TANGLED Episode 8

Episode 8.

"You said you heard a footstep or something" Mr. Abbey who has been listening keenly reminded my dad where he stopped.

"Thank you very much. I kept hearing the footsteps for more than two minutes but I still didn't see the person's face. Suddenly, a man appeared wearing a white agbada, his face was looking fresh as well as his skin, he had a staff in his right hand and a handkerchief in his other hand. The moment the man that was hitting me sighted him, he went on his knees and shouted master" my father sighed heavily.

"Master? What kind of master?" My aunty interrupted.

He started by saying he forgave me when I hurt him, even when I hurt him to the point of him regretting he ever called me his own. He added that if he had killed me when I first offended him, then I wouldn't be here.

"The more he talked, the more confused I got because I found it hard to recognize his face or voice, and also I couldn't comprehend what he was talking about" my father continued.

"He said to the unknown man that has beaten me to remove the mask on his face and show himself to me. I wanted to say no because I didn't want to see the face of this wicked and unfair man that has been hitting me mercilessly as if he would beat the life out of me. The master asked him to open his mask and he did, I was shocked when I saw the face" my dad said holding his arms and sighing at every interval.

"Which face? Was it someone you know somewhere? A family member or who?" My aunt asked. It was obvious she was curious. Well, we all were curious.

We couldn't relate to the story yet. We needed him to spill everything.

"I saw myself. I was so shocked and I started shivering on the stool I was sitting. How can I be the one beating myself all this while and I was still calling the unknown man a wicked and an unfair person".  "Does that mean I haven't been fair to myself and that was why I was beating myself?" I thought to myself.

We all were confused too. How can a man beat himself? that wouldn't be anything else but a mystery. We all wanted to know what happened after that and how he got a second chance back at life.

"He said to me that I have been the one beating myself because I've been swimming in the pool of unforgiveness".

Every day we pray to God to forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who trespassed against us. I had to ask for clarification because I wasn't sure I had anyone I have not forgiven. 

"I'm a child of God and a worker in his vineyard" I added and this made him laugh and clapped. I wondered why he laughed.

"Why did he laugh? Tell us daddy" I interrupted him.

Immediately, his face changed and he stood on his feet from the invisible chair he was sitting on. His eyes became red and the handkerchief in his left hand changed to a white plain book. I was wondering what kind of book it was and what it was used for. 

He asked if I haven't heard or read of a certain man who his master forgave of his debt and even asked him to go home but he met a fellow servant and killed him for owing him less.

"He concluded with what broke my heart more".

"What exactly was that? Tell us please" Mr. Abbey said.

"He said many Christians are just working for God today but doesn't have a walk with God". "They are swimming in the pool of unforgiveness and it's sad that they see nothing wrong with it" he added.

"If he can forgive us of our debts that is way bigger than we can pay, how much more forgiving someone that owes us less" he said with much grieve.

"Many assume they are children of God because of their good deeds, forgetting that it was by Grace they are saved".

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that Grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? The man kept talking and his words kept hitting me so hard but I still couldn't remember anyone that offended me that I refused to forgive.

"He said what led me here was my unforgiving spirit which had led to the accident that happened earlier yesterday. He added that he allowed the accident so as to correct me. He reminded me that every time there was an issue with my wife and I, the first sore point I always remember is the part where she offended me many years ago and I kept on rubbing it on her. I always get very angry whenever I remembered what she has done for me. I have refused to forgive her"

"Don't you know that old things are passed away and everything has become new? Or you don't know that whoever Jesus frees, is free indeed? Why then do you keep counting the sin of the past that Jesus has cleansed?" 

"He said on a final note that my name was found in the book. I shouted and wanted to start dancing that my name was written in the book of life despite my flaws but he said it's not the book of life but the book of works, therefore I should be carried outside where I belong".

"Then it dawned on me. I started begging and asking for mercy to prevail over judgment.  He turned his face away because he heard me talk about mercy".

My dad was in tears. I can't remember ever seeing my dad cry before.

"He gave me a condition and why he will send me back to go and make my ways right," Dad said sobbing

"What's it, we are with you? My uncle asked while my aunty was just crying.

"He said he wants me to go and make my ways right and tell others about how serious unforgiveness can be and then he added that the praises of my daughter to the master was what saved me".

"Immediately he said that, the room became empty, my hands and legs were set loose" 

"It was then that I shouted please Father! I promised to make my ways right and tell everyone about my encounter".

"Is there anyone here who has something against someone? How long have you been keeping that brother or sister in your heart? The Lord is sending me to tell you to release that person".

Everyone started praying and weeping profusely. 

INTERMISSION 

What happened next?

Watch out for it.

TANGLED Episode 7

Episode 7.

"Eh God, we are trying to quench a fire here another one is coming up" my uncle said and that was the last thing I heard. 

I passed out, I lost all the strength left in me. I was way too small for all that was happening to me. I have not even had enough rest and then the pain in my hand was getting worse.

The bandage in my hand with the tie that was connected to it across my neck to help fix my hand was just there. I couldn't feel it's impact anymore.

I was rushed again to the room I initially was. I was told that my temperature was really high and they had to dip towel into a bowl of water to wipe my body severally. 

I later woke up still tired but much fine and the headache had gone but I was hungry. They rushed to get bean cake and pap, though it's one of the food I don't like but I was too hungry to start being picky.

I was wondering if I hadn't missed any part of my father's encounter which he was sharing with us before I passed out. I asked my uncle and he told me I haven't because my dad too has been praying since I passed out that God should fix the error and forgive all of us. I was quite at rest.

"Can I at least see him and know how he is doing?" I cried out. "How about my mother?" I asked.

"Your mom has woken up we thank God. Though she can't remember anything for now, but she will" my uncle answered with all confidence. "Doctor Joe has been helpful too. He is trying his best" he added.

My mother woke up but could hardly remember anything. She couldn't place anyone's face. She didn't know where she was anymore or what has brought her down there.

I cried even more, knowing that my mother's memory has been affected through the shock from the accident or rather the news of dad's death. My faith was very little and I was almost losing hope.

After the meal, everyone moved to my father's room to hear what he has to say more. He was happy to know I was fine but I could see pain on his face as he knew his reaction and action was what landed all of us in an unknown town and a small hospital like this. Infact, generally in this mess.

The doctor entered almost immediately we got to my father's room and he suggested that we let him rest. He added that the more he rested, the quicker the healing process will be and the earlier we leave for home.

"And let me add that, Lamid and Hassan gave me and the other doctor a tough time, even the other doctor couldn't go after he had signed out" Doctor Joe said.

I was curious. I wanted to know how the matter was resolved since I eavesdropped on every single word that was being said from the entrance where I stayed when everything was going on before I passed out.

