FATIMA – Episode 19

©Miriam Edem

Episode XIX.

 

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

 

” you did what?!” My mom screamed and fell on me while the pastor rushed to take her off from my body.

“What are you doing? Aren’t you aware of your daughter condition?” The pastor shouted.

 

“What condition? She killed my husband and still have the guts to come here judging me when you killed your father you murderer!” She screamed out.

“I was expecting that name anyway, I hope you know it was not my intention to do that. I’m sorry” I said cleaning my tears and left ignoring my mother screaming and calling hell on me.

 

I stood by the car trying to stop the tears from coming but it was not working as I waited for the pastor. Few minutes later he came out and opened up the car without saying anything to me and we drove out.

We arrived home and I went straight to my room and laid in bed thinking and scared my mom may not apologize to Loveth’s family after confessing what I did to her husband. The whole situation was getting tiring and my mom is not ready to help either and its frustrating!

 

That evening I left the room for dinner and quietly sat down not hungry,

“Getting depressed again?” The pastor asked and I weakly looked at him.

“There’s no hope” I replied.

 

“Just give your mother time to think about it, besides I told her where she can find us when she is ready. Let’s pray God touches her heart, cheer up Fatima okay” the pastor said touching my palm and I breathed out and nodded.

“Good girl, common eat your food before it gets cold” the pastor said smiling.

 

After 3 days, a knock came on the door and I opened up to see the pastor’s daughter.

“Someone wants to see you” she said.

“Me?” I asked.

 

“She’s waiting” she replied and left and I quickly followed behind to see my mom.

Her face was not smiling at all and it got me more scared as I shakily greeted her with my eyes around to see if she came alone.

‘What are you looking for? Police men?” She asked not replying my greetings and I slowly sat down.

 

“The pastor went out” I said with my head bowed.

“How did you do it?” She asked and I looked at her.

 

“What?” I asked.

“How did you ki*ll him?” She asked.

 

“Mom….. ” just answer me because I’ve been thinking so hard and I still don’t understand. Yes you did crazy things because of Donald or whatever he calls himself but killing your father is what I can’t understand. What were you thinking?” She cuts in.

“Mom I’m sorry, trust me it was never my intention to ki*ll daddy, I can never do that it was a mistake. I wanted to see him and I could not go out, so I came across a sleeping drugs I bought some time back and without thinking, I poured it all in the juice you kept for him just so he can sleep. I didn’t know it will react that way, I’m so sorry and I take the blame. It’s my fault and it’s so hard to live with this guilt” I replied and she sniffed cleaning her tears.

 

“Maybe this is my punishment” she said and I looked at her.

“Your father did tell me about Loveth when we were friends but I already liked him and was so offended that whenever we get to talk, he must bring her into the discussion. I wanted him for myself but feared when he returns back to the village, he will apologize to her and convert her to Christ so they can be together. In fact he once told me about his plans of going back to the village because he could not sleep, probably he was feeling guilty about her brother’s death but I talked him out of it and told him it does not matter. He finally wanted to settle down with me and I insisted he should introduce me to his family, I actually did that on purpose so that Loveth will know Silas no longer belongs to him and just as I planned, Loveth heard about Silas arrival and ran to the house. I wanted to see Silas reaction if he will take her back, I wanted to be sure he truly loves me and not Loveth. In order to make me happy, I saw how he reacted to Loveth and I was so pleased and satisfied that I am the one now in his heart” my mom said and sniffed as I quietly listened.

 

“But I was wrong, I separated two lovers because I was selfish and stopped him from doing the right thing. The jealousy I had for them would have led to a deep hatred if Silas eventually left me for Loveth, and I could not help asking myself how Loveth felt when she saw us married with children. She could not get over it and I don’t blame her because I could not get over your father myself, but at the end I’ve still lost him” my mom continued and broke down crying and I quickly hugged her.

“Mom I understand that you love dad” I said.

 

“But that love made you suffer and killed her together with your father, this would have been avoided long ago” she said.

“Ssshhh its okay. We can still make things right to avoid impending occurrence in the future because of this. We need to settle with her family okay, let’s confess this to them and beg for their forgiveness. Mom I have 2 innocent brothers and I don’t want them to suffer or go the same road Loveth’s brother passed through” I said.

 

‘God forbid!” My mom shouted.

“Mom this is reality, we were burning in fire and prayed every day and night yet our family could not escape this. If the foundation is destroyed, what can the righteous do?” I asked and she closed her eyes and nodded.

 

‘I have to call your dad family and tell them about this, I think we should go as a full family” she said.

“No problem, I’m so happy mommy thank you” I said and hugged her again.

