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A Friend in Need - A Story Written By John Ogunjimi

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Reproduction and transmission of any part of this STORY IN ANY FORM is not permitted unless a prior written approval from the author is obtained.

Please take note.


Episode 1

Tayo’s father was the parish pastor of the church our family attended. We started attending that parish when my Dad was transferred to the South. I was to resume into senior class in high school that year, same as Tayo; the only difference was that he went into the sciences while I chose art.

Soon, we bonded. We met in church every week, sang together in the choir, attended prayer meetings, went out for evangelism, and eventually became members of the executive in the school fellowship.

Tayo was exceptionally brilliant. He was a voracious reader and, I must confess, his love for books has rubbed off on me in no little way. I wasn’t very serious with my studies before we met, but something drastic happened when we became friends.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying I was a dullard. What I mean is that I just didn’t care much for success like he did. Throughout my first three years in high school, I was among the ten best students in my class while Tayo, as I would later learn, always topped his class. But after I met Tayo, I started craving for more.

Beyond academics, Tayo lived an infectious spiritual life too. Each time we sat to share the word of God together, I couldn’t help but wonder how much time he must have devoted to studying the Bible before he received such great revelations. Everything about him was challenging.

Days turned to weeks, weeks into months, and months into years. We finished high school with good grades. Of all the nine subjects Tayo offered in the final exams, he had eight distinctions. I had five. We took entrance exams into the same university and got admitted to study the course of our choice; I, to study psychology, and Tayo to study physics.

Immediately the admission list was released, we both went to school to sort out our registration and accommodation issues. We decided to live off campus, and although we didn’t share the same room, we still lived in the same hostel. We did a lot together till sophomore year to the extent that most people thought we were siblings. As freshmen, we joined a Christian fellowship on campus. Shortly after that, we joined the choir. Tayo developed a growing passion for God and his work in exemplary dimensions.

Everything looked great until we reached final year. It all started immediately the second semester of third year ended and Tayo travelled home. Actually, he had not been in school for some months. He had been an intern at an engineering company in a neighbouring town for the last six months. When his internship was over, he came to campus for a few days before he travelled home.

I first started suspecting that something was wrong in the third month of his internship. I remember having a bad dream about him one night, I called him up that same night, shared with him and we prayed together. Shortly after that night, I noticed that he stopped calling me. For weeks, I excused his action by making myself believe that he must have been busy with work. I prayed for him more often.

A month passed and he still would not initiate a call or return the ones he missed. Then two more months slipped by, until his internship was over. He came to campus but didn’t even inform me of his presence, or stop by to say ‘hello’. I became more worried when he left the campus for home and still did not tell me. I wasn’t trying to monitor him, it’s just that things were not like this before. Something was obviously going on with him that he didn’t want to share.

When he returned to school for the new session, he started avoiding me. He would leave his hostel room very early and return in the dead of the night. He didn’t want to associate himself with any of the brethren, and he stopped attending fellowship meetings altogether. More than once I went to his room, knocked till my knuckles hurt, but he wouldn’t answer. He would turn the music so loud that it drowned all sounds from within or outside his room. He wasn’t answering his phone either; wouldn’t return my calls or reply my texts.

My worry grew into great concern. We were already a month and half into the semester, yet Tayo had not attended a single service. My mind couldn’t fathom what could have gone wrong, though I knew it must have something to do with his internship, the dream I shared with him and probably something I didn’t know. ‘I need to inform his parents about this,’ I said to myself, picking up my phone.

To be continued…

Source: http://gospelbreed.com/2016/06/a-friend-in-need-episode-1/ ‎

CC: Lalasticlala , Cuddlemii

Episode 2

Tayo’s father knew me well. I frequented his house as his son’s best friend and, good enough, he approved of my friendship with his son. He once told me of how he had taken time to pray with Tayo about God choosing a friend for him. He was afraid that an ungodly influence could derail his beloved son and waste all the spiritual investments in him. My father was his assistant and he too was pleased with my friendship with Tayo.

Pastor Adekunle, Tayo’s father, treats me like a son—his son. On days when my parents travelled out of town on missionary assignment, I simply packed my things and went over to my friend’s house and could be there for as long as I wanted. So, by all means, I knew I could discuss with him as a father.

Without hesitation, I placed a call to him, which he answered almost immediately, “Hello, my son.”

“Sir, goo… good afternoon sir.” I stammered a reply. I realized I probably didn’t think it through before making the call.

“How are you? I’ve had it in mind to call you.” Call me? I wondered. Why would he want to call me? Does he know about Tayo’s recent change in behaviour? Has someone told him already? Is he angry that I didn’t tell him earlier?

“Really, sir?” I asked, leading him on.

“Yes. I noticed that you were not around during the last semester break. Is everything alright?”

“Yes sir,” I replied, feeling relieved. “I was busy with some pastoral work in the campus fellowship. I needed to wait behind with some other fellowship executives to seek God’s face in prayers and plan for the new session.”

“I see,” came his most common response. “Tayo told me of your involvement in the Lord’s work over there. I pray God will continue to strengthen you in Jesus’ name.”

“Amen. Thank you sir.”

