PASTOR HELENA
Written by Nicholas Stephen
Episode 24
(The Doctor’s Report)
“Victor… Relax… Just take a deep breath.” Doctor whispered, facing the other man behind him.
“Doctor…. I can’t… please tell me she’s fine. I can’t do anything till you tell me something positive.”
“Yes go on…” He said to his other colleague.
He swiftly whispered something on his left ear.
“Alright… Alright….” He answered him and quickly turned to me
“We have completed her surgery, Victor. Let’s hope for the best. And for her arm, we were able to realign the bones that had been broken, realign the socket that held the upper arm, and work on the philanges.. She won’t be able to use the hand yet till after a year and two months. because it takes so long for the joints and bones to heal.. The only remaining choice, if you can’t wait, is to take off your entire hand. I think two months should be plenty for her recuperation, excluding her arm.
“But Doctor……” Pastor called.
“Oh Jesus… Doctor can I go inside and talk to her now?” I protested while panting heavily.
“I’m afraid not..” doctor quickly responded, giving me a serious look.
“Please I need to talk to my sister!…. I need to also inform my parents. I can’t tell them what I’ve not seen… I need to see it for myself….” I shouted, holding his lab coat.
“Please calm down my brother.” His other colleague muttered.
“Victor…. You’re really fortunate because two of the other individuals who survived the tragedy dîed during surgery. This stuff I’m telling you isn’t up to 30 minutes. We are just left with your sister and one other survivor. The majority of the vehicles you saw earlier were driven by family members of the victims rushing to check on them.”
“Blood of Jesus Christ! Father will always be there for us no matter what. Thank you lord for keeping her safe. Father thank you so much for protecting her, for a successful surgery. Father how can I repay you for this kindness….” Pastor kept saying while on his knees and waving both hands.
“That should be all for now.. In case you come here and you couldn’t find me, here’s my contact boldly written on this paper… It’s already late. Don’t worry about her she’d be fine. You need to rest.” Doctor added, handed me the paper and left with his other colleague.
“Pastor….. Pastor….. Pastor I don’t know what to do…. Pastor… Pastor I caused this. Now my sister can’t make use of her left hand because if me” Pastor quickly got up and held my left hand.
“Victor… Stop this thing you’re saying.!” She said to me.
I kept waving and oscillating like someone that was drunk with tears spilling out of my eyes.
Pastor had to hold me. She held me till he managed to pull me in back seat of her car. She went to check her booth and closed it.
My mum was already calling.
I rejected the call.
She called again.
I don’t know what to tell mum. I don’t want to tell her something that will give her a heavy heart that night. So I just snubbed the call. Pastor was observing me, thinking I’d pick.
She called again and this time, pastor intervened while she was adjusting the front seat.
“Victor… Your mum is calling you. Pls pick the call. Your sister is still alive and you need to be happy for that…. Please answer the call. She’s your mother… Even the bible says it, honour your father and your mother and your days will be long on earth.”
After hearing what she said, I picked the call.
My son, why are you not picking my call. Something terrible happened to her!” Mum criêd out.
“No mum.. She…She actually survived the operation but….. But….” I stuttered.
“But what…. My son talk to me…” Mum shouted.
I opened my mouth to speak but had to close it quickly because no sound came.
“Victor……… what are you doing.” Pastor whispered and signaled me to give her the phone.
The I gave her the phone. It was already on loudspeaker making it easier for me to hear what they were saying.
“Ma it’s the pastor. I’m still with your son.” Pastor responded.
“Please… and please tell me the truth. What happened to my daughter. Talk to me. What happened!” Mum criêd out.
“Ma the Lord was with her so she was able to scale through.. According to the doctor, The only challenge there is that, she can’t make use of her left hand till the next 14months which is equivalent to a year and two months. But excluding the hand, she’ll be recovering in two months.
“Please pray for my daughter. Please pray for my daughter. You’re a true man of God and I know you can do this. My daughter can’t make use of her hand why! Jesus save my daughter please. Why is the dêvil doing this to her. Please pray for her, Pastor. If you can heal my daughter, I sweãr with my life that my family and I will switch churches and begin worshipping in your church.” Mum cried out in agony.
I was seated at the back seat observing them and shedding tears.
I could also see tears dripping out of Helena’s eyes.