"We requested for how much what got spoilt was. It wasn't an amount that worth the shoutings and early morning trouble" The doctor was saying when my uncle interrupted "They said it's 5000 naira. Can you imagine?" my uncle interrupted. 

"So because of 5k, ordinary 5k! They came to threaten us?" I thought.

Well, as much as the money seemed small to us, it wasn't to them. It was a big deal to those guys and that was all they needed to let us be and let peace reign. And peace reigned knowing fully well we aren't owing them any longer.

"I paid them off so we could focus on what next and so my other colleague could go home to his family" the doctor concluded.

For our car that was stuck in the mud, we were told they had to look for a towing van. The chain that held our car and the towing van together got broken at a point and they had to spend more hours trying to look for an alternative. Finally, they got help and pulled the car out but because of safety, they couldn't leave it there along the road. Leaving it by the roadside was going to be a bad idea because guys can go there to start stealing the various parts one after another.

Someone suggested they take it to the security house where we could come to claim it when we are ready and that was exactly what they did. Though we were told it has gone bad beyond repairs and I had my doubts if dad would still want to take the car back. 

I remembered every time that dad will always say in our prayers that God should upgrade our level and give us a new car. Maybe this is the time that God will compensate the family with another car. Who knows?

"Thank you so much sir, God bless you real good, we don't know how to thank you enough, for paying off the boys, it was so thoughtful of you and..." my father was saying all this in a tone so low that you'll hardly hear him if you don't stay close by.

"... and thank God for everything, it's nothing too serious." The doctor cut in but before he walked out to attend to some other pressing issues, he gave us some assurance.

"The only thing I can say about your wife's condition is this. Her case isn't totally exceptional but if you believe in the power of prayer and miracle, she will soon be back to her feet" he said as he headed out of the room.

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and he shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." I quoted the scriptures.

We held on to the promises of God in Jeremiah 29:11-13. We believe that the God who made ways in the sea will also perform another miracle. He is still in the business of answering prayers.

"I believe and I love your faith, all will be well" the doctor said as be took his leave.

"How are you feeling now dad?" I asked and he smiled. I was wondering if what I said what was caused him to smile or if he was just trying to be strong for all of us.

"I am fine my dear, I'm getting better, aside the pain I still feel in my body but I will be fine" he said amidst smile.

"What will you take? the bean cake and pap is still remaining" my aunt asked

"Nothing, I'm not hungry" my dad responded 

"No, you're hungry. Please manage to take something even if it's small, you need it ooo" she persuaded.

"But I don't have the appetite for food" my dad was just so adamant.

My uncle persuaded him even more to at least take something so, he will have strength. He reminded him he needs food since he's taking medication. He eventually agreed and started eating.

"I will need to go home to at least put their minds at rest" one of our neighbours said.

The two of them(our neighbours) that where left are married men, one stays at the house before ours and the other at the house after ours in that order and we have become best of neighbours and they've even proven it more by staying with us in the hospital at such a time as this. The journey from the town we were back to our house was about 3 hours and 30 minutes. 

"Thank you very much Mr Olatade, may we not hear bad news like this again ooo, greetings to everyone and tell them we are fine" my dad expressed his gratitude and wished him goodbye and Mr Olatade took his leave, leaving Mr Abbey, my uncle and his wife. 

"Please tell my wife that I am fine too, I will soon join them" Mr Abbey said as he bid Mr Olatade goodbye.

My dad finished his food and rested a little.

"So, where did I stop about the encounter?" my father asked.

What happened next?

Watch out for the next episode.

TANGLED Episode 6

Episode 6.

"We no go gree, we no go gree" this words or should I say song was what we kept hearing from the lobby.

When we checked the time, it was already few minutes to 7am and we were wondering what was going on.

We were thinking if that's how they behave in that town since it's a small one and also not too exposed. But on a second thought this is a hospital and at 7am for that matter. Something must have gone wrong.

I personally don't think they came to see a patient neither does it seem they brought in a patient.

Different things were running through my mind and obviously, everyone was curious too.

Our neighbour and uncle Jude assisted my dad back from the toilet and helped him get on the bed. Everyone was ready to listen to his story. Above all, we wanted to know what scaled him through another chance.

My head started banging again and the pain in my hand was gradually getting unbearable. The fact that I stayed awake all night has resulted to the headache and has increased the pain in my hand.

"Do you realise that this is a hospital and this kind of noise is not allowed here at all" we heard the doctor speaking to the people at the lobby..

"We no dey here for talk, na our money we wan collect" a young dark man said in his deep voice. 

"Which money? What exactly is the problem here?" The doctor was confused. He had no idea of what the young man was talking about. 

"My name na Hassan and my brother here, his name na Lamid" the Hassan looked like the eldest and he looked so huge and fearless.

"Okay, can you make whatever you want to say snappy because my signing out is less than 10 minutes as the other doctor will resume by 7am. What exactly is the problem Mr Hassan and Mr erm... erm..."

"Lamid sir" the younger one replied to help the doctor remember his name.

"Mr Lamid, thank you. So tell me, what money? You and who?" The doctor added.

"Our father has a farmland very close to the roadside and it's a very big one, we have Cashew trees, Mango, Orange, Pawpaw, Plantain and...." Lamid was interrupted abruptly by the doctor. 

"Can you go straight to the point Mr Lamid, we don't have all day and I have to leave here soon" Doctor said interrupting him. 

I noticed that Lamid speaks fluently compared to Hassan that is finding it hard to express himself. He also looks calm tho he talks slowly as if he is thinking while talking.

"We have Cassava, Coco yam, Yam and many more. That's where our parents get the money to sponsor us. Although, I am a secondary school graduate and I'm preparing for my tertiary exam while my elder brother here, couldn't go to school per say. He chose to face the farming business full time" Lamid said calmly.

"I have heard all this wonderful profile, I'm yet to get why you are here this early or is your brother sick?" The doctor asked to know what exactly the problem was and how he may be of help.

"Na you dey sick you hear, na you dey sick no be me" Hassan said angrily because he felt the doctor was actually insulting him.

"Okay, I'm sorry, can I actually know what you are both talking about now?" The doctor asked. 

"So we heard a man and his family was brought here from the accident that happened yesterday noon or evening" Lamid hasn't landed when the doctor cuts him again.

"Oh! are you related to them in any way or what exactly is the problem?" the doctor was running out of patience already.

"Make una let us die before una bury us, na you dey ask question, na you still dey answer am" Hassan shouted.

"The accident affected our crops and we were told they brought them here for treatment, we would love to tell them how much they are paying for damages" Lamid concluded. 

