DELILAH : EPISODE 1 - THE END - Page 12 of 12

DELILAH : EPISODE 1 – THE END

Episode 12

Miriam Edem (Miriam Eyen Efik)

I squatted by the side of the door and covered my face between my legs crying to myself, then I felt someone tapped my back. I raised my head and cleaned my face when I saw it was a nurse,
“What’s wrong sir? She asked.
“Nothing, I replied drying my face.

“You don’t need to hide it, if you’re pained then cry it out, just because you think you’re a man does not give you the right to bottle up everything and act strong. You have the right to express your feelings, even Jesus expressed his agony when he was scared, the nurse said and I sniffed and looked away.
“I have to hide it for the people in there, they can’t see me like this, I said.

“I understand and everything will be fine, the nurse said.
“Thanks anyway, I said.

“Its nothing, but why is your brother wife not here yet? She asked.
“He’s single, I replied.

“Is that so, that will be his girlfriend then, the nurse said.
“You know them? I asked.

“Yes it was this morning I remembered his face when he fell into shock. He came with his girlfriend to the hospital I worked before where she begged the doctor to lie she had a miscarriage. I know I am not to say this though, please excuse me, the nurse replied and Left and I quickly remembered how Patrick came to the house that morning and accused mama to be a witch.
I slowly Opened the door and saw my mother holding the hands of Patrick with her eyes closed and I sat with Patricia who sorrowfully stared at them,

“What happened to him? I asked.
“He fell into shock. I was so scared and remembered papa, he had the same remember? Patricia asked and I heaved and held her close.

“But he’s not papa and he is still alive okay, I said to her.
“What happened to my son? My mother asked and I told her everything.

“Where is she? She asked.
“In the station, Patricia replied and our mother began to cry again.

“Mama please na stop,I said getting up to meet her.
“You’ll not understand, I wish your father is here to see his son. Before he died he wanted seeing Patrick but he abandoned him yet he was not angry, he kept saying I forgive Patrick even when he breathed his last, my mother said.

“We have to be strong for Patrick so he can fight this, we will go home together and papa will be happy to see his family complete again. Let’s stay strong okay, I said cleaning her tears.

The white men visited us as they promised and offered to compensate us with 2million naira.
“We don’t need your money, I just want my son to leave this bed alive, my mother said.
“Patrick will be okay ma’am, the money is for his hospital bills please, one of them said.

“What about your manager? I asked.
“We’ll be back for them, we didn’t plan to stay that’s why we are going back but we will return to teach them a lesson we promise, he replied.

“Thanks for that, I said.
“You’re welcome and please take Care of him okay, we can’t wait to have him back to our organization when he’s healed, he said.

“I don’t think he can sir, from the doctor report he has a fractured leg, I said forgetting my mother was still there.
“You say? My mother asked and I rolled my eyes knowing I have made a mistake.

“He will be okay and given every necessary treatment, the white man said.
“Okay sir, thank you, I said and they talked to my mother for a short while assuring her Loveth and the manager will pay, and they left.

DELILAH : EPISODE 1 – THE END

After two days I was in the hospital with my mother talking and Patricia sadly walked in well dressed because she had to go to work.

‘My dear what is it? My mother asked drawing her to herself but she gave us an envelope instead which I got it from her and breathe out folding it.
“Why is she this wicked? I angrily asked.

“Who is wicked? My mother confusedly asked.
“Her boss, they just sacked her, I replied.

“Ahhhh nau, don’t worry let me go and beg her for you, my mother said.
“No mama don’t do that, Patricia said.

“I can explain everything to her she will understand, my mother said.
“A heartless person understands nothing. I hope she has paid you your salary o? I asked Patricia.

“Yes she just paid me off and said I should go settle my family problems, Patricia replied.
“Sorry my dear, don’t worry a better one will come, My mother said touching her face and I angrily hissed when I remembered how we begged and explained things to her boss to give Patricia some days off.

I looked at Patrick and I saw his eyes shaking,
“Mama, I said tapping her and stood up to see clearly and Patrick opened his eyes.
Patricia screamed out and ran to inform the doctor while my mother just fell on her knees singing and thanking God,

“Hey thank you Jesus for hearing my cry. Thank you for bringing my son back to me, my mother kept saying using her wrapper to clean on the floor as she sang in tears.

