[STORY] DEADLY DESIRE (Episode 36)

Episode 36.

Eghosa watched as Nicole struggled to free herself. She shook the chains binding her legs so violently. The food the maid brought to her was smeared on her clothes and face. It was a terrible sight, to see the once vibrant Nicole displaying madness.

Eghosa had waited for weeks after his call to her parents. Their nonchalant attitude towards Nicole really pissed him off. Who could ever think that after all she did for them, they would abandon her. None of her siblings called to know how she was faring.

Eghosa was not related to her but he was unwilling to leave her in that state. It is true that she was once his Boss who fired him for preaching the truth. Nicole had been wonderful to him in the past. In his own trying period she was there.

He told the maid and the security man that all will be well. Familiar with Nicole’s employees, he met one of the managers and briefed him the situation of things. He told him about Nicole’s condition and wants him to keep it confidential. He needed money to send her to a psychiatric hospital and for upkeep. The manager obliged him.

Therefore, money was released to him for Nicole’s upkeep. Eghosa enquired through the internet for the best hospital and several were recommended to him to choose.

That night while he was praying concerning it, he heard.

“Pray for mercy”

He began to pray to God to have mercy upon Nicole. This prayer lasted for 2hours. The next day, the maid helped prepare Nicole. Eghosa was to take her to the hospital.

Suddenly, Nicole became so violent. She was hitting herself on the wall and dragging the chains. Her legs were bleeding.

“Jesus what is this?”

“Don’t go near her again” He told the maid.

He went inside and sat on a chair.

“I don’t even know what to do. I am confused Jesus”

“Be sensitive my son” He heard clearly.

Eghosa went on his knees immediately.

“Her case does not require a psychiatric hospital. It requires ME. You have not asked me Eghosa to take charge”

“Aah! Father I am sorry”

Eghosa began to ask for mercy for himself and to seek help from God.

———————————–

Itohan’s tears had not dried. She wakes in tears and sleep in her tears. She would lament and complain how faithful she has been to God and how she has been praying yet she got a mad husband.

“Why you do me like this God. I never try. Na when this wahala go comot for my head. God you nor dey see me”

Itohan had a dream. It was a clear dream. After lamenting ceaselessly throughout the night, she sat on the chair and dosed off. She saw Nosa bound to a tree with a thick rope. Try as she may, Itohan could not loose him. She stood there worried. She was also worried because it was about to rain.

There was heavy wind. If she stays, she would be drenched in the rain. She was looking for who to help her free Nosa. Luckily, she found herself in front of a compound. She pushed the gate and ran in.

“Help, I need help” She told the man sitting outside.

The man smiled and looked at her.

“I sey I need help and you dey smile”

“E don tay wey I dey wait for you” The man told her.

Itohan looked at him

“Me? You know me before? ”

“E no get anybody wey I nor no. Na me be beginning and na me be ending. Your name na Itohan so I know you and everything wey dey happen for your life.”

Immediately understanding dawn on her.

“These days na only complain you dey complain anytime you come meet me. Itohan, na when you go even thank me for the ones wey I dey do for you?”

“Aaah!”

“If you think say I nor dey do anything for you, atleast thank me for always saving your life and even your children’s own. The only thing wey I dey hear for your mouth na complain. I don do many better things for you Itohan but na complain you take dey thank me”

“Abeg make you no vex. The load too much for me”

“You come meet me the other time, you nor even tell me dey make I help you carry the load. I just look you as you dey cry and complain. So many of my children carry load wey pass them but Dem like am. Dem forget when I tell them to come to me all of them wey dey heavy laden. I tell them sey I go give them rest. Itohan my daughter, na when you go tell me to help you carry this load?”

“No vex” She started crying.

The elderly man requested for a chair and someone brought one. Then he sat on it.

“Sit on my legs Itohan”

Itohan hesitated.

“I said sit on my legs”

Itohan did. He brought out a white handkerchief and began to wipe her tears.

“Itohan my daughter, you be the apple of my eyes. Anything wey touch you touch me. Na me be your comforter. I dey here to comfort you. You dey worried about your husband too much”

She nodded.

“No worry. I go send help” The man said.”but make you dey praise. Those names wey you dey call me, dey make me happy but e don tey wey you call me those beautiful names.”

