(Final Episode 21)
Christmas in November –
Jerry: “wow! Wow! It’s now time to lit the candles” everyone picked a candle on the tray
Kingsley and Nnamdi took care of that. They made sure there was light on everyone’s candle shortly after the lights were put off. A soulful music was played. Jane and Mrs Jones sat close to Jake and they broke into tears. The cry spread like an airborne virus. Everyone was in tears including the men. Jerry cried the loudest. Audu used his handkerchief. No one could control their emotions. They cried for close thirty minutes. Comfort started a song and everyone sang along.
A man appeared as the singing was going on. Stood by the door. He was in tears too.
As the light came on, some of them screamed,
Jerry: “what’s the son of the devil doing here?”
Jerry walked to Felix. He didn’t run. He stood with his hood and unshaved beards. A fugitive he had become.
Both men stood staring into each other’s eyes. Jane was shaking as Jake clung to here in fear. Everybody kept quiet watching them. Iya Loja screamed,
Iya Loja: “Omo mi don’t go close to that criminal ooo!”
Felix: “I’m here to see my son, “ he took a step but Jerry stood in his way,
Audu had just finished a call,
Audu: “Jerry, move away. Be careful. You know he has nothing to lose!”
Felix looking at Chief,
Felix: “what do you know about, loss? You have been feasting fat on the money of the masses. It is because of you I became dejected and a frustrated man!” tears down his cheek,
Audu: “what is this criminal talking about?”
Felix: “It’s because I was jobless… “
All of a sudden, there was a bang on the door, and footsteps were heard, rushing in. A man cried “Put your hands in the air you’re under arrest,” with scarlet red eyes Felix turned he was faced with policemen, the DPO leading the men. Still standing at the door post, he turned and looked his son and wife and muttered something as he turned to be arrested he dropped his hand from the head into one of the pockets of the hood and immediately there was gun shot. Felix was on the ground as screams filled the room.
….
Days after, Jake’s condition had worsened. Jane and Jerry was in the room with him when Jake who was chattering and making them laugh, suddenly became quiet. Jerry rushed out to fetch the doctor,
Jane was screaming.Jake’s body had become cold. The only thing alive was his smile.
Jane: “Jake!Jake!!! Jake,baby!! Don’t leave me please!” she shook his body.
Doctor, two nurses and Jerry rushed in. Jerry took Jane outside as Jake was examined. Doctor Sanusi came out with tears in the eyes, nurses were in tears too. Iya Loja and Audu had just arrived.
Jane: “Don’t tell me my baby has kissed me goodbye, please! Don’t tell me Jake is gone! Don’t tell me my baby!”
Doctor Sanusi with quivering lips,
Doctor Sanusi: “He has bid us good bye!” Iya Loja started crying, Jerry and Jane clung unto each other crying.
Jane flunged herself back to the ground, cried bitterly
Jane: God please! Please Oh Lord. Save my Son, Jake. My only Hope in this World. Oh Lord, if there’s only one thing left for me in this world to pray for.. Please let it be for Jake. Raise up Jake Oh Lord.
The bitter cry touched Heaven, then suddenly an Angel appeared…
After a few minutes of meditative talking and prayers, Jane saw a silhouette of someone standing there in the dark. She got up hurriedly to catch a glimpse of what she was seeing!
Jane: Oh my GOD! Jane was so stunned, but she wasn’t scared! She looked and stared and to her amazement, there it was, a silhouette of a warrior with wings and a sword! Without doubt, she knew it was an Angel
Angel: I am Angel Gabriel, I typically serve as God’s messenger and I am here to save your Son, Jake by God’s Grace.
Jane’s heart was p******g hard but she felt enlightenment! And then, in her mind, she heard St Gabriel talking, telling her to go read Psalm 91
She rushed back to Jake’s bed where she kept his bible, brought it out hurriedly and read:
Psalm 91:
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. 3 Surely he shall deliver me and my Son, Jake from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. 4 He shall cover my Son Jake with his feathers, and under his wings shalt we trust: his truth shall be our shield and buckler. 5 We shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; 6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. 7 A thousand shall fall at our side, and ten thousand at our right hands; but it shall not come nigh us. 8 Only with our eyes shalt we behold and see the reward of the wicked. 9 Because we have made the Lord, which is our refuge, even the most High, our habitation; 10 There shall no evil befall us, neither shall any plague come nigh our dwelling. 11 For he shall give his angels charge over us, to keep thee in all our ways. 12 They shall bear us up in their hands, lest we dash our feet against a stone. 13 We shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt we trample under feet. 14 Because he hast set his love upon us, therefore he will deliver us. He will set us on high, because we have known His name. 15 We shall call upon him, and He will answer us: He will be with us in trouble; He will deliver us, and honour us. 16 With long life He will satisfy us, and shew us our salvation.