“It’s good to hear from you.”

“Same here sir. Extend my greetings to the rest of the family sir,” I said curtly. I didn’t want the conversation to prolong anymore. Obviously, he didn’t know, and I wasn’t ready to be the one to bell the cat at the moment. Tayo deserved a fair hearing after all, and although I’d tried giving him that, I was going to try again.

“Alright, my son. Bye.”

“Goodbye sir.”

Heaving a big sigh of relief, I wasn’t sure what to do next. After racking my brain for minutes, I resolved that I needed to approach the matter radically. Next thing I did was to take .a stool and a copy of Robert Liardon’s ‘God’s Generals’, and go straight to Tayo’s room.

The music was playing as usual, but I tried getting his attention all the same. At first, I called his phone which he didn’t answer. Of course, I knew he wouldn’t answer no matter how many times I called, so I started calling his name, then proceeded to knocking. After knocking for minutes without any response, I said to myself, ‘Well, today is the day! It is either he comes out to see me, or he stays in that room for the rest of the day.’ It was a Saturday morning and I had a few hours to spare, so I took my sit in front of his door—reading.

Tayo must have felt that I would leave soon that was not the first time. He even increased the volume of the music from his room, yet I was still determined to wait. Something was not right and I was about to find out. I busied myself with the book in my hand silently praying that someday I would be one of God’s generals too. It was hard to concentrate but, at least, it kept me busy.

After about two and half hours, I heard Tayo turn down the music and unbolt the door from within. Then, he turned the lock and opened the door gently as if he was hiding from being caught. After peeping outside to ascertain that I was alone, he beckoned to me to come inside.

To Be Continued....

Source: http://gospelbreed.com/2016/06/a-friend-in-need-episode-2/

Olajhidey22:
Roaster Call:
Lalasticlala, Ishilove, Semid4lyfe, Obinoscopy, Maiconyoung, Jacy67, Snowangel, Joepretty, Oyay, Dandypearl, heemah,iykekelvins, joanee20, Missmossy, virtuedagirl, ashatoda, missviva, iykekelvins, luciangelymail, Heemah, DandyPearl, Bellovers, Sageez, Afz9095, Ysadiq, VMtuppence, Calmdove, Domido, Maggielovely, Rukkydelta, Damyem, Mutdam, Olaxtra, Daslad, M003, Ernie98, Kingphillip, Youngseraph, Emerald18, Jhybho, Fiyah, Chinwezdasilva, Jsharp, Adajiboyy, Ideatoprince18, Deesquare01, Nidaxj, Snowangel, Gbens2000, Spdazzy, Mattkent, Dimssy, Hefelove, Iyoha240, gbens2000, vaxt, TONYE001, Mczigx, saxwizard, SimpleBea, bukaty, Maiconyoung, Euniz, dadido, oluangelkay

Sincere apologies to names i can't recall, you're all welcome.

Please let me know if you guys are following so i can proceed.

SPDAZZY:
Présent

Olajhidey22:
Thanks for coming by Friend... I need some more encouragement before I proceed

Rukkydelta:
Present sir, following

SPDAZZY:
This is so interesting that I am tempted to go to www.gospelbreed.com and read the rest .

joanee20:
Am thinking about doing same o... this is real temptation.... by the way am here present o...

Episode 3

The first thought that came to my mind was, ‘So he knew I was sitting here all this time and yet he left me here?’ Just then, another thought flew in almost immediately, ‘I knew I would win eventually. He couldn’t hide forever.’ That thought brought a smug smile to my face but I quickly cautioned myself, ‘This is not the time for gloating!’ Without saying a word, I picked my stool and stepped into his room.

Everything looked the same in there. His Bible was open on his reading table as it had always been most of the time. His journal was beside the Bible, a pen sticking out from the middle thereof. Surely, he must have been writing in it.

As I entered, Tayo shut the door behind us firmly. I stared at him for seconds and what I could read written all over his face was worry, depression and fear. ‘This is going to be a long day,’ I thought within myself as I sat on the carpet in one corner of his room. Just then, I noticed his eyeballs were red. Confusion gripped me. Was he sleeping before I came? Has he been sick? Or, God forbid, has he been smoking something? Was he high?

For a minute or two, none of us said a word. Tayo stood beside his reading table, backing me as he drew the curtain and opened the windows. The ray of sunshine that flooded the room seemed to ease the tension. He stood there a little longer as he gazed into the distance and taking deep breaths of the fresh air that came in.

“I haven’t opened this window in many weeks,” he said, still looking outside the window. Breaking the silence was helpful, but I was convinced there were more pressing things to discuss than the window. He didn’t seem to expect a reply from me, and even if he did, I wasn’t not sure of what my response should be, so I simply kept quiet.

I sat there with mixed feelings of pity and fear. On one side, I felt he was in danger and needed help; on the other hand, his red eyeballs and that fact that he bolted the door after I entered made him look scary. I had never seen Tayo get angry and that made me believe that there were some things he would never do. But at that moment, I felt like I didn’t know him anymore. Something about him was different and unexplainable.

