Chapter 13
When she got up in the morning she didn’t immediately remember what had happened the previous night and when she did her mood changed. She was not angry but she was upset about breaking up with Edward but she knew that was the right thing to do because if she had continued to lead him on she would have broken his heart much harder. She knew being with him was not fair to him and she had made the right decision. "I’m only 15" she thought to herself. At that point she decided she really didn’t need to have a boyfriend and she was going to concentrate on her studies and her relationship with God which is almost always distracted by boys. She wanted to be better in that department but her mind would not drift away from thinking "what about Mako?" and she had no answer, Adi was going to deal with it as it comes. She got ready for school and her mother dropped her off.
When she walked into the school premises Mako was not there waiting for her as she was used to. She felt awful and she figured it must have been because of the phone call from Edward that she didn’t pick up when he was there.
"Does the drama ever stop!" she whispered under her breath as she walked to her class.
Everything was normal with her, Nicole and Anotida but she didn’t see Mako all day at school, not even during break time. She didn’t dare ask Nicole because she didn’t want anyone wondering. Adi did not see Mako for the rest of the week. She sent him a text to check up on him and he never replied it so she left it because she knew when he was ready to talk he would say.
All of a sudden it just seemed like Mako was complicating her life. That weekend her friends were coming and they were all going to have a sleep over, Nicole and Anotida were going to be there as well, Mr and Mrs Ishe were okay with this. On the Friday her friends were coming Adi and her mum went food shopping.
That evening Nicole and Anotida arrived first and she was so excited. Nicole and Dalia were on their way and they were almost there. When they finally arrived Adi’s excitement hit the roof.
She ran outside screaming and hugging both of them as the same time. They jumped around for about a minute before they went inside the house. Mrs Ishe welcomed the girls and she too was happy to see them. They got inside, Nicole and Anotida were sitting in the lounge looking like they were waiting for an introduction.
Adi finally said "Nicole and Anotida I want you to meet Nicole and Dalia" and they all laughed because they had two people named Nicole. "okay, we’re going to make this easy, we’ll call one of you Nicki and we’ll call the other one Nicole, take your pick" Adi said looking at both her friends. Nicole who was Mako’s brother decided to take Nicki and the other one took Nicole and they all clapped their hands. The girls hit it off and before long they were having a laugh together and sharing their stories and memories they had with Adi.
Adi’s parents decided to go to bed and leave the girls to have a good time after dinner. They all lay on the floor with blankets to keep them warm as they watched TV and talked. Out of the blue Nicole says "So when do we meet this Mako guy Adi?" and they all went silent. Nicki broke the silence by asking "Why would they want to meet my brother?" with a puzzled look on her face. "Uh oh!" came out of Nicole’s mouth. "Oh Lord!" Adi responded lowering her head. "I knew it! I knew you had a thing for Mako" Anotida said as she sat up with a grin on her face. "First of all he hasn’t spoken to me all week" she replied looking at none of them. "Second, they want to meet him because I like him" she continued this time covering her face with a blanket. The girls laughed out loud. "Shhhh, mum and dad are sleeping, we can’t make too much noise." "Adi, we’ve always known that you and my brother have a thing. Why else would he have been bothered about some guy phoning you the other day?" Nicki said as if it was nothing. "What? He spoke to you about that?" Adi asked looking at Nicki. "Yes, when he came home after dinner he seemed to have something that was bothering him, I had to beg him to tell me what it was" "Well, what did he say it was?" Adi interrupted "Let me finish and I’ll tell ya’ll what he said" Nicki replied with a big smile on his face. "Oh tell us already!" Dalia also said. "Anyway, he told me that he thought you had a boyfriend and I told him there was no way you would have a boyfriend and not tell us!" Nicki said waving one of her hands. Dalia and Nicole began to laugh but they were trying not to be seen. "What’s so funny?" Nicki asked. "Nothing!" Adi replied before anyone else could say anything.
"It doesn’t sound like nothing to me, does this girl have a boyfriend?" Anotida asked Dalia and Nicole while she pointed at Adi. "I’ll explain everything to you guys if Nicki finishes telling us this story" Adi said because she just wanted to know how Mako felt about her. "Okay, he told me how some Edward guy had called you while he was there and the response you gave and the look on your face suggested there was more to this Edward guy. He was upset but he couldn’t ask you because you’re not his girlfriend but he says he feels like an idiot for falling for you and thinking you liked him" Nicole finished off. "He likes me!" Adi said in disbelief mixed with excitement. "I honestly wasn’t sure. I was going out with Edward, I was afraid to tell you guys because I thought you’d tell Mako and I didn’t want to ruin whatever chances there were of me and him." She continued.
"Well, it’s possible that you’ve ruined those chances by not saying anything. Why would you think of being with Mako when you already have this Edward person?" Anotida asked putting the name Edward in air quotes. "I actually thought it was the right thing to do, when I realised what I had done was wrong it was too late. I broke up with Edward soon after Mako left because I felt like I was cheating on them both." Adi replied and her countenance became sad. "Well, you better tell that to Mako he’s the one that’s mad at you. I’m just disappointed you didn’t trust us enough to tell us" Nicki told her. "Do you guys think I should phone him now because another day without speaking to I’m going to go mental!" she said smiling with tears in her eyes. "Yessss" the girls chorused. "Just remember to put him on loud speaker" Nicole said as she winked as her. "Ewwwww, no please don’t do that!!" Nicki said looking disgusted. "I really don’t want to hear my brother chat to a girl about them kind of things" she continued looking away. "You can go upstairs till after the call" Anotida laughed while pushing her friend to go. "You don’t have to go upstairs Nicki, I’m not putting him on loud speaker, I know what Nicole and Dalia are like" Adi smiled. "Thank God!" Nicki replied looking relieved. "In fact, I think I’ll go make the call upstairs in my room" Adi said getting up "You’re staying right here missy" Dalia said pulling her back down, grabbed her phone and dialled Mako’s number for her. "It’s ringing" Dalia smiled tossing the phone to Adi. "Are you crazy?!" Adi whispered putting the phone to her ear and in no time Mako picked up the phone.
"Hello"
"Hi Mako"
"Hi Adi, are you ok?"
"Yes I’m fine, I just haven’t heard from you since forever"
"I’ve been busy that’s all"
"Listen, Nicole told me you were upset about the Edward thing?" Adi said as if she was asking a question.
"Oh my God this girl trying to get me killed by my brother" Nicki whispered loudly with both her hands on her head.
"She did?" Mako asked sounding surprised.
"I’m sorry, I wasn’t supposed to say anything" she replied looking confused facing Nicki
"I’m glad she did to be honest, at least that made you call me" he lightly laughed. Adi whispered to the girls what Mako had just said and Nicki sighed because she was relieved.
"But I texted you and you never replied, why didn’t you?"
"Because I wasn’t sure what to say, I couldn’t tell you I was upset about another guy when I’m not even your boyfriend"
"Well, as much as that is true you still could have asked me and I would have told you."
"If I asked you now… would you tell me?" he hesitated.
Adi giggled and replied "Yes of course I would"
"So are you going to wait for me to ask you?" he said with a nervous laugh.
"Yes I am, but only if you want to know"
"Oh my Lord, tell him already!" Dalia whispered in the background.
"Okay, Adi who is Edward?" he asked sounding very shy.
"Edward was my boyfriend" she answered.
"Was?" he asked with emphasis
"Yes, he WAS"
"What happened?"
"I broke up with him the day you came to my house for dinner. He got upset after I told him you had come to my house for dinner"
"I’m guessing he’s very insecure?" he replied.
"Aren’t you?" she laughed.
"I’m not insecure, maybe a little jealous that’s all"
"Jealous? Really? Why?"
"That’s a lot of questions Adi" he replied.
"You can answer the first one" she told him
"Well, you can finish telling me about your break up with Edward and maybe I’ll answer you, deal?"
"Okay, errmm where was I again? Oh I also told him that I had feelings for you and that it was unfair for me to be with him when I had feelings for someone else."
"You have feelings for me?"
"Did I say that?"
"Yep! You most definitely did, tell me more" he smiled
Adi laughed before replying "So you basically want me to tell you something you already know?"
"Yes miss, that’s exactly what I’m saying"
"Well…ummm,no way!" she chuckled
"So what’s next?" he asked with enthusiasm in his voice.
"I’m not sure right now, you and I will talk when we get back to school, and can you believe this school term is almost done and then holiday?" she said with a high pitched voice.
"I can’t wait for the holidays, hopefully I’ll spend a lot of it with you?"
"I would love that".
At this point the rest of the girls were busy watching TV and had stopped paying attention to Adi and Mako’s conversation.
"Good"
"Hey, maybe I’ll talk to you tomorrow, as you know I’m entertaining visitors so you know how it is."
"Adi"
"Huh"
"I missed you".
When he said that she felt butterflies in her stomach.
"I missed you too Mako"
"Good night"
"Good night"
And they both got off the phone. She felt happy when she got off the phone. She went to where the rest of the girls where and she hoped they wouldn’t ask her about the conversation.
"So what did Mr Lover boy say to you" Dalia asked in corny way. "Oh gosh! Ya’ll don’t have to know everything BUT I will tell you this; he said he missed me" Adi blushed. "OooooOoo" the girls chorused. "Oh behave ladies" she replied taking the remote for the TV. "Hey we’re watching that" Nicki complained as she snatched the remote from Adi. "How about we stop watching TV and get to know each other a little bit more" Nicole said with a grin on her face. "How do you suggest we do that?" Adi asked. "Well, we can start off by saying a quick prayer so that whatever we talk about here glorifies God and if any secrets are shared they are not to leave this room" Nicole replied. Nicki and Anotida looked at each other because both of them did not fully understand what Nicole meant because though they had become believers they were not yet fully committed. "Do you guys have to pray about everything?" Anotida asked with a puzzled look. "As a matter of fact we do, that way God is a part of everything we do. You never know when the devil tries to step in so we need God to protect us from him" Dalia smiled. "Let’s hold hands and pray" Nicole said to them. They held hands and Nicole said a short prayer "Dear Father, thank you for this day. Thank you for safely bringing us all here together, though some of us are meeting for the first time I believe that our meeting is divinely appointed by you so whatever we talk about or even think about let it glorify you, above all let your will be done during this time we’re going to spend together in Jesus Christ’s name" and they all chorused "Amen".
"Anyone want some snacks?" Adi asked before they all settled. "Yes please" Nicole replied. "Cool" Adi said going to the kitchen. She shouted what they had in the kitchen and the girls told her what they wanted. They sat on the floor with their blankets ready to get to know each other.
