The Evangelist episode 4

The Evangelist 4

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At the hospital, while the doctor and nurses ran around to attend to my wife, I stood by a corner watching with my eyes misty. I knew I was the cause of what she was going through. I knew it was the elders carrying out the threat they made. But I didn’t know which of them they were taking. In my subconscious, I selfishly prayed they would spare my wife.

Later that night, the doctor said the baby was gone. By then, my sister had arrived at the hospital. They love my wife so much. After giving my consent for whatever that was remaining of the baby to be flushed out of my wife’s system, I left the hospital. I was determined I was done with Komi and his devilish elders. I headed home.

When I got home, I took the book from where I hid it and left the house. I drove to River Niger bridge. From the top of the bridge, I threw the book into the river. I went home to wait for the elders and what their reactions would be. I believed they only worked through the book and with the book gone, they won’t have powers over me and my family. But I was wrong.

When I got home and opened the door, I saw Komi sitting comfortably on a couch carrying my son in his arms. The book I threw into River Niger was on the centre table while my son slept soundly in Komi’s arms. I felt as weak and helpless as I’d never felt before. I realized that the elders and their servant were monitoring everything I and my family members were doing. I hurriedly took my son from Komi.

He didn’t stop me. He allowed me take my son into the house. When I came out, he told me that the elders were angry at me. He said I took their property to another kingdom. He also said they had given me forty eight hours to choose who my sacrifice would be between my wife and my son. He also added that they would take one of them if I refuse to choose and it would not be counted as a sacrifice I made.

My whole life shattered before my eyes. I had lost my unborn child and I was about to lose either my wife or my son. And for what? Because of wealth which had only brought sorrows since it came my way. Because I allowed myself to be deceived by the antics of the deceiver. Because I wasn’t contented with amount of wealth God already blessed me with. Because of greed and quest for riches.

I went on my knees and started begging Komi. I reminded him that he told me there won’t be any sacrifices. Then he told me that I accepted to live by the rules of the elders. He said giving the elders what they wanted was living by the rules of the elders. I became defeated. Komi was right. I accepted to live by the rules of the elders without asking what the rules were. I was blinded by what I was promised.

Komi left after giving me the instructions of the elders. I was left to decide whom to kill between my wife and my son. These were the people I was making the wealth for. Who will then enjoy the wealth if I end up killing the only people who mattered in my life? There and then, I swore I will never let any of my family members be taken by the elders again. I was willing to prevent that by any means necessary.

Early the next morning, I went to check on my wife. She was stable but still very weak. She cried with so much bitterness as she mourned the loss of our baby. She was inconsolable. I couldn’t say anything to her. I just sat by her side shedding tears. What was I going to tell her when I was the cause of her pains? The guilt didn’t let me speak.

I left the hospital after a few hours and went in search of a solution to my problem. I had heard about a church at Limca Road, Nkpor with a very powerful man of God. I heard about the great miracles he had performed by the power of God. I was desperate for a solution, so I went there.

When I got there, there were many people waiting to see the man of God. I was given a tally with a number on it. The number was far and I didn’t have much time. I told the usher that I couldn’t wait. I begged him to tell the pastor that my case was urgent. But he didn’t budge. He told me that every other person there had urgent cases so I’d have to wait.

I waited a little and beckoned on him again. I told him to tell the pastor that if he would see me immediately, I would buy a plot of land for the church anywhere they want in Onitsha. The usher was surprised. He rushed into the pastor’s office and came out a few minutes later. He called me in.

The pastor asked to make sure my claim was legit and I assured him. He then asked what brought me. I looked at the usher who was still standing, indicating I would want privacy. The pastor asked him to leave. Immediately he left, I gave the pastor that details of my problems. I told him about Komi, the elders, what I had given and what they were about to take from me. The pastor asked a few questions and I answered.

After answering the questions, the pastor begged me to introduce him to Komi. He said Komi has the kind of powers he had been searching for. He said he had been searching for a greater power to boost his ministry. I instantly knew I was in the wrong place.

To be continued……

TOCHUKWU ANOZIE

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