He kept wiping her tears and reassuring her and she woke up.

While pondering over her dream, she heard a knock. Efosa was still sleeping. The knock sounded again and she lazily stood up to open the door. It was the woman she used to buy Ogi (Akamu/Pap) from.

“I hope no problem” she asked so concerned.

“Nooo. Good morning ma”Throughout the night, na you I dey think of”

“Ehen. Wetin happen?”

“I wan invite you for our church program”

“But your church too far na. I tell you that time sey I no fit go because e far”

“Na true. No look distance. I nor know why my mind still dey disturb me to invite you. We get program throughout this week and next. Try come” She said handing a flyer to her.

Itohan thanked her and closed the door. She dropped the flyer on the table and lay on the bed. Her thought went to the dream she had.

———————————–

Eghosa was deeply in thought as he sat with the security man discussing about Nicole. He was so disappointed in Nicole’s family.

“How can a family be so callous?” He said folding his hands on his chest.

“I am surprised too. I thought by now her family would have come to get her. They are so nonchalant about it”

Eghosa sighed deeply.

“I know a place we can take her to. The man is very powerful. Maybe Nicole has offended someone. The moment he sees her, he will tell us what to do. Kpatakpata, he will ask us to pay money so that sacrifice can be offered to appease the gods”

“God forbid that my legs should be found in such place”

“Relax!, There is nothing bad. It is just for her to regain her sanity”

“My parents showed me the way of the Lord. They never showed me any other way except Jesus. The bible says, Jesus is the way, the truth and life. Since then, I have been following Jesus. For me, there is no turning back”

“Okay oo. I just wanted to help”

He returned to the house. Nicole’s incessant scream worries him and brought tears to his eyes. He made up his mind to take Nicole to a church.

After Sunday service, he waited to see his pastor. It was a long wait for there were many people waiting to see him. He sat down patiently waiting for his turn. In no time, Eghosa was ushered in. The Pastor was pleased to see him. Since Eghosa started the church almost two years ago, he had never had any reason to visit the pastors office. That is not to say he was not an active member of the church.

Eghosa cleared his throat and went straight to the point. The pastor listened and smiled.

“The lady should be in a psychiatric hospital bro. Eghosa”

“Pastor, I want you to come pray for her” He said looking straight at the hands of the pastor

“I don’t pray for mad people. There are lots of people waiting to be attended to. I am a busy person. Trust me, she needs medical attention. I can recommend a good psychiatric hospital if you want” He said shrugging his shoulder.

“Since you are too busy to leave the church because of your tight schedule, can I bring her here. Maybe on Thursday during or after prayer meeting”

“Don’t tempt God brother Eghosa. Please don’t bring a mad person here. I won’t appreciate it”

“Alright!”

Without further ado, Eghosa thanked the pastor and left the church. That was the last time he stepped his foot into that church.

One night he could not sleep. It was the night Nicole shook the compound with her scream. She said incomprehensible things. She rattled the chains with her movement. Eghosa ran to her room and saw her bleeding from her legs. Nicole was trying to break free. She tore her clothes. This broke Eghosa. He ran downstairs and cried.

Encouraging himself that tears won’t bring solution, he went into praise and worship. He was sweating and exhausted. Where he lay on the cold tiled floor, he had a revelation. He found himself in front of a church, people were trooping in. People of different nations and tribes rushed passed him. The church was surrounded by fire and light emanated from the building. Curiously, he walked to the signboard. He read what was written. He left the board and went to the church gate.

“Why are you hanging around?. Enter and experience the touch of God” a man said to him.

“Thank you”

Just then he saw a man coming out of the church rejoicing, holding a clutch

“I can now walk. Rejoice with me I can walk. The man’s face was radiated with joy. While people gathered round celebrating with him, another man ran out and shouted.

“Praise the Lord!, The devil has failed in my life. I was afflicted with blindness, but God had mercy on me and healed me. I am a product of his grace”

Overwhelmed by these testimonies, Eghosa saw himself moving to the signboard again looking at it.

“Do this for Nicole Lord” He murmured.

When he opened his eyes, he was surprised he was still on the floor. He stood up and hurriedly got a pen and paper. There he wrote the name of the church and address just as he saw in his revelation. He dropped the writing materials and began to worship God.
To Be Continued…. . . . .