"Let’s start with Anotida, please tell us about yourself." Adi said. "Why do I have to start?" she laughed nervously. "We have to start somewhere" she replied. "I want to be last, I have to think about what to say first" "Okay, I’ll start" Dalia butted in looking annoyed. My name is Dalia as you all know. I’m 15 years old and I’m single" and they all laughed. "I’m not done yet, stop laughing" she smiled "I’m a Christian and I have crazy faith in God…. That’s all I can think about right now" she continued. "What makes you different to the next person?" Nicole asked her. "Is this an interview now?" she smiled "Yes, now answer please" Nicole replied her. "Let me think" she said with her index finger on her lip. "I’m a fast runner, does that count?" "There has to be something else" Nicki laughed. "Ya’ll will have to come back to me then coz I can’t think of anything else right now" she replied. "Okay, that’s fine. We’ll move on to Nicki now" and they all turned to look at Nicki. "You people are making me nervous looking at me like that" she said putting one of her hands over her face. "We apologise now please carry on" Adi said in a sarcastic tone. "My name is Nicole Muponesi, I’m 15 years old. I am the second born and I’m sure you’re all familiar with the first born…" she paused and looked at Adi before saying "His name is Makomborero and he is 17" and they all clapped their hands. Adi couldn’t help but blush. "I’m single, I’ve had a boyfriend before though but we broke up a few months ago and I think that’s all I can tell you ladies right now" she finished off as she put her hands together. "Nice one!" Nicole said to her. "Anotida are you ready yet?" Adi asked. "Yeah fine, I’ll do it. My name is Anotida Mudiwa. I’m 15 years old, I’m the second born and the first born is my 21 year old brother and his name is Anesu. I’m also single but there’s a guy I like from school" she blushed. "What makes me different right now is that I believe in Jesus, yay me" she raised her hands and they all clapped. "Are you going to tell us about this guy you like?" Adi asked with one eye brow raised. "I’ll only tell you his name because there’s not much to tell" "That’ll do" "His name is Blessing" "Do I know him?" Adi asked. "Maybe, maybe not" she replied shrugging her shoulders. "I’ll show you at school on Monday" Nicole whispered loudly. "I heard that" Anotida said. "Okay, let’s move on Nicole" "My name is Nicole, I’m 15 and a ½ years old. Jesus is the lover of my soul. I love him so much. I have no boyfriend and I’ve never had one, I feel I’m not ready. What makes me different is my passion for Jesus, all I want to do is please God and that’s all for now" and she looked at Adi. "I know it’s my turn now. My name is Adi Ishe, I’m 15 years old. I’m an only child and I’m a believer of Christ. What makes me special is that I have been anointed by God to teach his word" she smiled "What about the boyfriend thing?" Dalia asked suppressing her laughter. "Ha ha! Very funny. Ya’ll know about that so don’t even try it" she replied. "That’s true, we all know" and they laughed.
The girls enjoyed their time together, they all slept on the floor in the lounge. They decided they would go for a meal and cinema the next day.
Chapter 14
The girls had to wake up early because Mr and Mrs Ishe were up early. The all bathed and had some breakfast which the girls cooked because they wouldn’t let Mrs Ishe cook for all of them.
After that they went in to the city centre to have lunch. They were louder than anyone else in the restaurant, they got excited easily.
They were checking out every boy that walked into the restaurant.
"Hey Miss Adi, stop looking…remember my brother?" Nicki laughed covering Adi’s eyes with one of her hands. "How can I forget, none of you will let me!" she replied removing Nicki’s hand. The girls all laughed at that. By this time they were done eating and they just sat there talking when one of the waiters came to them and said "I’m sorry to disturb you but if you are done there are some people who would like to have that table, as you can see we have some people waiting".
For a moment none of the girls said anything back and then Nicki replied the waiter "Did we not pay for the food we had?" "Yes you did but it looks like you’re done eating the food you paid for, unless you want to buy something else?" the waiter replied with a hint of an attitude. "Now listen here Mr Waiter, I ….." before Nicki finished Dalia cut her off. "…we are just leaving, give us a few minutes to get our things together, please" she hesitated. "That’s okay, maybe you want to teach your friend some manners too" the waiter said walking away. "Call your manager for me now!" Nicki shouted from where she was. "Nicki, don’t do that. It’s not even worth it" Adi and Nicole tried to calm her down. "No, he needs to know his place!" she said fuming. "I’m sure he does, maybe he’s just tired. Imagine all the people he has to deal with all day" Dalia whispered. "I don’t care about that!" Nicki shouted again. "Christians aren’t meant to behave like this, have a little humility" Adi told Nicki. "He started it, if he wasn’t so rude in the first place I wouldn’t be going crazy like this" she replied picking her bag and walking out. Adi walked to the waiter who was also whispering something to some of his colleagues.
"Excuse me, I just came to apologise on behalf of my friend and we’re just leaving" "Yeah you do that!" he said giving Adi and the rest of the girls a dirty look. "Hey listen, just because I came to apologise to you doesn’t mean I’m okay with your attitude or that I’m stupid. I may not agree with my friend’s reaction but I also don’t agree with yours. You actually do need to work on your customer skills. People in your business should learn to be patient." Adi looked at him for a few seconds before walking away. There was a few people around them who looked a little embarrassed for the waiter and all the waiter could say was "Who does she think she is?" and he walked to the backroom.
"Oh my gosh that was so cool, did you see how he had no come back?" Anotida said with excitement in her voice. "It’s no big deal" Adi said trying to brush it off. "Hey, I should learn to react so calmly, it was an effective reaction" Nicki said looking shy. "It’s not always the best to react to hostility with hostility or to react to rudeness with rudeness. As Christians we have to be different because we are the light" said Dalia as they walked to the cinema. "I totally see what you mean, I’m going to start working on my temper." Nicki said. "Me too" added Anotida. "Let’s all make sure we pray so that God shows us where we go wrong and ask him to help us become better." said Dalia. "Sure thing, I’m on that too" said Adi. They all agreed they were going to pray that prayer everyday so that they could all become better people.
"I really used to think being a Christian would be so boring but you guys are so much fun. Though you’re different you understand." Nicki smiled. "Even we thought the same before we became fully devoted to Christ. We felt we would be losing out on a lot of things but now we find that we don’t miss the crazy sinful things we used to do." Said Dalia. "I obviously need to stop drinking, I feel I should" said Anotida and Nicki felt the same way too "And clubbing" she added. "We’ll be praying for you, I know God will help you if that’s what you really want" Adi told them both. "Any questions or if you need any help please feel free to ask us." Nicole said.
They got to the cinema and chose a movie that they would all enjoy, it was a comedy. Just as they sat in the cinema Adi received a text message and it read;
"How’s the girls’ weekend going? I wish I could see you today"
It was from Mako. She got excited and whispered to her friends "Guess who just texted me?" she asked with big smile. "I think we all know, now stop showing off and just reply him" smiled Dalia. Adi replied
"It’s going really great, we’re at the cinema now. Our movie’s just started("
"Would it look bad if I happen to bump into you at the cinema after your movie?"
"Lol, yes! They would all know it was planned. I’m gonna see you at school on Monday anyway so hang in there. X"
"Okay fine, I’ll control myself("
"I’ll text you after the movie."
Adi just sat there smiling to herself not paying much attention to the movie she was watching. She would snap out of her thoughts when she heard everyone laughing and sometimes one of her friends would nudge her and ask if she had heard a certain line in the movie.
"God, is it possible that Mako is the one? I really need you to give me signs" she prayed in her heart.
After the movie it seemed to Adi that they had been in there for just a few minutes. They walked out and went to get some ice cream and went straight home. By the time they got home dinner was almost ready and they helped Mrs Ishe to finish up and after dinner they did the dishes. Mr and Mrs Ishe retired to their bedroom and the girls had the lounge to themselves. They began watching TV and talk about different things.
"I need you girls to help me pray about something" Adi blurted out. "Name it, you know we’ll do it" Dalia replied. "It’s about Mako….I need to know if he’s the right direction for my life, if that makes sense?" she hesitated. "Yeah, it does make sense. The wrong man is the last mistake you want to make. Just don’t be in a hurry, don’t forget you’re only 15 but if this is what God wants then he’ll definitely show you or any one of us. You know God is so faithful" Nicole assured her friend. "Anyone else got prayer requests?" Dalia asked. "Ummm, I kind of do…I need you guys to pray for my family" Anotida hesitated. "Anything in particular?" Nicole asked. "I don’t think I’m comfortable sharing it yet, but please just pray that God helps us...If he wants to" she replied. "Trust me, God really wants to help you girl" Nicole told her as she took her hand.
They could all see tears welling up in Anotida’s eyes. They didn’t want to push her into telling them why she was crying, they chose to trust God to intervene. The girls gathered around her and began to give her words of comfort. "Though we don’t know what’s wrong, I know for sure that God knows and our payer right now is that he gives you the strength you need." Dalia said hugging her. Nicki was not sure what to say, in her mind she was trying to figure out what it could be because Anotida had never mentioned any problems she was having at home. In her heart she said a prayer for Anotida’s family. There was a moment of silence until Anotida broke it by saying "Hey guys, I don’t want to spoil your weekend. Dalia and Nicole came far, but not to hear my sad stories or to see me cry." She said wiping her tears. "I would rather have this than anything else, to know that I’m there for someone who needs me is better than any good time that I could have" Nicole assured her. "And you never know, you may be the reason God brought us all the way here." Dalia added. "Why would God do that, that’ll be crazy. I’m not that special" she laughed lightly. "I know it seems crazy, God is in the business of doing things our minds can not comprehend and so we call it crazy. To God you’re just as special as the next person" Adi told her.
In her mind Anotida really could not fathom how God would think she is special. She began to think of all the things that she was going through and in her heart she refused to think that she was special or that her family was anything special. She didn’t say it out loud but she certainly thought it.
"How about we have something to eat?" Anotida asked trying to divert the attention from herself. "I say yes please!" Adi replied and they all got up and went to the kitchen to get some snacks.
"I can’t believe our fun weekend ends tomorrow" Nicole said putting on a sad face. "I knoooooow!" added Nicki "You guys have been so much fun, thanks for this Adi" she continued facing her. "Glory to God" Adi smiled pointing upwards. They all smiled.
"This won’t be the last time we’re hanging out, ya’ll know the holiday is soon coming so wipe off them sad faces!" Dalia said to her friends. "Yeah! We should totally arrange a few days together during the holidays, yay!" Anotida sounded excited. "I know a perfect way to spend some more time together" Adi told them. They all went silent for a few seconds until Dalia said "Are you waiting for us to ask you?" and they all broke out in laughter. "Ok, ok, stop laughing. Remember that camp we’re going to?" she said looking at Nicki and Anotida "Yeah, almost forgot about that" Anotida smiled. "Not funny! Anyway, Nicole and Dalia if your mum and dad say it’s ok you can come with us, it’s for a week and it’s a church thing so no worries" she smiled and waited for a response. "That’ll be great! We haven’t done that in a while. We’ll ask the parents when we get back home and we’ll let you know" Nicole replied. "And guess who else is coming?" Nicki asked. "Please say it’s Mako?" replied Dalia. "Oh yeah!" she said giving her a high five. "We have to go bed now because we got church in the morning" Adi said trying to change the subject. "You say that now because we’re all going to meet your boyfriend?" Anotida made fun of her. "Yes, you’re right" she replied sticking her tongue out at them.
The girls agreed they would most definitely have a sleep over again, they realised they have so much to learn from each other and it made them feel happy.
That night before they slept they prayed that God would help them in all their weaknesses and also that God would show them things they needed to pray about.
Mrs Ishe had to wake them up early in the morning because the alarm woke up neither one of them. The girls all took a shower and they were excited to go to church, especially Dalia and Nicole because they had never visited Adi’s new church.
When they got to church most people were already there and the service was almost starting. The girls did not want to miss the praise and worship.