"Seriously! Listen to yourselves, just listen to yourselves, how insensitive! The accident that almost took their lives, only God had saved them, if not..." doctor checks his time.

"If not wetin? If not wetin na? That wan no concern us, we no go gree, we no go gree" Hassan kept shouting.

"But how are you sure these people survived?" The doctor asked them. "Meanwhile, my time is up like I told you earlier and I need to go sign out" he concluded.

"If they die, na you go pay... na you" Hassan interrupted. Just then Doctor Joe came in.

"Doctor Joe, thank God you are here, good morning" the doctor shifted his attention to Doctor Joe who was taking over from him.

"Good morning Doc. What's going on here? I've been hearing voices since I stepped into the main entrance. What's the problem?" doctor Joe asked.

"Na our money we wan collect, we no wan hear talk" Hassan said.

Doctor Joe was confused for a minute and you could see it well spelt on his face. He too wanted to know what's going on and what the issue about money was at least to clear his confusion.

"Doctor, doctor" a shout came from one of the wards and this left everyone more confused.

The two doctors rushed out and Hassan and Lamid ran after them.

What happened next?

Watch out for it in the next episode

TANGLED Episode 5

Episode 5.

"Here you go" the nurse handed over a cup of water to my dad while holding a jug incase he may request for more. 

Everyone was curious. Amidst tears and smile, we were waiting to know what has happened to my father. The smile on my father's face quite showed that the encounter must have been a soul reviving one.

"I found myself in an empty room..." he began.

"...the room was so dark that the thickness therein was strong enough to behold. I saw my hands chained down to the stool I was sitting, how I got to the room, I don't know" my father said as he raised his head to the sky to help him remember every scene without leaving any stone unturned.

Since the doctor had other patients to attend to and things to do, he couldn't wait to listen to the encounter my father had.

Although, the people(workers) we met on ground were those that resumed work from 7pm and they will be going off by 7am to hand over to the next doctor and nurses that will stay from 7am to 7pm.

"As much as I would love to listen to your story, I have so much at hand to quickly attend to so that the next doctor coming in won't have many rollover work" the doctor said as he took his leave.

"Yes sir, how about the wife that passed out after hearing the news sir" the nurse tried to remind the doctor about my mother.

He didn't say anything, he just walked away. The nurse dropped the water in her hand in case if my father or anyone else needs water to drink and followed after him.

Now we were left with Uncle Jude, his wife and 2 of our neighbours. Of course I was there with them as well.

"A young unfamiliar man came and started beating me up. He was hitting me with the baton in his hand and since my hands were tied down, I couldn't run away, dodge the beating or even hit him in return. I was helpless. I kept shouting "Father, please come to my rescue" but it seemed all hope was lost"  The more I shout, the more beatings I received and help wasn't coming forth.

"I started remembering the scripture passages that God has helped me to keep at heart over time and I knew his word will not return to him void. I gathered all the strength left in me to mutter few words beneath my breath"

"But you said you will have mercy on whom you will have mercy. Mercy Lord, Mercy LORD. I kept shouting and crying for mercy but the man hitting me wasn't ready to stop at all. He will laugh hysterically as he hits me and then danced round the stool and hit me even harder"

"Hear me when I call O God of my righteousness; thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer".

"I was running out of breath and didn't have any strength left to call out for mercy. I had concluded in my mind that I will be beaten to death in a dark room. A part of me was bothered by how my family will locate me in an unknown dark room like this"

"Suddenly the confidence came out of no where and I started regaining my strength. I could feel the pain all over my body and the more pain I feel, the more happy this unknown man feels"

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind"

The man stopped hitting me and for a minute, I felt like I have won. The man didn't say anything even as I was struggling and fighting on a spot. I realized this man wasn't ready to leave, not anytime soon.

"I remembered one of the Psalms I thought my daughter some weeks ago, whether it was in line with the present situation or not, I was less concerned"

"LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! Many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, there is no help for him in God. But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head" 

"Is that not Psalms 3 verses 1 to 3?" I interrupted him because I remembered that particular Psalms as it was in line with our weekly Bible study lesson. 

"You know it's almost day break, stop interrupting and let him finish what he has to say" my uncle said. He was quite displeased by my interruption. 

"The man stopped, the few words he said was "Shut up, our boss doesn't talk much but he act more". I was confused but thankful he finally said something. "But who is your boss and who are you?" I managed to ask.

"I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongeth unto the Lord; thy blessing is upon thy people. 

"Immediately, I started hearing footsteps but I couldn't see the person walking down. The more the silence, the louder the footsteps get. I became even more scared than earlier"

"Is it the boss that is coming or someone else? Tell us, let's know" one of our neighbours interrupted him and I could see the anger on my uncle's face as he has warned earlier that no one should interrupt him again.

With all that has been said, everyone was just giving different sigh, hisses and facial expressions as my father talked about his encounter.

"Please, where is the toilet here? I'm pressed" my father asked.

He tried to get up but he couldn't move due to the injuries he sustained from the accident.

Uncle Jude and one of our neighbours assisted him.

Curiosity was written all over me, dad should be back soon to complete what he has started. I had questions to ask.

"Will my mother wake up? Will she live again? What's with this dad's encounter?

Find out in the next episode.

Watch out!

TANGLED Episode 4

Episode 4.

"Doctor, please say something" my uncle kept persuading the doctor to talk as they walked out of my dad's room. 

Everywhere was tensed already and I didn't seem to fully comprehend everything going on at the moment. I started reminding God about our prayers early that year about not having any untimely death and we will all live to see the next year.

Christmas was just a few days away from that day and in all assumption, the family reunion was what we would be having not mourning of anyone. 

The night was moving so slow and every time I looked at the clock on the wall, it seems it isn't moving at all. I wish I could fast forward to another page of my life with less pain.

I managed to leave my room and entered the room where my dad was being laid, he has been covered up and everyone was waiting for those that will move him to the morgue.

I was scared to open his face but I realized he wasn't moving and that was when reality dawned on me that I may have lost one of the greatest men in my life.

I started crying and praying. I keyed into God's promises for restoration and revival. If God could just give us another chance, we were ready to make amends of the past ones.

"For I know whom I have believed and I'm persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day"

My faith was little, I doubt if it was up to a mustard seed but I knew that we serve a living God. It reminded me of the story of Lazarus. Jesus may come late to rescue us based on human timetable but whenever Jesus steps in it's always the right time.

Suddenly, I felt like praising God instead of complaining and blaming God for what he didn't do. I felt it down in my heart that praising him would get more of God's attention. This and many more were things I learnt from my parents.

"In every situation or circumstances, praising God should be the first thing to do" Those were my father's words and I remembered. 

