TWO WEEKS - Episode 26 (Healing)

From the upper room of the house, Mrs. Harts could hear the commotion outside.
She followed the events from the moment the kids were making noise and the dogs were barking. Right then, she asked her husband, who was now out, to check who had arrived.
As she lied on her matrimonial bed, helpless and in terrible condition, Mrs. Harts stared emptily at the door of the room, opposite her.
She waited for it to open just one last time.
Three days ago, Dr. Fischer said that, she was surely going to die.
For a time, she saw people whose funerals she had visited, coming to see her. Even now, her mother stood beside her, by the bed, with her palms holding together, wearing her favorite dress.
‘You still have hope?’ Mom was asking.
Mrs. Harts did not look at her. “He is here.”
‘Veronica darling. I know how you feel. I felt the same way before I had to leave you.’
Mrs. Harts shut her eyes lazily, swallowing with difficulty. She reopened them again. “You’re not real.”
‘You honestly don’t think that or do you?’
Mrs. Harts was silent. She was so angry at her condition and the words of her mother aggravated her.
They had no good relationship when mom was still alive and Mrs. Harts believed that, the curse flowed to her own generation. She frowned and snapped. “I do.”
‘You don’t believe that!’ Mom shouted. ‘I waited for you Veronica but, you never walked through that door!’ She cried.
“My son’s back. That changes everything.” Mrs. Harts said loudly.
‘No!’ Mom shouted. ‘You’re coming with me! You’re coming, now!’ She declared.
Immediately, Mrs. Harts gasped, popping out her eyes and feeling her breath being taken out of her.
Suddenly, the room became noisy and her vision became blur.
She struggled, releasing tears of pain, trying to maintain her focus on the door.
She felt her throat being turned within her neck and the pangs of the most painful death, seizing her.
She felt so grievous when she could no longer keep her eyes open.
Amidst the screams and shattering glass sounds, she heard the door burst open and somebody shouting; ‘Jesus!’
At the mention of the name; Mrs. Harts felt a short relief.
“In the name of Jesus!” The voice came again stressfully. “I cast out the spirit of death in this room!”
Mrs. Harts heard the clanging noise subside. Now, the only voices she heard were the echo of shouts and a name repeated; Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.
She swallowed, marveling at the lightening of the pangs on her body and of the grip around her throat.
She heard a pleading and the voice of who made it, was clear in Mrs. Harts’ ears.
“Father please? I beg you to heal my mother in the name of Jesus.” It was Astrophe.
He drew close to Mrs. Harts and she felt it because of the warmth coming close to her head.
Maybe he was standing at her head and praying for her.
“Jesus. You said that; we will lay our hands on the sick and they will recover. Please, heal my mother now and make me realize that, you are God and art powerful.”
He said placed his stretched palm resting over her forehead.
Immediately, Mrs. Harts felt like a shock run through her body. Though, the shock was more powerful than the last one, it was not violent or agonizing.
In an instant, she felt like, throngs that had limited her body released her.
She had no pain and strangely, she felt hungry.
She opened her eyes and saw Astrophe, clearly now, along with her husband and firstborn son, standing behind him.
Astrophe looked amazed and he broke into a cry, thanking God.
Mr. Harts (Wayne's dad) also stared shockingly at his wife, being estranged by the recovery she portrayed.
Chris was baffled. “Mom.” He called.
Astrophe turned from looking at the heavens and down to her mother. He embraced her strongly. Crying he said, “Mom. Mom, I’m so sorry.”
Mrs. Harts was still in shock while her whole family held her. She looked for her mom but, she could not find her.
She broke into a laughter, puzzling everyone in the room.
They boys drew back, wiping their tears.
“Mom. Are you alright?” Chris was asking.
Mrs. Harts easily sat up, to everybody’s amazement. “I’m healed!" She reckoned aloud. “I’m healed. I don’t feel any pain!" She shouted.
Astrophe smiled.
Mr. Harts laughed and embraced her wife as she rose from the bed.
“Oh honey.” He cried and kissed her.
Chris hugged Wayne, crying with him.
“Oh. Thank you, thank you.” Mrs. Harts said gratefully, holding with her husband.
They parted and turned to the boys.
“Astrophe my son.” She called him and threw her hands around him.
“I’m sorry mom, I did everything wrong to you,” he cried.
Mrs. Harts drew back and kissed her son’s forehead. “Forget about that.” She relieved him. “I thought that, I’d never see you again.”
Wayne cried.
Mom drew back. “Thank you.”
“It’s Jesus mom. We should all thank Jesus for your healing.”
Dad drew closer. “Jesus. He could do that?”
Wayne turned to him. “Yes dad. He healed mom. Just like he promised me.”
“Jesus.” Christopher repeated. “That’s amazing.”
“I want to know more about him.” Mom said nodding.
“He is the savior of our lives. He is a healer. He is a Dad. He is the creator of heaven and earth.” Wayne declared.
“I don’t understand.” Chris confessed. “I’ve heard of Jesus but, I never believed that he existed or he could do such miracles.”
Wayne nodded to him. “He does that and more.” He turned to his father. “Can we all be acquainted with this God?”
Dad nodded along with mom.
“Okay. Please, I want you to repeat after me.”
“Okay.” Mom replied instantly.
“Our Father.”
“Our Father.” The family chorused with their eyes closed.
“Thank you because you love us. So, much.”
“Thank you because you love us. So, much.” They repeated emotionally.
“Thank you for the demonstration of mom’s healing.”
“Thank you for the demonstration of mom’s healing.”
“Thank you for the demonstration of my healing.” Mom said.
“In the name of Jesus.” Wayne went on, joyfully.
“In the name of Jesus.” They repeated.
“I receive Jesus Christ as the Savior of my life.”
“I receive Jesus Christ as the Savior of my life.”
“And I ask that you would forgive all my sins.”
“And I ask that you would forgive all my sins.”
“In the name of Jesus Christ.”
“In the name of Jesus Christ.”
“Amen.”
“Amen.”
They all opened their eyes and smiled at each other.
“It’s a great day in heaven.” Wayne said with a smile on his face.
“We should have a celebration of our own.” Dad suggested, having his arm around his wife.
The boys laughed happily.
“Yes dad.” Wayne replied. “But, since we are so thankful to God and well, we missed a lot of time being together, let us all get ready and meet downstairs for catching up. I will have a Word ready and we can all share it and glorify God.”
“Yeah. You are right.” Chris agreed. “It’s marvelous what God has just done to our family. You know, I still can’t believe that, mom is healed just like that. We thought that, she was going to die.”
Mom shook her head sympathetically. “I thank you Jesus.”
“God is wonderful and he loves us.” Dad acknowledged.
“We were such a wreck of a family you know.” Chris added
“I thank God for his greatness and mercies.” Wayne said.
“Amen, Amen.” The others replied in turns.
“So, boys? Catch us down stairs while I and your mom prepare for the small re-union chitchat.” Dad said, looking at his wife.
Mom smiled at him.
“Chris, will you help me get, something ready for lunch?”
“Please get to that. I’m starving.” Mom interjected.
The family laughed.
Chris nodded. “Sure bro. Whatchu making?”
“Follow me.” Wayne replied instead.
They left together out of the room and Mr. Harts turned to his wife.