"There’s some seats in the front if you guys don’t mind?" Adi whispered to her friends as they entered the church. "Yes please!" Dalia replied while she already made her way to the front with a huge grin on her face. They all followed behind her and they sat next to each other except Mr and Mrs Ishe who sat on the other side. They all enjoyed the service, they sang and danced until they were sweating. They all had their different reasons. As she lifted her hands, Adi began to thank God for her friends and how they had all got along and how the weekend had been a success. She looked at her friends who were sat next to her and smiled.
At the same time Anotida was thanking God for shedding light onto her situation. "I never believed things could get better Lord, and now that you’ve stepped in I see a light at the end of the tunnel" she prayed in her heart as tears began to fill her eyes. Dalia noticed that though Anotida was smiling her smiled was a mixture of joy and pain so she said a silent prayer to God on behalf of Anotida’s family as she recalled her request for her family the night before. Nicki couldn’t help but pray for her brother Mako and Adi. "Lord I don’t know if Adi and Mako’s relationship is your will but if it is, make it happen and direct them in the right path Lord" and as she smiled she continued "Thank you for my new found friends, they’re amazing. Please make our bond stronger". Nicole felt thankful for the situation, they all needed each other and she prayed "Lord, may we be there for one another in love and unity, may our bond be stronger everyday. Above all please be glorified in all we do." With her hands together as she looked up with gladness written all over her face. The girls were all of a sudden overwhelmed by the presence of God and they found themselves holding each other’s hands with tears in their eyes. They all realised the Lord was at work in them. Before long the praise and worship was finished and the church sat down. The pastor got into the word and they all enjoyed it, so much that time moved fast and it seemed as if the preaching had only lasted 5 minutes. When church finished they began to socialise. Adi introduced Dalia and Nicole to some of the youth in the church because they already knew Nicki and Anotida. They sat in a corner and spoke about God and their love for Jesus Christ and the gospel and encouraged one another in the Lord. Mrs Ishe called the girls because she wanted Dalia and Nicole to have lunch before they went back home. They said their goodbyes and left.
"Wow, the people in your church are lovely" Dalia said sitting in the car. "Oh yeah! They made me feel just as welcome when I first came, I love it here" Adi smiled. "Girls, when we get home we’ll have lunch so that Dalia and Nicole can travel on a full stomach" Mrs Ishe smiled. Dalia and Nicole couldn’t help but grin because the girls loved their food.
They had their lunch and before long it was time for the two girls to leave, Anotida and Nicki were going to leave at the same time as well because they had school the next day so they needed to get ready for it. For the last few minutes the five girls sat on Adi’s bed and began to say goodbye to one another.
"This weekend has been awesome hey" Dalia started off. "It has been more than awesome in my books, I don’t remember ever having clean fun…this is a good change" Nicki responded. "I’m just glad we all got along because if I’m to be honest I didn’t think everyone would get along just fine" Adi smiled. "Well, God had a plan and it was a beautiful plan." Nicole added. "I definitely want to come with you guys to that camp, I know it’ll be crazy fun!" Dalia said getting up "Aha, we’ll make sure we talk to the parents but once they know your parents are in on it I don’t think it’ll be a problem" Nicole winked at Adi and the girls chuckled. "See ya’ll soon…very soon!" Anotida said going in for a hug which became a group hug. Mrs Ishe called them downstairs and they all went.
Chapter 15
After the girls left Adi lay on her bed and she was deep in thought and she was smiling. "This weekend couldn’t have gone any better" She whispered to herself. Adi felt joyful, everything was going so well. She couldn’t wait to go to school to see her ‘friend’ Mako and as she thought about him she received a text on her phone. "Please let it be him" She smiled picking up her phone. She was disappointed when she read the text message because it was from Dalia thanking her for the beautiful weekend. Her disappointment was so much that she was tempted to not text back but ‘that wouldn’t be nice’ she thought to herself so she replied.
Adi was missing Mako, she felt like she hadn’t seen him in a year. Suddenly her phone went off and it was another text, she figured it was Dalia replying her again but then she realised it was from Mako. Oh the joy she felt before even opening it. The message read;
"heyyyy Adi, you ok?"
"I’m goooood, how are you and what you up to?"
"I’m sat here thinking I can’t wait till tomorrow to see you :D"
"Sat where, on your bed? watching TV?"
"In the car"
"Why would you be sat in the car Mako you’re such a weirdo? lol"
"Because I needed to see you…"
When Adi read this she ran downstairs and looked out the window and she saw a car parked just outside their gate.
"You wouldn’t happen to know whose car is parked outside my gate would you." She typed while she was blushing, all she wanted to do was run out to the car she knew belonged to Mako.
"Why would you say that?"
"Are we going to keep doing this?"
"Lol, you can’t wait to see me can you?"
"Haha, I’m not the one parked in front of your house"
"Lol, just come out already!"
Before Adi walked out the house she let out a big sigh. "I’m just going for a walk I’ll be back in a few minutes" she told her parents and left the house before they could respond.
She walked to the car and sat in the passenger’s seat. Nothing was said for about a minute, all they did was look at each other.
"So you just came to stare at me?" Adi asked shying away. "Not really but it’ll do" Mako smiled and then hugged her. "I’m so glad you came Mako" "I’m glad I came too". "How did you know my friends wouldn’t be here though?" "I knew it the moment my sister got home" He smiled. "Ahhhhh, I understand now. So you couldn’t wait till tomorrow huh?" Adi teased him. "Actually, I knew how much you wanted to see me so I had to make it happen for you. I didn’t want to leave you hanging" he said sticking his tongue out at her. "What did Nicki tell you when she got home?" Adi frowned and at this Mako broke out in laughter. "What’s so funny?" Adi asked because she couldn’t understand why he was laughing so hard. "You’re laughing so much that tears are coming out, want to share the joke?" she said trying not to laugh too. "Oh mehn! Selling yourself out like that." He started "My sister never told me anything, but I guess I was a topic this weekend wasn’t I?" he continued wiping the tears away. Adi was speechless and she had no come back and no defence. "I still don’t see what’s so funny though!"
"Adi I really missed you, you’re too funny" he ignored what she had just said. "Shall we go for a drive?" Mako asked her. "I don’t think that’s a good idea" she replied. "Why? We’ll only be gone for an hour tops, I just want to spend a little time with you so that I don’t suffocate you at school tomorrow" He said with a little side smile. Adi couldn’t help but laugh and she replied "Alright then, but not for long. I don’t want my parents getting worried because I will tell them I was with you" "Oh no! I’m in your dad’s good books right now and I don’t want to taint that, you’ll be back home in an hour exactly. I don’t want him cancelling on our camping trip, you know what I mean?" "Just drive Mako" she replied rolling her eyes.
They had fun driving around, they never went anywhere special but the time they spent together was enjoyed by both of them. They spent most of their time laughing and having fun and talking about a bunch of nothing. Adi and Mako really enjoyed their time together. One hour seemed to fly by and Mako had to take Adi back home before it got dark.
"Thank you so much for coming, this was amazing" Adi told him. "The pleasure is all mine, this has definitely been the best part of my weekend" he smiled back. "My weekend was crazy fun but this was the topping I needed, I’ll see you tomorrow at school" and she gave him a hug. "Anytime, see you tomorrow. I’ll text you when I get home" "Okay"
She stood by the gate and watched him drive away. She wished the day wouldn’t have to end as she walked back into the house.
Adi couldn’t wait to go to school. She walked back inside the house and went straight to her room and lay on her bed in deep thought. So many things were running through her mind, most of her thoughts were about Mako and whenever she thought of him a smile would be on her face before she realised she was smiling. Out of nowhere she began to think of Anotida, she felt she really needed to pray for her and her family. Obviously something was very wrong because though she had asked her friends to pray for her family she didn’t tell them what she needed praying for. Adi got down on her knees and began to pray for Anotida and her family. But even after she had prayed she knew the battle was only just beginning. She went to her parents and asked if they too could pray for Anotida and her family and they didn’t hesitate and they began to pray. When they finished Mrs Ishe said to Adi "Honey, I need to see your friend Anotida. God just showed me something and I would like to speak to her about it" with her hand on Adi’s shoulder. Adi was silent for a while before saying "I’ll be sure to tell her tomorrow at school, hopefully she can come here with me after school" she replied. "That’ll be great, there’s just so much going on with her but God has all the answers she needs". "Okay, thank you mum and dad. I’m going to bed so good night" "Goodnight Adi, see you in the morning" Mr and Mrs Ishe replied. When Adi got to her bedroom she really tried to figure out what her mum might have been talking about, she wanted to know what God had shown her but she knew that if her mum didn’t tell her immediately it meant that she couldn’t tell her so Adi hoped that Anotida would tell her.
As she entered the school premises that day it’s not Mako who was on her mind. She was set on finding Anotida before classes started. She went straight to Anotida’s class but she was not there so Adi figured that maybe she hadn’t arrived at school yet so she waited in her classroom. She was sat on Anotida’s desk to make sure she’d see her when she walked into class. Anotida never showed up so Adi had to go to her class where she found Nicole already in class. "Hey" Adi said while she sat down. "Hey Adi, you okay?" Nicki asked after noticing the worry on Adi’s face. "I’m okay, do you know if Anotida’s coming to school today?" She asked. "I don’t know, if she isn’t coming she never said anything to me… she normally sends me a text in the morning if she’s going to miss school. What’s the matter?" Nicki asked. "I don’t know, my mum wants to see her. After you guys left yesterday dad, mum and I prayed for Anotida because God had laid it on my heart to do so. Mum says God showed her something. But last night I also had a dream about her and its got me worried even more." She whispered as the teacher had walked into class. "What was the dream?" Nicki whispered back. "I’ll tell you during break time" she replied taking out her books.
The look on Nicki’s face told Adi that she wasn’t happy about waiting till break time but it seemed like she didn’t have a choice. Nicki took a peek at her phone hoping that Anotida had texted her but there was nothing and she too became worried.
When break time came Nicki and Adi both rushed outside so that they could talk. The first thing Nicki did was phone Anotida but there was no answer.
"Okay, you have to tell me this dream hey" Nicki said standing in front of Adi. "I know, I told you that I’d tell you during break time, I haven’t forgotten you know." Adi told her friend. "Go on then please" Nicki insisted. "I had a dream that Anotida was in a cage and this cage was so dark, the bars on the cage were thick and strong. She was trying all she could to get out and shout for help but she couldn’t. She felt like no one could hear her cries. From a distance she could see a light and she wanted to get to that light but something kept on pulling her back and that was it. That’s all that happened in the dream." Adi finished. Nicki didn’t say a word and she managed to say "Wow… what do you think it means Adi?" she asked. "I’m not sure, I’ll have to share the dream with my parents and see if they know what it means but I’m pretty sure it has something to do with what she was asking us to pray for the other day." "Well, I’m going to go see her straight after school because this is so unlike her to be silent. Do you want to come with me?" Nicki asked. "Yeah, definitely!" Adi replied. "Cool." Mako then walked up to the two girls and he could immediately tell something was wrong. "What’s going on here, your faces look like someone died?" Mako said as he stood with them. "Don’t be silly, we’re fine. We’re just worried about Anotida that’s all." Adi replied. "I was about to ask where the third one is" he smiled. "We don’t even know, she just didn’t show up for school. I just tried to phone her and she’s not picking up so obviously something is wrong." Nicki replied her brother. "Well, you should visit her after school if you’re so worried." Mako told them. "That’s true and we’re already planning on doing that." Adi replied him. "Good. Well I wanted to check on you ladies as always, maybe I’ll come with you to Anotida’s after school?" he asked. "We’ll let you know if she’s okay or not, you don’t have to come with us." Nicki replied. "Are you sure because I don’t mind and I also want to make sure that Anotida is okay." "Yes we’re sure. I’ll see you later at home."
