A LETTER TO YOU: Chapter 21 – The End
A LETTER TO YOU
CHAPTER TWENTY- THREE
Everyone became confused with what Martins said. He was crying profusely while pinning Banji to the ground. Banji was also weeping and was trying to get the hands of Martins off from his neck as he was pressing him like he was going to squeeze him to death. The more Banji tries to remove his hand the more he lands heavy blows on his face and in no time Banji started bleeding again from the spot where he had a cut earlier. It was bleeding seriously that the elderly man had to intervene.
“Stop young man, you will only turn yourself to a murderer if you continue hitting him with his condition right now as he might lose too much of blood in the process and die. Violence should not be resulted to in handling this issue” The elderly man advised him
“Please, let me be, of what use this one” Martins shouted pointing at Banjo who was just panting like a sheep that has been refused water for many days.
“I know you are bittered my son, but if we are to say you should do as you wish, there is no fault if you kill him but that will only turn you into a murderer and then it becomes two which the government will not take lightly with you” The elderly man advised.
A LETTER TO YOU: Chapter 21 – The End
Martins was still visibly angry, he was bitting his lips very hard. Everyone knew he was bittered by what happened. His only sister in a gruesome manner. Although, no one wish to have that kind of experience but if he is not care he might end up killing Banjo if care is not taken.
“I will make sure I charge you for murder and I promise you will rot in prison, I swear by the death of my sister” Martins vowed as he spits on Banjo who was looking battered with his face already covered with his own blood.
“Ahh, my son, please don’t take actions in haste. We have to handle this matter with care or else we will destroy everything again. If you imprison him now, it is true he will go to prison or sentenced to death but does that mean you have you taken your own pound of flesh from him. Does it means that you have avenge your sisters death?” The man asked him
“At least he will not just go scot free” Martins said to to man in annoyance.
“You are right” the man replied
“Let me ask you one question so that I will no the next move” The Man said.
“I want you all to know that I am not on his side for the wrong thing, I strongly frown and am against it but we don’t have to take laws on our hands” the man said.
As the man was talking I was just looking at him with a bad eye and was infuriated with the way he was talking.
“Sir, what is it that you are saying, are you suggesting that we pardon him despite his sins and offences.” I asked the man.
“Put yourself in our place and your daughters were raped, look at the agony they will pass through as a result of just the thought of being raped by some unfortunate persons, will you be saying they should be pardoned or is it that I am not getting you well” I said to the man who just smiled and kept mute.
I was surprised at the way he smiled and then said he will like to make tell few words if we can calm down and allow him to talk.
He smiled again and began with with words “you are right, who will something like this happen to that will not be angered but you see me here I have lived my life with so many circumstances that are beyond human imagination. I have four girls who should be of your age if they were to be alive but they were all k1lled in one day during a clash between two tribes, I was devastated that I lost my daughters when my lovely wife also passed away as a result of the incident. Since then life has been unesay for me and I always swear that I will avenge their death but who will I hold responsible for their death. Until one day, I was alone in my house when a smart young looking man walked up to me and prostrated, he came with lot of gifts and much more. He didn’t come once but was doing that before the week runs to an end. He took care of me like I was his father. I no longer feel empty, he was always with me, he takes care of my hospital bill and did a lot of things for me in the process. He did that for seven years and even adopted me as his father because he was no longer having one again.I loved him so that I can’t do a day without communicating with him. He has a senior rank in the army and was doing fine as we both enjoy each others company until one day.
“I was not at home as I had gone to see a friend of mine living two houses away from me, this young man who has proven to be a good son to me came home and was staring at the picture frame of my four daughters, he was touching it and shaking his head. He didn’t know when I entered as he was immensed in the picture. Then I said to him.
” Those are the pictures of my four daughters, they were all killed in a day by someone i don’t know ” I said to him.
“I noticed that he kept quiet and was not saying anything only for him to turn towards me and I saw him crying”.
” What is the problem, I asked him as he was making me to be afraid.”
“The next thing he did was that he went on his kneel and prostrated flat before me that he had wronged me and I should forgive him’ The man continued.
” You have done nothing wrong, stand up my son, I said to him.” The man continued.
“It was then he increased his weeping which made me feel sorry for him and asked him why he was crying” he added.
“After several minutes of weeping, he opened up the can of worms that he was the one that masterminded the killing of my four daughters. I was shocked when I heard the revelation, it was as if I was not hearing well. I sat down on the floor and starting weeping myslef, I didn’t know what I should do maybe I should forgive him or I should kill him but what can an Old man like me do to a young man. He has been the one taking care of me for long and now that he opened up will I now throw away our relationship. He has made me his father and has been performing all his duties as a son would do.”