                                                                              #

The couple sat on the bed being full of smiles on their faces.
“I thank God for you darling.” Dad said.
“Thank you dear. It’s marvelous. In a second.” She shook her head with disbelief and looked up to the havens. “He is God.”
“We should begin to go to church and thank him. Mrs. Wendy has always invited us.”
Mrs. Harts nodded in agreement. “Yes. We have to turn toward him completely. We should also have a thanksgiving offering.”
“Yeah. I’ve thought of that, the moment we were thanking Jesus.”
Mrs. Harts smiled. “I thank God for Astrophe.”
“Yes. The boy has changed.”
“Oh, I could never have dreamed of this day. Half of my life, I spent on this bed; I could never watch my sons grow up; I could think of them as monsters.
"The day Astrophe left this house, I was sure that, I would never see him again but, behold; Jesus brought him back.” She said and sighed deeply, releasing tears of gratitude. “I thank this God. I want to serve him forever.”
“He loves us so unconditionally honey. We haven’t given him anything but, he brought our son back and he brought you back. Let us live toward him. In any circumstances, I know that, God loves us and he is very powerful.”
Mom wiped her tears and nodded. “Let’s praise him honey. I don’t want to miss out a thing that involves God. We are going to go to church, we are going to read the Bible and we are going to pray.”
“Amen honey. I am with you in that 100%. Let us see more of Jesus in our lives.” Dad said before the wooden floor of the room begun to vibrate from the music downstairs.
“That is Apphy.” Mom reckoned.
“But now, hear the words of the song.”

There is Salvation in no one else!
Except Jesus Christ who died for us.
For there’s no other name given among men!
By which we might be saved.

“Amen.” Mom said after the refrain sounded. “The song is true and good.”
“It is good that our son nowadays plays gospel music.” Dad said.
“I wouldn’t want to hear any other sound after what God did to me.” Mom added.
Dad nodded.

                                                                              #

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TWO WEEKS - PART III (Forgiveness)

#3

The journey to Ohio was longer than Astrophe expected. Maybe because he was worried and anxious of how he would find his home.
Throughout the flight, he was reading the Bible and murmuring silent prayers for the recovery of his mother. He also got a chance of preaching to a middle-aged man who sat with him on the plane.
The man saw Astrophe reading a Bible and was interested to know why Astrophe had it.
Astrophe told him about Jesus Christ and the miracles he did and even testified to him about his two weeks transformation. The man was very amazed and he agreed to receive Christ and test being a follower of Jesus for two weeks to see if his own life would change.
When the plane landed, Wayne/ Astrophe took the man’s escort because, he was also going to the same town that, Astrophe was heading to. He dropped Astrophe at a stop where he could take one bus to home.
While in the bus, Wayne thought of thanking God for his mothers’ recovery. He recalled that, Faith is the assurance of things hoped for; the conviction of things not seen.
He stepped out of the bus and begun strolling on the pavement way of his familiar neighborhood.
It was 1pm and the sun was high up in the sky. The iron sheets of countless row of houses, reflected the sun’s light and glittered in the valley.
Astrophe came to a store a few blocks from his home and greeted a new man behind the counter.
“What can I get you?” The man asked.
“Just a big bag of candy, tin of coffee and … spaghetti.”
The man raised his eyebrows queering the order and turned to his collection of foodstuff to get Astrophe what he wanted.
Astrophe looked outside the store through the glass entrance and noticed the empty streets once again. “What happened to all the kids?”
“Excuse me?” The store-keeper asked, placing a bag with Astrophe’s things on the counter.
“I’m asking about the kids.”
Shortly a purr sounded on the driveway.
“There they are.” The store-keeper announced.
Astrophe smiled, taking out his wallet. “They must have all grown up.”
“That depends. How long have you been away?”
“Just a few years.”
“Maybe not all of them have grown up then.”
Just then, some kids appeared outside the glass door of the store, in blue coats and dark shorts.
They beamed at Astrophe, struggling to open the door.
Astrophe smiled and walked forward, and let them inside.
“Apphy!” They exclaimed, jumping over him.
Astrophe laughed, carrying two of the six year olds in his hands. “Hey, you? Samantha, Beck. You’re all too heavy now.”
The little girl kissed his side cheek, “Where did you go?”
“My mother said that, you are a judge and you take people to prison.” Beck added quickly, making Astrophe laugh.
He felt another kid pulling his trousers and he bent his head down to glance at a familiar face. “Hey? Twinny?”
The little girl popped her cheeks and exclaimed, “Apphy!”
He turned back to the store-keeper. “Thanks bro. I’ll get going with these bunnies.”
Samantha hit him and giggled.
“Ouch! I’ll bring you down now.” He warned her, aiming at the slowly crowding door.
Beck joined her in the laughter.
“That’s it!” Astrophe said and lowered the kids just outside the store, only to be overwhelmed by more 4, 5 and 6 year olds.
“Apphy!” The children took the liberty to announce his presence throughout the neighborhood.
“Hey, Hey!” Astrophe tried to hush them.
But, the kids crowded him and grabbed his bag.
“What’s in it?” They took turns in asking.
“Be careful with that Willy. Only take the packet of candy.” He said to a young black boy who held his shopping bag.
Wayne managed to stand and now, he could count at least the whole kindergarten around him.
“Apphy!”
He sighed, looking across the street. A door of a two story building opened and a boy came out, holding a leash with his bulldog.
The dog barked vehemently and released itself from his master, running over the fence of the house, as he signaled other dogs in the street and more teenage boys, to jump over Astrophe.
He could not breathe with a bunch of dogs overweighing him and licking his face. The kids laughed without lifting a finger to help him.
Oh Jesus. He was thinking, struggling to free himself from at least one of the beasts.
The first teenage boy called out his dog and calmed the other dogs.
Astrophe rose from the ground, wiping the yack from his face and his clothes.
The children laughed.
He frowned at them, shaking his head.
“Apphy!” The first boy hugged him.
Wayne tottered back a few steps, receiving the warm embrace. “Mark… I missed you too.”
The boy drew back. “What happened to you, man? It’s like, you vanished from the face of the earth.”
“It doesn’t matter now. I’m here, ain’t I?”
“Don’t you ever, ever, go away.” Samantha warned Wayne, on behalf of the kindergartens.
Wayne smiled at her. “How about, I take you with me?”
She blushed.
“Is it true that you take people to jail?” another of the older boys asked, catching Wayne’s attention.
“No. Contrary to that, I try to keep people from going to jail.” He replied and turned to the children. “Shall we be going?”
“You should see your mom.” Another boy spoke from the company.
Wayne gulped. He was scared again. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will act. He recalled and turned to the boy, squinting his eyes to glance at him under the scorching sun. “I’m here for that, how is she?”
“She is dying.” Samantha replied, walking beside Wayne’s legs.
He sighed deeply and remained silent for a while.
“I believe that she is going to be fine.” Mark said.
Wayne turned to him. “Yeah?” He asked, carelessly.
“Because, seeing you again will make her better.” Mark explained.
“We’ve been praying for her in Sunday school.” Samantha said.
“Mrs. Wendy says that, she is going to be fine.” Beck added.
“Sam, have you been praying to Jesus for my mother?” Wayne asked her.
Samantha nodded.
“Thank you. Do you know that Jesus loves children?” Wayne wanted to know. 
“Jesus loves kids.” Willy said on his own.
“So, Jesus is going to heal your mom or, take her to heaven.” Samantha commented.
“I want her to stay a bit longer on earth.” Wayne confessed.
The boys laughed.
“Then, Jesus will keep her here… till she becomes very old.” Samantha said, widening her arms to describe old.
Wayne managed a chuckle. He was still worried.
From there, he could see his house.