With that Mako walked away and the girls walked to class.
After school Nicki and Adi decided to walk to Anotida’s house and as they walked not much was said. Each of them looked like they were lost in their thoughts until Adi broke the silence "How come you didn’t want Mako to come with us to Anotida’s house?" without looking at her friend. "Well, Anotida’s dad is very strict when it comes to boys, he is so over protective of his daughter. This one time he almost beat up a guy he saw talking to her, if Mako came he would be in big trouble." Nicki replied. "But I’m sure he knows Mako is your brother…." And Nicki cut her off before she finished "He knows Mako, I once had Mako take me to Anotida’s house and her dad saw her talking to him and after we left she got beat up. We never told my brother because we knew he would blame himself." "Wow that sounds serious. I’ve never heard of anything like that before, I mean I’ve heard of strict parents but that’s over the top!" Adi exclaimed. "He’s been like that for a long as I can remember." She shrugged her shoulders.
They got to the house and they were let in by the maid. The girls went straight to Anotida’s bedroom and found her lying in bed. "Woman, you never told me you weren’t coming to school today!" Nicki teased while she sat on her bed. "I’m sorry, I forgot. I don’t even know where my phone is." She replied sitting up. "Your phone’s right here, maybe it’s on silent" Nicki said picking up and checking the phone. "And there’s my missed calls yet your phone is NOT on silent, what’s going on. Why didn’t you come to school?" she continued. "Are you okay?" Adi asked Anotida. "Yeah, I’m okay. I just feel tired, that’s all" "Hey, Adi had a dream about you last night." Nicki blurted out. "Really? I hope it was a good one because I could do with some good news right now" Anotida faked a smile. "I’m not sure what it means but I’ll tell you anyway. I dreamt that you were in a dark cage and the bars on the cage were so thick, you wanted to get out and you were shouting for help but you felt like no one could hear you. There was a light that you could see from a distance and you wanted to get to it but you couldn’t because whenever you tried to go to the light something kept pulling you back, something kept you in that cage" by the time Adi was done telling her dream she noticed tears streaming down Anotida’s cheeks uncontrollably. Adi was puzzled "Did I say something wrong?" she kept asking herself. Adi and Nicki both moved closer to Anotida and hugged her without asking her anything. Anotida then started sobbing and it got louder, it was like she was releasing something that was inside of her, she cried so hard. As she cried she tried to talk but no one could make out what she was saying. The girls just kept on holding her and even they began to shed tears because though they didn’t know what was causing the pain, they felt the pain and was real and deep. About 10 minutes passed by and Anotida was still crying. Adi began to pray in her heart, she prayed that God would heal her pain. "It hurts!!" Anotida cried. "What hurts?" Nicki asked while wiping her own tears. "I can’t talk about it" Anotida replied and buried her face in her palms. The three continued crying and Adi suddenly said "Let us pray" and held Anotida and Nicki’s hands. Anotida laughed and said "I’m not praying to your God, he doesn’t love me. You said he loved me and you lied to me, I don’t want to pray!!!" she shouted. Both Adi and Nicki looked very puzzled and they looked at each other. "Anotida, I don’t know what’s going on or what’s making you say that but I know that God really does love you." Adi told her. Anotida chuckled through the tears and said "I am 15 years old and YOUR God let this happen to me?" she retorted pointing at Adi. "What did God allow to happen to you?" Adi asked in a calm voice. "I would like to sleep now, please go" Anotida replied getting into bed and covering her head with her blankets. Adi and Nicki sat on the bed for about 5 minutes before they realised she was serious, so they got up and left.
"My dream just got real" Adi said to Nicki. "I know, she started crying when you mentioned the cage. Obviously something crazy is going on." She replied. "I’m going to fast for that girl because whatever the devil’s done to her is making her second guess God" "I’ll join you but you have to tell me how because I’ve never fasted before." Nicki smiled. "That’s okay, we’ll discuss it in a bit. I have to ask my mum what God showed her because it might help Anotida as well, infact I know it will."
When Adi got home she explained everything that had happened to her mum. "That confirms what God showed me last night. I need to go and see her, tomorrow maybe?" Mrs Ishe asked Adi. "I wish you could go today mum, whatever is going on it’s really bad" Adi told her mum. "I know, I can’t imagine what she’s going through" she replied with her face filled with sadness. "We can go tomorrow morning before school mum, please?" Adi pleaded with her mum. "That’ll be great, but that means we have to wake up extra early and hopefully she won’t mind seeing us so early" Mrs Ishe smiled. "Yeah" Adi sighed and went upstairs. She began to pray for her friend, she also rang Nicole and Dalia to tell them what happened, they assured her they would praying and fasting with her. That night Adi went to bed late, she cried herself to sleep. She had never heard so much pain through crying and as she remembered the way Anotida had cried she began to cry all over again. "God what could be that bad? She doesn’t even believe that you love her, Lord may you open up her heart to you so that she may see how much you love her." and with that Adi went to sleep.
Mrs Ishe woke her up early morning and she didn’t complain. There was silence in the car as the drove to Anotida’s house except when Adi was giving her mother directions. "We’re here mum." Adi pointed. They both breathed heavily as they knocked the gate. As usual the maid let them in and they went to Anotida’s bedroom. "Anotida, wake up" Adi whispered shaking her friend. "What is it?" she turned looking at her through her sleepy eyes. "I’ve come with my mum, she has a message from you" "Are you serious? This early? From who?" she rubbed her eyes and got up. "Hi Anotida, how are you this morning?" Mrs Ishe asked with a warm smile on her face. "I don’t know yet, what’s the message that you have for me?" Anotida asked. "Anotida, God says he knows exactly what you’re going through. He sees you and he hears your cries, you just have to let him in. he says don’t blame yourself, it’s not your fault." Mrs Ishe said holding Anotida’s hand. Anotida started to cry again, though she wasn’t as loud as the day before the pain was still clear. It seemed as though every time she was reminded of the pain she was going through the wound was opened and the pain was fresh all over again. Adi couldn’t help but cry too as she remembered the way Anotida had cried the day before. "Anotida God has not abandoned you and he never will. He wants to remind you that weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning and your morning is very near, let him bring you a brand new day."
"I want God to help me, I want to let him in but I’m damaged, why would God want me?" Anotida said through the tears. "God wants to heal you, He’s the only one that can. Instead of running from his love run to it, it’s the best thing you can ever do." Mrs Ishe smiled at her. "It’s easy for you to say because you don’t know what … I’ve been through" Anotida sniffed. "You say that because you don’t know what Jesus has been through for you honey, Jesus died so that he would take away our pain, the very pain you’re holding onto when all he wants to do is relieve you of it and give you a brand new day." "I’ve never thought about it like that." Anotida replied. "That’s okay, that’s why God brought godly people into your life" Mrs Ishe smiled. There was silence in the room for about 3 minutes. Anotida was trying to figure out whether to tell them her story or to keep it to herself. "Can I trust them?" she asked herself in her heart and to her surprise she got a reply from within her "Yes, you can trust them". All of a sudden she was filled with peace and comfort even though she was still hurting. "I was only 4 years old when it started, I didn’t know what was going on… but I knew I didn’t like it" Anotida hesitated. "I remember that very first day, it was a dark night and I was wearing a white dress…that night he… he took my innocence away just like that!" and began to weep and this time the crying was mixed with pain and relief. "I’ve never told this to anyone, I’ve always blamed myself. He told me that I had to do whatever he said or else… and I never wanted to find out what ‘or else’ meant so I did" Anotida continued and at this Mrs Ishe began to cry too and held her "Oh no!" she whispered. Adi could not believe what she was hearing. She didn’t know how to respond to it, she was in shock. Tears streaming down her face involuntarily. She wanted to go and hold her friend but all she could manage to do was sit on the floor in shock. Adi couldn’t imagine what her friend was going through and she burst into tears all over again. "Anotida I’m so sorry…" she exhaled.
Chapter 16
For a minute Anotida and Mrs Ishe stopped everything and looked at Adi because of the way she kept going. Adi began to sob more and more uncontrollably. Anotida and Mrs Ishe got up to where Adi was sat on the floor looking as though she was clueless, she was motionless. "Are you okay?" Anotida asked her friend putting one hand on her shoulder and using the other one to wipe away her own tears. "This is not about me Ano, I should be asking you that" she replied put her hand on top of Anotida’s. Mrs Ishe didn’t utter a word but they could all see the worry on her face. "Hey Adi, these things happen. There’s nothing God can’t fix, you know Anotida will be fine because God has already started dealing with her situation." she smiled at her daughter. "Oh mum, I know God is very able…I know Anotida will be fine…I do, I have to get to school now mum, can we go?" Adi said getting up. "Are you sure you want to go to school today? It’ll be perfectly fine with me if you stayed home just for today."
"No, I would like to go to school if you don’t mind." Mrs Ishe and Anotida just looked at each other, though no words were spoken a lot was said.
Mrs Ishe and Adi said goodbye to Anotida and they walked out after saying a prayer for her and promising her they’ll be back to check up on her. The whole drive to school was silent, no one said a word to the other person. When they got to school Mrs Ishe told her daughter that everything was going to be fine. "Adi, if there anything you ever want to talk to me about you know I’m here right?" "Yes mum, I know. I’ll see you at home" she replied getting out of the car. On this particular day Adi did not feel like being with anyone or talking to anyone. She could not get Anotida out of her mind.
"Hey beautiful girl" came a voice from behind her. She knew it was Mako before she even looked behind her. Adi just looked at him and didn’t respond to him, she just kept walking. "Did I do anything wrong?" he asked her. "I don’t feel like talking right now, please leave me alone?" "Oh, we’re going all the way back there huh?" he asked sounding a little annoyed. "Just leave me please, thanks." Adi replied picking up her pace as if Mako couldn’t catch up with her. Mako didn’t want to push it so he told her bye and walked to his class. Nicki was waiting for Adi when she got to class. When she saw Adi walking into class she got up and went to hug her. Both girls had to hold back their tears, they sat down and everyone in class was stealing glances and looking at them funny. They never responded. "Mum and I went to see Anotida today…it’s terrible Nicki, it’s really bad" Adi said looking sick. "What do you mean it’s bad, did she tell you what was bothering her?" "Yeah…she kind of did. We can talk about it later but she was, she was errmm… abused by someone" she said looking away. "No way!!!" Nicki said so loud that the whole class heard her. "I’m going there right now!" she continued and started packing her books. Nicki was shaking and so was Adi. "I’ll come with you, I don’t want to be here anyway" Adi said as she followed her friend. The two girls got up and excused themselves from classes for the day. Their teacher said no but they pleaded with her, especially Nicki who even began to cry. The teacher felt like she had no choice but to grant them the request.
