The next day, being Tuesday, she stayed back in the hostel,weeping, and moaning, and refused to go to lectures. She told her roommate and friends she was taken ill. She even refused to attend the Wednesday evening fellowship the next day under the same excuse that she was sick. She was bitter with God for letting her down and vowed never to set foot in a church again.
At about 9 am the next day, she was in the hostel grieving and blaming herself when her mom called.“Angel, did I disturb your lectures?” there was a hint of excitement in her voice.
“No, not really, mom. It’s my free period,” she lied. “How is dad?”
“That is exactly why I’m calling.” Without being told, she knew she was excited. “My daughter, I have good news for you. Do you know our God is good?”
She caught her breath. “Yes, He is,” she mumbled. She has lost faith in God. In the past, she would have been ecstatic and happy and would have considered it a wonder, but not any longer. Where was He when she was drugged and raped?
“Baby, can you believe that your dad’s sickness was a spiritual attack?”
“Spiritual attack kwa? What does that mean, Mom?” she faked interest to please her.
“There was a deliverance service last night.”
“Deliverance?”
“Yes, but not in our church. We took him to pastor Seyi’s church, you know him?
“Yes, yes.”
“There is nothing God cannot do. Do you know a live frog came out of your father’s body during the deliverance?”
Her eyes widened. “God forbid.”
“Yes. Things are happening these days. But thank God he is okay now.”
“Thank God, oh,” she mocked. It was over with God and believing in a deity that cannot protect. Where was He when she was drugged and raped?What is the difference between her and all those non-believers? She will live her life the way she wants from now on.
“So, how are you getting on?”
“I’m okay,” she said hurriedly. She wished she would not ask her to come home. She cannot face them in her condition. “Don’t worry about me, I can manage.”
“Sorry dear. I know money is tight, but just hang on and don’t do anything I wouldn’t be proud of, okay?”
She bit her lower lips. “Okay, Mom.”
“I’ll make money available to you before the week runs out.”
“Okay, Mom, thank you.”
“Don’t mention it,” she paused. “That reminds me; Jeff visited yesterday and spent quite some time with us. So glad he is among the first batch.”
Her heart somersaulted. “Me too.”
After she ended the call, she sat on the bed and contemplated the way her life was going. What would mom or Jeff say when they find out she has lost her virginity and on the verge of losing her faith too?
A light tap sounded at the door and she jumped into the bed and covered herself. Seconds later, the door opened and Bianca burst in. “Hi, baby. How are you?”
She gritted her teeth. “I’m getting better.”
“Sorry for not coming to see you earlier. I hope you are getting better?”
She shivered. “Yes.”
Bianca felt her temperature. “Have you taken any medication?”
“Yes.”
“Good,” she looked at her watch and stood up. “Is there anything I can do for you?”
“No, I’m okay. Thank you.”
“Okay, I have to go. I have a class in ten minutes.Bye.”
By Friday, she made up her mind she was not going to be holed up in her room grieving. Therefore, she got up, dressed up and decided to face life again. Her roommateswere surprised at her quick recovery and toasted to it. Even the few friends she met as she walked down the short distance to her department congratulated and commented on her quick recovery. She tried to smile and remain positive. She was determined to put everything behind her.
“Oh, there she is,” Karen, one of her course mates, cried on seeing her. “How are you? We missed you.”
“I’m back and better.”
“Wow,” Clement, another course mate said, his eyes alive with pleasure. He had a soft spot for Maya and never stopped admiring her. “Babe, where have you been?”
“She just recovered from malaria,” Maria said.
“Oh,” someone cried. “So, sorry.”
Her phone rang and she stared at the unknown number for a few seconds before she answered. “Hello.”
“Hello, Maya. How are you doing?”
“I’m good,” she hedged. “Who’s this?”
“It’s Sammy.”
She caught her breath and froze up. “Who?”
“Sammy, Tony’s friend.”
Theveins on her temple swelled up and her breath came in short, quick gasps. “How did you get my number?”
He let out a short laughter. “Does it matter?”
“Look, Sammy or whatever you call yourself, don’t you ever call this number again.”
Sammy called again; she rejected the call.
Maria spotted Dr. Uka. “Oh, there he comes.” Everyone scampered to his or her seats.Sammy called the third time; she switched the phone off.
As soon as lectures were over, she ran back to the hostel, jumped into the bathroom, and had a quick shower. While she was dressing up, a knock sounded at the door. She threw it open. “Hi Peter, how are you?”
“I’m good and you?”
“I’m not complaining. I am surprised that you have come to visit me, I hope everything is okay?”
“Yes. Emm, Sister Rose is traveling and you were nominated to handle choir rehearsal this evening.”
Her heart missed a beat. “I… I.”
“Please, sister. There is no one else.”
She shifted. “I…I don’t think I’ll be around.”
Peter shuffled his feet. “Why?”
“There’s a new development at home. My Mom says I should come home this evening. It has to do with my dad’s health, I’m sorry.”
“Oh, okay. But you will be in church on Sunday?”
“Emm….em…” she stammered.