The Agony Of A Single Lie

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 2

On the second dawn,the sun shore so brightly but not in a mother's heart. She regretted how on earth she will be married to a pastor. Out of all her toasters.

'I should have envisioned this.'

She said amind recalling the miracles he performed during their courtship period. How many begged him to lay hands on them and how peculiar he was in the church then. Now,the vision had growed to the extent of him traveling almost all the time.

Deborah cooked absent mindedly. Soon,Peter was present in the kitchen, averagely greeting his mother well. Appearing sick again, Deborah drew him closer and hugged him. The high temperature could be felt. Again, this early morning!

'How are you feeling dear?'

Peter, a ten year old kid,kept throwing hands,not knowing what to say.

'Dear,is it like before? (Peter watched in silence) Maybe we should visit the hospital.'

'Ye...Ye...'

Before his reply could be fully pronounced, he fainted.

'Peter! Peter!!' Deborah rushed to support him so that he wouldn't hurt himself. Carrying him off to the car immediately, Deborah called her older daughter to finish the cooking.

****************************************

What a life! Innocently, without the clue of the earlier situation, the faith-filked miracle expecting lady,managed to move along with his husband and Johnson to Pastor Kunle's house. So glad for the good road that contributed to the speed encountered, both Frank and Johnson lowly applauded the government in words.

Prepared to put up the planned act after the knock, a strange sight was witnessed. A lady opened the door, it was Deborah's sister,Ayo,who watched Joyce party flat tommy in amazement.

'You mean she had been in labour for three days?'

'Yes.'

The explanation continued, emphasizing more on the need to see Pastor Kunle.

'Oh! You came at the wrong time.' Ayo also explained her in-law's absence since yesterday. Keeping the intensity of the earlier action, she informed them of the wife's absence too.

'Please, what's the name of the village?' Johnson asked.

'Arare.'

'Eh!' Frank exclaimed. Both Johnson and Joyce were glad Frank is familiar with the village.

'Can we have his number?' Johnson required.

'No problem.'

*****************************************

Drove into the bush,all passengers were forced down the bus. Like seriously, the seen environment can be likened to a place of skulls, no,of dry bones. No one dare disobey the kidnappers' orders,even their g*n looks fearful.

'God have mercy! God have mercy!' Frank fearfully prayed amind, interceeding for the lives of the three. Joyce continues to groan in silence, almost concluding her journey will end there.

'You',one of the hefty kidnappers raised a g*n towards Joyce's direction. 'Come here.' He continued. With no desire to disobey, Joyce manageably stood, lifting legs faster than she could, though, still too slow.

Her case was undeniable, easily noticed. Before the next word could be said, an hot slap landed on both Frank and Johnson's back, the two pushing them forward. Straight to the leader the three went.

'Why were you dancing? Is she your wife?'

'Ye...Ye...Yes. This is my brother, we were taking her to my parents.'

'Then,why are you dancing?'

'I...I...I...I was afraiiid.'

Johnson too was nodding almost furiously. The kidnappers laughed with a bold voice. Simple words said, it was understood that hurting a newborn will cause another catastrophe in their job.

'Maybe we should release her.'

'To lonely trek in this dark bush?'

'I suggest the three should be released.'

The discussions were still on when a lady among the captives suddenly declared herself as her nurse.

'I took care of her till this extent. Her case is so critical. She's been in labour for a week, if not under medical supervision, she will die anytime.'

Both Frank and Johnson were confused. What if she's considered and both of them left behind?

'Is that true?' The question was directed to the men.

'Yes.' Frank quickly replied.

Facing the others,while one was beating the rest,the assistant leader asked; what do you think?'

********************************

Calling him several times not picked, Deborah kept her trials if possible her husband will be informed of the dying boy.

The doctor is requiring an amount of hundred thousand naira for her as a deposit for treatment. It's possible they might carry out an operation on him. So painful is viewing the weak boy who couldn't speak again. He hardly respond to things now. Is this how he will die? Faith or prayer seems so hard for Deborah in this case.

Heavens be praised, Pastor Kunle picked the call. It couldn't be helped, tears rolled down her face remembering the nurses' words of why was he kept till this day? In few words, the matter had been reported.

'What's the name of the sickness?'

'It seems they are still suggesting. They haven't tell me the exact name.'

So,what's he to be treated for? Pastor Kunle wondered why he has to send that amount on what is yet to be discovered.

'It's okay darling. He's my son. He won't die.'

'Amen. '

'What should we do now?'

'Send the money for him to be treated immediately. '

With no excuse, Pastor Kunle accepted the offer supplications and try if network will be available to transfer money to her. If not,he will call the other pastors to help.

'Okay. Please quickly. '

The conversation was off. Deborah viewed the child again and resumed in her previous act;regretting like never before.