They stormed out and walked as fast as they could to Anotida’s house. When they got there the maid let them in. Nicki just wanted to push everything out of her way because she couldn’t get to her friend fast enough. When they got there Anotida was sat on her bed attempting to read the bible. She looked extremely surprised when Nicki and Adi stormed into her room. Nicki went straight to where she was and sat next to her. "Why in the world didn’t you tell me what has been going on with you? We are best friends and best friends tell each other everything, why didn’t you tell me?" Nicki burst out and her voice choking up from trying to stop herself from crying. Anotida was shocked because she wasn’t expecting this. "I am sorry Nicole but I tried to tell you so many times, I promise you I did but it was never the right time, I could never find the words to begin telling you but I really wanted to." She replied looking at her friend. "Who is it?" Nicole asked. "Oh I honestly can’t tell you that." She stammered. "What do you mean you can’t tell me who it is, you need to tell me. Whoever it is needs to pay for what he did!" "He will kill me, I know he will!" "Anotida, you can not let him get away with this, you can’t do that. This person hurt you and took away something so precious from you, they have to pay for it." Adi told her friend. "I know, and I agree with you but it’s not as easy as that" Anotida replied them. "Why not?" Nicki asked. For a few moments Anotida didn’t reply them and then she said "I’m pregnant…" and she looked away from her friends because she felt like she couldn’t face them after this. Nicki let a big sigh, for once she was speechless. Adi and Nicki could not think of words to comfort their friends. All they could think was ‘15 years old and pregnant’ and they were not sure what the right words would be at this point. "Have you been to see a doctor?" Adi asked. "Yes I have, that’s why I’m so sure. I can’t keep this baby, I can’t even tell him I’m pregnant" she told them. "But you can’t kill this baby either" Adi said. There was another round of silence. "I’m confused" Anotida whispered. "How can I have this man’s baby, how can I love or take care of this baby? No I can’t keep it". "I’m sorry but I can’t stand here and listen to you plan a murder. I’m sorry you got abused I really am, but do you honestly think God would be ok with that?" Nicole asked. "God should be able to understand… wouldn’t he?" Anotida hesitated. "I’m sorry but he wouldn’t, God would never be a part of that… please don’t do it. God has loved you through everything and you need to love this baby just the same, regardless of how you ended up with the baby". Adi told her. "It’s my father’s baby… do you still think I should keep it?" Anotida blurted out.
Yes, you guessed right, there was another round of silence. Soon as those words left Anotida’s mouth they covered their faces. At this time Nicki and Adi’s judgement was clouded. How could she live with a child that was her father’s? They began to question what they thought and knew was right. This new information they had heard was a game changer, or so they thought. They all sat on the bed deep in thought. No one dared to say a word. Adi and Nicki watched Anotida’s face as tears started to well up in her eyes, they could tell she was trying to hold the tears back but she could not stop them from streaming down her cheeks. Anotida’s tears flowed uncontrollably but no sound came out. Reality had finally sunk in now that she had said it out loud. She could not believe it, she hoped it was a dream and that any moment she would wake up. ‘How can all this be true?’ Anotida muttered to herself. "How can this be my reality? How can I, a fifteen year old girl, be having a child by my own father? Why me, why me!" she shouted. "For as long as I can remember this has been my life, I have not known any other way. Is this what I was born for, is this why God brought me to this earth?" she continued. "I’m so sorry Anotida, I may not have the answers to your every question but all I know is that everything happens for a reason. I truly believe God will see you through it all…" Adi said in calm voice as though she was out of breath and strength, she was still in shock. It actually seemed like all three of them were still in shock.
"I want to die." Anotida whispered. "Now you’re just scaring me, you’re scaring the both of us. This is not worth your life, your father is the one that should feel like dying for what he’s done to you." Nicki said moving closer to her friend trying to comfort her. "He has ruined my life, he ruined it long before it began. What are people going to think or say about me, oh my God I’m going to be the laughed at by the world and I don’t know if I can deal with that." Anotida said getting up and started pacing up and down her room as she imagined the reaction of people when they found out. She imagined no one would love her, that she would never marry. ‘How can any man want to marry such a messed up girl?’ she thought to herself. All sorts of scenarios kept flashing in front of her. She didn’t say it out loud but in her mind the baby was not worth keeping and her life was not worth living. "Ano, there is no mess that God can not clean up especially if you ask him and let him help you. God longs to redeem you, I was reading it the other day in the book of Hosea I think" Adi said taking her bible out of her bag and flipped through the pages until she got to the scripture she wanted. "See right here, Hosea 7 verse 13 God was talking about the Israelites that had rebelled against him and done him wrong yet God still said ‘I long to redeem them’. If God feels this way about people that had built idols and worshipped them how about you Anotida, this was not your fault so imagine how he’s feeling about you. With the same compassion he felt when he longed to redeem the rebellious Israelites, he longs to redeem you to. Please just say yes to God." Adi said softly. Anotida suddenly stopped pacing and stood in one spot and he tried to process what Adi had just told her and it really appealed to her and she really wanted to say yes to God but something kept telling her she would be crazy to keep that baby and she would even be crazier to want to live any longer, the only way out was for her to die. Anotida battled with these thoughts but it seemed like they were winning. She felt a tug of war from within her, she didn’t know what to do.
"Thank you much for coming guys but I would like to sleep now if that’s ok?" Anotida said to the girls. It sounded like a question but they knew she was telling them to go. "We’ll be praying for you sweetie" Nicki said picking up her school bag. "Yeah we will… and it is okay if we told Dalia and Nicole as well so that they can help us pray?" Adi asked. "You can tell the world for all I care, they’ll all soon find out anyway." Anotida said quietly as she got into her blankets. "Well you know this is our last week of school so we’ll be spending more time with you, but we’ll be here tomorrow so take care and I’ll phone you tonight." Nicki said and they walked out.
Chapter 17
As soon as Adi got home she phoned Dalia and Nicole and told them everything. They all agreed to immediately start a fast for their friend. They didn’t know what else to do and there was nothing else to do except to ask God to intervene. Adi also told her mother and she cried when she heard, they all prayed for Anotida as a family and they also prayed for her whole family.
When Nicole got home she went straight to her room and got into bed. She couldn’t imagine how her friend was feeling at this moment, all she wanted to do was be right there with her, she wanted to assure her that everything would be okay but how could she say those words to her when she didn’t even believe them herself? "Dear God, I know I’m not very good at praying but I’m asking you to do something to help Anotida, I can’t imagine what she’s going through but I read somewhere in the bible that there is nothing too hard for you so please do something because I know it’ll be easy for you to help her and her family to get through this. In Jesus’ name I pray amen."
None of the girls slept well that night. Whenever they fell asleep they found themselves awake again before long.
Anotida was tossing and turning in her bed. When it was around 3am she heard someone enter her room and she knew it was that time again. She hadn’t told her father that she was pregnant and she knew that if he found out nothing good was going to come out of that. When he was done all she could do was weep as she did every other time he came into her room. ‘I can’t take this anymore, I would rather die than go through one more night of this’ she thought to herself. She got out of bed and went through her drawers and took every pill she could find in her room, she thought of going outside of her room to look for more but she didn’t want to wake anyone up so she hoped the ones she was going to take would do the job and end her misery. Tears began to flow as she swallowed the pills one by one, sometimes more than one at a time. ‘This is the only way out’ she heard herself say. After taking all the pills she began writing a letter that she would leave on her dressing table for whoever that would find her. In the letter she poured out her heart, wrote of how her father had hurt her almost every night and how she felt that she had no reason to live anymore so now she was going to leave. The letter had so many drops of tears on it but she didn’t care she just wanted out, she wanted the quickest and easiest way out and to her this was it. Eventually she started to feel dizzy and weak. At this point she realised the pills she had taken where taking effect and she got really scared but she didn’t know what to do. Stomach cramps followed and she couldn’t stop shaking. Anotida did not even have a clue how long it would take for her to die. "God how long is this going to take?" she groaned in pain. She grabbed one of her pillows and squeezed it so hard she thought she was going to tear it up. She tried to suppress her groans from the pain she was feeling because she didn’t want to wake up everyone in the house before the job was done. ‘This is not the way out Anotida’ she heard voice tell her. "It’s too late to tell me that now isn’t it?" she replied in her heart. "It’s only late when you’re dead, call your mum right now" the voice said again and she knew it was the voice of God, the voice she had ignored all day. Anotida did not waste any time "Muuuuuum!" she called out and in less than a minute her mum, dad and brother were all in her room wondering what was going on. "Mum, I’m sorry I tried to kill myself please help me, God said to call you please help me!" she said in a panicking voice. Her mother was in shock, she put her hands over her mouth before asking her how she tried to kill herself. "I took all the pills that were in my drawer, please do something" Anotida squeezed her pillow as tight as she could. The whole house was in panic mode. Mr Mudiwa noticed the letter that was on his daughter’s dressing table and reached for it before anything else but his wife saw him do it. "That must be the suicide letter, give it to me!" she grabbed it from his hands before he had time to hide it. "Anesu get the car we need to take your sister to the hospital right now!" Mrs Mudiwa ordered Anotida’s brother. "Yes mum" he replied while tears ran down his face. He felt powerless and wished he could help his sister. He went and got the keys and started the car. Mrs Mudiwa carried her daughter to the car and they headed straight to the hospital. They were all crying, Mr Mudiwa tried to get out of going to the hospital but his wife told him to get in the car. When they got there they explained what Anotida had told them and the hospital staff started running around. Anotida was in tears and so was her mother and her brother. She never dared to look at her dad because she was scared of what he might say or do, she figured he would threaten her. The pain got worse for her but she could still hear her mum frantically asking "Why would my daughter try to kill herself? What could possibly be that bad?" she cried. Anotida hoped her mum would forget about the letter and not read it.
Anotida felt her bed was wet and she couldn’t understand why, she looked underneath the blankets and realised she was bleeding. "Oh my God mum there’s blood all over my bed" she cried in a loud voice. Anesu rushed to call the nurses who called the doctor. While the nurses were attending to her the doctor called Mrs Mudiwa to the side and said "Mrs Mudiwa, do you know if your daughter was pregnant?" In that moment Mrs Mudiwa felt like someone took her world and literally started shaking it, she was in serious shock. "I don’t know doctor, why?" she asked him back tears welling up in her eyes. "We’ve done some tests and it looks like because of the overdose she lost the baby. I’m so sorry" the doctor replied.
When she heard these words her world stopped for a few seconds, she couldn’t believe her ears. "I would have been angry for a while if I had found out she was pregnant but I would never have wished death on my daughter. Why would she try to kill herself because she was pregnant?" she said to one of the nurses. Mrs Mudiwa was shaking uncontrollably. She felt sorry for her daughter because she felt she had to go through it alone. She then remembered the letter than she had taken from her husband and she reached into her pocket.
