“Erm Anita, your call means so much to me. I am actually in the hospital now. Should we talk later?” She asked and my heart missed a beat.
Tessy in the hospital?
“What’s the matter with you Tessy? Hospital?”
“Yeah, I should have told you actually. I fell sick almost immediately after the wedding. I had a defect on my right eye. I am getting better by His Grace”
“Your eye? What happened?”
“Hmm…I don’t want to bore you with details my friend”
“Please bore me. I need the details o. Its been a while.” I said desperately.
“Okay. I actually can’t see anymore. I believe in miracles though”
My heart dropped.
“You can’t see what? I don’t get you.” My heart quaked really bad as I spoke.
“Within the space of six months, my health deteriorated, the cancer in my right eyes spread to the other eye. In short, we had to travel to India for surgery but it couldn’t be helped”
“What? Do you mean that you are like…blind?” I asked, the words so heavy in my mouth.
My husband and my mum expressed shock, covering the mouth and holding the chest respectively.
“Yeah. You didn’t see the fliers online? They went viral kinda. We solicited for funds from well meaning Nigerians” She said again and my heart dropped.
How could I have known?
I blocked you off social media!
Tears rolled down my face as I stood up, my knees, really weak.
“Why didn’t you tell me Tessy? Why?” I cried.
“I knew how you would take it my friend and you had just gotten married. I wouldn’t do that, you know?”
Oh my! So considerate!
She bore the pains alone while I rotted away with anger!
“Anita, it’s fine. I actually felt forsaken at some point especially when I wasn’t hearing from you but thank you for calling now. I hope to come out of surgery successfully now. Thanks for the love”
“Is it still the eye problem?”
“Hmmm…no, this is connected to some tissues in my brain. But I am sure the Lord will bring me out of it successfully” She said again and my heart quaked vehemently.
“Pray along, you hear? Thanks for calling o. It means a lot to me. Yeah…did you say you have a baby now?” She asked, so lively that I couldn’t control the way I burst out crying.
I couldn’t just believe all I was hearing.
I couldn’t even answer her!
I couldn’t tell her that her friend gave birth to a set of bouncing baby girls!
“Are you crying? Please be strong for me okay? Greetings to your handsome husband and baby. I don’t know if I will ever see your beautiful face anymore but your image, especially your smile is etched on my eyes” She laughed again
“You will see again! You must see again!” I cried hard, shaking my head.
“I am sorry dear. I am so sorry. I love you. And I am so sorry for not calling all this while. Am I forgiven?” She asked again and I suddenly felt like a bad person.
Oh Lord!
Why must it be Tessy?
Such a nice person with a heart of gold!
I couldn’t bring myself to answering any of her questions. I was totally shaken.
“Tessy, come out of surgery strongly, okay? Hold on you hear? I love you so greatly, understood? Forgive my stupidity and pride my love! Ah, oh my! I trust that a miracle can still happen.” I paused to swallow as I heard the door open from her side and knew it was time for her to be wheeled to the theatre.
I had to rush the remaining words in my head.
“I trust that you will see my babies and marry a very good man. You will fulfill destiny with your eyes seeing clearly. Come out of it strong okay?” I wept on as the call dropped.
Looking up to the ceiling, I couldn’t help but fall to the ground, slapping the cold floor inconsolably, sighing heavily as I did.
Many weeks passed by but I just couldn’t forgive myself!
My mum and my husband tried their best to make me live again but until I set my eyes on my pitiable, awesomely amazing genuine Christian friend, I just couldn’t be free to enjoy life!
I learnt three lessons from that experience:
Give excuses for people and forgive them in advance!
Whenever the thought of a person flashes your mind, don’t despise the voice that says you should check on such- you might be cheering such up or even saving his/her life!
Don’t despise good relationships because of a trivial mistake.
And you know what?
The miracle did happen!
Tessy can see now, even though it’s still kind of blurry!
I am now a better Anita.
Thanks for enjoying my tale.