JUST A CHANCE!

           

              CHAPTER ELEVEN!

             

                JUST  A  CHANCE!     

    My  parents had travelled and were to return the next day. Surprisingly, they didn't say anything like the do's and don'ts. Honestly, I was so glad when they left without saying a word. At least I had a full day to myself!

    I prepared lunch of well spiced spaghetti with boiled eggs, my favorite! It was just past 11am but I was so hungry. Maybe I wasn't, maybe all I wanted was to satisfy my craving for the delicacy, one temptation I easily fall into.

I asked my sisters to set the table.

        "Set the table? Maya shrieked.

        "Yeah, I'm damn hungry, I can't wait till it's 1pm, that's just too far" I replied bluntly.

        "I'm not hungry" Maya answered

        "Me too" Suina concurred.

        "Well, if you guys say so, I'll just dish mine. Maya you can help yourself out when you get hungry, at least I've done the main job"

         "Biggy bro, you eat a lot" Suina said, giving me that weird look.

          "Yeah, that's how guys eat" I cajoled

          "Huh, really, all guys eat that way?

          "Alright Suina, I'm just sure of myself"

And that closed the topic. After my supposed lunch, I gulped a glass of 🍊 orange juice, to complete the cycle😂. Then I headed to my room. After some time on my laptop, I decided I was going to the basketball court, without my siblings knowledge though. Now how am I gonna do that, I thought.

      I went downstairs to the sitting room, they were busy with "Henry-Danger" on Nickelodeon. I joined them for a while. After making up what I wanted to do, I swung into action.

        "Em, Maya"

        "Yeah" she answered still glued to the movie.

         "I'm off to my room and no one should knock at my door for any reason"

          "Okay, yeah"

          "But biggy bro, what if I get hungry"

          "Suina, just keep quiet and watch" Maya interjected.

I went to my room, put on my jersey and sneaked out carefully. Immediately I left the gate successfully, I raced to the court with great gladness.

When I got there, I saw no one at all. That was when I remembered that it was a day off for all players. Then I realized that it was the reason dad didn't say anything about going out, because he knew the court wouldn't be open. I thought I was smarter than this, now what, damn! With resentment, I turned and headed home.

        On my way, I met three people on designers suit. Looking like top states men. They were awesome on the outfit, with an aura which was a little bit out of place in that area. They were two men and a lady, beside them was a sleek Mercedes. Their countenance looked like they were stranded or so I thought.

The lady saw me and beckoned me to come. I changed my walking step to that of a well known respected celebrity, at least I was up to it.

           "Good afternoon" I greeted in such an awe as I never imagined. Cool, I told myself.

            "Yeah" the young lady replied then continued. Sorry to bother you, we're not from around here, but we were referred to this place for a serious appointment and we've lost contact with our informant. We really need your help.

            "That's strange, you should have gotten the main details before doing anything. It's actually risky" I replied.

             "Yeah, the man responded. That was a real big mistake we made. But can you tell us where the High court is located?

             "Oh that, it's not quite far from here" I answered.

I gave them a concrete direction of where it was located. They thanked me, and as I turned to go, something happened. A strong hand held me from behind and threw me inside the car. They got in immediately and drove off swiftly. It took some seconds before I understood what just occurred. I screamed, then one of them shoved a gun at my face. You know what that mean? It means "shut up!

I screamed in my heart. I wasn't breathing properly. I pinched myself to check if I was dreaming, unfortunately I wasn't.

Then, I heard the lady put a call as she spoke to the receiver,

         "Yeah, we've gotten the perfect recipe. Yeah... We're on our way. Oh no it wasn't so bad.... Oh okay. Expect us soon! Then she dropped.

Oh my God, that got goose pimples down my spine. I couldn't imagine my self tied up and..... I let the rest slide. 

It was more like I'm gonna be used as a well garnished sacrifice, maybe dished on the devil's dinner plate. The thought of that made me weaker.

    

 Then, I remembered there was God who my dad called "OUR FATHER". Although, I came from a real strict Christan family, but I really didn't believe God that much. I knew there was a Creator, but I had a shallow understanding of who He actually is.

It's surprising how Ministers' children who were supposed to be a standard were just too wayward. I was one of them and I was ashamed of myself. I wasn't really a bad guy or these notorious ones, but I wasn't a believer. I just went to church and that was it. Though, I still recall what my dad would always say! "Confess your sins to God, no matter how bad it looks, He'll always forgive you"

So I prayed,

        Oh God, I know I'm not worthy to call your name!

       Though my dad said, before I was born you knew my name!

        I don't know where to start, but I will start somewhere!

        Knowing fully well that despite everything, you're everywhere!

        I wanna confess my sins, my falsehood and wrong ways!

        I know I haven't been the good son most of my days!

        But I believe if I confess my sins I would be forgiven!

        With your sufficient grace you never held back but given!

         I confess my sins, promising never to go back!

         Even if the path I find myself look so dark!

         I have decided to follow you and that's my stance!

        Please have mercy on me Lord, please just a chance!

After my little prayer, nothing seemed like it worked. But I had just two choices, to believe or not. I chose to believe.

         Some minutes later or so, I found myself in a forest-like environment. The trees made some strange noises. The birds sang solemn songs, the sound of wild animals I could hear but saw non. I was gripped with so much fear. I tried so hard to comport myself.

          The man who sat beside me brought me out of the car. Got my hands and feet tied up, gagged me and threw me into an empty room-like open space. It was so scary. I only saw this in movies. Was I that innocent but foolish victim of circumstance?

Then I started my prayer again....

       Lord, I'm just but fifteen!

       Yet to clock my sweet-sixteen!

       I don't wanna die, oh Lord not yet!

       While watching the sun set!

       Please Lord, help my unbelief!

       For really I do wanna believe!

       Please take away this fear from me!

       This is my prayer to thee!

Few minutes after my prayer, someone came in. He was an old man with grey hairs. Maybe the native priest or so. Then he spoke to me;

         "Are you a boy or a girl"

Gosh! Was he kidding me? What silly question is that. Was he just being funny or what. It was so annoying, I pretended I didn't hear. He repeated himself again. 

I just replied casually that I was a boy. He didn't say a word again and he left. 

It was weird and I felt so irritated. 

Some minutes later, some one came in and bundled me out. They put me inside the car and blind folded me. They drove off to who knows where this time around.

       When we got to a junction, They untied me and threw me out of the car, with one of them cursing why I wasn't a girl. That saved my life but I knew God was involved. 

I stood up and looked around, it wasn't too familiar. I asked people around and they gave me directions on how to find my way home. 

About an hour or so, I got to my house. I sneaked inside immediately and found my sisters sleeping peacefully on the couch.

       I went straight to my room, took a shower and discarded those clothes. Then I thanked God profusely for His great mercy on me. I was so grateful and for the first time in life, I felt this kind of security and peace within. I made up my mind never to sneak out of the house no matter what. I never told anyone, not even my best friend. This is a secret stored deep down my heart. I hope you keep it safe with you.

      THE 

            END!