As she started reading the letter she found a chair and sat down. She still had tears welling up in her eyes constantly so some of the words were blurry but she continued reading. When she read about what her husband had been doing her heart started pounding, for a minute she thought it was going to jump out so she put her hand on her chest. She got up and stormed to where her husband and her son were standing and she gave him a slap and shouted "You idiot!!! What did you think would happen?" Her looks alone would have been enough to send him to his grave. He didn’t dare reply her or stop the slaps that kept flying his way. "Mum, what’s the matter. What did dad do?" Anesu cried. "Ask your father, ask your father why his daughter is in hospital because she tried to kill herself because she was pregnant!" she replied in a loud voice. Anesu just looked at his father while processing the fact that his mum had just told them that Anotida was pregnant and what did she mean ‘was’? He thought to himself. "Let me just tell you right now that for what you did to my daughter you are going to rot in prison for it and I hope you suffer while you’re there, infact I hope you die there, I hate you!!" she spit on him. By then Anesu had figured it all out and the disgust that was on his face could never be put into words, the disgust, the hurt and the shame. To Anesu his father had just turned into a monster, actually he was a monster in disguise this whole time. It’s the way he growled as his father with his fists clenched so tight. He just wanted to punch him until his mother pulled him back. "Let’s deal with Anotida right now, we’ll deal with him later" and they walked away. At that moment Mr Mudiwa left the hospital, tried to do it without anyone noticing but they all noticed. The doctor went and told Mrs Mudiwa that her daughter was going to be fine but they would have to take a few blood samples often, she had thrown up most of the poisons in her body but they had to keep her in hospital for a few days to make sure that she’s okay before she leaves. They were both advised to go home for the rest of that morning for some rest. "Sorry Doctor but I can’t leave my daughter in this condition but I’ll send my son home for a little while." The Doctor did not try to change her mind because he knew he wouldn’t win that argument. Anesu was sent home by his mother so that he could bath, rest and come back later in the day.
When Anesu got home she found Adi and Nicki banging the gate so that someone would come and open it for them. "Hie Anesu, we’ve been by this gate for a few minutes and the maid hasn’t opened for us" Nicki smiled at him. "Hey guys, I’m sorry. I need to tell you both something." Anesu replied. His looked down before explaining to them what had happened. "Oh no! Please tell me she’s okay, please tell me it didn’t work because I prayed and we prayed, we all prayed for her. Oh God why?" Nicki sat on the floor and began to weep. "Hey, she didn’t die." Anesu told them as he pulled Nicki back up off the floor. "Oh thank God!" Adi breathed a heavy sigh of relief. "I knew God wouldn’t fail" she continued. "Can we go see her now, please can you take us?" Nicki pleaded. "I just came home to take a shower and rest, but ya’ll can wait for me to take a shower I’ll take you with me when I go, is that okay?" he asked them. "Yeah that’s fine, that’ll have to do" she replied.
It wasn’t long before they got to the hospital and when they got there Anotida was asleep and some of her relatives where there as well. They went straight to hug Mrs Mudiwa and they sobbed. "I’m so sorry I wasn’t there aunty" Nicki cried. "It’s okay, she’s going to be okay. She’ll be out in a few days". They waited for her to wake up and when Anotida woke up and saw her mum, her brother and friends sitting all around she could help but smile. "Hie family" she smiled as she sat up. They were all so relieved when she woke up. They couldn’t make her talk too much because the doctor said she needed her rest because of the blood she had lost and her body had to recover. "I would have died if I hadn’t heard God telling me to call my mum, he told me it wasn’t too late for me. You were right Adi, God longs to redeem me" and she began to cry, they all began to cry. "God loves me Adi, the devil told me that the only way out for me was if I died so I ignored God’s voice that told me that death was not my way out, God really loves me, I should have listened." Anotida said through her tears. "Yes, God loves you and you’ll see that all that you’ve gone through all this time was to the glory of God." Adi replied. "Yes and there is nothing too hard for God, now I know this" Nicki added. "Hey, we have a little surprise for you" Adi smiled. "I’ll take anything that’ll cheer me up right now" Anotida smiled. Okay, we’ll bring the surprise tomorrow" Nicki told her. "You mean I can’t have the surprise now?" Anotida faked a sad face. "Even if we wanted to show you the surprise now we couldn’t so hang in there until tomorrow yeah?" replied Adi. "Okay fine, if you say so but I can’ guarantee that I’ll still be here tomorrow" Anotida giggled. No one laughed with her because no one found it funny. "Too early for suicide jokes?" she asked everyone. "Way too early girlie" her mum replied. "Okay, my bad. Maybe some other time." She replied putting on another fake sad face.
Mr and Mrs Ishe came by to see her and to pray with her, by the time everyone left Anotida was in a beautiful mood and her mother remained by her side.
Adi and Nicki’s parents went to their school and asked that they may be excused from school for the rest of the week since it was the last week of school before the holiday, it wasn’t easy but eventually the headmaster caved in because they were very persuasive. Everyone had agreed they were not going to tell the school or anyone about Anotida’s incident, she was paranoid enough as it was.
Adi and Nicki walked into the hospital room with huge smiles on their faces. "Guess what?" Nicki squeaked. "My surprise is here?" Anotida replied with excitement on her face. When she saw who walked in she screamed and she also looked surprised but she was happy. "Oh my God!!" she almost shouted while Dalia and Nicole gave her a light hug as she was still a little weak. "This really is a surprise, I’m so glad ya’ll came" Anotida couldn’t stop smiling. Just after they walked in Mako followed behind them. "Mako, thank you for coming. I bet school’s not the same without me hey?" she smiled at him. The whole bunch was caught up in conversation and it seemed for a moment that everyone forgot what had just happened. "Aunty why don’t you go home and rest, I promise we won’t leave Anotida’s side until then, right guys?" Nicki said turning to her friends. "We’re not going anywhere anytime soon, you need to rest Mrs Mudiwa" Adi smiled. "That’s true" they all chorused at the same time. Mrs Mudiwa allowed a light smile to come on her face and said "You kids trying to get rid of me so you can talk about boys?" They all laughed but didn’t respond. "Mum, we have a lot of catching up to do you know" Anotida said to her mum while she was winking at Dalia and Nicole because they had never met Mako before. When Adi noticed where it was going she said "Auntie do you need some company because I’m happy to go with you." She blushed. Mrs Mudiwa just looked at her with an ‘I don’t believe that’ look while the rest of the girls chorused "Noooo!"
"Okay, behave while I’m gone and remember this is a hospital so you can’t make noise" Mrs Mudiwa said while she got up and took her handbag. "God knows I sure need rest" she sighed.
Soon as Mrs Mudiwa left the room the whole crew was onto Adi and Mako, the only one who was clueless in that room was Anesu who was 21 years old and never hung out with any of them. "Hey Mako" Dalia said with a huge grin on her face. "Hie" he replied scratching his head even though it was not itchy, he was nervous because he knew what was coming. "So who’s going to fill me in?" Anesu asked and the room went quiet for a few seconds. "Let me fill you because you’re my brother" Anotida smiled "Mako and Adi like each other but they try to pretend as if they don’t" "Oh I see, is this true guys?" Anesu asked turning to Adi and Mako who were sitting next to each other blushing so much it looked like they were going to melt. None of them replied, they both looked at each other and smiled making silly faces to avoid answering the question. "Come on guys don’t be horrible, look at the two love birds, they keep looking at the floor as if they’re waiting for it to open up and swallow them" Nicole laughed and the rest of them laughed with her. "Why are you ganging up on us?" Adi asked them trying not to blush. "Because you guys are not being honest with us, are you two together?" Anotida asked. Mako and Adi hadn’t had that conversation yet, they were so caught up in each other so much that they never had the time to discuss whether they were boyfriend and girlfriend or if that’s where they wanted to go with their relationship. In their hearts both of them wanted to be official but never said anything. "Okay, that’s enough. Can you not see them? They don’t want to talk about it." Anesu pointed at them. "Thank you Anesu, they should all just be quiet" Mako smiled. "Anesu the party pooper!" they chanted. "When they are ready I know you’ll be the first to know, ain’t that right guys?" he said looking at Mako then at Adi. "Well, I don’t know about that" Mako hesitated. "Okay girls, I give you permission to attack" Anesu said as if making an announcement. The girls laughed, they all did. "You’re not going to make this easy for us are you?" Adi asked her friends. "Nope!" Nicki replied. They had so much fun teasing each other about boys and all sorts of things. "So Anesu, do you have a girlfriend?" Nicki asked. He chuckled before he answered "You lot are too young to be asking me that question." "Oh come on, do tell. We want to know, you practically know every one of our stories now." Nicki replied. "Yes I do if you must know." He replied. "What’s her name?" Nicki asked. "Now I’m not giving you her name because you might know her" he smiled again. "Stop smiling and just give us a name dummy" Anotida blurted out. "Yeah man, tell us." Mako insisted. "Not happening" he replied. "Fine! But I have a question" Nicki told him. "Ya’ll never give up do you?" he replied raising one of his eyebrows. "No" Nicki replied. "A persistent girl, I like that" he smiled at her. "Alright, go ahead and ask your question, but you all get only one question each so ask wisely" and he gave them a hand gesture to go on. Nicki decided to ask first "How do you know when a guy likes you?" There was a round of silence because they all wanted to hear this. "Wow, you could hear a pin drop up in this place. But if a guy likes you he likes you, different guys have different ways of showing it but however they choose to show it you’ll definitely have his attention. Some may pretend to be horrible, there’s a lot of banter that goes on, some just straight up say it. Some don’t need to say anything, you’ll just know by their actions. I think that’s all I can say off the top of my head." He replied. "Wow, okay. Cool, thanks for that." Nicki said sitting back on her chair. "Can I ask next?" Dalia said with her hand up. "Yes ma’am, go ahead." "What if you like a guy and you’re not sure if he likes you back, what do you do?" she asked. "That one is simple, you just wait until you’re sure about how he feels. If you’re ever unsure about anything just leave it alone but if you’re brave enough to ask him then you can go for it but otherwise just wait it out." "When is a guy too old for me?" Anotida asked. "For you every guy is too old for you, stay away from guys" he replied with a warning tone. "That’s not fair but whatever" she smiled. "How about me?" Nicki asked. "You’ve already had your chance, I did say one question each so next person please." "No, I want to know, please it’s important" "Okay, for you, all of you, any guy that’s not in school is too old for you, understood?" "Yes" they replied. "So that means we’re good then don’t it?" Adi let out. All eyes were on her and she immediately buried her face in her palms, she didn’t mean to say that out loud. "The truth finally comes out." Nicole laughed. They started clapping their hands and laughing until one of the nurses came and asked them to keep the noise down. They honestly forgot that they were in a hospital.
Time flew by because Mrs Mudiwa then walked in, hours had passed by and they hadn’t realised.
"You all sound like you’re having a good time, am I interrupting?" Mrs Mudiwa asked. "No mum, you’re not interrupting you’re saving me" said Anesu hugging his mum. "Hi auntie" came from all around the room. "Hello girls and Mako, did you enjoy yourselves?" "Yes we did, you showing up is what just reminded us where we are and now we have to go" Nicki said pouting her mouth. "Don’t worry, the doctor said she might be leaving tomorrow if she sleeps well tonight. Just keep praying for her." She smiled. "We will auntie" replied Dalia and Nicole.
They all said their goodbyes and they were going to come back the next day. "We’ll come mid morning time so that auntie can have a chance to go home and rest." Said Adi and she got up. "It was so very nice of all of you to come see me, I can’t wait to see ya’ll tomorrow." Anotida said with a huge grin on her face.