One of my father's favourite Bible verses in Philipians 4 dropped in my heart. Over time, dad has imposed that we know some of the Bible verses by heart.

"Rejoice in the Lord alway; and again I say, rejoice. Let your moderation be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God"

I started singing praises to God, reminding God of his great works, reminding him that he has never lost a battle, he is one who will do what he says and say what he will do.

In a moment, I forgot I was in a hospital. I didn't remember the pain in my hands. My head wasn't banging and I had this relieve in my heart.

The concluding part of that verse that my father loves so much said "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus"

Praise is the only weapon to get the Heart of God. I danced and danced and kept singing. As I was doing my own in the room where my father was laid, my uncle and the other members of the family were in the other room trying to bring my mother to life.

They all had lost hope over my father, the doctor had confirmed he was dead. So, no one bothered about coming to check on him. 

They wanted so badly that one of my parents should remain alive, it will at least be of help to console me that one was taken and the other was left behind. 

Now that my dad was gone their hope was left solely on my mom. That was the reason Uncle Jude was persuading the doctor to tell of mom's condition after the news of dad's death was brought to her.

Gradually, I saw my father's leg started to move. I was confused. I thought the tears in my eyes had blurred my sight. I tried to wipe my tears. It was the pain in my hands that reminded me I also needed to be taken care of.

I managed to wipe the tears off my eyes and continuously I saw my father's leg moving under the cloth. I wanted to run out to call the doctor but I was stopped. I didn't know where the confidence came from. I pulled the cloth down and I saw my dad's head moving right and left as if he was fighting or struggling with someone and wasn't ready to take a defeat. 

I started shouting "Jesus!" repeatedly. I couldn't move an inch neither could I think of running out. 

The night was almost over and it will soon be dawn. How I ended up not sleeping all through that night is still a mystery to me because naturally, we were brought up with the idea of 'early to bed, early to rise' and I've never for once missed sleeping at night.

"Pleeeeeaaaase, father" my father shouted and opened his eyes. He was sweating profusely and I couldn't say whether he was in a battle or whether he was being chased. He will be the only person to tell what has happened. 

"Where am I? Where am I?" My father struggled to ask under his breath. At that time, I knew I had to call on the nurse or the doctor.

"Nurse, Nurse" I shouted so they could all hear me. That brought confusion as the doctor and my family members still around all rushed down to my own room instead.

I could hear someone saying they've paid so much attention to waking my mom and not remembering I was in the hospital with them as well.

"She's not here, she is not here" the nurse said with so much fear. Everyone tried to listen to know where I was calling from.

"Check where his father is, maybe that is where she is" someone suggested and everyone ran towards the room. The sound of their feet were so loud since it was midnight and everywhere was silent. 

"What are you doing here young girl" the doctor asked furiously because he believed my dad was dead and nothing could be done about it. 

I told them I've been singing and praising God and I know the God I serve is a miracle worker. I was still talking when the nurse interrupted

"So, is that why you are playing with the dead" the nurse interrupted.

"I'm alive, I am alive but...." my dad was saying. Before he could finish saying what he had to say, my greatly surprised Uncle came closely to me asking what I did and how I did it. 

The only thing that dropped in my heart then was  "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" I guess that was a perfect answer.

"Come off it, what happened here" my neighbours cut in curiously asking no one in particular.

Everyone was confused and amazed. We all needed to know what has happened.

"I had an encounter and that's why I'm back to life" my dad struggled to say.

He was assisted to sit up by my uncle. Everyone was ready to listen to his encounter. I almost didn't remember I haven't heard anything yet about my mother; whether she is alive or not I don't even know but what is most important now is that we serve a God who doesn't disappoint. I was very grateful and certain he will take care of mom too

"Can I get a cup of water first" my father requested.

The nurse rushed out of the room to get the water.

What happened next?

Watch out for the next episode.

TANGLED Episode 3

Episode 3.

"You can talk to me Doctor, I am Jude, the immediate younger brother of the man that was rushed here with his family" my uncle said.

Uncle Jude as I fondly call him was one of the fun-to-be-with kind of person. He and my dad are the only children of their parents or better still, two surviving children of their parents. 

"Well, Mr Jude, as you know, ours is to treat and we are trying in that but it's God that does the healing. We tried our best but..." 

"But what Doctor?" Uncle Jude wasn't going to have that at all. He doesn't want to hear any 'but' that the doctor was going to say.

Naturally, Uncle Jude has this deep baritone voice that when you seat on same chair with him, you could feel the vibration of his voice on the chair.

"But first, you have to calm down and try not to raise your voice as we have some patient that are just getting to sleep and this hospital as you know is small and everyone could hear your voice when you shout" Doctor tried to pacify my uncle.

"Okay sorry doctor, I just want to know...I... I want to know" Uncle Jude stammered

Silently, I was praying that God should not let us hear any bad news. I was beginning to remind God of his promises that he gave us at the beginning of the year. 

"You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance.”

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.”

"The man has some internal injuries which was as a result of severally hitting his head on the body of the car; he could have been saved if he was brought in earlier. I'm sorry it's too late. We tried our best but we lost him" the doctor tried to relay the information in a way that it won't hurt but there isn't any better way to make it less hurtful.

"Ah brother mi, eh God" I could feel the pain in my uncle's voice as he was trying to control his voice as the doctor has earlier cautioned.

"How about the wife?" Uncle Jude asked the doctor in low tones.

Tears were flowing effortlessly down my cheeks. I wish God can just look down and give us a miracle. I don't want to loose my father and still I haven't known the fate of my mother.

"How about his wife doctor?" The doctor has hesitated initially

"Well, as for the woman, there are no internal injuries, she has a little scratch on her body. But, she lost consciousness. It's being controlled anyways she will need rest from the traumatic experience" the doctor concluded. 

I didn't know which of the news was making me cry the most but I knew I was going through pain both physically, emotionally and even spiritually if there is anything of such.

My uncle walked down to the lobby and joined the neighbour and his wife there. He broke the news to them and I could hear how they were shouting and crying. 

That night, I knew things won't be the same again. A lot will change and I knew quite well that this was the beginning of a journey that can't be predicted. 

They all came into the ward where I was, they saw I was crying on the bed but they weren't sure if I heard all the conversation outside or if my cry was from the pain in my hand. 

The doctor later called them into the ward where my mother was and before they could say anything, my uncle's wife broke down in tears again.

"Where is my husband? What about my daughter? My mother kept asking but it's like no one was ready to start the conversation yet. When my mother couldn't bear the cry amidst silence again, she shouted and my uncle, left with no option calmed her down and eventually explained all what the doctor had said.

"We lost him but your daughter is in the children's ward" my uncle said.