“Wale, I need help. Can you pray for me?” Tayo had never asked for my help; be it financial, academic or spiritual. He had everything he needed. In fact, I looked up to him in many areas, especially in spiritual things. No! Not that he was my leader; we were more like colleagues, but I know he had a winsome spiritual life.

I was his leader in the campus fellowship, not because I was more anointed than him but by divine providence. My predecessor had told me something important after the handing over service one Sunday. He told me of how the leadership of the fellowship was to be committed to Tayo, but he had humbly declined.

Tayo had explained to him that he had more passion for the outside ministry of evangelizing the unreached rather than settle for a maintenance ministry in the church. He also mentioned how Tayo promised that he would readily support anyone who occupied the position of leadership which he did quite well before travelling for his internship.

I respected him as an elder in the fellowship. On few occasions, he had been helpful in advising me on handling some tough situations I found myself. Also, every prayer session we had together had left me more refreshed than before.

By now, you understand my confusion when he was asking me to pray for him. I couldn’t settle my mind to even guess what on God’s earth he could need my prayer for.

“How do you mean, Tayo? Help in what way? What is going on?” I was too anxious to know that I bombarded him with all those questions at the same time.

Before he could utter another word, he broke into tears.

To Be Continued...

Source: http://gospelbreed.com/2016/06/a-friend-in-need-episode-3/ ‎

SPDAZZY:
This is so interesting that I am tempted to go to www.gospelbreed.com and read the rest .

Episode 4

Tears are associated with an emotional atmosphere in two ways: first, when we become very emotional (in hurt or over-excitement), we cry; secondly, when people cry around us, it makes us emotional. For me, the second is the hardest. Watching people cry makes me very emotional. It is worse when crier is a man. So, imagine my plight when I was forced to sit and watch my best friend weep profusely without have the slightest idea of what was making him cry, or how to make him stop.

Since I didn’t know what to say, I sat there quietly watching him soak his pillow with tears. When I noticed that his wails were beginning to attract attention, I took the remote control and turned up the music again. It was there and then that it dawned on me that he had been using the music to drown the sound of his wails. His eyes were red not because he had been smoking, but because he had been crying.

Deep pity overtook my fears. I wished there was something—anything—I could do to make him stop. If only I knew why he was crying in the first place. I had to find a way to help him stop crying because I was afraid that if he continued a little longer, I myself would soon be moved to tears. So I stood up and drew closer.

“Tayo,” I called, patting him on the back, and my voice trembling as if I was going to burst into tears. Since I didn’t plan what I was going to say next, I called again in the most careful way that would help me keep my emotions under control, “Tayo.” And it worked! He stopped crying almost immediately as he sat up, laid his tear-soaked pillow aside, and stared at me with a very expectant look.

Since he stopped crying, I had regained my confidence. I turned down back the music playing, placed my right hand on his left shoulder, looked at him with a smile and gently said, “Let us pray.” He nodded in agreement as we joined hands and knelt down to pray together.

“Dear God, we thank You for Your love, tender mercies, forgiveness and gracious kindness. We are grateful because Your faithfulness endures forever—even when we are unfaithful. At this moment, we unite together in prayer of faith and ask that every burden on Tayo’s mind be lifted. We cast our burdens upon You because we have the assurance of the Scriptures that You care for us. Let the peace that passes all understanding fill Your son right now. This we ask and believe that we have received, for we have prayed in the name of Your Holy Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.”

We both chorused a second ‘Amen.’ As I opened my eyes, I saw that Tayo’s eyes were still closed, but then, he was smiling. A tear drop had settled in the dimple that formed from his smile. I can’t explain what happened that moment, but I am sure beyond any doubt that God was in that room. Something supernatural was happening and I didn’t want to interrupt it, so I stood up to leave.

As I approached the door, Tayo opened his eyes, stood up and approached me with a broader smile. He embraced me tightly and whispered, “Thank you, Femi.”

“The pleasure is mine,” I replied, feeling glad that my friend could smile again. “I’ll be in my room if you feel like talking about it,” I said as I took my leave.

“Okay, I’ll join you soon.” He replied, closing the door behind me as I walked back to my room.

As he promised, within fifteen minutes, Tayo showed up in my room with his Bible and journal. He pointed the journal at me, “Take, read; that is the whole story.”

I hesitated. He knew how much I valued people’s privacy and how uncomfortable I would feel reading through his journals. He seemed not to care. I sat at the reading table still reluctant, and holding the book as if I was expecting him to change his mind and collect it back.

“Read it, I insist.” Tayo said, as he sat on the bed. So, I placed it on the table and began to read. It was the story of a girl he met during his internship.

To Be Continued...

Source: http://gospelbreed.com/2016/06/a-friend-in-need-episode-4/

Cc: Lalasticlala

Episode 5

The first month Tayo got to the company where he had his internship, he met Tolani. They worked in the same unit for the first 2 months after which they were transferred to different units to work for another 2 months, before they finally worked together again for the last 2 months. She was a stunning combination of beauty and intelligence, which contributed to things that attracted her to Tayo.

Within the first two months, they became close—very close. They were under the same supervisor who usually paired them up when giving them responsibilities to attend to. They connected on all levels, especially on the intellectual level. They spent most of their lunch breaks discussing their favourite topic—quantum physics.