Some may never see with earthly eyes these heavenly beings or know that they exist but I tell you they actually exist. Many are unaware of the numerous ways they have protected and guided us.
Angel appeared, dressed all white. Even his wings were white. After completing the Psalm verses, Jane felt so comforted and appeased. Jane came closer, touched Jake on his face, he jerked up, Jake changed his sleep position, he coughed out greatly, this made the bed he slept on jiggled massively. Oh Yes! Yes!! Jake is Alive again. He’s breathing. Halleluyaah!
Jane rushed at her son, held him tightly as if she could lose him again. She started praising God and praying thus:
God you are Wonderful, Friend to Sinners, You are a great Counsellor, Prince of Peace, Eternal Rock of Ages, King of Glory, Mighty God, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Lord of Hosts, Lilly of the Valley, Healer, Deliverer, Provider, Creator, Cornerstone, I AM THAT I AM, Righteous Judge, Jehovah Sharp Sharp, Interceptor, Answer to Prayers, Miracle God… There’s no one like you. To you be the Glory Forever Amen!
The Doctors, Nurses, Chief and Mrs Audu were amazed. “This Kind God oo. I never see your kind oo. You are truly the Interceptor and Answer to Prayers”. They all chorused.
……
ONE YEAR LATER
Jerry, Jake and Jane stood close to a very beautiful building. They were beautifully dressed. Jane wore a purple gown, Jake white top with blue Jeans, and Jerry wore a white jacket, black pants and black bow tie,
Jerry spoke as Jane had her hand wrapped around her,
Jerry: “I’m very ecstatic for honoring our invitation. You are a plus to my life. He said to Jane.
They decided to build a home for people suffering from cancer to cater for their every needs. Pray with them, Preach the Gospel that ONLY JESUS heals. He is the Jehovah Rapha.
We want to thank Chief and Mrs. Audu,” Iya Loja smiled the most with her head gear touching the sky as she stood close to Anabelle, her daughter,Jerry’s younger sister. She had just returned from UK, “my parents for their love and support. I want to also thank friends and family and most especially the governor of the state for his support and the one who is the giver of life,God almighty. Thank you!” he smiled Jane smiling too, “and before we go ahead with the opening of this home I have to say some things. Years back my life was meaningless but then this lady came into my life and made it shine. I’m here today as a responsible and matured man because of her. I tell you our meeting was awful but somehow we got going and I fell in love with her. She is the best thing that has happened to me. “ turned to Jane, “Baby you’re the lyrics of my best song, you’re my shine, my star and with you I don’t wanna ever do wrong. I’ll love with my last breathe , “Jane was shy as tears gather in her eyes,
She whispered,
Jane: “I love you too!”
Jake: I love you too Uncle Jerry
Jerry kissed Jake on the forehead, knelt before Jane, stretched out her hands and said,
Jerry: “Baby would you marry me?”
Jane crying nodded and cried out,
Jane: “Yes! Yes!!”
Flashes of light from the camera showered on them as the guests screamed and clapped. Israel and Comfort stood together as he carried their baby.
Iya loja stepped on the podium as the event was coming to an end,
Iya Loja: “Eferibody lizen ooo! I aff announcement oo! Next year by God’s grace. I wantu contest for gofnorship of this state! Please fote for me oo and rememba Diaris God ooo” there was laughter and she was cheered.
==
Israel had looked for Comfort and after so much pleading with the intervention of her aunt and Jane she forgave him and Israel proposed to her shortly .
Comfort’s boss had died in a plane crash. She was going for a business trip in Calabar. John’s family was rocked with one chaos or the other. His elder daughter,Anna, had gotten pregnant at the age of fourteen and the fight between Jacinta and Margaret who had given birth was unending.
Amos almost lost his job because of what his wife did to Jane but Jane pleaded with Jerry and Father. And Amos made his wife to apologize to Jane.
Jake is currently a Medical Student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He got there without costing Jane and Jerry a dime. He is a NNPC Millennium Scholar, An AGIP Achievers National Scholar, Etisalat colonel Scholar and UNN LEAD Scholar, his honours netting him more than N15 million for school. He’s indeed a Genius that God granted him so much wisdom, understanding, stopped him to waste to any Cancers.
….THE END.
Wonderful and nice