FATIMA – Episode 15

©Miriam Edem

Episode XV.

 

®Do not repost without due acknowledgement or permission of the writer.

 

I sniffed as I continuously used the fork absentmindedly on my food not knowing how to start,

“Okay just eat up, we’ll get to talk later” the pastor finally said touching my shoulder and left me alone. I breathed out and slowly ate my food, and when I was done I saw them walked in.

“Hi you’re out? I hope you’re satisfied?” the pastor’s daughter asked coming to me as I stood up to clear my plate.

 

“Yes and thank you” I replied.

“It’s okay, let me go clean up I’ll be back ” she said smiling and left with the others. I cleaned up the dirty plates I saw in the sink and looked around when I was done looking for what next to do but everything seemed okay to me. Then I decided to take a look in the church but my legs were shaking. I had this fear that I was not wanted there after all I’ve done. This was an altar I was dedicated and raised in, my parents tried their best to train us in the way of Lord as the Bible said we won’t depart from it, but in my case it was the opposite.

That child they trained turned out to be their worst nightmare.

 

I stood afar looking at the altar and summoned every courage in me to go further,

“I know I’ve been saying this, but I hope you see the content of my heart to see it’s true. I’m sorry, I’m sorry I disappointed you, I’m sorry I caused your children pains, and I’m sorry I made your son doubted you for a second. My attitude got him confused, he thought you’re punishing him and somehow he deviated from the faith and it’s all my fault. I don’t know how I got to this part but I need your help. This burden in my heart is burying me alive every single day, but didn’t you say we should come with our heavy laden and you’ll give us rest? I know I don’t deserve it, but please Lord help me. It’s already too late for my father, everyday I pray this should be a bad dream but I can’t wake up from it, please give him peace wherever he is. Don’t let him bear my punishment, I hope he rest in the peace he deserves lord for its my fault, let me bear it alone I beg you” I cried as I slowly went to the altar and fell on it.

 

I can’t remember how long I stayed there but I had a feeling they will be looking for me, so I stood up trying so hard to dry my face and slowly went back.

“Hey where have you been?” The other lady asked when I got in.

“Ermmm in the church” I replied.

 

“Oh okay, we were actually looking for you. Are you still going to eat?” She asked.

“No please am filled” I replied.

 

“You were crying again? Your face is swollen” she said touching my face.

“It’s fine, am not hungry thanks” I said and slowly left for my room.

 

That night I saw myself in the village as I looked around confused. The place didn’t look as if I was in my grand parents house but I knew I was in my village. Then I heard people talking about a woman who just committed suicide and when I turned I saw about three guys carrying something wrapped in a mat which I understood was a dead person.

I saw myself following the guys at the back, but suddenly my father appeared blocking the way and I screamed and fell down.

“Daddy, daddy what are you doing here? Let’s go home” I said but his face was too pitiful. He didn’t say anything to me and when I looked, I saw the guys carrying the dead body in a distance but I still wanted to follow them,

 

“Go back Fatima!” My father shouted on me and I screamed and woke up here crying. I felt so thirsty but I didn’t have the courage to leave the room and my wound was seriously paining me. I just sat down on the floor wondering when I’ll ever get a sound sleep, and I was too tired to even think about the dream.

A knock came on the door and I was so scared, who is knocking at about 2a.m and why?

 

“Fatima are you there?” I heard a voice outside.

“Who’s there?” I asked.

 

“It’s me, pastor Ola” he replied and I slowly got up touching the place of my wound and opened up.

“We’re you sleeping?” He asked but I shook my head then he looked down and saw I was touching my wound.

 

“Have you taken your medication?” He asked.

“That was in the morning” I replied.

 

“Let me go bring you water” he said and left while I heaved and sat down on the bed waiting for him.

He came back shortly with a glass of water and I took the drugs in his presence.

“Thank you sir” I said as he took the glass from me and kept it.

 

‘Are you okay?” He asked and I nodded.

“You know I heard you in the church” he said and my eyes bulged out.

 

“What?” I asked.

“Though I didn’t understand what you were trying to pour out to God, but sorry I have to ask, how did your father die?” He asked and I coughed loudly.

 

“Sorry, Fatima you know you can trust me. I can’t come to your room by this time if it’s not important, because on my own I’ve been praying for you. The holy Spirit is a revealer of all things and I want to understand why you’re this pained and sorrowful so I can help you. I tried talking to you this evening but you were not ready to open up, and when I went to the church I heard you pouring out your heart but I could not really understand what you were trying to say, but this night I had a revelation and that is why am here. Fatima, if you need help then you have to open up. A lawyer won’t be able to help you except you tell him every single thing you know, that’s why I am here because I need answers” the pastor seriously said and I rubbed my face.

