Inspired by the Holy Spirit
Written by Damilola Babs
From the stable of Reflection Book Hub
Paul was the calmest man ever. He understood the nature of his woman, although she had made him fall from grace, he was glad they had both repented and things were now better.
Joshua strolled out and met them there. He rushed to her and hugged her.
“Aunty Helen!”
“Big man.” She called back sniffing. “How is she now?”
“She hasn’t opened her eyes.” He told them and sighed.
“Joshua.” A familiar voice called not too far from them.
“Uncle Andrew.” Joshua called and rushed into the man’s arms. He looked so good and smelt nice too. His denim had his name customized on it as “A_Drew”, his hair was fuller and better. His shoe was the best thing Joshua had seen in the day. It was a brown timberland that matched the white vest he was wearing.
“How have you been?” He asked following after the boy who dragged him slowly to Helen and Paul.
Helen knew him. Mary had told her so much about him and she had seen his pictures on her phone, but the man was cuter than he looked on the phone.
“Good evening.” Helen greeted him first.
“Evening miss…ugh…” he struggled.
“Helen.” She helped him out.
“Oh, her best friend. It is nice meeting you. So much pleasure meeting you.”
“Glad to hear. Let’s go inside. Visiting hours will soon be over.” Helen said and led the way followed by Joshua who couldn’t leave Andrew’s side.
He had so much to tell him and they sure were catching fun even inside the gigantic private ward they had shifted her to earlier in the day. It worried Joshua since he knew they might not be able to afford it. The hospital looked too expensive. Yes, his sister had an official car and a fat salary, but they were many responsibilities to take care of and so he would not want them spending all their money in a hospital. Joshua wondered why nobody came to send them out. The hospital did not allow so many people in a room at a time but after listening to their story, the Matron gave them her permission.
“Jo…Joshua,” Mary called slowly. They all rushed to her except Andrew. The man wasn’t sure she wanted to see him.
“Mary, how do you feel?” Helen asked, pulling the sheet up to giver her properly.
“Not feeling well.” She responded. Her swollen face wearing a frown.
“Uncle Andrew is here to see you oo.” Joshua announced.
“Mmm?” Confusion laced her face as she looked at her brother.”
“You should let her rest well Joshua.” Andrew told him and rose slowly on his feet, resting his back against the wall and not moving closer.
“What are you doing here?” Mary started harshly not looking at the man. “Are you here to mock me because of what your friend told you?”
“Mary, are you serious?” Helen mused at her. “Umm…we will just be outside.” Helen signaled everybody and they all walked out and stayed outside the ward.
“This is a hospital, not a stand-up comedy hall.” I am not joking. What are you doing here?” She asked again.
“I thought I would come and see you, I left everything behind just to be by your side and you think I did all of that to look you in the eyes and mock you? Mary, who do you think I am?”
“I don’t know!” She sobbed out in tears. “I don’t even know who I am anymore, I am so ashamed right now and I just want everybody out of my life!” She yelled and turned aggressively.
“Be still Mary, the stitch, don’t tear it.” He cautioned.
“I don’t care! I don’t! I actually thought of my mother and didn’t want to die.” She said and sobbed. “Wisdom was the worst decision of my life! I thought I was doing the right thing. Leaving you seemed best. I mean how could I reconcile being the head of a company’s analysts and a…a tailor?” She broke down and cried.
“We are done with that Mary. Your wrong definition of me brought us here and we are done. I am here as a friend to support you and not to mock you. I guess that is the difference between us, because no matter what you become, I will be here, Mary. I will be here.” He told her and waddled to another side of the room, checking her beverages out. “I will order for more beverages…” he told her.
“He raped me, he raped me, Andrew. He took my pride, my virginity. How do I ever explain that to anybody?” She cried but couldn’t move.
Andrew had tears stored in his eyes. It was her mistake, that made it more painful. It wasn’t as if the man came to the house, dragged her out and raped her. She had gone with him, willingly. He couldn’t deny the flow of emotions that still mesmerized his heart towards this woman, but no, they were done. They could only be good friends, he thought to himself and repeated the phrase ‘good friends’, in his mind.
“You can resume your job once you are out of here. I am sure Mark would still want you around?”
“What about you, Andrew, do you still want me?” She asked him out of nowhere.
What audacity, he thought. How could she even ask him that question after the pain she had made him go through and he is still going through. He pulled a face towel out of his back pocket, dabbed his face lightly before facing her.
“We are done Mary. I have never touched a woman like that and I am sure that God in heaven, my father, has a better slot for me than…” he lacked words, but he was going to try all the same. “…than…than this.” He told her and walked out of the room.
Copyright Damilola Babs, 2022
No part of this book shall be plagiarized except if authorized by the author.