At a debate among interns on which aspect of physics rocked most, the quantum physics team, ably represented by Tayo and Tolani, floored the particle physics team victoriously. That further strengthened their bond. At their duty post, Tayo would usually offered to assist Tolani each time she had excess work, and she returned the favour as often as she could.

The whole ‘friendship package’ went on ‘innocently’ until the third month when they were transferred to different units. They couldn’t meet at work as often as they used to, so they began to pay each other visits at the other’s residence. Tayo was the first to stop by Tolani’s house. He told her how much he missed her, their conversation, laughter, debates, quizzes and everything that connected them. Tolani expressed how she feels about him too. Then they spent the rest of the evening catching up on old times before Tayo left for his house.

Within just two weeks into the third month, the visits had become a daily thing. If Tayo didn’t go over to Tolani’s, she would come over his. Tayo knew it was not ideal for him as a Christian to keep such an intimate relationship with the opposite gender but he was enjoying it too much than to try ending it.

His weakness in conviction at that moment was a result of the sporadic observance of his morning devotion in recent weeks. Tolani was a professing Christian too, but her emotions had gotten the best part of her. On most days, he would wake up very early and rush out to work. His evenings that catered for the spiritual meal he missed in the mornings had been taken over by careless visitations. He had become so emotionally attached to Tolani that the night I called him after receiving a revelation about him, he tried to break the relationship but could not.

Occasionally, Tolani assisted him with his house chores. Not that he couldn’t do them by himself, but she volunteered as a proof of her love for him. Things went from just being friends to lovers, and from bad to worse. One time, she sat in his embrace until things got intense before she decided to leave. She still had a moral inclination against premarital sex and she was trying to avoid it.

They both promised each other that no matter how intense things got between them, they would never have sex until they were married. They thought they could remain intimately involved and still restrain themselves which they did successfully—successfully, until the night they lost control.

That night, Tayo was in Tolani’s room till around 9.00 pm when the rain began pour. It rained heavily that he could not return to his house that night. After reminding themselves of the promise they made to each other about abstinence till marriage, Tolani agreed that Tayo should pass the night in her room. She spread a mat for him to sleep on, while she slept on the mattress.

The night was cold and dark, and in their search for warmth and companionship, ‘blood rushed into their heads’, blinded their minds and they ended up doing what they agreed not to. They regretted their action so deeply that they cried throughout the night. Tolani’s regret was that she lost her virginity outside wedlock. She had always thought of the night of her wedding as the night she would lose it, but unfortunately, it was gone.

That night was the last time either of them paid the other a visit. They were both remorseful for their action. They repented of their sins and broke-up the relationship that week. Tayo mourned for weeks. He had disappointed his God, his father, me—his friend, the leadership of the fellowship, and all the people who were looking up to him as an example. He was too ashamed to call me remembering that I had called him, shared the terrifying revelation I had about him with him, and we had prayed together. He felt I would be disappointed beyond measure.

After the break up, it appeared that things went back to normal. He and Tolani went back to just being friends. They greeted only from a distance and even in the fifth month when they were back in the same unit, they still kept their distance from each other. It seemed all was well until around middle of the fifth month when Tayo got the greatest shock of his life as a text message from Tolani: ‘I am pregnant!’

To Be Continued...

Episode 5

The first month Tayo got to the company where he had his internship, he met Tolani. They worked in the same unit for the first 2 months after which they were transferred to different units to work for another 2 months, before they finally worked together again for the last 2 months. She was a stunning combination of beauty and intelligence, which contributed to things that attracted her to Tayo.

Within the first two months, they became close—very close. They were under the same supervisor who usually paired them up when giving them responsibilities to attend to. They connected on all levels, especially on the intellectual level. They spent most of their lunch breaks discussing their favourite topic—quantum physics.

At a debate among interns on which aspect of physics rocked most, the quantum physics team, ably represented by Tayo and Tolani, floored the particle physics team victoriously. That further strengthened their bond. At their duty post, Tayo would usually offered to assist Tolani each time she had excess work, and she returned the favour as often as she could.

The whole ‘friendship package’ went on ‘innocently’ until the third month when they were transferred to different units. They couldn’t meet at work as often as they used to, so they began to pay each other visits at the other’s residence. Tayo was the first to stop by Tolani’s house. He told her how much he missed her, their conversation, laughter, debates, quizzes and everything that connected them. Tolani expressed how she feels about him too. Then they spent the rest of the evening catching up on old times before Tayo left for his house.

Within just two weeks into the third month, the visits had become a daily thing. If Tayo didn’t go over to Tolani’s, she would come over his. Tayo knew it was not ideal for him as a Christian to keep such an intimate relationship with the opposite gender but he was enjoying it too much than to try ending it.

His weakness in conviction at that moment was a result of the sporadic observance of his morning devotion in recent weeks. Tolani was a professing Christian too, but her emotions had gotten the best part of her. On most days, he would wake up very early and rush out to work. His evenings that catered for the spiritual meal he missed in the mornings had been taken over by careless visitations. He had become so emotionally attached to Tolani that the night I called him after receiving a revelation about him, he tried to break the relationship but could not.