 

“I’m sorry too, how are you coping here?” She asked

“I’m okay, at least the pastor is here to help relieve my moods” I replied and she nodded.

 

“Your baby will be leaving the hospital today, will you come with me?” My mom asked and I weakly looked at her and she smiled touching my face.

“Your son needs his mother at his trying time, I know he reminds you of who hurt you but please he’s innocent” she said and I quickly left where I was sitting breathing hard.

 

“I don’t have a son” I said.

“Why did you have that scar on your stomach….. It’s not even a scar but a wound yet to be healed. What do you do with the milk in your breasts? Fatima, you are preaching to me about doing the right thing when you are still making the same mistake. Please I’m begging you, follow me to the hospital” my mom said coming to me as I bowed my head crying.

 

That afternoon I followed my mom to the hospital and saw my son. My mom carried him while I stood scared to touch him,

“My boy! Mommy is here to carry you” my mom said smiling and turned to me with him.

“Common you can do it” my mom said as I watched him cried.

 

“Fatima, I know it’s not easy to take care of a child like this, but at this time, a mother’s love becomes so strong to fight and protect her child. Don’t define this baby because you feel he’s disabled, give him every love he deserves I beg you” the nurse said and I sniffed cleaning my tears and carried my child crying hard.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, but this is your mother promise, I will never leave your side” I said to him.

 

I had to follow my mother home because of my baby and felt bad I didn’t leave any message at the pastor’s place before leaving. I didn’t have his number either to call, but the next day Pastor Ola came home and was so happy I returned back to take up my motherly duties.

“My God he’s so handsome, what will you call him?” The pastor asked.

“Honestly sir I don’t have a name yet” I replied.

 

“It’s okay, take your time and pray about it okay” the pastor said and my mom walked in. They greeted and my mom quickly apologised for kidnapping me without his notice and he laughed.

“It’s fine, am glad he’s doing well and she’s back to take care of him” Pastor Ola said.

 

“I understand Fatima for it’s not easy to be a single mother at her age with a special child, but I know my daughter is a strong girl” my mom said and I smiled. Honestly, I was not seeing my child disabled in any way, all I saw was God’s creature beautifully created and a gift to me. With that thought I raised my head and looked at them as they kept talking,

“God’sGift!” I shouted and they looked at me.

 

“Sorry?” My mom asked confused.

“He will be called God’sgift” I replied smiling.

 

‘Oh wow that’s great, Well done Fatima” the pastor said and I looked at my son and felt so proud.

 

After a week, we bought gifts to travel down to the village. We stopped at my father’s place where we took few of his family members and we got to Loveth’s place.

Loveth’s mother was so surprised to see us, but we already prayed and asked God to make it a smooth one. Grievances was shared and it was so long, Loveth’s mother talked about my dad family and how they handled the matter, she jumped to my mother and complained of how my mom made her daughter looked crazy, but in all we apologized and shared in her pain.

 

“It’s Loveth that is supposed to forgive you all and not me, she is the one that suffered” her mom said.

“I know ma, but you are here as her mother to take her place. If you forgive them, then your daughter has forgiven them also. Your pain is your daughter pain, and as a mother we have come to you to please forgive them, please ma we are sorry” Pastor Ola came in and she breathed in.

 

“It’s fine, am equally learning to heal so I won’t be swallowed up with hatred and anger like Loveth, I fear to end up like her and it’s okay. I’ve forgiven you all and I Pray Loveth finds rest also” she said.

“Oh thank you so much and God bless you” Pastor Ola said while we joined in thanking her.

In her own way, she made a prayer cancelling all she do hear Loveth pray against us, and she blessed us. I don’t know if unbelievers prayers works, but with my heart open, I received every prayers she said even in tears and there was this relief I felt in me, it was so real.

 

We ended up laughing and talking, and before leaving, she took us to her children grave. The pastor prayed on the graves and anointed it against anyone who may come there to pour drinks invoking their spirit to take up revenge in the future. But something happened as we were about to take our final leave, we noticed Loveth’s mother was not okay and Pastor Ola in his kind manner decided to ask if she’s okay.

“Loveth please forgive me since everything is at peace now” she sadly said.

 

“Why what’s wrong?” My mom asked.

“They had a girl together, I quickly took her to my sisters place since Loveth was not mentally okay” she replied and I looked at my mom who went back in shock.

 

“That’s great, I want to see my sister please” I said and my mom looked at me and I nodded at her.

“Is Silas aware?” My dad uncle asked.

 

“No, she wanted telling him when he visited the village but there was no chance” Loveth mother replied.

“Please let’s go see my sister” I happily said not worried about how my mother felt, to me its all part of reconciliation and that child deserves to be with her family and have a share of what my father left behind.

 

Tbc

#milove