[STORY] THE NIGHT BUS (Episode 02)

Episode 02.

I was sitting just by the window, exactly what I wanted so I can lean my head on the glass there when its time to sleep. I took my phone and called my sister and after two rings she picked up.
“Don’t you know when to call a married woman?” Her sleepy voice came on the phone.
“Sorry married woman, I just called to let you know that your mother is in the hospital” I replied.

“Is that so?” She asked and a horn was heard.
“Wait a minute, where are you going to this night?” She asked.

“To the hospital of course, I have to go see them,” I replied.
“Hey! Clement I beg you in the name of God. Didn’t I tell you the pastor said if any of us should hear anything about our mother we should……. ” not go see her huh? So she won’t exchange her life with us and increase her longevity on earth right? I am tired of all this bullshit and I didn’t call you so you can remind me that your almighty pastor claimed mama is a witch okay” I cut in and I saw some passengers looking at me.

“Clement that is always your problem, you’re too stubborn until you see it with your two eyes. Anyway I don’t blame you, you’ve always been her favorite but I’ll still tell you not to see that woman’s face in the hospital,” my sister said.
“Wow, you’ve done well. Bye,” I said taking the phone off my ears.

“Cleme…..I dropped the call and stuck it into my school bag and leaned my head on the window in peace. I don’t understand how a mother will train her children for years and when they are old they will end up heeding the voice of pastors who will suddenly give them the witch title.
The allegations came up when my sister fell sick. It was so serious that despite the hospitals we took her to, none could explain what exactly was wrong with her. I was confused and kept looking at my sister wondering if she will ever leave the bed she is lying on alive.
Then her mother-in-law walked in one afternoon with a man he introduced as her pastor and he began to pray. I’m not that churchy type nor do I believe in the power of it because to me, Pastors are businessmen hustling for their money. So I left them to pick up a call from the office and I met my wife on her way to my sister’s ward.

That period was when my marriage was shaking also and it was too much for me. Seeing my wife coming to see my sister got me so happy and meant so much to me but she ignored and passed me to her room.
It was after two days my in-law drew me to a corner advising me to be careful about my mother because the pastor said she was a witch. I got so mad to hear that from a civilized man like him, and I also gave him the same advice to be careful of his mother because the spirit told me she’s the leader of a coven and he got mad also. They were able to infest my sister’s mind with those words and when she left the hospital, my sister never wants to see her mother. She stopped showing that care to send provisions and money like she used to. It’s all on me now to take care of an old woman and my wife when I have a sister who can assist me with that.

The thought of that gave me a headache knowing I wouldn’t be on the road to travel when my sister is very close to helping my wife out of the stress. I heard my phone ringing and I checked it out, seeing it was my sister I stuck it back into my bag and closed my eyes hoping to catch some sleep.

I found myself in a bush and as I wanted to take a step back as I looked confused, I unknowingly stepped on something and when I looked down I was without shoes. I closed my eyes and pulled out the glass that pierced into my foot and tore my shirt to wrap on it as I hopped going nowhere. The environment was so strange and I wondered how I ended up there when I was on a bus.
” hey stop there!” I heard a voice and I halted with my hands up even though I could not see the person’s face.

“I’ve found one of them! I heard the voice shout and I began to hear people screaming around.
“We’ve arrived wake up everybody! I heard and woke up to see the driver knocking on the window glasses. I cleaned my face and quickly took my phone to check the time and saw it was past 5 am.

We all came out of the bus and I noticed I was feeling pain at the exact spot where I stepped on a glass in the dream. I shook the leg and ignored it as I called my wife to know where they are so I can meet them.
Surprisingly when I got to the hospital, my mother was fine. She was awake that early morning and even attempted to come down to hug me but my wife stopped her.
” How are you, my son? You shouldn’t have bothered to come na” she said as I touched her forehead.

“I shouldn’t have bothered when you slumped?” I asked and she laughed.
“You know this low sugar of a thing I didn’t know I’ll have it o. I love bitter things a lot and I was guarding myself against diabetes so I won’t die like your father, now they say it’s low sugar. What do these people want us to eat na?” She asked and I just smiled.

“Mama I understand but everything should be in moderation. Our body still needs some amount of sugar, what makes it worse is when it’s in excess. Low sugar kills o” I said.
“But I don’t want it na and my daughter-in-law knows how to fear eh, boom! I saw myself in the hospital just like that” my mother said.

“Mama let me fear please because you’re in my house. If anything had happened it would have been on my head” my wife said.
“God forbid nothing can happen, I must live and declare the good works of God. What am I saying? I must live to carry more of my grandchildren,” my mother said.

“Amen,” my wife said laughing and that was when I looked at my wife and held her hand. Her stomach was protruding more than when I saw her last and she has equally added weight.
“How are you now? I asked her.

” I am fine now you’re here” she replied smiling.
“You see there, it’s not about me, your wife just wanted to see you,” my mother said.

“Ahhhh mama, I wanted help na and besides there’s nothing wrong if I want to see my husband,” my wife said keeping her head on my shoulder while I gave a weak smile. I was not understanding my body at all and something seemed off but I could not place my mind on where.
“You look tired love, will you go home and rest?” My wife asked touching my face.

“Yes I have to, I’m having body pains” I replied.
“Sorry my son, sorry oh! Please take him home I can manage here” my mother said.

“Mama are you sure?” I asked.
“I am well, is it not just low sugar? Stop wasting your money here because I have learned my lesson” my mother replied.

“Okay, this is what is going to happen. I’ll drop my husband at home and give him something to eat, then I’ll come back and meet the doctor if you’re fit to be discharged, is that okay?” My wife asked.
“You can disturb yourself o, no problem then” my mom accepted and I left the hospital with my wife I realized I was hopping the same way in the dream but I had to pretend so my wife won’t get worried. I didn’t want to get scared or bothered because I don’t give too much attention to dreams.

When we got home, I brought out the money in my bag and gave it to my wife.
“I got that from the tenants, will that be enough?” I asked as she counted the money.
“Yes, thank you,” she said when she was done and stood up to the freezer.

“How’s work?” She asked but I only nodded with my head pounding and she came to me.
“Are you okay?” She asked touching my forehead.

“I’m just tired that’s all” I replied and breathed out.
“Okay, let me get you something to eat, and won’t you take your bath?” She asked.

“Mama looks very okay to me, for someone who slumped yesterday why is she that strong?” I asked my wife ignoring her question and she looked at me.
“Are you doubting me? Or do you think I can bring you down in such a hurry for something not serious?” She asked.

“No no love stop misunderstanding me anytime we want to have a conversation,” I said.
“Misunderstanding you? You just said mama looks strong and it makes me want to look like a liar or I purposely stressed myself the whole day for nothing despite my condition. Do I look mad to you?” She continued and I rolled my eyes.

“Can you take it easy?” I asked.
“No I won’t, is that the thank you I should get? Rather its mama looks strong to me, do you expect me to jump up and hug you for a job well done? Do you know what I passed through yesterday?” she asked and I heaved.

“It’s alright please and I’m sorry if I asked okay? Thank you for standing in the gap anyway ” I said and tiredly laid on the couch with my eyes closed to have my rest.

To Be Continued… . . .

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