Occasionally, Tolani assisted him with his house chores. Not that he couldn’t do them by himself, but she volunteered as a proof of her love for him. Things went from just being friends to lovers, and from bad to worse. One time, she sat in his embrace until things got intense before she decided to leave. She still had a moral inclination against premarital sex and she was trying to avoid it.

They both promised each other that no matter how intense things got between them, they would never have sex until they were married. They thought they could remain intimately involved and still restrain themselves which they did successfully—successfully, until the night they lost control.

That night, Tayo was in Tolani’s room till around 9.00 pm when the rain began pour. It rained heavily that he could not return to his house that night. After reminding themselves of the promise they made to each other about abstinence till marriage, Tolani agreed that Tayo should pass the night in her room. She spread a mat for him to sleep on, while she slept on the mattress.

The night was cold and dark, and in their search for warmth and companionship, ‘blood rushed into their heads’, blinded their minds and they ended up doing what they agreed not to. They regretted their action so deeply that they cried throughout the night. Tolani’s regret was that she lost her virginity outside wedlock. She had always thought of the night of her wedding as the night she would lose it, but unfortunately, it was gone.

That night was the last time either of them paid the other a visit. They were both remorseful for their action. They repented of their sins and broke-up the relationship that week. Tayo mourned for weeks. He had disappointed his God, his father, me—his friend, the leadership of the fellowship, and all the people who were looking up to him as an example. He was too ashamed to call me remembering that I had called him, shared the terrifying revelation I had about him with him, and we had prayed together. He felt I would be disappointed beyond measure.

After the break up, it appeared that things went back to normal. He and Tolani went back to just being friends. They greeted only from a distance and even in the fifth month when they were back in the same unit, they still kept their distance from each other. It seemed all was well until around middle of the fifth month when Tayo got the greatest shock of his life as a text message from Tolani: ‘I am pregnant!’

To Be Continued...

saxwizard:
carry on

Episode 6

The news of Tolani’s pregnancy shattered Tayo. He was completely devastated. His imagination ran wild yet no possible solution came to mind. If he tried to deny the fact that he had carnal knowledge of her, it would only be a matter of time before a paternity test would prove him wrong. He couldn’t even deny it because, according to her, he was her first. Plus, it would be a lie to deny the obvious.

Almost all the options that crossed his mind were no-go areas— aborting the pregnancy, taking to the woods, committing suicide… The only option that seemed acceptable and appropriate was to let her keep the baby while he prepares for fatherhood. Anything apart from that would involve covering up a sin with another sin. The whole thing depressed him and he felt his life literally falling apart.

Well, he had one more option: he could ask her what she intends to do hoping that it would be less scary. Without wasting time, he called her up.

“Hello, Tolani.” The sound of his voice was almost unrecognizable.

Tolani hesitated. She knew he would call, but her worries were what his recommendation would be. Would he tell her to ‘take care of it’, or keep the baby? Neither of both was good enough for her. Her wish was that the two-month-old fetus in her uterus would vanish one night and everything would return to normal. But that was never going to happen and she knew it.

“Tolani! Can you hear me?” Tayo called again when the other end of the line was silent for too long.

“I… I can (sobs), I can hear you.” She had been crying too. Who would have thought that she, of all people, was going to have a child outside wedlock? She was a youth leader in her church, the daughter of a respected man of God and a deaconess. Thoughts of the disgrace she would bring to herself, her parents and her friends were all unbearable for her.

“I can’t keep the baby!” She said bursting into uncontrollable tears. She wept on for minutes while Tayo pondered on her decision. ‘But, Tolani was a Christian too. How could she be contemplating abortion? Doesn’t she know that it is equal to murder? Or, what possible excuse could she have?’

“Tolani, I understand how you feel about …”

“Stop lying!” Tolani cut in. “You don’t understand anything. I know you will start preaching on how sinful it is to take the life of an unborn child. But, do you want to know why I don’t blame you? It is because you will not be the one to carry a shameful pregnancy for the next 7 months. It is because it will not affect your studies in any way. It is because it will not be written on your face that you put a lady in the family way. It is because nobody may ever find out what you did except you tell them. But listen to me carefully! If you dare stop me from having my way, I will blow the trumpet from every skyscraper in the city.”

“Tolani, could you calm down and listen to me, please?” Tayo pleaded in fear.

“I am not ready to listen to you except you are giving directions to the office of a specialist in dilatation and curettage.” Tolani said angrily.

“I understand… No, I mean you have every reason to be angry with me, Tolani, but I don’t want us to do anything rashly. Let’s take time to think this through and weigh our options carefully. We may come up with a better solution.” Tayo paused, expecting her response.

Hahahaha! Tolani busted into laughter. She laughed so hard that it was not clear if she was mocking or joking.

Tayo was confused. ‘Was this a joke or something like it? What was funny about what he’d just said?’

“Are you even listening to yourself?” Tolani barked, interrupting his thoughts. “I said, are you listening to yourself? You think I haven’t thought of every other possible solution? Are you insinuating that I am too dumb to know what is best for me at this crucial moment? Tayo! Tayo!! Let me be very clear on this matter: I am not keeping this baby. Before this week is over, I am removing it—with or without you.”