"Lost who? My husband? Noooo" she screamed and passed out immediately. 

"Doctor, Nurse, who's there?" My uncle's wife that was crying before didn't know when the tears dried off her eyes seeing how my mother has passed out.

My mother that just regained consciousness and we were happy is now on a full time coma hearing of my dad's death. 

My uncle rushed out to get the doctor. The doctor brought out his stethoscope to examine her.

The doctor sighed and went silent for a minute.

"I'm afraid, but you may have to excuse us now" the doctor said.

I was crying and praying on the bed. I was trying to imagine what my life will be like after loosing both parents in a night. I didn't know where to start from, I've always enjoyed the comfort of our lives and I was that child that does what I love at any time that I want.

I'm thinking all that will soon change.

Will my mother die? Will I go and live in the village with my grandma? Will any of my uncle or aunt adopt me?

All these thoughts were running through my mind. I didn't know when I shouted 'God forbid' and used all the strength left in me to get out of my bed and walked down to the ward opposite mine where my mother was laid.

"Doctor, talk to us? What's going on" my uncle questioned.

What happened next?

Watch out.

TANGLED Episode 2

Story by O'nezer

Episode 2.

"Wave at that space bus coming, maybe he is not seeing me" the not too young light-skinned man said. He has initially refused to help but gave it a second thought of helping. 

All the vehicle they've been waving at were not stopping or waiting and it seemed like all hope was lost.

I became quite conscious but the shock couldn't let me process everything going on in that environment.

"What's going on here? What's happening?" Another man showed up from nowhere and with the assumption that he was coming out to help but to our uttermost surprise he was around for something else entirely.

My dad was still breathing but not moving at all and my mom was also breathing but not conscious.

"This is my father's farmland and how can they drive into this place leaving the road" this and more were the words coming out of this young man's mouth. How insensitive!

"Farmland? In all that has happened here?" someone from the crowd replied and accompanied her words with a loud hiss.

"Better be thanking God that you don't have dead bodies on your farmland. If they can get help, they will still make it" another man said.

I started coughing and this shifted their attention to me. I was trying to catch my breath too but it was getting difficult. It was when someone came around to carry me that I realised I've had a dislocation in my left arm. It hurts badly and I couldn't lift it.

The first set of men that came to our rescue eventually found a bus and they had to forcefully open the door of our car.

The moment they carried my dad, he started gasping and I had no idea what that may lead to. He was quickly pressed down to see if they can get it under control.

"If this man should die here, you will all be in trouble" someone else replied as they tried opening the door at the side where my mom was seated.

"They are going to pay for damages, they can't just go like that. See all our crops..." the farm guy started shouting but little or no attention was paid to him as everybody was after saving a life over saving a crop.

We spent more than 2 hours between the accident time and the time we were able to get help.

We were rushed down to one of the local hospitals in the town and it took even longer time to secure a bed as the hospital do not have space for very many people.

At the end of the day, one of the guys that rushed us down to the hospital used his influence to get my parents in the special ward while they took me to the children's ward.

My head started to ache badly and I was feeling so exhausted. 

That time, phone wasn't everywhere like it is now. It was only dad that could afford the only phone we were using at that time and it was more like a sacred thing that no one else could touch unless instructed. 

In the process of people helping us, the phone had been stolen and there was no way anyone could reach us. We too couldn't reach out to those that we said goodbye to or to those we were travelling to meet.

A nurse showed up later and started treating me. I couldn't get over the flash of the accident in my head. The more I tried to close my eyes, the more the accident scene kept rushing in and I jumped out of the bed. The nurse had to give me a sedative drug and I was able to sleep.

Should I say luck? Or better still let me say Grace. Grace helped me that It was just a dislocation which a little massage and turning will set the hand back not like it was broken that I may be needing some sort of POP or something to hold my hands up.

"How are you feeling now" the nurse asked after touching my forehead.

I was hungry already but I couldn't even ask for food. I wasn't totally sure that even if they offer me my favourite food which is jollof rice, I would be able to eat it.

One of the ways my parents do know how serious my sickness was is when they offer me my favourite food; If I can still manage to eat even if small, they'll know it isn't very serious but if I couldn't eat or I rejected it, then they'll know I'm seriously sick.

"Please, what about my father and mother" I managed to ask the nurse rather than answering her own question of how I'm feeling. 

I didn't think how I'm feeling at that moment matters as much as hearing that my parents are alive.

I am not sure how my life is going to be like or how things will turn out for me if i loose my parents at that moment. I have my fears whether they will make it out alive or not.

News had gone round that there was an accident along that particular route that we followed. From the description given about our car and the plate number on it, those at home had a hint that something had gone wrong. 

It has been 7 hours since the accident happened and by calculation, we are supposed to have gotten to where we were going like 4 hours ago.

Those we left at home(neighbours) had put a call across to our family(the one we were visiting) and now both our family members and our neighbours that called are now at the hospital. 

I could hear voices at the reception. Some people were insisting that they should let them in and let them see my dad and mom to at least confirm the news and be assured that they are still alive. 

Immediately, I knew it was my Uncle and those he came with.

"Come with me to my office and let's talk" the doctor said calmly.

The doctor's office was directly opposite the children's ward.

That's how small the hospital was. You can hear anything being said anywhere unless if they talk in whispers.

I was praying silently that we all make it alive. Just imagine what anger has caused us?

What happened next?

Watch out.

TANGLED Episode 1

Episode 1.

"Haaa God!" someone shouted. But it was only the echoes of the voice I heard as my eyes were going dim I couldn't see the person.

The last I remembered was my mother having a hot argument with my dad about only God knows what.

It was a festive season and my family always go on annual visit from one family member to a family friend's place or other exciting places. We always look forward to this time of the year and this year wasn't an exception.

My dad had a blue Volkswagen with the name "In God I trust" on the side and our church sticker at the back which always have the yearly watchword written on it.

The journey started. My mother sat next to my father in front as they both wore matching clothes. Well ironed Ghanian ankara with a damask head gear on my mother's head. A slight make up to complement her outfit while daddy on the other hand was having a striped tiger-like native cap on his head with his shining ever glittering necklace. 

Mom had got me this flowery top with a pleated skirt and a wedge sandal. Mom also helped me style my hair into two equal halfs with an Alice band to match my outfit. 

"You are the selfish one here, I don't know how unreasonable you can be" my father was saying at the top of his voice. I was wondering what the whole selfishness talk is about but since I couldn't decode, I had to keep watching. 

Let me also add that one of the bounding and interesting thing about my parents is that they had code names they use, more like to everyone they know, there is a  nickname. If you like, sit in their middle and be reading their lips, you won't still know who and what they are talking about.