“I was deeply hurt and felt I should imprison him but there is nothing that would amount into, I will just lose on both ends. After several days of weeping and consoling, I accepted him back”.
” Although, my story is a bit different from yours but do you know that there is no differences between the murderer and the hangsman, because both of them are killers ” he said to us.
The room was a bit silence as we were wondering who the man was until Martin’s asked.
“Who are you Old man and who called you here?” He queried him.
“No one called me here and I was just passing when I heard your voice (pointing to me) of pain and crying that was why I stopped to know if all was well” he said to us.
“You know what he had offended you but you must have a place in your heart to forgive him just like the way God always forgives us our sins. No one can claim to be perfect we have also wronged others on one way or the other but were forgiven. No sin is bigger than the other in the sght of God” he added.
As he was talking Martins sat down looking at him and weeping the more, I know he was deeply wounded by his sisters death.
“You see I believe you must have reported this case to the police when it happened and this man here must be have been placed on the wanted list” the man asked.
“Yes, and I was told that they would arrest him anytime he is caught” Martins replied.
” very good but one thing is important been if you are going to be taking a legal action against him, you have to forgive him since he has come here aaking for your forgiveness so that your own pwae can be restored and not hindered as a result of unforgiveness” the man said .
” you see it is easier said than done but who is it that is of without any offence or that has not sin against the maker, there is no one. I want you to understand one thing that this man here also had suffered alot which is one of the things that brought him here ” the man added.
” if you refuse to forgive him now, have it in mind that it will only deprive you peace of mind, gives you sleepless night and makes you look like an infidel in the sight of your maker” he added.
“Nevertheless, it takes grace to forget what has happened but with sincere acceptance and forgiveness gradually you will not have it in your mind like how it had happened.”
“Do you know your meeting him today was already destined because if it was not you will not have seen him here today” he added.
” but let me warn everyone, you can’t go into sin with the thought of repenting after you have involve in it because you might not have the Chance. It will be like a thief that says that would be his last time of stealing but was killed on the same day” the man said.
” likewise understand that no sinner would go unpunished, been God had forgiven you, you will still receive your punishment, no one can fraud the maker. It is whatever you sow you will reap”
” it is just like that case of a student that was caught in examination malpractices in the university, even if he repents of the sin, God will forgive but the law of the school will take it course,it is either the person is expelled or suspended and that is the reward of the sin” the man continued.
A LETTER TO YOU: Chapter 21 – The End
At that stage Martins was already becoming soften, he then move to Banjo who was already weak and still prostrating and pulled him up and embrace him as both of them were crying.
I also forgave him and the man thanked us but something unusual happened. After we have accepted one another, there was a knock on the door and two police officers stayed at the door post. We were surprise to see them as we did not know who had called them.
” don’t be afraid, I already called the police myself before I came here and had explained everything to them” Banji said as he stretched forward his hands to be arrested.
We protested the arrest but the police would not listen. He was taken to the police station and was charged to court.
Throughout Banji was in prison he always send a letter to both myself and Martins to ask about our welfare, he always tell us to forgive him in his letter although I already did but to forget was the problem.
Martins tried all he could to get him released by claiming he has drop every charges against him but the government frowns against any form of rape that later led to murder.
Banji was charged to court by the government and was sentenced to 30 years imprisonment. We were not happy but all I could see was a weak smile on Banji face when he was been led out of court.
I noticed he was having a inner peace of mind and joy inspire of the judgment given to him. Anyways the painful part was that he didn’t spend up to two years in the prison when he died from chronic disease and sickness.
After the who event, Martin’s later approached me with that same statement.
“Alisa will you marry me” he asked.
Anyways, I was feeling awkward but what would I say.
” Yes, I will but am without womb” I said to him.
” I will take you like that” he replied.
Hmm(she left the table she was using to write the letter and stared outside, it was already late in the night and no sign of police officerw yet but she knew she had just began her story)
Now, that I have accept Martins, does that means all is well..there are more to write down..(she took out some biscuits and munched because she was starting to get hungry..
My Story continues.
To be continued…….
I know some will not agree with the way the issue was addressed about Banji’s case but it is important to note that because you are born again or repent of your sins does not mean you will not be punished..
A LETTER TO YOU: Chapter 21 – The End
Okegbemi Ebenezer
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