Title: Boomerang
Story by O'nezer
Episode 19 (Finale)
"The stitches had been tampered with. Did he do any strenuous activity?" the doctor asked John who was only crying.
Quickly as possible, I had to be operated on again and this time, it took long hours than the first. I was in coma for two weeks and the doctor only advised they pray for a miracle.
I woke up and John was the first person I saw beside me speaking in tongues as he looked into my eyes.
"Praise God!" I heard him whisper as he gave me time to fully come to myself.
"How are you now?" he finally asked.
"I think I'm fine"
"Yes you are" he encouraged me.
"I'm sorry for everything my wife did" John pleaded.
"She should do more and even worse. I understand her" I said.
John kept looking into my eyes, I don't know what he was thinking, but I know he had some thoughts about me. I guess I'm the bad guy after all and he is now a good guy. Different thoughts filled my heart as I moved my eyes away.
John sat quietly in the chair of the room till Chidi came.
"I'll see you tomorrow" he said.
I didn't know what to say, so I nodded.
John came around the following day. Himself, Karen, my daughter and a Pastor.
"I'm sorry I over reacted" Karen pleaded as she came into the room.
"I understand you had to do that" I grinned.
Everyone found a place to sit and I couldn't get my eyes off Boluwatife my daughter.
"She's beautiful and someone to replace me when I'm gone. My mom will love you" I smiled at the thought.
"Mr. Olabode Joshua" the Pastor called out. John had introduced him.
"There is someone who loves you and is ready to change your life" he continued.
"I'm a Christian sir and I know all about what you're about to say" I rolled my eyes.
"I understand you, but I just want you to take your time to listen..."
“How did you think you managed to escape without being shot that night? How did you think you escaped out of the city without even the group causing harm to your family? Jesus loves you so much that He had been extending His arms of love to you…”
“He even got your friend here, John to tell you that you should not go into it, even when he introduced you to it. He has been giving you a long rope to pull, what is stopping you from accepting Him now. A lot of people die from surgeries like the ones you have undergone, some died in coma, but you didn’t because God has given you another opportunity to return to Him….” He continued.
“Have you ever thought that He is permitted to do anything about you because He is your creator. What if you die today, what will be your gain; hell, or life with God in Heaven for all eternity? Though you grieve Him, He still loves you….”
"I'm sorry Lord!" my lips gave way amidst tears.
“I have no excuse anymore because you even got all my fears away from me; my friends have been taken care of and I have no fear anymore…the only thing I have owed and not given in return is my heart which I am ready to give right now. I am deeply sorry Lord...” I wept bitterly.
"Hallelujah!" everyone in the room chorused.
“Lord, I confess my sins right now and I believe you have preserved my life up till now for this. I surrender my life unto you, take total control as I don’t want to do anything without you as from now. I confess you as my Lord and King and I believe you died to set me free and your blood is for the remission of my sins. Come into my heart and soul, repair all that needs repair, renew my wounded spirit, and make me useful once again for you. Thank you Jesus for your saving grace.”
I cried and pleaded for mercy as I said each word after the Pastor. I felt quite free and relieved from the anger and fear within my heart.
"Bolu, say good afternoon to daddy" John brought Bolu near.
"Good afternoon sir. How are you feeling?"
More tears flowed as I heard those words from my own daughter. It was such a heavenly feeling.
"God bless you dear" was all I could say.
The following day, I called my parents and my siblings one after the other apologizing for being away for so long. I promised my parents I'll be at home soon and I could hear their 'hallelujah' on phone.
John was always around to support me through the process and he always made sure I did the needful when necessary.
Three weeks later, I was discharged, but with a diagnosis of chronic stomach ulcer and cancer of the lungs. I shouldn't be far from the hospital as my prognosis was a possibility of constant bleeding and epistaxis that will escalate to an uncontrollable state after a year.
John booked a flight ticket for me, himself and Bolu, now our daughter when I was much stronger. He suggested taking a flight would be better as I won't be stressed out as much. We were heading for Ekiti, home sweet home.
The residence was still as beautiful as ever. It had been renovated, that's what I noticed from the outside view.
"Jesu!" Mummy screamed as I stepped into the living room.
I think I left my manners somewhere else, I didn't remember to knock. Daddy and mommy were sitting in the living room watching TV. There was still the lovey, yet fighty couple I knew years ago.
My mom could only walk with an aid of a stick now. It got worse, she later explained.
Myself and my dad were in a firm embrace for minutes. He cried, and I cried too.
"The devil really wrestle to have you but thank God he lost it!" daddy waved his hand in the air.
"He lost it dad!" I whispered back.
Each member of the family had been informed about my return and my parents were expecting them. I only introduced Bolu as Bolu and daddy was happy to see John now looking responsible.
My brother and sister with their family came around. They had beautiful children and you might be tempted to say Bolu is one of them, but she is mine, not theirs.
It was a wonderful family reunion and I was excited to see Tobi all mature, responsible and now into a teenage ministry alongside his job. I admired his heartthrob, a beautiful welcoming lady.
They spent the evening of the following day listening to my story and how everything turned out to be. Daddy was sorry he didn't believe me, and he regretted his actions, but I told him "regrets and mistakes are memories made. We don't have to sit and mourn over it"
I hid my health condition from them. I didn't want anything to affect my mom right now. She was fond of Bolu and she seemed to love him above others. I didn't want anything to take that joy away.
Two days later, I bade everyone farewell and I had to say goodbye too.
"Promise me you will be back soon" my mom begged.
"I promise I will" I said to encourage her.
I had suffered an episode of epistaxis while at home, but lucky me, it was at night and only John knew about it.
We went back home, and I waited for my death date as I spent quality time with Bolu every other day. But here I am today, 15 years later. Married with two handsome guys.
Bolu is about to wed and she is my daughter as much as she is John's daughter and the big sister to Karen’s other 3 kids.
The End!
Thanks for reading, you can drop your comment and lesson learnt as well. God bless you all and happy new month from all of us @ O'nezer Stories
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