure, but... what plans do you have?"

"Plans? I never have plans. I'm just going home."

"I can drop you maybe."

"No Dan. You can just get going with your plans. I can trail all the way home. It is not a thing to me."

"It is May. Let me drop you home. Your parents know me."

"Come on. Of course they do. We grew up together."

"Good response. Now, get inside this Mercedes Benz and tighten your seat belt."

"Okay. I hear you sir. Road safety analyst. Is that you?"

"Pretty well May. Get in."

"Thank you Dan."

(Sounds of the car doors)

"I had a hard time there." Dan speaks.

"Why?"

"The driver sits at the left side. It was a mountain."

"I hope you did not make any errors."

"Errors... Oh yeah! Zero."

"Okay."

May notices how comfortable the car is. She hovers her eyes around and notices how amazing the car lighting is. She stares at Dan and seems she is about to say something.

"How are the Serima people? Did they receive you well?"

"Oh yes. I loved them. It is a beautiful state."

"And the ring on your finger? Do you..."

"Creeper! This is a designer ring May. It is meant for making the fingers look attractive."

"Oh! Good answer Dan."

(Silence)

"Do you have a boyfriend May? Oh Sorry! It is just that... You are now grown. Your parents can understand."

"Do you mind stopping here Dan?"

"What?"

"Yes please."

"Why May? We are not yet there."

(Silence. The car stops. Silence again)

"Keep on driving." May speaks.

"What was that?"

"What?"

"The drama May. Did I offend you?"

"I'm I not attractive Dan? I'm sorry I asked you this but... I just can't get it."

"What? Ofcourse you are. That's why I possed the question."

"Are you kidding me? Now I am serious. Stop the car." May speaks.