The Angel And The Fugitive – Chapter 3 Part B
THE ANGEL AND THE FUGITIVE CHAPTER 3 PART B
Mr Bode Samson giggled at Alhaji Saheed after replacing his mobile phone, the latter reciprocating . He was always present during his timely call to his “special servants” whenever the needs arises. Alhaji Saheed was his godfather, responsible for putting him into politics. He had been his loyal son ever since and promised to do the impossible to help him on any matter regardless of anything.
“He always respond to your call anytime. They seem to be enjoying their duty”, referring to Tafa.
“Of course. Why wouldn’t they? Money talks and everyone obeys like servants. Do you know how I met Ruff?
“I haven’t gotten the chance to ask and you didn’t have the time to tell me”
“Well, am telling you now. I picked Ruff on the street twenty-four years ago. He was just five, homeless and devastated. I adopted him, became his foster father, took him as my own flesh and blood, educated him and then I knew he will be so pivotal in future. We lost contact at a point, by then he was able to train himself by the business he did. We found ourselves again on the same path, the exact perfect time my first son was sentenced to lifetime imprisonment for smuggling drugs. The frustrations of being jobless had gotten to him by that time as a result of our clique, his business collapsed and had no choice but to be the man he is now, to ease his frustrations and believe a ridiculous story of revenge. Interesting isn’t it?
“Very indeed. He must really be indebted to you for the rest of his life. ”
“Absolutely, he is,” he gulped to the last drop of his orange juice in excitement and then in fury when he reminisces the imprisonment of his son, which came after the death of his wife in an auto crash. Few months later, he was imprisoned for corruption, a sad memory he rode on till present.
“I gave him a purpose, something to live for and fight. He got a team, he knows how he got them and then, the belief was enacted”, he took another gulp and continued.
“How can your own people turn their back against you in favour of a man who isn’t their ethnicity, betray you in the process. It’s like a dog who hunts his fellow animals and man’s enemies for the favour of man, their owners. They voted for Ajuwa Williams instead of Mallam Ali Nurudeen. They will suffer for their actions, this government will wear out like a dilapidated structure by and by, I promise, “he swore to himself.
It was apparent, cupala square was chosen because of the next ruling party convention and rally scheduled to hold. The date of event hadn’t been made public yet but there was a certainty that it would be held at the square. It will be crowded to the brim and will be the perfect timing to launch. Ruff finished addressing his guys about their new mission after he hung up, he proceeded to wear his Jean and shirt, which he had removed while relaxing and went out. He needed to have a birds view of the place and run some things personally.
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Tafa and Rita stepped out of the taxi at the gate. It was a mild sunny afternoon, the sun was friendly and accommodating. Tafa had a peaceful night for the first time in days, his thoughts were elated and almost forgot he had a place to go as planned till Rita got him to wake up. He wished he could continue to sleep and never wake, if it means his problems going away. A night sleep, his late mother said was by a distance, a nature’s gift too precious, so important to neglect. It washes away your strain and eases your mind from stress, makes you think of your problems lightly, proffers solutions that makes you felicitous. Tafa was feeling this way when he got up, his attitude, easily noticed by Rita. He anticipated a new dawn of hope, that which could save his dying father.
They ran pep Mel to the church building , a synonymous act with a prey, hunted by a predator. The church receptionist and attendant, a young beautiful plumb lady, who was reading her Bible had told them that Pastor Simon, the senior pastor, wasn’t around but his assistant, Pastor James was. Pastor Simon was a young passionate preacher of the Gospel, finished his theological school at a young age. Before becoming senior pastor, he had been evangelizing for a few years, his excellent spirit which was apparently seen by all was the factor that made him climb the ladder of leadership, eventually selected to become the senior pastor, the youngest amongst other pastors. Tafa knocked twice on the door, they could hear him praying inside. They waited briefly before they were ushered in after he ended his prayers.
“Good afternoon pastor, ”
“Good afternoon bro Tafa and sister Rita. How are you all?”
“We thank God, the Creator of everything.”
“May his name be praised forever. Sit down please, to what do I owe this meeting. Bro Tafa, I didn’t see you in the meeting yesterday, what happened? ”
“Pastor forgive me, am sorry to say this but bad things happened to me this past few days. That was our reason for coming to see pastor Simon.”
“What is the problem? “You can tell me.”
Tafa couldn’t disclose the fact. The origin of his pathetic story eluded his thoughts. The sadness clouded his mind so much he didn’t know where to start from. His mouth was wide open, his lips smacking but the words couldn’t come out. Rita on noticing his plight proceeded to tell.
“Pastor, Tafa’s mother is in the morgue, and his father is in dire need of assistance to be flown abroad for a heart transplant. Tafa is in a mess. ”
“Jesus Christ is Lord”, the pastor himself got astonished by the terrible news. Tafa’s survival in a bomb scare wasn’t part of what she wanted to disclose. Pastor James was already bewildered by what he had heard, shook his head sideways displeasure.
“Am sorry for the demise of your mother. It’s very unfortunate to hear what I just heard. God knows why all these are happening, He will give you the fortitude to bear her loss.
“Amen”, both chorused.
“Have you set the burial date already, ”
“Pastor, that is one my reasons for coming with Sister Rita. I need some assistance from the church, loan or anything to save my father. I will repay the church soon.”
“What you are asking for is slightly impossible. The church doesn’t have a provision for treatment of one’s family member. Am sorry”
“Please Pastor, now is the ultimate time to come to our aid. We just need a small amount to add to ours. Am sure Bro Tafa will repay you sooner than expected, “Rita chipped in.
“I understand your plight but am not the senior pastor neither am I the owner of the church. ”
“But you can help us talk to them, talk to the council on our behalf. Pastor, you can please.”
“There are protocol, guidelines to abide by. It will take sometime to prepare the money. ”
Rita and Tafa kept on insisting. Their persistence and demands, all but cut a frustrating figure from the assistant pastor. In as much as it wasn’t in his power, he had the urge to help them one way or the other. He broke the long silence with a question he asked them about how much they needed, when he was told of the huge amount, he exclaimed. He thought for some minutes before giving his final verdict.
“I will see what I can do. I will give you a call later tomorrow, but am not giving you any assurance that it’s going to go well”
“Thank you Pastor. Surely, I know it will go well”, Rita stated confidently.
“We really appreciate your concern ”
“It’s God brethren. Let us pray”.
They closed their and said a short prayer before finally departing.
To be continued
repetition