The tree climbers had now hid the original maroon color of the walls. Only the white painted window bars, brightened the house.
Wayne recalled that, it was their mom who used to cut the weeds away. She always said that, they brought insects into the house.
He recognized the black salon Mercedes just outside the low white barred fence that surrounded their single story house.
It belonged to Christopher. Keeping it outside meant that, he was about to go out.
Was mom so sick? Was she even at home?
He was then comforted by his father’s pickup truck that was clearly visible in the open garage at the side of the house.
Mom was around alright, otherwise, the car wouldn’t have been there.
Wayne heard the kids talking but, he could not concentrate or reply them. He stared at his house and by chance, caught sight of the glass window.
A curtain beyond it was etched a bit and Wayne felt his heartbeat stop when his gaze met with his father’s.
Dad seemed startled.
Astrophe didn’t know what to feel.
He paused walking and said to his escort, “thank you guys. I’ll,” he sighed. “I’ll take it from here.”
“We’ll just be here.” Samantha said.
“Sam, lets’ take you home.” Mark said, grabbing her.
She cried. “No, no. I wanna see Apphy’s mom.”
“Me too.” Wily said.
“Beck, Wily. Let’s go.” Another of the boys ordered, taking the children’s hands.
Wayne sparsely paid attention to what was happening behind him. He took slow steady steps along the side walk to his home.

He saw the front door opening and there appeared Chris in a white shirt and black trousers.
He held on to the door for a while, staring at Wayne, shockingly.
Soon enough, dad appeared behind him in a blue drafted shirt and khaki shorts.
The two watched Wayne approach the front gate, like they were seeing a ghost.
Probably like him, Wayne thought, his family were amazed to see him.
Their last encounter was a rough one and Wayne shouted that, he would never return.
Chris, who always crushed Wayne’s dreams and his life, took Wayne’s decision as the right one. The three were so caught up in their differences so that, they neglected mom’s groaning and mourning in the upper floor of the house.
Wayne did not know what happened afterward, except his father’s call a month ago.
Now. Standing a few feet from dad and Chris, Wayne, dropped on his knees, releasing tears.
He took in a deep a breath, looking at his father who also wrinkled his face with pain.
“Dad.” Wayne called in agony.
Dad broke into a cry and scurried down the patio to Wayne, falling down to hug him.
“Astrophe. My son.” Dad cried.
Wayne wept with him, holding his father strongly. He did so as though, dad was going to evaporate and the reunion was just a dream.
Chris remained standing at the patio of the house, shaking his wrist nervously. He could not comprehend what was just happening and he did not know how to react.
Physically, Chris was Wayne's double; by height, color and even his face. But, he kept a beard and combed back his brown hair off his forehead unlike Wayne, who maintained a fringe and kept his chin shaven.
Wayne drew back from the embrace to look at his dad and ask him the matter at hand. “Where is mother? She’s alive. She is alive.” He said, convincing himself. “She is still alive.”
Dad smiled at him and nodded. “Yes she is.”
Wayne laughed between tears and got on his feet with his father’s aid.
They turned to Chris and he was eyeing Wayne with confused emotions. Probably, he was still or even more angry at him.
Wayne took in a deep breath, thinking; Jesus, I was told that, you fix relationships. Please fix this one which is very hard for me. Please?
Chris waited as Wayne drew close, looking somberly at him.
Wayne halted at a single step from Chris and Chris thought of drawing back but, hesitated.
Unlike Chris expected, Wayne dropped on his knees again, looking up to him.
Chris popped out his eyes at him in amazement and worry. He was confused.
“Christopher.” Wayne called and sighed deeply. “I am sorry for everything I ever did wrong to you. You’re my brother and I never respected that.” He paused, squeezing his eyes shut and releasing more tears. “There is a reason why, a reason why you’re a prominent attorney. I needed and I still do, to learn from you.” He glanced up at Chris, whose countenance had already melted, with his eyes stinging with tears. “Chris. I am so sorry. I am willing to do anything so that, you can forgive me. Please? I beg you.”
Christopher strangled his hand into a fist with which, he knocked his forehead as he turned away; a thing he did when he was overwhelmed with emotions.
Wayne waited patiently for his response and Chris turned back to him, having released tears. He bent down to Wayne and held him up, sobbing with him.
“It’s okay bro.” He spoke for the first time.
Wayne cried on his brother’s back and dad joined them, patting his sons’ sides.
“I am sorry too bro.” Chris said, within the moment. “I’m sorry.”
“You didn’t do anything. It has always been my fault.” Wayne told him as they drew apart.
Christopher held his brother’s shoulders. “No. bro, tell me that you’ve forgiven me.”
Wayne shook his head in disapproval. “I’m the only one who should be sorry.”
“Bro. Please?” He begged him and sniffed. “Forgive me.”
Wayne took his time and nodded.
“Say it?” Chris asked him.
Wayne took a deep breath and said. “I’ve forgiven you, bro.”
Chris nodded and hugged his brother again for a fair amount of time.

                                                                              #

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#twoweeksstory

TWO WEEKS - Episode 11

Vicky went back to class afterward. But, she felt so confused because Annie had already left campus and she had no one to talk with about what was going on.
When it reached noon and the professor had concluded his lesson, she remained sitting on her bench, staring bluntly at the stage.
Emeka’s voice coming next to her, was the only thing that drew Vicky from her thoughts.
“Aren’t you going for lunch?” he asked.
She turned to him. “Hey. Amh, I don’t feel like taking anything. I think that, I’ll go to the store and return back at 3 for the next class.”
“You should take something.” He suggested and rose from his bench, carrying his clear-bag. “Let us walk out together. There’s a booth that sells great food just outside the gate.”
She took some time to make up her mind and then packed her stuff in her bag, ready to go.
They strolled silently out of the lecture hall to where the booth was. A lot of students surrounded the booth, eating with their bare hands or calling for their order.
Vicky stared at the scramble. She noticed then that, there were a lot of people in that school. Back in Africa, she could know the names of at least everyone within the campus but  here, it was like, every day, there were newcomers.
“What can I get you?” he asked.
“Maybe a hamburger. Thank you.”
“Okay.” He said and joined the small commotion.
A few minutes later, the two were walking silently along a quiet craggy path that stretched around the campus to the dormitories. Students and teachers moved here and there making the ground quite live.
“So, what’s bothering you?” Emeka asked after an almost prevailing silence.
“Do you believe in God, Emeka?” she asked, twisting her head to face him.
The question got him a bit off guard. “Yeah. Why?”
“Do you also believe that, he can give you an objective to pray or to worry about someone who you don’t even know very well?”
He nodded. “Yeah. That is possible. In fact, we ought to pray for everyone.”
“I know that but, this case is different. In this case, it’s particularly one person and I think that, I am failing. I do not know what to do.”
Emeka took some time in silence, finding words to advise her.
She sighed. “Everything is going wrong. I don’t understand God’s message or at least, if there is even a message. Maybe it is my instincts that are guiding me.”
“But, what does the Bible say? I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go. I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Psalm 32:8. Have you taken advantage of an opportunity to ask God for directions?”
“Yes. I do that a lot of times.”
“Then there must have been something that God told you. Work on it. Vicky, do not do anything humanly possible, ask God. Ask God for instructions regarding your matter, be it small or great.” He said and added, “I will also pray for you. Will you come to the fellowship tomorrow night?”
“Yes. It’s also my turn to lead the praise.”
“So, that’s it then. Take the opportunity to ask God.”
She nodded. “You are right. There’s also this word that says in Isaiah 48:17 that, I am the LORD your GOD who teaches you to profit who leads you in the way you should go. Now I understand that, God means each and every clause of the word. He should lead me in the way I should go, not my emotions or my instincts or people.”
He smiled. “Good.” He said and looking around, spotted an empty rock bench at some meters off the path. “Can we go there and pray?”
She glanced at where he pointed at. “Alright.” She nodded and they began straying from the path.
“You know one thing about praying, value any moment you get to do so because, you do not know whether at that time, God will encounter you and or will heal you.” he said.
She nodded in support. She had never reasoned that way before. “Yes. You are very right.”
They came to the bench and sat facing each other.
“So,” he begun. “We are going to ask God to teach us and instruct us and lead us in the way we should go.”
She nodded and shut her eyes.
He led the prayers which also encouraged Vicky a lot.

