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Episode 3

Dr Leru: Selah!

Me: Huh?

Dr Leru: Did you even hear what I said?

Me: No, please come again.

Dr Leru: Okay, I said I was praying, so I'm feeling emotionally down. It always happens to me when I pray in this hospital. So, could you please keep me company to cheer up my mood.

Me: Oh, okay. I thought you were a prophet and you were about to prophesy me. (I chuckled)

Dr Leru: No, I'm not. (Laughing) I don't even fully believe in prophets. At our church, we just pray and read the Bible. There are no prophets.

Me: Yeah, okay. I have to rush home. Ofile, my Aunt, is sick.

Dr Leru: Did you just say Ofile? What's your surname again?

Me: Kgang. You are so ignorant doctor, we worked together for 2 years yet you forget my surname. Why are you asking about it?

Dr Leru: I just attended a patient by those names, she didn't make it, that's why I was praying. But maybe it's a different Ofile.

Me: No, it can't be. She just can't die. Let me call her. (I took out my phone but my hands were shaking)

Dr Leru: Let me help you.

He tried touching my hand and I shifted to the side. This man doesn't know that he is burning me. The thing is most Christians don't know the power of a simple prayer. It recharges you and you will be like a fully charged battery that gives the brightest glow on the torch. God always protects those who acknowledge him. The only sad thing is that he won't give you instant riches and money. You have to sweat for it first, which is no longer my style. I guess he trying to prove his point, he once told Adam that he will eat bread from the sweat of his face.

Dr Leru finally gave up his effort of trying to touch me. He folded his arms and looked at me as I dialed my Aunt's number. It rang unanswered for a while until her son picked up.

Him: Hi couzy, ke kopa o ithagenelele ko lwapeng, go nale mathata (please hurry home, there is an emergency)

Me: What's wrong? Where is Aunty?

Him: Just hurry home please.

He hung up on me and I knew instantly that she was dead. I covered my mouth and suppressed a loud cry. Tears streamed down my face and Leru pulled me to his chest. I immediately jerked out and hurried past him, fanning myself, trying to cool down. It will take me a while to get used to this witchcraft thingy. 2 months in and already I'm getting burned by the Christians around me.

I hurried to the morgue and they let me in since I was wearing a uniform, a white dress. The janitor led me to the new corpses and uncovered my aunt's. I looked at her laying there, cold and her eyes were not properly shut. She had a sad expression plastered on her face. I covered my mouth once again and cried. She is gone, she is really gone and it is because of me.

Well, the fact is, I had been asked for a sacrifice by the sisterhood. I chose Ofile, my father's sister. She was so weak in prayer, so, it was easy to get to her. Now it was done, she was dead, and it was because of me. Call me wicked, but I was crying because I loved her. I hope she will forgive me wherever she is. I hope she will understand that I had no choice.

Janitor: Don't cry so much my sister, it was the Lord's will.

Me: But she was still young.

Janitor: True, but know that whatever happens, God has his reasons. (Typical Christian, I thought)

Me: Yeah, I hope she is well on the other side. (I played along)

Janitor: She is, death frees us from pain.

Me: True. Job 3 verse 17 says; There, the wicked cease to make trouble, and the weary find rest. She was weary, she was tired of being sick, so she is free and resting now. Thank you for reminding me that brother.

Janitor: You are welcome.

I allowed him to usher me outside the morgue. He really felt sorry for me. I managed to get to my car, where I completely broke down into tears. I managed to gather myself after a while and drove out. When I exited the hospital gate, Abamama appeared besides me on the passenger seat. I gave out a startled cry, and managed not to get off road.

Me: Oh God! Please, next time give a warning when you are about to appear.

Abamama: Mmpf! Sela!

Me: Yes Abamama.

Her: Let that be the last time you cry for the person you had sacrificed.

Me: Why? (I'm the only apprentice allowed to ask questions, I don't know why)

Her: Because, my dear, no one cries when they slaughter a sheep. They rejoice instead, because, a feast is about to be held. That sheep will be feasted upon. We have a very big task tonight child. 00:00 am, sharp, I would be coming to collect you.

Me: But she is human, we can't eat her.

Her: There is a lot you don't know...

She disappeared on me and I hit the horn, frustrated. She can't just leave me like that, confused and full of questions. I was starting to question if I made the right decision by joining them or not. If they make me do another uncomfortable thing again, I'll leave them. I won't even think twice, I will.

I hit the brake really hard and the driver behind me nearly crushed my car. There, in the middle of the road was something looking like an angel, she was so bright and glowing. My eyes were tearing up and I thought I was going blind. I forced myself to look at this glow of light and I could see her face, she was beautiful. But, she had a very sad expression on her elegant face. She looked really sad. Something in my mind told me that she is my guardian angel. I opened the car and got out, right in the middle of the road. I tried walking towards her but something was pulling me back. I stretched my hand to her instead, she tried coming, but it looked like she couldn't reach me. She was so far away, yet close.

Lady: (tapping my shoulder) Are you okay?

Me: Can you see that? (I pointed to the angel)

Lady: No. There is nothing there. Why did you stop in the middle of the road without giving a sign? You could have caused an accident.

Me: I'm sorry, just that the medicine I took is giving me some hallucinations. (I lied)

I paced to the car without giving her a chance to reply. I was aware of the other drivers shouting and cursing me. I got into my car and looked at the angel. She gave me a faint smile, a gold tear ran down her right eye before she disappeared....

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To be continued...