I love days when everything is peaceful, not like they don't have their issues and arguments but they always find a way to resolve it lowkey that it wouldn't escalate to a bigger one so before they could have this kind they were having that fateful noon, I knew it's something beyond normal.

"I did everything I did for you, I did it just for you but what are you paying me with? You're being ungrateful" my mother said as she was adjusting her gown.

I still couldn't figure out what they were saying. It wasn't like I was too young not to understand anything at all but it's strange how the whole talk was getting hyper and higher yet I couldn't place it to anything I know.

"I heard all you did but I chose to overlook cause I wanted peace to reign but there is a limit to how long I can keep quiet" my father said as he increased the pace in which he was driving.

I wanted to ask them to take it easy but I didn't want them to transfer whatever aggression or pain to me.  I had to keep quiet but I couldn't watch them both shouting at each other not even minding if I was there or not.

"I want to wee-wee (pee)" I shouted.

I didn't do that because I wanted to really ease myself but because I realised that if I am not going to stop their drama, I can as well help divert their attention. Moreso, I didn't want to be a part of it or watch it at all.

I noticed none of them was listening to my shouting behind. I assumed maybe because my voice wasn't loud enough or because their own shouting was louder than mine.

"Mom, Dad, I want to wee-wee" I screamed just to get their attention but No they were less concerned and were engrossed in their argument. Dad called Mom an insulting name and Mom retorted calling Dad names too. It was a terrible moment.

My head was beginning to ache from the shout of 2 adults who isn't ready to listen to each others side of their story. I wish it was something I knew about, I would have just said they are both right.

I didn't know what name my mother called my father last that triggered him using one hand to drive and the other hand to punch her face towards the car door. It was getting so much that dad wasn't paying attention to the roads again. 

The route we were travelling through was a single lane road that can only take a car at each lane simultaneously. If at all anyone has to overtake, it must be clearly confirmed that there is no vehicle coming from the other end.

We were moving toward a bend and you can hardly see the coming vehicle. 

"You can kuku kill me today, kill me, I said kill me" my mom was saying amidst tears and cracked voice tho my dad was trying to be calm already but mom seemed to be either enjoying the punches or just being intentionally provoking my dad.

In a twinkling of an eye, my dad used his elbow to hit my mom on her shoulder, mom took that part of his arm and gave him a strong bite. 

Dad lost concentration, a trailer was coming in front of us and another was trying to overtake. In the process of overtaking, the two trailer were side by side facing us. A Peugeot 504 car from no where just overtook the two trailers that has almost covered the road. The little space left that we were supposed to take for safety was where the Peugeot 504 showed up from.

If dad was concentrating, I know he would have waited for all these overtakers to pass before he will move an inch. That's one of the gentle-man side of my dad when he is behind the wheels.

My dad drifted from the road into the bush at the other side of the road, he was driving right into the forest and it was the mud that saved the car a bit. The airbag came out and that was the first thing that choked my dad while my mother already hit her head severally on the body of the car.

I was using my seatbelt at the back where I was sitting. I didn't know when I hit my arm on the driver's seat severally too and I was flung round the car back seat. I blacked out.

"Haaa God!" was what I later heard with my eyes going dim again. I couldn't figure out where I was neither could I tell if my parents were alive or not. All I knew was I heard a voice. I couldn't even see the person.

"Let's take them to the hospital" someone suggested and the other person interrupted.

"What if they die in the process, don't let us put ourselves in trouble oo" 

"Should we leave them here? Call the ambulance" the first person concluded.

What happened next?

Watch out for the next episode.

THE LOOPHOLE

Story by O'nezer

On a not-too-busy evening, Albert Ayanfe, the only son and last child of brother and sister Ayanfe picked up the assignment he was given from school and he started working on it.

He got bored and tired and few minutes later, he started dosing off. He was almost going deep into sleep when the poke from Emily woke him up.

"Albert, Albert, see how he is dosing, if it's play that they ask him to play now, he will play very well" Emily said.

She relaxed a bit into the cushion as she started calling out to Becky in order to confirm if she has finished washing the dishes. 

"Becky, Becky ooo" Emily shouting on top of her voice as Becky too was answering faintly from somewhere around the room to the passage and to the kitchen. 

"Are you........."

Door opening interrupted what Emily wanted to say.

"Welcome dad" both Becky and Albert greeted the dad in unison before Albert who loves junks so much asked the dad what he bought for them.

Mr Steve Ayanfe is a lecturer in one of the Colleges of Education in the state and he often times is more accessible and available than his wife. 

He is in his late 40's and he is also a minister of God in one of the Bible believing church around. 

"Check my bag, there is something there for you both but Emily, where is mummy?" he asked with the last breath in him but the reply he got was more heartbreaking for Steve.

"She said she will be away for another two weeks of ministerial assignment" Emily explained calmly but Mr Steve was too tired to even argue over the fact that the wife didn't inform him before now.

"Please boil me some water, I will like to have a warm bath" he said as he pulled off his shoe and reached to his pocket to get his cell phone to put a call through to his wife.

******** A MONTH LATER********

Mr Steve walked into his wife's room to have a chat with her. He was looking so tired and stressed out but he was left with no option than to interrupt whatever she might have been occupied with. 

Kate who happens to be the busy woman was also not having anyone's time as she buried her face into different books she was reading to research and pray on what to talk about in her next ministerial work.

"Good morning dear, how was your night" Steve said and the wife replied his greetings while still having her face fixed into the book she is reading. 

"I will love us to talk about something and please give it a good thought" he further stated but this time around the wife moved her eyes a bit off the book and now facing him.

"If you mean now, as you can see, I have this work here to finish and I can't even afford to stop for a minute" Kate responded.

He was disappointed with her reply but he pulled himself together that his wife shouldn't be that hard to talk to after all.

"Go ahead, I am listening anyways" Kate concluded as she turned back to the book.

"I want us to talk about how busy you have been, you don't have time for me, you don't have time for the children and...." before he could finish what he was about to say, Kate cuts in angrily. 

"And that is why I have Emily here"

"But Emily is not my wife, you are my wife" Steve said out loud with anger written all over him.

"I don't want anything to hinder my ministerial work, not even you dear" she said out louder so as to make her point clear and make her husband understand that the king's business requires haste.

"....still check and balance everything dear" Steve said as he walked out of the room. 

********2 WEEKS LATER ********

Kate was on a phone call, thanking the caller for the opportunity given her to come and minister in their church. She further stated the schedule of her next movement. 

"Yes sir, I really appreciate sir. My flight has been scheduled for 1PM" she kept on talking till she found the nearest seat to her in the living room and then she sat.

Immediately after the call, she observed that Emily was sleeping on the couch and this left Kate to wonder what could be wrong.