“Tolani…”

“Don’t Tolani me. I have made up my mind and there is no going back. Find out how much it will cost, and within 3 days, send it to my account. Or else…” Tolani threatened as she hung up on him.

Tayo’s woes had just begun. Not only had he impregnated a girl he was not married to, but now he was going to be an accomplice in murder. Tears flowed from his eyes. Just then, Tolani texted her account details which ended it with: ‘Send the money within 3 days. Or else…’

To Be Continued...

Rukkydelta:
Wow! I really love this story but Olajhidey22 are you the original writer of the story ?

CuteChiluv:
Interesting,

Episode 7

Tayo was completely mystified. The situation he thought he was getting over was now getting him down. It was like re-opening a healing wound and adding salt and pepper. He groaned in pain as he thought of the possible consequence of his refusal to succumb to Tolani’s request. From the little he knew about her, she was capable of making good her threats. ‘This burden is too heavy for me, Lord. Help me please.’ Tayo breathed a prayer.

There was nothing more both terrifying and frustrating as facing a blackmail. The frustration stemmed from the helplessness of the victim while the terror engendered from the threat of the blackmail. Should he give in? Or, should he just call her bluff and damn the possible consequence? Seems like a good option after all.

On Tolani’s side, she was afraid. In fact, she was very scared about it herself. Apart from knowing that it was wrong, she had read about what the aftermath effect of abortion would be on her emotionally and psychologically. She was sure she would never forgive herself if she went ahead with the process. The only way she could live with herself after the abortion was if she succeeded in blackmailing Tayo into getting involved. If he fell for it, she would go ahead, if he didn’t, she wouldn’t.

Tayo decided he was not going to send money for the abortion. If Tolani wanted to go on with it without him, she should; he was not ready to continue covering his sin with other sins. If she decided to make good her threat, she’d only be helping him make a confession he’d probably never have the courage to make himself.

He waited for the expiration of the deadline he was given before trying to call her. He tried time and again, but he couldn’t reach her. Each time he called, it was either her line didn’t go through, or when it did go through, she didn’t answer. He even went to her house on two occasions, but he was told she had moved without leaving a forwarding address. She didn’t show up at the company too till his internship was over.

Tayo had hasted back to school immediately after his internship, before going home for the 3-month break from school. He hasn’t heard from her since then. He just kept wondering what could have happened to her? ‘Did she eventually go ahead with the abortion? If she did, was it successful?’ He seriously doubted the truth of that. If it went as expected, she would have contacted him.

He feared that something had gone wrong. ‘Maybe there were complications,’ he thought. ‘Maybe—God forbid—it even took her life.’ He was frightened into tears. Haunted by his past, he had since lived every day in fear and torment unconsciously expecting a bad news from anywhere, and at any moment. That explains why he had been locking himself up since his return to school.

He had taken time to document the whole incidence in his journal. Writing his experience helped him feel better. I closed the diary and took a deep breath. I actually had to take another very deep breath before I could say a word.

“So, that means you have not heard from her since then,” I said inquiringly.

“I haven’t.” His reply was terse.

“You should give her a call,” I suggested. “At least, try to find out where she is and how she’s doing.”

“I never stopped trying, Femi. She doesn’t answer my calls. I don’t want to text her because I’m afraid the phone might not be with her. I don’t want to implicate myself.”

“Well, how about calling her with someone else’s number? Here’s my phone, you can call her with this.” I offered.

Tayo took the phone and typed in Tolani’s number immediately. They were so close that he knew the number by heart.

The phone had not rung for long before it was answered.

“Hello, who is on the line please?” The voice from the other end asked.

To Be Continued

Episode 8

An awkward silence followed and you could have heard a pin drop. Unquestionably, it wasn’t Tolani who answered the call. Before their break up, they talked about many things but for no particular reasons, they hardly talked about each other’s family. Looking back now, one can only guess that they probably had more interesting topics to hash out. However, on one or two occasions, they did talk about their families.

Tayo remembered Tolani speaking of herself as the youngest child and only daughter among her parents’ children. She had three other siblings who were all married. Tayo was more convinced that the person whose voice he just heard wasn’t Tolani, neither could it have been any of her siblings’ because—as much as he knew—she had no female sibling.

He kept mute, listening to hear if he could recognize the voice. Since the phone was on loudspeaker, I listened too, although I’d never met her or heard her voice.

“Hello?” The voice said again. “Who am I speaking with?” This time around, it was obvious that the he didn’t know the person, and most likely, she didn’t know him too. Somehow, I agreed that it wasn’t Tolani’s voice. The woman sounded more elderly, like she was in her thirties or something like that, whereas I expected Tolani to be in her early twenties.

I collected the phone from Tayo when I noticed that he was disappointed that it was not Tolani who answered the call.

“Hello, good afternoon ma. I’m sorry for keeping you waiting.” I apologized quickly.

“That’s okay, good afternoon.” She said forgivingly.

“I’d like to speak with the owner of this line, please.” I pushed my luck.

