NONYE
Victor showed up the next day with Evelyn, after giving them a call the previous day. I could see the scared look on Evelyn's face as I explained everything to her. She shared how she had been having mixed feelings earlier on and explained further the disappointment she felt when she came across my picture from a friend. She felt sorry for what I was going through at the moment and also explained her encounter with an unknown guy who had just walked up to her some weeks back warning her to thread carefully on campus and how she had been wondering and reading meaning to those words but still hadn't gotten one until now.
"Do you know what amazes me?" Victor asked, cutting Evelyn off. "The fact that these people could go this far in publishing a photograph to blackmail and ruin someone's reputation without a second thought... and come to think of it, a lady! Ruining fellow ladies like her....what a heartless fellow!"
"By the way, when was the last time you saw her?" Victor asked.
I raised a brow. "Since the incident occurred, she had stopped attending classes, and it made me wonder if she was ever a student....who does that?" I replied.
"Hmmmm...Evelyn sighed "this shows that my safety isn't guaranteed in this school anymore...but wait, if it hadn't been you they tried to use against me, who knows what would have happen now...could I have been a victim by now?... oh my God....No!.....no!....I know the lord I serve can't let me down, he is ever ready to guide me with his angels and will never allow my falling because been here is for a purpose and not by my own understanding."
Everyone glanced at Evelyn as she spoke...I myself became confused especially at the mention of "here for a purpose." I was tempted to ask her questions concerning that but I withdrew. what got me thinking was "could God have hand in Evelyn schooling here and knowing fully what is to happen to her and still not stop her from coming? I began to relate the situation with mine that I was already lost in thought.
"God knows how he does his things," Victor words brought me back. "One person's problem turns out to be a freedom for another."
"But we haven't talked about the way out," Rachel said. "What do you guys suggest we do? Because the picture is everywhere around the campus, and the shame isn't something small. I can't count the load of messages on my WhatsApp; different people asking me what happened and how true it is... how many people do we want to explain to that she was framed? Please, let's just come up with an idea."
I kept my head low, also thinking of a way out. I couldn't stand the shame. I was overwhelmed with fear of going out, I became tired of schooling. I felt like going back home, but the problem was how to face my parents, what people would say if they got to know I dropped out of school. I became worried and anxious within myself. I thought of several ways out, but the one that kept ringing in my mind was returning home.
"Guys, let's not push further," I said, clearing my throat. "I think I should just go back home. Quitting school will be a better idea for now."
I wish I could confess to them that I was the mastermind behind everything happening. It was painfully clear to me alone that I was the root of my own problems. Telling them that going home was the only solution seemed like the dumbest solution. I could see the shock and surprise on their faces.
"But you've gone too far to quit now, Nonye," Blessing spoke. "You are almost done with this. Let's fight and overcome this or what do you think guys?".
I knew my parents would be disappointed if I quit school, but I couldn't bear the shame and humiliation anymore. I felt like I was drowning in a sea of gossip and rumors.
Sis. Nonye, no, you can't quit," Evelyn spoke, her voice trembling. " I believe the lord you serve and introduced me to can help us overcome this if we seek his intervention.....can we just pray and hope on God?
Her statement got my heart, if only she knows how far I have ran from God, if only she knows I'm no longer the NONYE she knew then......if only she knows the last time I've communed with that God she claimed I introduced her to...I was heartbroken and stricken in my heart knowing I need to go back home...I felt in the position of the prodigal son who after spending all and had nothing left to spend went back home to his father. A part of me felt that I'm going to be welcomed and embraced just like the scripture narrated and the other part felt withdrawn from going back and consider chasing my dream.....I felt lost.
Victor, Blessing and Rachel exchanged a concerned glance due to Evelyn's statement . "Evelyn, I understand you but right now prayer isn't the best solution although it's a necessary thing to be done but right now I think taking action is the best decision....Rachel spoke
But Evelyn shook her head. "You can't understand. I've been having these weird feelings, like someone watching me. And now that I've got to know all that is happening, how do you expect me to feel? I just thought that's all we need to do at the moment.
Rachel put a comforting arm around Evelyn's shoulders. "We'll look out for you, Evelyn. We won't let anything happen to you."
Evelyn nodded, but her eyes still looked haunted. "I don't know...I just feel like we need God's help."
Victor frowned. "Maybe we should report this to the school authorities. we need to take action."
But Rachael spoke looking Intently at me "I don't know if the idea is OK with Nonye"....
"Hmm thanks for everything guys, I really can't appreciate you enough for staying right by me.....I commend every of your efforts concerning the situation but I think going home will be all I need now and by the way Evelyn, I will only tell you to be more careful, be more watchful and vigilant and don't neglect your first love which is Christ.....he really care about you which is why he's unraveling all this to you.....although my coming down here isn't is will from the onset but I allowed my own self desires and will ruled over his which is why I found myself where I am now.....please in anything you want to do, let your decision be made known to God first, so as not to end up where you never expect.....I advised, rising to my feet.
I stood up knowing my words might sound strange to them, I'm sure a whole lot is running through their mind but I didn't plan to elaborate further ....I walked to my clothes box to start the preparation for the journey back home.
"So, how do you plan to leave without drawing attentions? Rachel asked.
"I will leave by evening"....I responded.
I called Mum to let her know I was coming home, and her voice was filled with joy and happiness. I also spoke with my brother, who had finished school but decided to stay in the area for a while after landing a job nearby....he promised to visit home before I returned to school... little did he know, I wasn't going back.
As I continued to pack, Victor spoke up, "Nonye, are you sure this is what you want to do? Leaving school because of this...it doesn't seem right to me."
I sighed, feeling a mix of emotions. "I don't know, Victor. I just feel like I need to get out of here. This whole situation is overwhelming."
Rachel nodded understandingly. "We'll support you, no matter what. But before you go, can we at least try to figure out something?
"Something like what? I asked getting pissed....Do we want to start looking for Ada or Chuks?....I don't want anyone gettng hurt while doing this with me, so pls let's just leave them to God."
Victor raised a brow at my words, with a determined look on his face, he spoke... "let's just give it a try Nonye, we can't just sit back and watch this people humiliate people anyhow.. we'll be more careful. let's just hope to get to the bottom of this."
As they talked I couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation. What would we uncover? And would we be able to handle the truth?
(Do not take credit or Plagiarize AMAH'S HEART stories)
No comments