 

“What will you do when I say that I killed my father?” I asked him but he didn’t act like he was surprised.

“Okay, am not going to arrest you but why did you do that?” He asked back and I breathed out then I told him everything about I and Daniel.

 

“Where is he now?” He asked referring to Daniel.

‘I don’t know, after I met him before I gave birth I haven’t seen him” I replied.

 

“And your baby?” The pastor asked and I bowed my head.

“I don’t know, I really don’t know but he’s with my mom” I replied.

 

“Now I see” he said and I looked at him.

‘I saw a woman, though I didn’t really see her face because it was cloudy but she was holding a knife in her left hand, and on her right there was a paper in her hand. Then I heard her shouting “Silas! You will taste everything I’ve been through, your daughter will eat and end in my pain” and before I could say anything, she stabbed herself” the pastor said while I looked at him with my mouth opened.

 

“My father name is Silas” I said and he looked at me.

“Is he?” He asked and I nodded.

 

‘Is there any lady who died you’re aware of?” He asked.

“I don’t know I don’t know!” I replied touching my head.

 

“Is there any one who have any grievance with your family? Someone in the village or so?” He asked and I looked at him.

“In the village?” I asked.

 

‘Village or anywhere, just think” he replied.

“There’s this lady I met at the village, I don’t know what happened but she was removing some curses to my family, and after some months I heard she died, I think she committed suicide or something I cant remember” I said.

 

“Is that so? Can you take me to your village?” He asked.

‘I don’t even know where she stays, I only met her during my grand mom burial and that was the first time” I replied.

 

“At least someone there should know her or her family. Or can you take me to your mother so I can know what really happened?” He asked and I scoffed.

‘My mom hates her and I don’t think she will help, she does not even want to hear her name at all” I replied.

 

‘If that is so Fatima take me to your village, we need to find her family” he said and I breathed out.

“Okay but what will my family member say when they see me? Ever since my dad died I don’t know the arrangements of the burial and they will ask questions. I am so scared to face them please” I said.

 

“Fatima you are not going alone, don’t worry I’ll take care of that” he said and I nodded.

“So just rest we may leave tomorrow” he said.

 

“Tomorrow?” I asked surprised.

“Fatima are you not curious? Don’t you want answers?” He asked back and I heaved.

 

“Do you think this lady is the cause of what happened In my family?” I asked back.

“That’s why we have to find out, there’s no smoke without fire. No one will just come up one day to hate and curse you without a cause, something must have provoked it and that is what we must know. The woman in the dream mentioned your father’s name, and as if that was not enough she said his daughter will dine and end in her pain and she sealed it with blood by committing suicide with names on her right hand. That’s too powerful you know?” The pastor asked.

 

“But pastor can such curse stand against a child of God? ” I asked and he smiled.

“Haven’t you read a place in the Bible where the battle was too tough for a certain man, and when he saw his people were losing do you know what he did? He held his first son and slaughtered him and the battle was turned against the children on God. Don’t let a human sacrifice be carried out against you, if God is not strong on your side and if you have any secret you might not escape it no matter how spiritual you are. Blood is powerful my daughter, with the look of things, she has a deep grievance for your father that will make her go that extent, so please don’t be too hard on your self about what happened okay” he replied touching my shoulder while I became scared.

 

“I hope this is not true” I said teary.

“There is always a way out of every difficulties, Fatima let’s pray” he said holding my hands……..

 

The next morning I was woken up by a knock on the door and I quickly opened up.

“Good morning” I greeted first.

“Good morning Fatima, the table is set” the guy at the hospital said.

 

“Okay I’ll be out soon please” I said and quickly went in to freshen up.

I came out and saw everyone waiting for me and I greeted and equally apologized for keeping them waiting and they had this surprised look on their face.

“Morning Fatima, you look so different today” the pastor’s daughter said.

 

“Please sit down my dear” the pastor said smiling and I sat down.

“Okay before we bless the food, I’ll be travelling with Fatima today” the pastor announced and my heart began to beat fast.

 

“Are you serious?” Her daughter asked.

“Yes it was unplanned and its urgent, but we won’t stay long, maybe just a day and we’ll be back. Pardon me please” the pastor replied.

 

“No problem, safe trip” her daughter said and I breathed out when the pastor asked that I bless the food.

 

Tbc

#milove