“You still haven’t identified yourself.” She said softly.

“Oh, again, I’m so sorry. I’m a friend to the owner’s friend.” My reply was evasive and equivocal, hoping she wouldn’t press any further.

Unfortunately, she did when she said, “If you don’t mind my asking, which of her friends exactly are you a friend to?”

‘Don’t mention my name!’ Tayo gestured from where he stood. I gave him a no-other-choice look. ‘Think of something else,’ He seemed to be saying.

“Tayo,” I answered rashly, ignoring his pleas. Pained but unoffended, he placed his hands on his head as we awaited her reply.

“Hmm, Tayo’s friend.” She hesitated a little further before continuing, “So, how can I help you.”

“We’re calling to ask after Tolani.” Tayo drew closer.

“Did you say ’we’? That means Tayo is there with you. Well, Tolani is fine, but I’m sorry you can’t speak with her now.”

“I get it, but could you please just let her know that Tayo wanted to speak with her. He’s been worried since they parted ways and he is really sorry for everything that happened.” Tayo kept nodding as I spoke.

“Is that really why you are calling?” The woman asked in a surprised tone.

“Sincerely. That is why we called. We’d be grateful if you could even tell us how and where we can find her.” Tayo seemed to disagree with that idea but there was nothing he could do seeing I had said it already.

“In that case, I’m going to have to call you back much later because I’m in the middle of something right now. Plus, I’ll have to discuss with her first.” She said.

“We understand and appreciate your efforts and kindness ma. Thank you very much.”

“You are welcome.” But just before she ended the call, she added, “I’m wondering why you are the one doing the talking for Tayo.”

“I’m right here.” Tayo said quickly.

“Oh. Congratulations, Tayo! You are having a boy. Bye for now.” And the line went dead before we could give expression to our thoughts.

“A boy?!” We chorused together.

To Be Continued...

Episode 9

For Tayo, next in shock-magnitude to the news of Tolani’s conception, was the news that she was expectant with child. I can’t say categorically what we thought we would hear, but it seemed like that was the last thing either of us expected. For a moment, I was unexplainably happy—perhaps, because my friend was going to be a father, and I was going to be an uncle—but the exclamatory look on Tayo’s face quickly drained the happiness. Truth was: he was not ready!

When, I confronted Tayo about his mixed feelings, he admitted that he thought she had terminated the pregnancy, since he hadn’t heard from her since the breakup. On one hand, he was sad that he’s plunging into fatherhood unprepared; on the other hand, there’s a tingling sensation he felt each time he thought of himself as a father. Thinking straight was difficult.

Since the unknown woman promised that she’d call us back, all we could do was wait. She sounded like a nice person, so I believed she would fulfil her promise. The days we had to wait for were like months to us. My phone was always with me, and the enthusiasm with which I checked the phone each time it rang was unparalleled. When she finally called, I rushed to Tayo’s room before answering the call. I arrived there panting like a chased dog.

“Hel… hello… Hello ma.” I tried to hide my heavy breaths from the microphone of the phone, which was hard because it was on loudspeaker.

“Hello, Tayo’s friend. I don’t remember you mentioning your name during our last conversation.” Her voice was calming. ‘I’d love to meet this lovely woman someday,’ I thought within.

“I’m Femi. Good evening ma.” I said, acting normally.

“Good evening, Femi. Are you free this weekend? I mean, you and Tayo.”

“We are free ma. In fact, we can come tomorrow if that is okay by you.” I looked at Tayo to know his thoughts about it. He gave a satisfactory look.

“Tomorrow would have been fine, but I’ll be on duty. Let’s make it Friday. I’ll text you the address.” She replied as I wondered what type of duty she was referring to.

“Friday is perfect. We’ll be expecting.” I was rounding off our discussion when Tayo asked to speak with her. I passed him the phone quickly.

“Hello ma, this is Tayo.” He introduced himself immediately.

“Hi, Tayo. It’s good to hear from you.” Tayo’s face was straight. He wanted something more than just talking with her.

“Please ma, I guess Tolani is mad at me—and she has every right to be—but, can I just speak with her? I’ve not heard from her in many months. Please, let me just say ‘hello’ to her.” Tayo pleaded.

“Listen, my dear,” the woman replied, “Tolani is not mad at you; at least, not anymore. If it makes you feel any better, I was the one who discouraged her from contacting you after the incidence and exchanged her line with a new one to monitor her communications. More than once, she has tried contacting you, but I keep stopping her. I’ve been doing that because I believe it’s necessary for her healing. And, I’m sorry, you can’t speak with her now because she’s not here at the moment. When you see her on Friday, you’ll hear the full story.”

“Okay ma. Thank you all the same.” He said with disappointment in his voice.

“You are welcome. I’ll send the address shortly.” The call ended.

We sat there in silence waiting for the address, meanwhile my mind was busy thinking. ‘What did she mean when she talked about Tolani’s healing? Was she sick? Since when? What could be the nature of the sickness? Hope it isn’t life-threatening? Hope it won’t affect the life of the baby?’