"Emily, Emily, so you are here sleeping" she tapped her. Emily jumped out of fear. 

"I have been observing you for a while with the excess sleeping, you will be sleeping here and there, up and down and I am wondering if there is nothing more" Kate said while adjusting herself.

"I hope it is not what I'm thinking sha?" Kate said out of curiosity.

"No ma, No ma" Emily quickly denied the imagination of what Kate might be thinking about.

"It better not be, it won't even be. I am preparing for a ministerial journey tomorrow" she said and further included  "You will need to go to the market now as I need to put things in place". 

She picked her phone up to make some other calls as Emily walked down to the kitchen.

"I just hope madam will not find out what is going on oh" Emily started talking to herself.

"Even if she finds out self, is it my fault? Is it my fault? My oga self don tire for her matter" she concluded as she made her way out to go to the market. 

******** INTERMISSION ********

One afternoon, Kate was looking for the invitation card that was given her for one of her next ministerial work. She wanted to use the details on the card.

In the process of searching, she found a letter in the Bible on the stool and this led to a big fight.

"Dear, I can't believe you can stoop so low to sleep with this useless thing here" Kate was angry and was beginning to raise her voice while Steve was just there on the couch listening and acting nonchalantly. 

"Madam, please don't call me names, don't call me names at all" Emily cuts in with pride.

"You now have the liver to talk in this house? Can you imagine? I remember how I brought you from nothing and tush you up, is this what you want to pay me with?" Kate was irritated by the mess the husband had gotten into. 

"That's not my concern, we now have same right, same respect and command in this house, let me go and check the rice I'm cooking for our husband" Emily said as she walked to the kitchen.

Kate followed her angrily and threw the pregnancy letter she found in the bible on the husband's face. 

"Hello Joy, my wife has found out everything that is happening, can you come around tomorrow morning" Steve had said.

******** THE FOLLOWING MORNING ********

Pastor and a brother from church showed up at Mr and Mrs Steve Ayanfe's house. Joy, the immediate younger sister to Steve too was around.

"Brother Steve, your wife gave me a call this morning, what exactly is the problem?" Kate didn't let her husband answer the pastor before she started talking. 

"I am highly disappointed in my husband and...." Steve interrupted his wife.

"Thank you for coming pastor, thank God you are here" he said as he adjusted his glasses. 

"I've tolerated this long enough, I am draining emotionally, physically and even spiritually" Steve said as Brother Jones, the brother that came with the pastor kept shouting "ha ha" in amusement. 

"Brother Steve, please shed more light, what exactly happened?" Pastor asked to clear his curiosity. 

"Pastor, how disgusting is it to hear that my husband slept with this idiot Emily" Kate interrupted. 

"It is not my fault, ask her sir, it is not my fault at all" Emily said.

"Pastor, there is limit to everyone's enduring spirit, help me ask her when last we prayed together as a family,  when last did she perform her duties as my wife in this house, today Abuja, tomorrow Lagos next tomorrow the small and big villages round Calabar here" Steve expresses his pain and anger. 

"But you said you understood my calling and spiritual assignment" Kate said amidst tears but Steve was not having any of her talks again as they were not adding up.

"You should also understand in this case too" Steve shut her up.

"Brother Steve! but how did it all happen?"

******** FLASHBACK********

About a month ago, Joy paid her brother a visit and she could feel the pain that was written all over her brother's face on how busy the wife has been.

"If your wife is this busy, there is something we should be able to do ooo" she said.

"But I can't divorce my wife, I love her very much" Steve said with much concern. 

"There is something I will suggest, I have a doctor friend who can help us with a fake pregnancy test, we will put it where your wife can easily see it" she suggested. 

"I hope this will work sha?" Steve asked and his sister assured him that they should give it a try and see how it all goes. 

"Where is Emily so we can explain the plan to her?" Joy said and Steve went inside to call Emily.

******** BACK TO PRESENT ********

"Haaaa haaaa" everyone said in unison. 

"You mean you are not pregnant? oh my Goodness!" Kate said with shame written all over her face. 

She fell on her knees and started apologising to her husband.

"My dear, I'm very sorry, please find a place in your heart to forgive me" she turned to Emily as well "Emily, please forgive me too"

"Sister Kate, this is an eye-opener for you" brother Jones said as Joy also added "My brother, find a place in your heart to forgive her, she has realised her mistakes too".

"Well, I have forgiven you my dear, I have... stand up, stand up" he assisted her up and drew her closer.

"Praise the Lord!" the pastor said as everyone responded with "Hallelujah".

"Many people today also have created a loophole for Satan to disrupt the peace and unity of their homes" the pastor said and continued...

"They will get so busy to the extent that they won't pay attention to the loopholes, remember that the family that prays together stays together and in this, there won't be room for the devil's interruption! We all should be mindful of this loopholes".

He rounded it off with "May God grant us the grace and the enabling!"

ALL CHORUSED AMEN!

And the pastor said 

"LET'S PRAY... IN JESUS NAME....."

THE END.

MAY GOD HELP US ALL TO BE MINDFUL OF THE LOOPHOLES THAT THE DEVIL CAN USE IN DISRUPTING THE PEACE AND UNITY IN OUR HOMES AND AMIDST BRETHREN.

AMEN!

Text: Ephesians 5:21 "Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God."

THE LOOPHOLE. 

By Osunniran Ebenezer.

JOURNEY ON BIKE

JOURNEY ON A BIKE

Story by O'nezer

"Essss, shey oun lo ni? (Are you going?)" A young dark bike man said. 

I checked my time and realised that it was few minutes past 6pm that Saturday evening. 

If you are familiar with Ibadan very well, you will understand this lifestyle better. 

Life is simple in Ibadan, Oyo state as there are many means of transportation, you go with the one that you can afford or the one that can save you time and stress. 

I am not a fan of cab as cheap as they are, I would rather take bike because it saves me lots of "drop and pick" as cabs will always do.

Many times, the cab may not leave their park until the cab is filled to the brim except on few occasions when the driver might be either in a hurry or there is someone in the cab that they don't want to loose to other drivers. 

Keke napep also would have been another alternative but they also do "drop and pick" which will make my journey slower than I planned. 

As for bike, bike can take you faster to anywhere within the axis that those bike men work or if you have enough money to pay them, they can take you round anywhere as much as you want.

The only 'but' with the bike is that they must always carry someone with you. When I first moved to Ibadan, it was one of my major turn off because at ilorin where I used to live before, bike will carry only you to anywhere with almost same amount that they will take you in Ibadan with someone else.

Immediately that bike man called me, I had no option than to follow him since all other ones I've been calling from Molete to Iwo road doesn't want to go.