                                                                              #

Some miles away, Wayne limped to Mr. Hurts’ office; a stern black professor who was also one of the hardest men Wayne had known to exist within Ortegun.
With Linda gone, Wayne had a hard time requesting for leave to see his mother. After a difficult process in the secretary’s office, he turned into Mr. Hurt’s office.
“Good afternoon sir?” Wayne greeted, standing in front of Mr. Hurts’ desk.
The man turned to Wayne from a file in his hands. “Just the man I wanted. Here are with me all the assignments of class 100, where is your group’s, Mr. Harts?”
Wayne sighed. “Forgive me sir. I have come to ask you that we may delay to submit the work. I received a call from home that my mother is in a very bad condition.” He begun and placed the paper on the professor’s desk. “Please, may I leave to see her?”
The man frowned. “What is wrong with your class? You think that, you can give excuses just to leave campus and avoid responsibilities?” he bawled. “I already signed a Leave for Miss Earl and that was only because Professor Earl asked for it.” He said that and pushed the paper off his table. “Bring me your group’s work in thirty minutes or prepare for Supplementary.”
Wayne glanced at the gate-pass on the floor, feeling very bad. “Sorry sir but, my mom is very sick.” He added, pleading to him.
“Submit your work first and I might consider you.” Professor Hurts replied, focusing on the assignments on his desk.
Wayne sighed and picked up his paper, about to leave.
“I see here that your group is also the first one to present a case.” Mr. Hurts added, catching Wayne’s attention.
Wayne did not know that. “We are?”
“So there, you have got a lot of work. Bring those documents quickly.”
Wayne sighed again and left with devastation.

                                                                              #

He could not get the work done in thirty minutes like the professor demanded but, he submitted it in his office later that evening.
Mr. Hurts scheduled his group to present on Friday of that same week so, Wayne had no choice but to remain in Ortegun. Throughout that time, he did not cross paths with Vicky especially because he could not lead the jog team because of his leg injury.
He still suffered terrible nights and consequently more horrible days. He constantly avoided to face the uncertainty of his mother’s condition. He thought that, she died and he did not want to reach home to confirm that. Whenever his father called, he shut his phone. Apart from drinking and smoking, he worked on his group case. The same group did not care about anything but, he disregarded that. 
On Friday, he stood alone in front of the class, unlucky for him, Gregory (the other serious person in their group) was sick and could not make it.
Mike and Posh were around but, they were too afraid to stand in front of the class.
“You’re on your own?” Mr. Hurts asked, sitting on the front seats along with the rest of the class.
Wayne sighed and nodded.
“Where are the others?” The professor asked.
“Annie is out of town, Greg is sick and so are the rest.”
“So, are you a defense attorney or a prosecutor?” Mr. Hurts asked, deciding to overlook Wayne’s excuses.
“Prosecutor.”
“And who will defend the poor mouse in that cubicle?” Mr. Hurts asked, throwing a glance at a cube on the table with an isolated rodent.
“Amh. The class?” Wayne replied, wondering if that would be the right answer.
Mr. Hurts laughed cynically. “Mr. Harts you are obviously not serious with your work. Give me a jury.”
Wayne gulped with fright but, at that time he did not care what happened to him any longer. “You.”
Mr. Hurts perused on the group file in his hand, maybe he did not hear Wayne’s answer as the class laughed. “So, what is your accusation?”
“Its color.” Wayne replied.
Mr. Hurts raised his eyebrows at him. “Why’s that?”
“It’s brown. It should be white, right?”
The class broke into a laughter.
Mr. Hurts chuckled too. “Alright. Get on with it.”
Wayne took in a deep breath and begun, first, eulogizing the creature in front of the class and then, accuse it for being born brown. 
5 minutes while he was still speaking, some of the students begun yawning while others were murmuring about their own stuff.
15 minutes later, Wayne concluded his case with more than half of the class, being occupied with their own business.
Mr. Hurts himself was staring anxiously at his wrist watch. “Time is over Mr. Harts.” He announced.
Wayne sighed. “I’m done.” He said, picking up his mouse cubicle.
Mr. Hurts turned to the rest of the class. “Anyone willing to defend the mouse?”
There was silence. In fact, they were hardly aware of what was going on.
Mr. Hurts turned to Wayne. “Get back to your seat.”
Wayne nodded and left the stage.

He spent the night in the club but, without his friends. Saturday morning Wayne went back to Mr. Hurts’ office to ask for the leave only to find that he had flanked more than 10 points in his course work.
“How?” he asked Mr. Hurts, after receiving his grades.
“You’re also the last in your class.” Mr. Hurts informed, as if he was pleased with it.
Wayne sighed. “Can I go home?”
“No. Not after that awful report. I will not support this stupidity.”
“My mom is dying professor and for all I know, she is already dead.”
The professor sighed, rubbing his chin in thoughts. Maybe he wanted to believe Wayne. “Don’t you have a phone?”
“It’s my mother sir.” Wayne retorted, sounding very emotional.
“Okay.” He agreed, finally. “But, bear in mind that, you will be putting your future at risk if you are not back and rectify this nonsense piece of work.”
Wayne was silent he did not want to curse him at that moment.
“Where’s your leave?” Mr. Hurts asked, extending his hand with his pen to the end of the desk.
Wayne felt his pockets for the gate-pass and took out his phone and identity card. “Where is it?” he wondered out loud. “I kept it…. Aaw.” He sighed. “I left it with my friend.” He said, referring to Mike. Wayne slept at Mike’s place two nights back, in preparation for the Friday presentation and, Mike took Wayne's stuff for his own amusement.
“Oh great. So, your ticket to see your dying mother is with the other dude?” Mr. Hurts asked, mockingly.
Wayne tried not to express his offense and said. “I’ll just call him or get it myself.”
“Make that outside my office and quick because, it is a half day and I’ll be leaving at noon.”
This is so unfair. Wayne thought. “Sir, please? Bear with me now, for a mother.”
“Astrophe, if you realized that, maybe you would have brought the gate pass.”
Wayne sighed and left the room, emerging into the lobby which was also partially crowded with people moving here and there.
He tapped the dial pad on his shattered phone and placed it against his ear.
The call kept ringing without being received.
He tried again. “Damn this guy is high again!” he cursed, rubbing his brown hair back in anxiety.
The call was not received.
“I hate this!” he shouted and lowered the phone.
Before he could retry, the screen flickered into Chris’ name and begun buzzing in Wayne’s hand.
Wayne gulped.
What happened? He asked himself.
He had not talked to his brother for over two years and his calling meant that something wrong happened to their mother.
He watched the screen blink off and sighed, leaning back on the door of Mr. Hurts’ office.
He knew then that, there was no need to go to Ohio any longer. It was obvious that, his mother was dead. He never went to see her. She must have died cursing him.
It was over. His life was full of terrible disaster.