“Patrick, I said waving at him to see if he’s seeing clearly as his eyes were so red and teary.

Patricia ran in again and held his hands happily,
“Can you see me? She asked and the doctor walked in which we shifted for him to attend to Patrick.

“Hello can you hear me? If you can hear me blink your eye, the doctor said and Patrick blinked his eyes.
“Good, can you recognize them? The doctor asked pointing at us and he turned his eyes at us and tears rolled down his cheeks,

“Please forgive me, he weakly said and my mother just hugged him in bed crying.
“We have forgiven you my son, even God has forgiven you don’t bother at all, my mother said cleaning his tears and Patricia took his hand smiling,

“Thanks for coming to me when you needed my help, she said.
“I didn’t know I’ll get you involved in this trust me, Patrick said.

“I know, but everything is over okay, Patricia said and he looked at me.
“Welcome back bro, I said and wanted giving him knuckles but his hands were bandaged.

“Thank you, Patrick said.
“Forget about that, let’s focus on your recovery okay, I said to him.

Patrick waking up was a relief to us and I had to return back to work knowing Patrick is out of danger.

After about a week and some few days, Patrick was discharged with a wheel chair and we drove down to our father house.
“Where was papa buried? Patrick asked when we were about going in.

“At the back why? I asked.
“I want to see him please, Patrick replied and I looked at my mother who breathed out.

“No problem, my mother said and we wheeled him to where Our father was laid to rest.
“Please leave me alone, Patrick said and we slowly left him outside.

DELILAH : EPISODE 1 – THE END

PATRICK POV.

Waking up to see my family surrounding me was something I never thought of. Though as I slept unconscious, I was so uncertain of so many things as I battled between life and de.ath.

It was my utmost desire to be with my family but considering all I’ve done I never thought that they will still care that much and I felt like giving up back then because I felt there was nothing left for me.

Seeing my father’s house, I quickly remembered I didn’t even see how his face looked like in the coffin neither was i there to shed a tear for him when he passed on nor paid my last respect. Given a second life I saw myself naked with all my wrongs before me which hurts. I got so scared if I can make all of it right and if everything will go back to how it used to be with all that has happened.

“Papa I’m sorry, i know I should have done this months ago but I was no where to be found. I was lost in the laps of Delilah and abandoned my family to be with her. Even on the day of your burial i acted stupidly with all arrogance forgetting what you did for I and Patricia years ago.

How could I have forgotten that It was here you went into the fire for us, still you took the pains to make sure we are feeding and have the best education. Its sad i did nothing for you nor did i fulfill the promise that i’ll take care of you and mama, and you’re already gone.

I should have been there in the hospital for you to clean your body that carried the burns you bore because of us. I heard you were looking for me back then, here am I papa.

Please forgive me, forgive your son of all his foolishness I beg you. Forgive me for pushing your wife, a woman you’ve never laid your hands on but I did and accused her of being a wtch.

What I did is so unforgivable and i am not worthy to return back here, I’m so ashamed of myself Papa and I ask for one more chance.

This time I promise to take care of mama, I hope it’s not too late for me to make up, I’m so sorry papa, I said bowing my head as I cried on my father grave.

After some minutes being alone Patricia came and stood at my back as I sorrowfully looked at my father grave,
“You’re still recovering you know? Its okay let’s go in, She said and I sniffed.
“I still feel it’s not enough, I hate myself right now and I can’t stop remembering all I’ve done. It’s just like an open wound that I can’t escape from, is this my punishment? I asked and she breathed out.

“With time you’ll be fine okay, mama is waiting for you inside, Patricia said and wheeled me away.
I got in and we sat down as a family but there was a broom on the table and Patricia wanted taking it away but my mother stopped her,

“Don’t worry I placed it there. Today is your father birthday, My mother said and I raised my head and looked at her as everyone was so quiet.
“Yes, and I remember it was this same day few years ago Frank returned to us, now it’s you Patrick, my mother continued and I bowed my head.

