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| The Strange land |
CHAPTER ONE
My dear son, I pray for you tonight that as you step into that land. God will be with you. He will guide and favor you on every side.
“Amen!
“The word of the lord says; for the part of the just is like a shiny light that shinnet brighter and brighter until the perfect days. I pray that as you step into there, you shall shine across all over. Your being there will bring light into that village in Jesus name. Whatever you’re assign to do will be in your favour in Jesus name.
“Amen!
“You shall go and return in good heart and vitality in the mighty name of Jesus.
“Amen! Amen!! Amen in Jesus name.
“So shall it be. You’re covered by the b.lood of Jesus. The hands of the evi.l one’s will not befall you.
“Amen.
Next Day
Timothy get down from the bus along with his colleagues. Mirabelle, Paulina, Taiwo, Elizabeth, Matthew and Muhammad. They packed down their luggages and stood at the T-junction of the road in the village called ABULE OJIJI in Afon.
“Guys where do we go from here now because it seems I have forgotten how I walked it the last time I came.
“Paulina are you joking? Please stop jor. Have you forgotten how you have been sweet talking when coming that you know almost all the street in this village. So why are you now changing your words.” Mirabelle said, looking at Paulina scornfully.
“I know I said it but I also don’t understand how everything just look bizarre to me as if I have never been here before.
“You two should stop this procrastination and ask around where the school is. Or is this where we are sleeping.” Muhammad said, dragging his bag to the front.
“Hey, sorry please excuse me.” Timothy ran after two teenagers walking on their own. They stop, looking at all of them as if they were a delegates.
“I mean no harm please. Please we are going to Badinrinmu (looks back to his colleagues) it is the correct name right?
“Ehn, you’re right. Badinrinmu community high school is the name.” Taiwo answered.
“The school name sef sound some how hahaha.” Elizabeth laughed silently with Paulina.
“Sebi bandinrinmu ni gbogbo yin lo? (You all are going to bandinrinmu right?.
“Yes, yes.” They chorused.
“ki le so.” (what did you say). The girls asked.
“Na WA ooo.” Elizabeth bursted out laughing. “them nor even dey hear abi speak English. How we go con take teach them English na.
“I am sure these two just turns out to be an illiterate. You think it’s all of them that will be the same.” Matthew said as they walked behind others following the girls who had accepted to take them to the school.
They walked for long until their legs were almost aching them. Just when they wanted to start complaining except Timothy the girls stopped in front of not well constructed school building that is built with planks.
“A ti de bé. (Here is the place). The girls said looking at them.
“Na lie jor. Which kind school be this. Ehn, I nor fit teach for here oo see building na. Them no get blocks to build am ni.
“Why are you talking like this Paulina. This is a village and you shouldn’t expect them to be on a standard level as the city.” Timothy answered her. He called back the girls and gave them 1000 naira each for their help. The girls ran off happily smiling and giggling after receiving the money.
“Make we go na.” Muhammad said but Elizabeth and Mirabelle couldn’t hide their disgusting expression about the school environment, most especially the school.
The seven of them go to the school and when they get to the entrance one of the teachers saw them and immediately she stood up happily to welcome them because they have been told about their coming.
“Won to de oooo won to de oooo. (They have arrived oooo they have arrived ooo). She shouted excitedly.
“This people are really local. Gosh! What is the meaning of all this na. Mtcwee….”
“If I tell you what I experience the day I came ehn. I almost laughed out, but they are very friendly.” Paulina answered and Mirabelle eyed her.
“which friendly. Mtcwee.
The school proprietress came out and welcomed them with a warm gesture. Elizabeth and co were astonished by her flows in English speaking. The woman told them to follow her and they entered her office. She welcomed them with Sprite drinks.
“You are all welcome and I am glad that you arrived safely. I hope the journey wasn’t stressful?.
There was silent as non of them didn’t know what to answer because for them the journey was very stressful. Not even the trekking they walked to the school. But Timothy had to quickly say something because of the awkward silence.
“it wasn’t ma. And we bless God.
“Okay, that’s good.” The woman answered, smiling. “We have prepared you a room and you will really like the place. It’s trekable to the school.
“Thank you ma”. They answered.
In the night inside the room they were given. The girls were giving one room and another for the boys. In Timothy room, he brought out his bible to read before praying and he asked his friends to join him but they declined contemplating on how tired they are. They eventually falls asleep leaving Timothy alone awake. After 30 minutes of praying, he checked his phone to know the time and then lie down to sleep.
One hour into the midnight Muhammad felt a strange hand caressing his face and he started slapping his face to hit the unseen hand away. It continues and when he couldn’t withstand the unbearable touching, he stayed focused to grab the hand when next it touches him. In his mind he was thinking it could be his colleagues.
“if I no break that your hand ehn, call me bastard.” He said in his sleep.
The hand move again and he grabbed it forcefully not letting it go until he realized his hands were shaking vigorously. He opened his eyes and sprang up from the mat he was lying looking around the room in a panting stares. He turned his head to the door entrance and saw a scaring appearance covered all over with it’s hands dripping in blood.
“Allahhhhhhhhhhh! Allah! Allah!! Allah!!!”. He screamed loudly.
To be continued.