End of PART I of this story.
stay tuned for more right here @ multtalentedp.blogspot.com to find out what happens next?
Comment anywhere online about this story with the hashtag #twoweeksstory

Thank you, Danke, Gracias, Merci, Sukriya, Ahsante, (add your own in the comment button below)

TWO WEEKS - Episode 8

For a while, Wayne focused on working on his awkward group assignment while Vicky adjusted to her new life in Ortegun and consequently, New York. She consulted her friend, Annie who helped her get a part time job in a CD store, a few kilometers from their campus.
On Sunday, Annie got her a company of a 2nd year girl, to go to the College fellowship in the East circuit of the campus.
Annie however, joined Wayne’s gang again, at the college club.
That Sunday, Victoria went to work after mass and returned home in the evening. She was making spaghetti when her door was knocked.
“Coming.” She called, testing the stew with a cooking spoon. “Oh how I miss home.” She added, absorbing the sweet taste of the red colored slippery noodles.
She relinquished the cooking spoon on the kitchen counter and wiped her hands with a napkin.
The door knocked again and she walked briskly to it.
“Wayne.” She reckoned, after opening.
He stood behind the threshold of the door in a black shirt and dark trousers, holding an iPad in hand. He was seemingly sober. “Hallo. Is Annie in?”
“Hallow good evening. No. She is not in but,” she opened the door wide "Come in?”
“No. That ain’t necessary but, thank you.” He said while she retired into the house. He sighed when he had to follow her inside to ask her another question. He watched her as she neglected him, walking to the dining room. “Do, you know where she went?”
“Nani? Annie?” Vicky asked, removing the lid that covered her cooking dinner.
He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, first; of the good smell and the other, of her question. “What did you say?” he asked, glancing at her from a window that connected the dining and living room where he was.
She gasped and covered her mouth after that.
“Wait, a minute, I am looking for Annie.” He explained, before she said anything.
She sighed. “Oh, I am so sorry. I know that and I understood you but, my tongue slipped. I thought that I was back in Bongo and talking to my peers.”
He chuckled. “You’re funny.”
She turned to the sauce pan and stirred the meal, ready to serve.
“So, Bongo is your capital city or something?” he asked, strangely, finding interest in her.
“No. Dodoma is the capital City. I live in Dar es Salaam however. Bongo is an informal phrase we use to mean Tanzania and in many cases, Dar es salaam.”
“Good one. The latter name is such a long one.”
“We also refer Dar es salaam to Dar. That is very common.”
He nodded a little. That seemed less interesting than this, “So, what are you making?”
“Spaghetti.”
“Why do they smell so different? African cooking?”
“Yeah. I love spices. I brought over a pack.”
He nodded again.
“Please, welcome and have a sit.”
“Wait, you are not asking me to join you for….” He tried to search for a ‘politer’ word “meal.”
She nodded strongly. “I am. It’s tasty. Come and taste.”
He took some time, deciding. He was too proud to join her and she knew it.
“It won’t harm anyone if you do…” she said.
He gulped, scowling at her.
She in turn, switched off the cooker and prepared the dining table, placing the plates on it and serving the spaghetti.
After she had sat, he appeared in the dining entrance with a defeated look on his face. “So, you are saying that, I will like your food.”
She joined her hands together. “Yeah. It’s prepared with love. My brother used to tell me that, my buns were always the best because, they were prepared with love.”
He placed his iPad on the table and pulled the metal chair to sit opposite her. “Buns like, muffins?”
She nodded.
With widened eyes, he looked at the hot and attractive food in front of himself. “It surely smells good.”
“Oh and it tastes way better than that.”
He picked up the fork. “Great. So, let’s dig in.”
“Wait.” She stopped him, making his head draw back in defense.
“What?” he retorted in confusion.
“We pray first and then we eat.”
He frowned.
“It’s not too much to ask now, is it?” she asked.
He sighed. “Okay. You say Grace.”
She shut her eyes. “Our father who is in heaven. Thank you for this auspicious moment. Thank you for bringing us together to have supper. I pray that you bless this food as you blessed the five loaves and two fish so that, they sufficed the appetite of the more than 5000 that were in the wilderness with you. Please, let this food give us strength to do your will. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”
“Do you have plans of making me a convert?” he asked, immediately after she concluded the prayers.
“No doubt about that.” She replied, without looking at him, picking up her utensils.
He watched her closely, thinking.
She forked some noodles and took a mouthful. Chewing, she widened her eyes, queering his stare. She swallowed and asked. “What are you waiting for? Dig in!"
He took a fork that was on the right side of his plate. “I am wondering.”
“Wondering what?”
“What could be the cause of your, positive attitude.” He explained, taking his own bite. “I have a couple of Christian acquaintances, none of them stood up against what you would call, temptation.”
“With men it is impossible, Wayne but, not with God. For with God all things are possible. Mark 10 verse 27.” She replied.
“See. That’s what I am talking about! How can you be like that? How can you be so standing? I gave you two weeks. It has already been one and like you said, you are still the same. Africanic, religious young lady.”
“Agree with God, Wayne, and be at peace. Thereby good will come to you. Job 22:21.” She said, smiling.
He was silent. The verse touched his life. He really needed that good.
“I sense that, there is something troubling you.” she added, soon after her second swallow.
He was looking at the food, he glanced at her. “No, no. What makes you think that?”
“Asides from seeing you, I feel it in my heart.”
He swallowed and glanced around like he was avoiding the subject. “Are you some kind of spiritual leader or something?”
“Feel free to tell me.” She said, passing over his question.
He was silent, maybe ready to tell her but, a voice in the living room gained their attention.
“The door is open." It was Annie. She announced, making her entry.
“We are here.” Vicky called, pushing back her chair and rising to serve supper for her friend.
Annie closed the door. “We?” she asked and turned to the dining window. “Oh Wayne. We missed you at the club.”
“I came looking for you.” he replied.
Annie begun walking across the sitting room to the dining. “Me? Why?”
“Because, I needed some help with Mr. Hurts’ work.”
“It’s Sunday.”  She replied.
“Welcome.” Vicky said, having set a plate for Annie.
Annie turned to her. “Thank you. Oh that really smells nice.” She said and rounded the wall of the room, to enter it. “Anyway guys. I am leaving.”
“Leaving?” Vicky asked.
“To where?” Wayne added.
“My father fell sick. I have to see him.”
Wayne went quiet. Everything that night already revolved around his own misery.
“Oh Annie, I am so sorry.” Vicky said sincerely.
“Thank you, Vicky. That is why I left quickly. My mother called me and told me that my dad had also asked for me. So, I have to go.”
“Is that your pa that leaves in New Mexico?” Wayne asked.
Annie nodded and walked to the table. She sat at Vicky’s right side and begun to make silent prayers.
“I am so sorry Annie. I pray that he recovers soon.” Vicky said, as soon as Annie opened her eyes.
“What is he suffering from?” Wayne asked.
Annie glanced at him and said, “He has high blood pressure. I believe that is the cause that got him ill.”
“He will be fine Annie. I will pray for you.” Vicky said.
Wayne glimpsed at her and back at Annie, watching her response.
“Oh. Thanks Vicky. I hope that God hears you.”
Vicky offered a warm smile.
Wayne stayed silent.
“So, did you manage to talk to your mom?” Annie asked between bites.
Vicky shook her head. “I couldn’t save enough and I haven’t had luck with the secretary.”
“I could help you but, I didn’t pay my phone bills. I chat through Whatsapp only now.” Annie said.
Vicky nodded. “I understand. I will reach her, even if it takes a while.”
Wayne, who had been eating turned to them and asked, “What are you guys talking about?”
“Vicky’s mom. Vicky has been trying to reach her but so far, was unable to succeed.”
Wayne turned to Vicky. “Don’t you have a phone?”
“I had but, I don’t anymore.”
“Don’t ask that. Wayne, just tell us if you are willing to help.” Annie reproved him.
He relinquished his fork on the table and felt his pockets for his phone. “Where does your mom live?” he asked Vicky.
“Tanzania. Can I make an international call with your phone?”
He placed his phone on the table and tapped it. “Yeah, I think so.”
Vicky sighed with relief. “Oh. Thank you.”
“Wait.” He said, twisting his head to face her worried face. “What do I get in return?”
“Wayne!” Annie snapped.
“I’ll pray for you.” Vicky replied, hoping that it would be helpful.
“No. You know I’m not of those kind of people.” He replied.
Vicky sighed deeply and turned down to her food. She was disappointed that, it had to be that way. In fact, she also thought that he was changing.
“Okay. I will pay you.” Annie said to Wayne, feeling sorry for Vicky.
Vicky turned to them. “No. It’s okay. I will talk to her. God will help me.”
Wayne laughed. “Come on. I was just joking” he said.
Vicky did not seem convinced.
“Wayne, it’s her mom.” Annie warned him.
“Yes I understand. Vicky, I will not charge you anything, I promise you. Tell me your country code or, can you dial on your own?”
Vicky drew a smile and her face lightened up again. “Thank you. Amh, yes I can do that on my own.”
Wayne passed the phone to her.
Vicky thanked again, receiving it. She tapped the numbers on the dial pad of the iPhone 6 and placed it against her ear.
“What time is it in Dar?” Wayne asked, finally catching up with Vicky’s culture.
She smiled a little. “Seven hours l, later. It maybe 4am.” She answered and then became excited. “Mom?” she cried, pushing back her chair and rising.
She left the room with tears flowing from her eyes, talking to her mom.
Wayne was moved by the love that Vicky seemed to share with her family.
Annie was touched too. “She seems so happy.”
Wayne did not respond.
Annie turned to him. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. She is happy. It must be great to talk to your mom after being separated by time and distance.”
Annie leaned forward and lowered her voice to add, “She had to sell her phone and laptop to pay the expenses of coming here.”
He seemed amazed.
Annie drew back, knocking her plate with her fork. “She is just a great person. And as it seems, her family is too. My mom says that, it is that way in Africa. The way the kids grow up and are reared, is quite different from the way it is here. They also hold strong beliefs. They share pain and joy. Most of them are absolutely phenomenon.”
“Because they are poor?” Wayne found himself asking.
“Maybe. You saw some ambassadors’ kids who started first year with us last year, it didn’t take long before they were expelled. They were not all like Vicky.” She said and paused, looking at him. “I think that, sometimes when you are in need, you become humble and so and so, or at least, you find something to believe in. Like Vicky.”
Wayne took some time to digest her statement. It was true that Vicky was phenomenon. She was kind, stable, nothing could irritate her. She also seemed like, she had a lot of love to give. Come to think of it, Wayne had never met a person like her.
“So, what work did Mr. Hurts give us?” Annie asked, taking another mouthful of spaghetti.
He glanced at her. “Oh. He gave us an assignment of building up a case.”
“Against who?”
“Animals.”
She grimaced. “Why?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. I went to his office and all he told me was that, we have to be innovative and something like, it will teach us to find faults even on the most innocent things.”
“Have you had any luck with that?”
“I picked up a range of options. But, I still need your help.”
“Tell me what you already came up with.”
He turned to his iPad and opened it, tapping it to reveal a document.