My thoughts were interrupted when the phone beeped; the text just came in. The content further heightened my curiosity and worry. It was a hospital address—a psychiatric hospital. It was practically impossible for either of us to hide our concern. We tried to figure out the possible situation of things till we reached our wits end.

There was one more thing we could do: pray. So, we prayed together that day and every day after that till the D-day arrived. We even met to pray together again before setting out on our journey on the appointed day. And I’m glad we did, because if we hadn’t, only God knows what would have happened that day.

To be continued.

CuteChiluv:
Following, nice update

jacy67:
present sir

Episode 10

Mrs Okafo, as we later learned, was the woman we had been speaking with. She was the wife of the youth pastor in the church where Tolani served as a youth leader. She also doubled as a counsellor at a psychiatric hospital in town. Needless to say, she was a loving, caring, and an awesome woman.

Despite the characteristic delinquency and frivolity of most juveniles even in church, she always found a way of transforming them into responsible young men and women, useful to God and their community. Tolani enjoyed working with her; in fact, theirs was more like a mentor-protégé relationship. So, when Tolani came to her own hour of emotional crisis, she knew just where to go.

We arrived the hospital about an hour earlier than scheduled, so we felt we could use some minutes of relaxation, and maybe sightseeing. The later was a bad idea and we wished it never crossed our minds. We learnt that you don’t go sightseeing in a hospital, especially a psychiatric one. The patients there wouldn’t be if they had a choice. There are enough museums, zoos and amusement parks for rubberneckers, not hospitals.

Anyway, we knew how bad our idea was immediately we entered the first block of buildings. We saw things—scary things. We couldn’t even move past the second ward before turning back to find a tree to sit under, in silence.

“Do you think Tolani could be in one of those wards?” Tayo asked, after some minutes. I had been thinking too, but my thoughts were far from his. I had an important question for him but it could wait.

“Honestly, I can’t say.” He didn’t seem satisfied with my response, so I continued, “One thing I do know is that God is in control. We have prayed, let’s see how things will go.”

“I’m not sure about that, Femi. Let’s just go home. I can’t bear to see her in a horrible condition knowing that I was responsible for it. I can’t! I just can’t!” Tayo’s voice began to shake as he stood up to leave. I got up and ran after him.

From the past experience, I’d learnt that almost nothing could stop Tayo from crying. The only thing that has always worked was prayer. I reminded him of the prayers we had prayed together in the past few days, and even before setting out on our journey; of how he, while leading the prayer that morning, had committed everything into God’s hands and asked Him to take absolute control. I challenged him to believe.

It was already fifteen minutes to the scheduled time and waiting beyond then could be counter-productive. Tayo was already contemplating going back home, and I wasn’t going to let that happen. I called-up the person we came to meet immediately.

“Good afternoon ma.” I greeted, eyeing Tayo. He was telling me to put the phone on loud-speaker, but I refused.

“Good morning, Femi. I hope you are still coming.” I was thinking she thought we were calling to cancel the appointment. How wrong I was! She was just teasing me. She knew how desperate Tayo was to see Tolani again.

“Of course ma. We are already in the compound. We arrived some minutes ago.” Tayo was still not sure of what to do. He appeared to be thinking.

“In that case, from the main gate, turn left. You’ll see a building marked ‘Youth Counselling Centre’. I’ll meet you at the door.”

Curiosity covered Tayo’s face since he didn’t hear our conversation.

“Wait,” he said, “We can do it this way. You will go back to the ward to meet her, if she’s okay, then you can call me to join you.”

“NO!” I said emphatically. “Do you think I ditched classes to come here for a joke. I came here WITH you, not FOR you. If you don’t want to see her, I can as well take my leave.” My voice was getting raised.

Tayo knew I was getting displeased with him.

“I’m sorry, Femi. Please, try to understand how guilty I feel right now. It’s not that I don’t want to see her, I’m just scared.” He apologized.

“There’s nothing to be afraid of. Come with me.”

We got to the building just in time. Mrs Okafo was already waiting at the door. She was a middle-aged woman, attractive and dainty.

“Welcome, gentlemen. I am Mrs Okafor.” She said, as she conducted us into a small room beside the office that had her name on the door. “Tolani should be here any moment from now. Please make yourselves comfortable.” She left the room to return with some bottles of water.

“Thank you very much ma.” We said together.

“Tayo does not look happy.” She said facing Tayo as if they’d met before.

“Erm, erm, I… I’m fine. I’m fine ma.” Hiding his surprise at how she knew which of us was Tayo was impossible. I was shocked too.

“Don’t be shocked,” she said, as if she was reading our minds, “I’m a trained psychologist and that’s my job. I knew who was who between you two the moment I saw you.”

Just then, Tolani walked in and despite her protruding tommy, she still looked delicately beautiful. While reading Tayo’s journal, I had painted a picture of her in my mind. She was far more beautiful than I thought.

“Welcome, my dear,” Mrs Okafor said to Tolani, as they hugged each other. “I’ll leave you three to discuss and be in my office next door. If you need anything, just press the bell on either side of that table and I’ll be here in a jiffy.” She said, as she left the room.

The three of us sat there, looking at one another and waiting for someone to break the silence.

To Be Continued...