CHAPTER III
Natasha couldn’t bring herself to step out for the burial but she had to. After the burial she sat down on the floor and starred into thin space as memories of her dad played in her head. She didn’t know when her mum walked in and started folding her clothes into her suitcase, she still didn’t know when her mum was done, and all she knew was that a figure was moving in her room.
She looked up to see the person who was wiping her tears, then fell into her mom’s arms and wept hard.
”Honey, sometimes it’s okay to cry. Just make sure you dry your eyes after and whatever happens, remember, all things work together for the good of those who love God, though it may not go our way, God loves us,” Mrs. Frank told her daughter.
”Okay mum,” Natasha replied.
”Go to bed baby we are leaving tomorrow,” her mum said as she led her to the bed before proceeding to turn off the lantern.
At 6am the next day, Natasha and her mum were already at the park to board a bus back to Lagos. Wanting her daughter to be comfortable, she made sure they had a seat close to the window.
It was 7am when the bus departed and Mrs. Frank called her dad to update him of their current location; she looked at her daughter and smiled.
”Natasha, I know this the first time you are boarding a bus but hey honey it’s going to be fine, we will survive and the story will end well.”
”Okay mum, I believe,” Natasha replied and turned to look out the window.
It was 10am when Natasha woke up from her sleep due to the shouts of other passengers. With drowsy eyes and a confused mind, she glanced around till she noticed they were no longer on the road and the driver was desperately trying to steady the car. Everyone was screaming ; and the next thing she knew, someone had covered her eyes and pulled her close to a bosom. The woman with the bosom kept murmuring ‘Lord help us ….please help us…’ her voice was shaky and it felt like she was in tears…. Only then did she know it was her mother
The next thing she realized was the car somersaulting and tumbling down a hill. She wasn’t sure but she had to work with her feelings; she just couldn’t open her eyes even though she didn’t feel her mum’s hands anymore. She just shut her eyes tightly; all she felt was darkness all over her like she was clothed with a ray of dark cloud.
When she opened her eyes she became aware that she was in a different place. There was a man who looked about sixty years old sitting by her. She looked around searching for her mum but couldn’t find her.
”Tasha love,” her Granddad called.
No one had ever called her Tasha; she turned to her right and saw the same man who was earlier on sitting at her side, holding her hand and wiping her tears.
”Who are you,” she asked
”I’m your Granddad, remember? We always talk on phone. Don’t be scared, honey. I’m here,” Mr. Dayo tried to reassure his granddaughter.
“Mmmm….okay but what about Grandma and Mum? Where is Mum.”
”Grandma is not in the country presently… and your mum was buried yesterday, dearie. I know this is hard for you but don’t worry I’m here for you now and….”
“It’s fine, sir. I have a sad lot in life. I’m already used to it, you know…I just want to go home,” Natasha replied.
She wasn’t ready to shed a tear anymore, she was done with that. Her mum kept praying throughout the car accident and now she is dead. She wasn’t ready to cry but she was ready to question the existence of God.
”Mum, it won’t be fine and it was never fine,” she uttered.
”Tasha, are you okay? Who are you talking to?”
“I’m fine, Sir. I just want to go home,” she said to her granddad.
”Okay, put your things together. I will go clear the bills…your grandma will be back in two months,” he said before walking out.
She nodded, and watched as the nurse took off the drip and cannula.
”Do you know you are lucky? God rescued you from that accident. Some of the survivors died of internal bleeding like your mum and…”
“That’s enough,” Natasha cut in, “the same God should have also rescued my mother. Get out…I guess your job is done,” she yelled.
The nurse glanced at her but wasn’t surprised at the kind of anger she perceived from Natasha’s voice. She held out her hands and said, “yours isn’t the worst of all and as much as possible dear, don’t try to fight God. Just trust Him.”
“Ma’am, are you done? Please if you are. get out.”
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