Outside the room, Vicky dropped on a couch with the phone against her ear. “I am very fine mom" she told her mother, beaming at the atmosphere.
“That is great to hear dear. So, tell me? Are you praying?”
“Of course I am. I thank God every day for making me realize my dreams.”
“It’s good honey. How are studies going?”
“Great. And guess what ma? My bench mate is a Nigerian.”
Mom laughed. “I told you that you will meet a lot of West Africans there. And anyone from Kenya?”
“No, I haven’t met a Kenyan but, the admission officer said that, there are Kenyans here.”
“Okay. It’s good dear.”
“Tell me mom. How is home? Are the boys alright?”
“They are very fine. Junior has gone back to school and Wile is getting ready to leave soon.”
“Oh. Great. And Weenie?”
“She’s at home. They closed for a short holiday after their CAT exams.”
“Is she there with you?”
“No. She went to the shop. I asked her to get me a packet of milk for taking Ugali.”
“Oh. Ugali ma… how I have missed it.”
Mom laughed. “You can just buy maize flour and prepare it.”
“I haven’t yet got used to the food stores here. There’s a cafeteria that sells burger, hotdogs, pizza and other foods whose names I haven’t yet crammed.”
“Oh don’t worry dear. Is food too expensive? Are you okay financially?”
“Mom. I will be fine. My friend got me a part time job at a CD store, I get a couple of bucks by the end of the week so, I’m okay.”
“Oh honey. You are already beginning to sound like an American.”
Vicky laughed. “I am?”
“Yes. Anyway. It is good dear. Work hard honey. For your young brothers.”
“Yes mom. I already begun to search for any faculty that is close to what Junior wants.”
“Good dear. Please do that. I am also encouraging Wile here to study hard and land outside like you.”
Vicky smiled. “He should really work hard, ma. Amh, how much is still needed till he can complete the year?”
“Ah for Wile? Do not worry dear. Your dad will take care. Now worry about your books and your own upkeep. We’ll worry about the kids.”
Vicky smiled a little. She appreciated the way that her parents cared for her. “Thank you mom.”
“It’s alright dear. Is this your new line? Can I give it to your dad to communicate with you?”
“No ma. This phone belongs to my friend. But, I will get my own line and phone soon.”
“It’s good dear. I wish you all the best. Do you need anything?”
“Ah ma. What could I possibly need here? I wish I could see you, that’s all. Otherwise, I'm okay.”
Mom sounded pleased afterward. “You are a good child, remember to pray dear. You know that God can protect you and guide you more than anyone can. He will also help you find favor before your lecturers and everyone there.”
“Yes mom.” Vicky replied just before hearing some footsteps entering the room. She twisted her head and saw Wayne, hovering in front of the dining exit. “Ah mom? Please greet daddy for me. He’ll be the next person I’ll look for when I get access to another call.”
“Yes of course honey. Do you have to go?” Mom asked. She clearly noticed that Vicky was summarizing the phone call.
“Yes mom.” Vicky replied rising but, giving the dinning her back.
“Okay dear. All the best honey. And what time is it there?”
“It’s approaching nine thirty.”
“Oh. It’s so bright and early here. But, okay dear. All the best. I’ll tell the kids that, we spoke to each other.”
“Thank you mom. I love you.”
“I love you honey. We’ll be praying for you.”
“Thank you mom. May God bless you.”
“You too honey. Good night.”
Vicky laughed a little. “Good day.” She said and lowered the phone, hanging up.
She smiled to herself afterward and sighed, feeling a little sad that she did not know when she could call her mom back. She then turned around and greeted Wayne who was approaching her at the sofa.
She waved the phone to him when he halted. “Thank you very much Wayne. May God bless you.”
He gave her a short smile. “It’s alright though, I’m sorry that you had to cut your call short. I have to work on this assignment.” He said, shaking the hand with his iPad.
“Thank you. I wish you all the best in that.”
He took his phone. “You know, I was thinking. You could make a lot of dope if you start selling your cooking.”
“She makes excellent muffins Wayne.” Annie called from the kitchen.
Water sounded pouring after that. Vicky guessed that, Annie opened the sink and was washing the utensils.
“I thought of doing so.” Vicky said. “But, I don’t understand the procedures.”
“Don’t mind any procedures. I’ll tell you something, I’ll get you plastic bags from a store downtown. You will pack whatever you’re frying or baking and we’ll sell them around the campus. Beginning with the dormitory.” Wayne offered.
Vicky was very elated. “Thank you very much, honestly.”
“Tell me when you are ready to start. Tomorrow?”
Vicky nodded. “Yeah. I’ll start making them early. From 4:00am perhaps and then, they could be ready for breakfast for people who come from the jog.”
Wayne pocketed his phone. “Alright. I don’t know if I could get the bags within these few hours but, I’ll try.” He turned to her. “I’ll pick you up for the run around 5. Will you be done?”
“Yeah.” She replied, nodding.
“Okay.” He twisted his head to the dining window. “Annie, what time are you leaving?”
“Mom said that, I could go at any time. I haven’t decided yet.” Annie replied.
“Do you think that, she will be at the grounds in the morning?” he called.
“I don’t know. But, I can ask her if it is necessary.”
“No. It’s okay. I just wanted to see her.”
“Bad dreams again, Wayne?” Annie asked.
“No. It’s just another matter.” He lied.
“We should get you a dream catcher.” Annie teased and sounded laughing afterward.
Wayne became dismal and Vicky noticed that.
“Okay. Good night. I’ll see you guys in the morning.” He said to Vicky.
Vicky wanted to tell him something more but, she suppressed the thought. “Good night.” She said shortly. “I’ll escort you to the door.”
“No.” he said with a stretched hand. “It’s not necessary.”
She nodded silently and he left.