Chapter 18
Anesu offered to drive the girls home but Mako was going to take them home. When they got to Adi’s house Dalia and Nicole got out of the car and went straight into the house while Adi stayed in the car. "Nicki can you give us a few minutes to chat a bit and I’ll call you back when we’re done" Mako asked his sister. "Yeah sure thing" and she stepped out. They stayed in the car and the two just looked at each other smiling. Both of them knew they wanted to have ‘the talk’. "We’re eventually going to have this talk so we might as well do it now" Mako suggested rubbing his hands together to show that he was ready to talk. "Erm, okay. That’s fine with me" Adi replied. Mako turned to face her and said "It’s not a secret that I like you, infact I more than like you and nothing would make me happier than to have you be my girl if that’s okay with you?" "You know that I like you too, I just need to know that you’re in this 100% otherwise we might as well remain just friends." "I’m in this and I’ll give it 120%" he smiled. "You’ve been my best friend lately, it’s you that I want to spend all my time with. When I’m happy or upset about anything you’re the first person I want to call. I even started reading the bible because of you, first to impress you and it eventually became about God. You led me to the light of God and thanks to you I’m a new person and there is no one else I would rather be on this journey with." He continued, then he noticed Adi’s eyes welling up but nothing at that moment could take away the smile she had on her face, she couldn’t help but blush. Adi knew that Mako liked her but to hear him say it and describe it took away any doubts she may have had. She knew right there and then that she too was all in. She didn’t have to say a word back to Mako for him to know that they were doing this together. "I don’t even mean to be holier than thou but can we say a quick prayer for what we’ve just started?" Adi suggested. "Yes, sure thing miss". Adi took his hand and prayed "Dear Father, we come before you in Jesus’ name. Thank You for this journey we’ve just begun, it’s a beautiful thing. Above all else I pray that you cover us, that you be with us all through out the relationship that we may remain pure and put you first. Anything built on a firm foundation will never be shaken so we are choosing to make you our foundation, Lord may we never be shaken. Amen"
They both looked up at each other and smiled. Mako leaned over to her and gave a kiss on the cheek and whispered "I promise to always be there for you". "Me too, I promise to cover us in prayer always." She replied. They hugged and Adi finally said "I have to go now otherwise mum and dad will be wondering what’s taking me so long". "I understand, would you like me to pick you up to go to the hospital tomorrow?" "I’ll text you to let you know" and she blew a kiss his way once she was outside the car. She then called Nicki to come out. As usual she stood there while he drove away till his car was out of side. She started feeling butterflies in her stomach and whispered "This doesn’t feel wrong at all, it feels beautiful" and she walked into the house. Dalia and Nicole were waiting for her in her room, when she walked in they both sitting on one corner of the bed and looking at her with looks that talk. Adi quickly closed the door and started jumping around trying not to scream out loud, they could tell she was all excited.
"Are you going to share the excitement?" Nicole asked with a little smile on her face. Adi started singing in low voice "I’ve got a boyfriend and he’s amazing" repeatedly. Both Nicole and Dalia got up and started jumping around with her, they were happy for her. Adi couldn’t wait to tell Nicki, she wasn’t sure if Mako would tell Nicki on their way home but she was hoping to be the first one to tell her. Adi decided to wait a few more minutes before phoning Nicki because she wanted to make sure she wasn’t still in the car with Mako. Nicki beat her to it, in no time Adi’s phone was ringing and the moment she answered the phone all she could hear was a lot of screaming on the other end of the line, it even sounded as if there was more than one person screaming. Adi held her phone a distance from her ear yet she could still hear the screaming, when the screaming stopped she went on to say "I’m guessing your brother already told you the news I wanted to tell you first?" she said but with a huge grin on her face. "Pshh, girl I knew before you did. He asked me first because he wanted my blessing since you’re one of my best friends. I’m so happy for you!" Nicki replied in an excited voice, she was panting from all the screaming and jumping around.
"What!" Adi responded. Nicki chuckled before she said "Hey, don’t forget I’m his sister so we talk about these things. I knew his intention the whole time, even before he told me. Anyway, you’re now my sister in law so you have to do whatever I say!" and the girls all laughed. "I can’t wait to tell Anotida tomorrow, this is so exciting!" Adi told Nicki. "Yeah, she’s going to be so happy for you guys." "Anyway, let me go now. I’ll see you tomorrow in the morning then?" Adi asked. "Yeah, but before you go I want to tell you something but you can’t tell anyone" Nicki hesitated. "Ok, that sounds serious though" Adi replied sensing the change in Nicki’s tone. "It kind of is and it kind of isn’t but never mind, I’ll tell you tomorrow" she said in a dismissive voice. "Oh no you don’t! You’ve aroused my curiosity and now you’re going to leave me, uh uh!" Adi retorted "I will tell you tomorrow, Mako just walked into my room" she replied. "You’re saying that just to get off the phone aren’t you?" "Yes I am" Nicki laughed. "Fine, but don’t forget to tell me though because I want to know" "Alright good night" "Good night"
And they got off the phone.
Nicole and Dalia wanted to know the details of the conversation Adi and Mako had in the car but Adi was a little too shy to talk about it but she tried to fill them in as much as she could.
"I really really like him, he’s been amazing to me you know" Adi blushed. "Though I only met him yesterday I like him as well, he seems like a nice guy and if my discernment is right he’s the right one for you." Nicole smiled. "Yeah, you two should see what we see when you’re together. You’re so cute" Dalia said in high pitched voice. "Awww, thank you" Adi responded giving them both a hug at the same time. "Do you think I should tell my parents right now or wait a bit?" Adi asked for her friends advice and her face told them she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do. "Well, I personally would wait a few weeks or months to tell them" Nicole replied. "Aha, you want to also make sure you’re making the right decision you know because what if doesn’t work out?" Dalia replied putting on a sad face. "Dalia! You can’t say that" Nicole sort of whispered and lightly slapped Dalia on her lap. "She’s right, sometimes we may think we’re doing the right thing but only time will tell so I’ll wait a couple of months and then I’ll tell them." Adi decided. "Good! Can we go downstairs for some dinner, I’m so hungry" Nicole said getting up and headed to the kitchen while Adi and Dalia followed behind. All Mrs Ishe could hear was whispers among the girls.
"Why do you three keep whispering to each other?" she asked while she tasted her meat. The girls looked at each other before saying "Nothing" in unison. "Now I definitely know it’s not nothing, it’s a boy isn’t it?" Mrs Ishe teased. "Mum!" Adi blushed. "What I want to know too" she smiled. There was an awkward silence that was broken by a text message tone that came from Adi’s phone. As she read it she tried to look casual but she failed. The text read;
"Hi girlfriend("
"That smile just gave it out away" Mrs Ishe smiled as she walked towards her daughter. Dalia and Nicole burst out into laughter, Adi nudged them to stop because they were definitely arousing her mum’s suspicions. "Mum, it’s nothing. I’m going to the toilet" she said walking out. When she got into the toilet she just sat there and read the text again, when she did it felt as though there was some sort of dancing going on in her stomach and she loved it!
"Hi boyfriend :D"
Mako’s reply was immediate because it came in before she left the bathroom.
"I honestly can’t wait to see you tomorrow, I miss you ("
"The last time you texted me saying you can’t wait to see me you were outside my house.."
"Lol, I’m not about to try and get killed by your dad babe"
and she laughed out loud.
"I have to go, mum keeps asking me who the boy is,lol, as if I’m just going to tell her"
"Why wouldn’t you?"
When she read this she paused for a moment and thought about it. ‘Is he saying I should tell my mum today?’ she thought to herself
"mmhhh, we’ll talk tomorrow. x x x"
"Good night baby, dream of yours truly"
"And who’s that?" she replied
"Haha, you’re not funny"
Adi smiled as she walked out of the bathroom.
"You’re coming out of the bathroom and you’re smiling? You’re must be feeling happy to relieve yourself" her mum said from behind her. Adi flinched "Mum, you scared me! Did you follow me?" "Why are you being paranoid?" Mrs Ishe smiled giving a playful bump from the side. Though Adi tried to maintain a serious face she couldn’t help but laugh with her mum. The family finally sat down for dinner.
"How was Anotida today?" Mr Ishe asked. "She was so much better today, she’s still a bit tired all the time but we talked for almost the whole day" Adi replied. "That’s really nice to hear, I’m so glad. So has her dad been arrested yet?" He asked again. Adi hesitated before replying "We don’t know anything yet, everyone has been avoiding that subject all day but he disappeared yesterday I think or today, not too sure but I know we’ll find out soon enough." "He should pay for what he did to that little girl, what kind of man does that to her own daughter? Huh?" Mr Ishe blurted out with so much emotion in his voice. "Calm down darling, I’m sure he’ll get caught and pay for what he did" Mrs Ishe assured her husband.
"I’m so glad we moved here you know" Adi smiled and continued to say "Do you think Anotida’s is the reason we moved here?" "I believe she was a part of the plan, her and that boy" Mrs Ishe winked at Adi to tease her. "What boy?" Mr Ishe stopped eating and looked at his daughter then at his wife and back at his daughter again. "I think Adi has a boyfriend" Mrs Ishe said in a casual voice. "Are you serious? And you haven’t introduced him to us?" he asked her daughter. Adi let out a long breath and didn’t respond because she didn’t want to so she was hoping no one would keep asking her, especially her dad. "Mum, can you take us to the hospital in the morning on your way to work please?" she looked at her Mrs Ishe trying to change the subject. "Are you allowed to get there so early?" she asked looking confused. "No but they always let us in" she replied. "Don’t think I didn’t notice you changing the subject" Mr Ishe said just after swallowing his food. "I’m full now, can we go watch TV please?" she asked. "Yes you may, keep the volume low because remember not everyone has been excused from school and work." "Yes mum" Adi replied taking her plate to the kitchen. "Yes aunty" Nicole and Dalia chorused and took their plates to the kitchen as well. After that they went to the lounge, Nicole let out a heavy sigh before she sat down and said "I’m not staying up for long, I’m so tired and we still have to be up early" "I know, me neither" Adi said leaning on Dalia’s shoulder. Before long Dalia had fallen asleep and the three girls decided they were going to bed.
The girls were up on time and Adi woke up to a text from Mako asking if they needed picking up but he told him that her mum was taking them and they would meet at the hospital, she couldn’t wait to tell Anotida about it.
None of them were prepared for what they saw when they got to the hospital. ‘What had changed within the past few hours?’ Adi asked herself
Chapter 19
Mrs Mudiwa was by her daughter’s bedside crying none stop, her eyes were swollen. Mako, Adi, Dalia, Nicki, Nicole and Mrs Ishe had all walked in together. Anesu was pacing up and down the room and they could tell that he had been crying as well. "What happened?" Nicki asked in a shaky voice. "We have no idea, the doctors have no idea…she… she just didn’t wake up this morning for her medication" Anesu replied running his hand through his head. Nicki took a few steps back and she began to tremble "What are you saying… is she…No!" and she put her hand over her mouth and tears started to flow. "No… she’s not dead but they say… they are saying…my sister doesn’t have much time left" he hesitated as tears filled up his eyes but everyone could tell he was trying to hold them back. He wanted to be strong for his mother. At these words Mrs Mudiwa started to cry even louder. Mrs Ishe walked over to Mrs Mudiwa and put her arms around her and whispered the words "I’m so sorry…"
"That monster killed my daughter!!" Mrs Mudiwa shouted. "Aunty, she is not… Anotida is still alive" Adi hesitated not knowing what the response would be. "She might as well be, her body is failing and I’m losing her and there’s nothing anyone can do" she cried and buried her face in her palms. "Mum, please don’t cry" Anesu cried as he hugged his mother. Mako was still standing by the door not sure of what to do or say but his face looked disturbed at the situation. She wanted to do something but he felt like nothing he could do would change the situation. They all sat down all around the room and hopelessness covered the room.