"Can we go now because I'm in a hurry" I tried to hurry the guy so he may not necessarily carry someone else with me. I already know I'm working with time and I have to be where I'm going on time.

"Iwo road kan (one more person)" he said as he was shouting on top of his voice to every one passing by.

Finally, a man walked closely to us

"Iwo road abi? (Right)" the man said with his deep Baritone voice. 

This man should be in his late 50's though you can't judge a book from its cover but at least my guess may be as close.

"Uncle, shift for me a bit" the man pleaded. This man isn't as slim as I am. He has pot belly that was pushing my own flat belly to the back of the bike man. 

"Shey change wa? (Is there change?)" The bike man interrupted and the man affirmed that there is.

The journey began and we started moving gradually. I checked my time and we were 5 minutes away from 6:30 PM.

It was the time where we have a longer day and shorter night. It made it a bit easier for places to still be bright at that time but the bike man was already pacing faster than we initially started.

"Gently oh, gen..." the man behind me hasn't finished saying gently the second time before our bike man abruptly held the bike's brake to avoid a pothole and that was what promoted the talk that day. 

The man was supposed to be angry based on my assumption as the bike man couldn't apologize for falling into the pothole. 

"My boy, this life isn't a bed of roses at all" deep down inside me I didn't want to answer because I had a mixed feeling of anger and happiness at that moment.

I was angry that the bike styles here is always taking more than one peson but I'm happy that I'm getting closer to where I was going. 

"Many years ago, when I was in Ondo state, the man started. I remembered how life was then, somewhat better and I could afford to go anywhere at anytime to get anything anyhow" I paid attention keenly to the man's story. 

"But that's not even where I'm going, let me take it back from my primary and secondary school days"

"I used to be that chubby boy that no one wants to associate with, if that word chubby was enough, it would have still been managed, I could even laugh at myself and make fun out of the mockery" the man said as the breeze on the bike was accompanying the story. 

"I wasn't the brilliant student despite that my parents are into academic, how will their reputation not get ruined if they have a child who is as dull as I am, I know how many times teachers called me failure" I sighed and I was wondering why he was even telling me his story.

"As expensive as studying could be that time, my father was in his professor class when I was just in primary 2 or thereabouts but because my mom doesn't want to get more than PhD, for years she was just doing masters from one department to another. All this signs and symbols already show that my parents are the brilliant set of people. The man said 

"I have two younger sisters and they took after my parents, they all finished secondary school before me. 

"I failed severally that I started calling my classmates senior when they always leave me in a class and move to the next one"

"Yes sir, are you sure your child is not under any family attack or something else because with the rate in which he doesn't assimilate, I don't even know" the head master explained to my parents one afternoon. 

"For many years, I was tagged "orobo olodo (fat dullard)" I wanted to laugh but I remember that he is an elderly person and i don't know him or how harmful it could be if I should laugh at him.

The journey kept on going and what interested me most was when he started talking about his secondary school days.

"It was a big struggle, Junior secondary school was still better but you see when I entered senior secondary school, 90% of my classmates moved to science class and the remaining 10% was shared into art and commercial classes" he said as the bike man kept his pace on a high level"

"I went to commercial class, not because I know what they do or have a clue what the department was about, I did follow follow down there". I chucked the moment I heard follow follow. 

There are days when teachers will join the class to laugh at the mistakes I make tho I wasn't the last in class I am not the best as well. I am that below the average kinda student. My grades always fall between C downwards" I was shaking my head as he was saying all that. 

"Teachers also empowered the brilliant students as he will ask the class questions and they expected us to know it but we don't, cane will be handed over to the Brilliant students to flog us. It's always a shameful moment that I couldn't even put them in words back then"

I was wondering why will a teacher do all this as if he didn't undergo the teacher's training and many more of it. 

"I was depressed although that didn't stop me from being called fat, chubby and dull. There were days that I wanted to commit suicide but I don't know what kept stopping me it could be the prayers of my parents or something else"

I was so shocked that I didn't know what to say again but I wanted to ask how he then scaled through it. Just as i was about to ask, he rounded the story off.

"God gave me a bible reference one night when I had a knife to my belly, I was going to kill myself I couldn't take it anymore and that's in Jeremiah 1:5, check it out when you get home" the man said but I didn't even know what's in that verse by heart. 

"O wa oh, I will be stopping here" the man said and handed over a 200 naira note to the bike man. The bike man zoomed off.

I was feeling restless after the man had left me, I couldn't understand why. I wasn't far from my destination any longer. Soon I got to where I would stop, I paid the bike man and I alighted.

Oh! I didn't tell you the meeting I was going for. My dad had called me in the afternoon to inform me of a meeting with my grandpa by 7:00pm. It was 06:55pm and I was already at my family house at Iwo road. The meeting started and as expected after the whole issue to be discussed I was brought to the table again. My dad's elder brother was so furious that he threatened to take me away from school if I should repeat another class. Thank God my mom wasn't in the meeting I couldn't have imagined how broken and depressed she would've been. She was accused of given birth to a good-for-nothing, useless child. As if she gave birth to me and sold my brains out.

This wasn't the first time having such meetings but this one was entirely different. Coupled with the stranger's story. I couldn't even say anything all through the meeting. I was confused, restless. I couldn't wait to get back home. 

I'm my father's only son, much was expected from me but I wasn't given half yet. I couldn't even give a standard to my younger siblings infact they are better than I am. I was beginning to become a reproach to my family. 

Thank God the meeting came to an end finally I rushed back home. Getting a bike at that time wasn't difficult I got one immediately I stepped out of the house. And the journey was even faster this time because automobiles on the road had reduced. It was already past 8pm.

I got to molete and immediately I dropped, I started feeling more restless. I opened the door and rushed down to my reading table where I kept my bible.

I opened the bible to where the man had mentioned earlier.

 "Jeremiah 1:5  Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations"

The man's story wasn't what got me restless, but the fact that I've been bullied severally in school and my parents had changed my school more than 5 times in 3 years.

My story is almost same with that of the man, I was in commercial class too, I wasn't brilliant,  the difference is that he was mocked for being fat but I was mocked for being thin...

Teachers don't allow student beat me but they laugh at me because I don't know anything. 

I started crying and praying for God to help me. I held on to that assurance in Jeremiah 1:5 and I finally moved past the bully and shame. 

Today, I can tell you that God used the "journey on a bike" to change my life and turn my story around.

I am Oluwafemi Beyioku, I am the C.E.O of OB Multimedia Company with 13 branches in Ibadan, Oyo state.

Don't ever forget who you are in Christ and he will give you victory at last.

JOURNEY ON A BIKE

Story by O'nezer 

Osunniran Ebenezer