                                                                              #

TWO WEEKS - Episode 5

Wayne wriggled and turned over on his bed that night. After a whole while of struggling in a night mare, he woke up with a shout and begun panting.
He popped out his eyes in the night light and felt his face to wipe off the sweat that was leaving his body.
He shut his eyes and took in long deep breaths to calm down.
He was very depressed by the terrible dreams that he usually had. Even when he was boozed, it did not keep him from having difficult nights.
He stretched himself to a nightstand at the head of the bed and picked up the receiver beside a clock. He glanced at the time.
2:30am
He pressed some buttons and waited while the phone rang.
“Hallow?” a lady’s voice came.
“Excuse me for disturbing you this late ma’am but, you told me to call you if I had bad dreams again.”
“It’s okay, Astrophe.” The lady replied and sighed with exhaustion. “Tell me what did you dreamabout?” she asked, yawning.
Wayne exhaled. “I saw myself in Ohio. It was heavily raining and I came to see my mom. I held her in my hands and then, Chris came.” He paused, closing his eyes. “He pointed a gun at me and said that, he was getting back at me for everything. Suddenly I was a young boy and I could not defend myself.” He sighed. “I have never felt so terrified in my life.”
“I’m so sorry, Astrophe. Okay, have you been taking the sleeping pills like I told you?”
“Not today. But, they have never kept me from having these nightmares.”
“You know Astrophe, your dreams are the product… of your subconscious. Deep inside, you are scared and perhaps, really defenseless. Has anything happened to you recently?”
“Yes. My father called me and told me that, my mom is dying. She has a month to live.” He said and sighed.
“How did you take the news?” she asked when Wayne remained silent.
“I dismissed it from my mind. I rather not thought about it.”
“So then, you haven’t realized how much it affected you,” the lady reckoned.
“I guess, I am really scared that she is going to die. I don’t know how to react simply because I am helpless in solving the situation. I cannot save her life, I cannot keep her from dying.”
“Oh Astrophe. I can understand your grief but, try to use the time you have left to go home and make things right. Spend the time with her. Make her feel how much you love her. Tell her your fears and needs.”
Wayne rubbed his forehead drawing a deep sigh. “But, Chris is there. His presence just irritates me.”
“What if he acts kindly to you this time, for the sake of your mom?”
“That won’t change the fact of the way I feel about him.”
“Astrophe, be willing to make an exception. If you go home and face your fears, you might overcome the terrible nights you are having.”
Wayne was silent, undecided.
“I’ll give you a pass tomorrow, how’s that?” the lady asked.
“No ma’am but, I’ll come to you when I am finally ready.”
“Okay but, remember another thing, it’s okay to be weak.”
Wayne furrowed her eyebrows at that. “What?”
“Yes. Even a mascot leader, can have weak spots every now and then. Talk to people. Especially those who are ready and have the time to hear.”
“I’m lost Mrs. Earl.”
“You know, there’s this person who seems to be so composed. She has high self-esteem and she is very stable. Maybe you can talk to her.”
“Ma’am. I don think that I-” he begun but, the lady cut him short.
“I know it’s hard to trust a person who’s just too new to you. But, try to make friends with her. She is a very nice person.”
“Who are you talking about?”
“One of our new students. She is residing in the apartment that Annie likes to use.”
“Oh men, you are not talking about, that fat African girl?”
“So, you’ve met but, Astrophe? Do not make rude remarks about people’s appearances.”
“Ma’am. Thank you for the chat. Good night.”
“Astrophe?” she called but, he hang up.
This lady is so weird. He thought and turned around to replace the receiver on its place.
He pulled the sheet above his head and shut his eyes to sleep again. Thinking about Mrs. Earl’s silly idea was a better lullaby, to get him to sleep.