Adi walked up to Anotida’s bed side and took her hand and said "I have something to tell you" and wiped tears away. "I couldn’t wait to tell you this and I knew you’d be excited for us" she smiled through the tears. "I wanted to be the first one to tell you before anyone else did…I now have a boyfriend" Adi chuckled and snuffled. Mako stood up and went to stand next to Adi and put his arm around her and whispered to Anotida "You were right Ano, she’s a keeper and I’m so glad I took your advice… Thank you" and a tear dropped onto the bed. Dalia and Nicole moved closer to the bed and noticed tears streaming down Anotida’s face and her pillow was getting soaked. "I think she can hear you" Nicole whispered. "Yeah, look" Dalia said pointing to Anotida’s tears. Excitement filled all their hearts and they all gathered around Anotida’s hospital bed and for the first time they all felt like there was hope for her.
"Dear God, if you truly exist then I beg you hear my prayer… please don’t take my daughter away from me" Mrs Anotida cried as she wiped her daughter’s tears. Anesu had never been prayerful, he believed in God but never did anything about it and for the first time for as long as he can remember he said a prayer to God in his heart. ‘Dear God let my sister live and I’ll be yours forever’. They all started to pray in their hearts except Dalia who prayed out loud. "God, I was reading the bible the other day and it said in James Chapter 5 ‘the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective’ and it went on to say ‘Elijah was a human being even just as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain and it did not rain for 3 years except at his word’ so if I be your servant today then I veto what the doctors have said here today. Anotida will live and not die, her life will declare your faithfulness and we are here to witness this. In Jesus’ name I declare this done." And the whole room went quiet, though there was silence the praying continued in their hearts.
The doctor walked in to check on her and Mrs Mudiwa said to him "She was just crying doctor, that’s a good sign right?" with a hint of excitement in her voice, she hoped the doctor would agree. "I’m afraid that doesn’t change a thing Mrs Mudiwa, these things happen. The sooner you accept it the better so that you can say your goodbyes in good time." He said trying his best look like he was sympathising with the family. "I refuse to believe this is it, if there is a God then he’s about to bring my daughter back." Mrs Mudiwa said in a calm voice and sat down. The doctor looked at her as if to say ‘you’re crazy but whatever’. Soon as he doctor walked out Mrs Mudiwa turned to Mrs Ishe and said "God can bring my daughter back right?" "God brought her into this world and only he can say when it’s finally over so I do believe God can turn all of this around." She smiled. "Thank you all for being here, I appreciate every one of you" Mrs Mudiwa turned to smile at everyone. "We’re not going anywhere until God does whatever he wants to do here, I’m sleeping here if I have to" Nicki replied. "Me too" said Nicole and everyone followed suit and "Me too" came from all around the room.
The whole crew took their seats, they noticed that different nurses kept coming into the room not to check on Anotida but to see the stubborn family because the doctor had told the other staff that they were believing God for healing. The nurses were ignored as they entered one by one. The time was drawing nearer and nearer and it was less than an hour to the time the doctor had given Anotida. Mrs Mudiwa couldn’t help but look at her watch every few minutes. "I think we should all say good bye just in case..." Mrs Mudiwa said reluctantly. "No mum! God is going to do this, I can feel it with my everything, just be patient please" Anesu blurted out to everyone’s surprise. Adi and Nicki merely looked at each other because they had never known Anesu to speak of God but neither of them uttered a word. Mrs Mudiwa sat back down to what sounded like a command from her own son, she had no strength to argue, after all she wanted God to heal her daughter. They were all tired and restless and they started to fall asleep. Adi laid her head on Mako’s shoulder and the moment she closed her eyes that was it. Mrs Mudiwa’s head was resting on Anotida’s bed, she had vowed to not leave the bedside until God was done. Dalia and Nicole were whispering to each other and encouraging one another to continue in prayer. Nicki tried to stay awake but it had been a long day, it was almost 9pm and they had been there since early morning so in the end they all gave into sleep.
They were all woken up by screams from Mrs Mudiwa. When they opened their eyes the first thing they saw was Mrs Mudiwa on the floor in tears and all she could do was worship God in every way that she could. The doctor came running in with nurses and he said "It’s ok Mrs Mudiwa it was her time" patting her back. "Oh Lord!" one of the nurses almost whispered in awe of Anotida whose eyes were open, they were clearly weak but they were open. Mrs Mudiwa threw off the doctor’s hand from her back. "God brought my daughter back… God did it for us" she burst into tears. At first no one knew what to say but they were all looking up as though they could literally see God and they were mumbling their prayers as they surrounded Anotida’s bed. "I’m going to need everyone who’s not family to go out please we just need to do some checks because what just happened here cannot be explained" The doctor said hesitantly. "Yes it can be explained, when you couldn’t do anything God did something so don’t say it can’t be explained!" Nicki said in a calm but harsh voice. "Sometimes these things happen even though they rarely do" the doctor replied. "Yeah I’m sure they do" Adi rolled her eyes at the doctor. "We are all a family here so no one is leaving this room, do what you have to do but we are all staying here" Mrs Mudiwa said without taking her eyes off Anotida. Though tears were streaming down her face she had the biggest smile on her face. Anesu was pacing up and down the room as before. All he thought in his mind was ‘I prayed to a God I wasn’t sure existed and he answered me’. They were in disbelief. When you ask God to do something that seems impossible and he does it you just think ‘is this really happening?’ and yes it was a reality, their friend, sister and daughter was well awake.
"Look, she’s trying to say something" Nicki said to get everyone’s attention. They all became silent and all eyes were on Anotida as she looked at Adi and Mako who were standing next to each other and she mumbled "Congratulations…"
"Oh my God she heard me when I spoke to her, she heard me!!" Adi jumped around with her hand over her mouth. They all witnessed a faint smile on Anotida’s face, though it looked faint to them it was a huge smile
No words can ever be used to describe the miracle they all witnessed and experienced that day. Doctors and nurses were more surprised than anyone else because they knew the situation and to them a hopeless situation had turned into something so much more. Within two days Anotida was able to leave the hospital and the whole crew was there to pick her up. Mako and Adi were in one car, Anesu, Nicki, Mrs Mudiwa and Anotida were in one car and Mr and Mrs Ishe were in their own car. When they got to the house there was so much laughter and food in the house and that’s all they needed to get make their day.
Anotida stood up to make a toast, everyone was silent and ready to hear what she had to say.
"First of all I have got to thank God for the fact that I’m still here. A few days ago I was on my death bed, but God placed the right people in my life at the right time. Words can never describe how much I appreciate you all and I want you to know I’m eternally grateful for your faithfulness…" tears began to flow as she continued "I have been through so much and it’s all surreal right now. I know the road ahead is not going to be an easy one but I know that I’m a walking miracle, I owe my everyday and my every breath to God and I am so happy I have all of you" and she sat down. She brought tears to everyone’s eyes. Straight after her speech she walked over to where Adi and Mako were sitting and looked happy together. "How’s my favourite couple?" she asked as she sat between both of them. "We were doing fine before you came along" Mako replied moving to the side. "Listen, I want to know how this finally happened so spill" she said turning to the right and to the left looking at both of them. Mako began to laugh while he got up and said "This is the part I walk away so that you can have the ‘girl talk’" he said putting girl talk in air quotes. "That’s fine by me, I was hoping you would leave anyway" Anotida replied him sticking her tongue out.
Adi was blushing before she even started talking about it. "Well, after that day at the hospital when you all had fun teasing us we had ‘the talk’, and thank you for teasing us by the way, you prompted the conversation" she smiled. "Happy to be of service hey" Anotida winked. "But yeah he asked me if I wanted to be his girl and I told him I would if he was ready to give it 100% and he said he was ready to give me more than that because he more than liked me" "Does more than like you mean he ‘love you’?" Adi couldn’t help but laugh and said "You’re definitely back!" and she looked at her with a funny face. "Well, I’m happy for you guys. I can’t wait to see ya’ll married and give me some nieces and nephews" she said with a big grin on her face. "You’re thinking far ahead aren’t you?" "Yes I am, I believe you two are meant to be" "Really?" she smiled looking at Mako, and he waved at her, she waved back and whispered "He’s amazing" and she looked very delighted. "Yeah, it’s written all over your face" Anotida said nudging her to snap out of it. "Hey, you know in the hospital when I first told you about me and Mako, you had tears coming out, did you know or the tears were involuntary?"
"I was aware of the tears, I was so happy for you guys because I remembered when Mako told me he had fallen in love with you, it just made me so happy… but I was also overwhelmed by everyone’s prayers and I could hear everyone of you, pshhh, I could hear my brother pacing up and down the room as he does when he’s really nervous" and she chuckled before continuing "At first to be honest I was yelling at you guys to pray when it sounded like you were ready to let me die so I began to pray myself, though I wasn’t sure if God could hear me then I finally heard you guys praying and at that moment I knew I wasn’t going anywhere because I felt God breathing new life into me"
"Wow, I have always believed in God and I have served him but everything that has happened recently has renewed my faith you know, it’s like I’m getting to know God all over again and it’s a beautiful feeling." Adi told her friend. "This was the assurance I needed of God’s existence and though he didn’t have to show himself to me he did anyway and to me, no words could express my feelings towards God right now. Look, my brother and my mum are even coming to church on Sunday…. Speaking of my brother look at him right now" She said cutting off what she was saying. "What’s the matter, he’s just talking to Nicki" Adi said looking confused. I know Nicki likes my brother though she hides it very well, I think it’s gross to be honest" "Your brother is well good looking you know" Adi replied. "Yeah, him and I both" she laughed. "Get over yourself" Adi playfully pushed her.
"Nicki!" Anotida yelled across the room to get her attention and when Nicki looked she signalled her to come. "Hey, why are you calling her here?" Adi whispered. "I want to ask her if she likes my brother" she replied. "Not a good idea" Adi whispered when Nicki got closer to them. "Why not?" "Just don’t!" "Fine!"
"What’s up?" Nicki asked standing in front of them. "Sit down please" Anotida said politely. Nicki sat down but she was looking puzzled. Anotida put her hand around Nicki and said "I just wanted you to know that I love you so much and I missed you" "Awww, I love you more!" she replied hugging her.
Though they had all planned to go for a church camp they all decided they would not go in order for them to spend time together and help Anotida to fully recover. None of them spoke about Mr Mudiwa since the time he disappeared, what the rest of them didn’t know was that Anesu had reported him to the police for child abuse and they were looking for him. Mrs Mudiwa burnt everything he might have left in their house but that was it, he became like a cuss word in the house and they were okay not talking about him. No one outside of their circle was told about the Anotida incident, they all figured that when the time is right she would talk about it.
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