She took the bunch of broom and removed three sticks and shared it to us,
“Break it, she said and we broke it at once wondering if that’s some kind of ritual or something. She gave the full bunch to Frank and told him to break it,
“But mama I can’t na, Frank said.

“Just try, my mother said and he tried but could not still break it.
“Give it to your sister, my mother said and Patricia could not still break it and she gave it to me.

Though I was still feeling pains in my broken hands but I tried my best but could not break it still and my mother got the broom from us. The unity of a family is like this bunch of broom, even if you try to turn and twist it, you find it difficult to break.

I am saying this because tomorrow I may leave, will any of you be separated again when am no more? Friends took away Frank, Delilah took away Patrick, Patricia what will take you away? Will it be riches or husband? My mother asked and we breathed out.

“I applaud the love Frank and Patricia had standing up for their love, it gives me joy and I am begging you in the name of God, let nothing stop you from loving each other.

This is just the arrow from the pit of h’ll, for where there is love and unity in a family the enemy is bound to fi ght it because he won’t be happy. Your father and I shared that love and it was difficult to break us, what The enemy did was pass through Frank and our heart was filled with hatred and anger which was not so. Our family was seriously shaking and God restored us back and the enemy got so pained with the great love in our midst, Then he struck again. This should be the last win the enemy should Brag about us whether my eyes are closed to de ath or not. Don’t give the d’vil a chance anymore, protect this family even as God is the greatest protector but still we have a part to play, my mother said.

“Ahhh Mama you’re making me scared o, you wan leave us? Patricia asked and my mother smiled.

“We should be matured to know everyone must pass through that road……. “Yes I know but at a right time don’t you think so? Frank came in.

“Mama you’re hurting me with this words. You can’t go like papa when we have not done anything for you till now. You are not permitted to leave us until we fulfill our promise to take Care of you. And yes we are giving you another promise that this love between us will never be broken ever again, I said.
“Yes mama, we give you our word, Frank added.

“I concur, we go strong pass this broom sef, Patricia said and my mother nodded as tears rolled freely
“I and your father says thank you, my mother said and Patricia jumped up and sat on her laps and we shouted on her so she won’t break our old lady legs.

DELILAH : EPISODE 1 – THE END

After a month the white men returned for the case of my manager and Loveth. Knowing who Loveth really is hurts me so much, I was so blind that I could not see the real her and the police was so happy that they have her now when her real identity was revealed.
They were put to jail and the white men came to me,
“We are so happy to see you recover and we are so sorry for everything that happened, One said.
“It was not your fault sir, I said.

“Sure your position is still waiting for you when you’re healed completely okay, the organization is open for you, the other said.
‘I appreciate sir, but can I ask for a favor from you? I asked.

“Yes go on and we’ll be happy to help, they said.
“Can you please give it to my twin? She’s very smart and intelligent and will do so well, I said.

“What about you? One asked and I breathed out.
“I’ll find my way, the organization should not wait for me when my twin is very available to serve, I replied.

“Okay if that’s what you want its granted, they said and I was so happy that finally Patricia won’t be job hunting anymore after she lost her job because of me. And when she had her appointment letter without any interview she hugged me tight on my wheel chair,
“Thank you brother, she said.

“You don’t have to thank me, I should be the one to thank you instead, I said and she gave her usual mad screams kissing the appointment letter and running everywhere while I watched happy.

Meeting with Delilah cost me things, of course I was not expecting my life to be the same but I was happy for the lessons it taught me and the second chance God mercy gave me because not everyone gets lucky.

Months later I was completely healed and let go of the crutches determined to fix my self and let go of my past. I returned back doing my sharwama business i once thought I was bigger than, this time in a more classy way. We celebrated every win as a family with our mother on our side glowing with all smiles and growing from strength to strength even as the Lord increased and enlarged us in numbers.

After 7 years my mother happily passed on,
“Your father will be missing me so much, my mother said as Patricia tearfully held her hand.
“Are you still joking at this time? Patricia asked and she smiled.

“I am so happy and fulfilled my dear, God bless you all for making me so happy, my mother said and breathed her last.
We laid her to rest with her grandchildren with us, and we lived happily ever after.