********************************

'God, what's happening?'

This expectant lady kept pacing to and fro,expecting to put a call through to either her daughter or her husband.

'Did they off their phone or are they in the bush?'

Joyce's mother was restive,different thoughts flashing her mind. Sitting a while,standing up, pacing,trying to calm down, she kept calling.

Sitting again, she put to mind how much she had lost her faith in Christ taking over the situation. Where she isn't, God is. Why not hand it over to God again?

The prayers started like mere words; words showing a bit of her fears. Continuing more in her sayings,she built her faith quoting more and more of God's words. In some more minutes, she was praying in the Spirit.

*******************************

Praising God for the favour,their eyes were covered and led to another unknown place in the bush.

'Move straight. You must not look back.'

The kidnappers await their going. Quickly they moved. Frank carried his heavy wife. Soon,they were out of sight. But,where to? They just kept moving if possible they might get the way.

It's true,the attached lady is truly a nurse. Aunty Nurse checked the lady and announced she will soon give birth.

'Are you sure?' Frank required.

'Ha-ah! It's 9cm.' Aunty Nurse answered with much assurance.

'You are not with any load.' Aunty Nurse continued.

'It's all in the car.' Frank regretted.

'A bit ( heavy breathe) is here(silently).' Joyce said,pointing to her handbag.

Good. Aunty Nurse confidently did what she was good at when putting an effort into delivering her.

'I can't feel the head or legs. '

Checking the tommy over a minute, she concluded; 'It's not a breech baby'. Almost confused, she looked at the two,'what happened?'

'The reason is why you met us in the bus. We actually want to meet someone who will pray for her.' Frank shortly explained.

'Please, let her be up,a man is approaching.' Johnson pleaded with Aunty Nurse.

Quickly, Frank held up his wife. Supporting her with a side. He's too tired to partly carry her again. Joyce seems too weighty.

'Good afternoon baba.'

'Good afternoon baba.'

Both Aunty Nurse and Johnson greeted the man who appears like a local doctor. With no response to the greetings, the man required where they are heading to. Almost immediately, Johnson witfully narrated how they were kidn*pped and released.

'Mummy baby, you will deliver safely.'

The rest said 'Amen.'

'I'm Agbomola (a person who treats kids).

'Baba ooh!' Johnson partially prostrated.

'Can I check the baby?' Agbomola requested.

'No problem sir.' Frank replied.

I a short time, Agbomola severally touched the woman's tommy on feet. The rest were a bit expectant of his words. Before looking up,Agbomola shook his head.

'You offended God through his servant and the servant said 'let's see who is true'. Except you plead for his pardon,I doubt if you might receive God's forgiveness. '

********************************

Sitting down with some patients' relatives in the hospital corridor, the Pastor's wife kept calm,willing to calm a man regretting her days of serving God,but she's afraid of the man placing her s**t in her face. The hunger was severe. Though not enough, she manages to eat the little loaf her son didn't eat. Peter on the other hand hasn't eaten anything since morning. The medical deposit has been paid,treatment ought to start.

Over and over again, the man's words were too hurtful to her hearings. Wait,is it compulsory for her to be there? She stood to move inside. As if expected, she met the doctor on the way and immediately, the doctor poured his words.

Just informed now, Peter's blood group is not available or found in the surroundings. Meanwhile, for a successful operation, two pants of blood must be available.

'What can I do?' Deborah asked curiously but stressed.

The doctor requested if she will like to donate for him. With more effort, Deborah acted up.

'Doctor, I've been fasting for twenty-one days. Tomorrow will be the final day. So you think I'll be capable to do this?'

'Mrs Adekunle,you know this is urgent. You can go check your blood level to determine if it will be enough or not. If it is, you will buy lots of milk and glucose or blood tonic. It's for your son,remember.'

The man regretting earlier became more interested in the woman's issue,silently making jest of her to the sitting people. Breathing heavily, Deborah spoke with so much confusion.

'No problem Doctor. I'll so exactly if only you can tell me what exactly is wrong with him.'

The doctor gazed on her curiously.

********************************

Only Aunty Nurse heard these sayings for the first time. Feeling unlucky to have move with such group of humans, she put to mind how people hid their challenges within,on the outside, looking good, happy and nice. 'Even the person sitting next to you have his'. All hidden, you'll never know. '

'That's the person we want to go and see baba. We were told he's in Arare.'

'That's eight-hour journey from here.'

'Ha!!' Both Frank and Johnson shouted.

'See,pass here. It's better than passing the main road. You'll board three buses. In five hours time, you should be there. '

Almost giving up on all the stress encountered and the ones in line to be encountered, Frank weakly asked Agbomola, seeing he's a seer, 'Baba,will she make it? She can't even walk again.'