                                                                              #

I have to fast. Annie thought when she woke up in the middle of her first night in New York City. If I am not standing, that guy and his friends will win the bet. I need spiritual strength to tackle this. God will help me.
She turned on the bed and stared at the darkness. It’s not the way that I had expected to spend my first day in America but, I’m writing my history. She told herself and begun murmuring. “If I also jog while I don’t take much, I will get into good shape soon. My mom always wanted me to lose weight.”
With that, she sat up on her bed and stretched her hand to a lampstand where was a lamp. After struggling to light it to no avail, she sighed and placed her hands on her lap, shutting her eyes.
“Oh God. Please help me?” She begun to pray. “I am supposed to be thanking you for making me realize my dreams and I do but, here I am, praying for the challenges that I just met on my arrival.” She sighed. “I would like to hold on to you. I don’t want to leave you Lord Jesus. I don’t ever want to trade your love and grace for all the money or luxury in the world. As you’ve said; what will it profit a man if he gains the world and in the end, forfeit his life?” she sighed again and opened her eyes. She was scared. “I am so far away from home. There is no one watching me. But, you are.” She shut her eyes again. “Please guide me as you’ve said; I’ll instruct you and teach you the way you should go, I’ll counsel you with my eye upon you. You are everything to me Lord. Even if I am far from my mother and father, you will be my parent here.”

She made a cross sign and continued in prayers until her bedroom door burst open and light from the corridor drew her concentration.
“Vicky!” Annie called.
Vicky made a cross sign and opened her eyes to glance at her friend.
Annie was already in her sportswear. “What are you doing?” she greeted Vicky. “It’s already 5:00am. Get your sports gear quickly and we can go for the jog.”
Vicky raised her eyebrows a little. “I didn’t realize that, time had gone that fast.” She drew the bed sheet off her body.
“So it has. Do you usually wake early back home?”
Vicky got her legs on the floor. “Only when I had early college classes.”
Annie released the door knob, furrowing her eyebrows. “You have once been to College before?”
“Yes.” Vicky replied and suddenly dismissed the topic. “So, the jogging…” She said and turned to her duffel bag below the bed. “I have a tracksuit.”
“That will be fine.”
Vicky opened her bag and took out a black jumpsuit with a knee-length pair of shorts and a matching vest. She took out its sweater and tied it around her waist.
She turned around to Annie. “How do I look?”
“You know, there are some outfits which make you look slimmer.”
“That’s funny. My mother tells me that too.”
“Okay. I’ll grab our bottles. Come, follow me quickly.”
“Okay.” Vicky agreed and bent down to fetch her pair of white sneakers.

                                                                              #

TWO WEEKS - EPISODE 2

Meanwhile, in Manhattan and in the college club, a guy brought a tray with beer glasses and laid it on a table in front of a couple of guys and girls around his own age.
The peer welcomed him with a lot of cheers.
“It’s on the house men!” He called, as his friends picked up glasses from the tray.
They sat in a corner of the large club which also had a loud music playing. Some youths danced and hang around on various corners, sharing romantic intimacies.
The first guy picked his own glass and tasted the drink with his eyes closed. He shook his head as the sip of it run through his throat and down to his stomach. “This is good.” He commented to his friends.
“Yeah Wayne,” A girl replied, after having a puff of her own glass.
She wore a dark leather backless blouse and short matching pants. Her hair was dyed with purple and white and she had plenty of ornaments on her body.
Wayne sipped again, taking plenty of puffs this time.
“Guys? What do you think of the first year intake?” a boy with yellow hair dressed in a cape, asked.
“Ah. They are okay.” Another girl, a brunette and the only differently dressed among the group replied. She also did not have a glass in hand. Gradually, she wagged her head to the music that filled the hall.
Having almost emptied his glass, Wayne turned to the second girl and walked to the couch, dropping down to sit close to her.
“Annie. Tell me seriously, when are you really, going to be a part of the hood?” he asked, loosely holding his glass in front of her.
She grimaced and pushed his hand away. “I don’t drink.”
He offered her a silly grin. One that told Annie, he was up to something stupid.
Like she expected, Wayne dropped the glass on her lap and before she could panic, he forced himself on her to steal a kiss.
The rest of the group laughed and cheered as she struggled to free herself from his heavy body.
She only succeeded when she bit his lip.
“Ouch!” he whined before she slapped his left cheek.
The boys laughed loudly.
Wayne grinned devilishly at her. “Ah. You are a feisty… one.” He said just when his phone buzzed in his pocket.
“You! Never do that to me again!” Annie rasped.
Wayne in turn rose and took out his phone from his pocket. He turned to Annie after checking it. “I will be back.”
“Who’s is it Wayne?” The yellow haired boy asked.
Without replying, Wayne, abandoned the noisy hall and entered the men’s room to receive his call.

                                                                              #

“Hallow Astrophe?”
“Yes father?”
“Tell me, where are you son?”
“I’m at college. You know that.”
“I know but, I have been looking for you since morning. I also sent you a lot of voice messages and there has been no reply from you.”
There was an impatient sigh. “Well, we are talking now, ain’t we?”
There was a disappointed sigh. “Okay. Your mother is sick.” The man said and paused for a reaction from the other side but, there was silence. He sighed again and went on. “The doctors have said the cancer has reached to a certain point that, even chemotherapy is not going to help her survive. Your brother is here and we wanted you to come to Ohio to see your mother and perhaps, make her feel that she has all our support.”
There was a short pause before Astrophe came. “I will think about it.”
The man later sounded angry. “Astrophe. There is no thinking about anything. Listen, your mother is dying and I am telling you to come home so that we may be together. For her.”
“Father. I have school and besides that, I don’t want to see Chris.”
“This is not about Chris son, it’s about your mother. She needs you.”
“Listen dad. I love mom but, if Chris is gonna be there then, I ain’t coming.”
“Astrophe. Better sort out your differences with your brother and right now, come to show that love you feel for your mother.”
There was silence.
“Son?”
“Okay dad. I will think about it.” He repeated.
“Please come home quickly son. I’ll send you money through your account.”
“I don’t need it. I have a credit card.”
“No. Better not to use your credit card often. You could fall into debts if you don’t pay up. I’ll send you the money tomorrow. Let me expect you by the end of the week.”
There was a short pause. “Tell me, how critical is she?” Astrophe asked, sounding very sensitive.
“Your mom?”
“Yes. How long does she have?”
“A month. Maybe less.”
There was a deep sigh.
“See son? You have to come and see her.”
“Bye dad.” Astrophe replied and hang up.
He paused, leaning on the wall of the men’s room with the phone in his hand. The condition of his mother added to the tragedy in Astrophe’s life.
He had a long feud with his brother simply because, they always disagreed on everything.
Sometime later, his brother went to live in another state and when their mother begun getting sick with cancer that ate her up, Astrophe or Wayne as he called himself in Ortegun, discovered the involvement of his father with his secretary.
Their home was always hostile and full of fights; between Astrophe and Chris, Astrophe and dad. But, whenever their mother showed up, they pretended to be alright.
Mrs. Harts was not all that deaf or blind in her house either. She argued with them for arguing with each other. Soon, she resisted therapy and medicine and became bitter with life.
Astrophe’s only consolation was the gang he headed when he begun taking studies in Ortegun. They were carefree persons who knew how to party and to have fun.
Recently, they admitted Annie into what they called ‘Hood’.  She was the daughter of a professor who also taught psychology in their University. Annie was their latest and greatest conquest.  
Now, hearing that his mom was sick and about to die, Astrophe was lost. He kept on queering why everything had to be that way. He cursed himself, his family and life itself. There was no relief anywhere. None except in coke.
As the thought came to mind, he left the bathroom and returned back to his friends.

                                                                #