I Rise

By Obukohwo Odogun

When Elijah signed the married vows with his heartthrob Miriam he thought he was going to have a peaceful family life. However, he was in for a shocker. Little did he know what the future had in stock for him and Miriam. It did not take long before events started to unfold when robbers struck at his place of work and the workers wages were taken away. Though he was not on duty but he was still fingered as one of the suspects. While the LFM struggled to free him and three others involved, he had to contend with dangerous criminals like Scorpion and Smallpillow while in Jail. Meanwhile Zachariah and Daniel his sons run into Yusuf a boy of no identifiable past at the Students Academy. The threesome contrived a formidable partnership from that moment. However, something happened somewhere along the line and they were forced to separate after they left school when Zachariah disappeared and it remained only Daniel and Yusuf. The separation was unforeseen as it created a different dimension entirely. It was a different ballgame at this stage as all hopes were dashed when third predicament struck Elijah and Miriam when Daniel also disappeared. This added to the misery of the two, however, Miriam still had hopes, but it was a tight corner for her and Elijah until the very end.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Sep 30, 2011
• ISBN: 9781456796822

Obukohwo Odogun

Obukohwo Odogun is a legal practitioner and a former staff of Nigerian Telecommunications Limited where he worked in several capacities and left as an Industrial Security officer. He attended the following educational institutions U.N.A. Primary School, Oyingbo Lagos, St Finbarrs College Akoka, Lagos, University of Jos, University of Abuja and the Nigerian Law School. He is also an Alternative Dispute Resolution Specialist. He has also contributed several articles to the Paulist and also the Celluloid. He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association and Justice Development and Peace & Commission amongst others. The writing of I RISE is a long time dream of the Author of making his contribution to the literary world and also wake up the interest of reading of Books in his environment.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Miriam had just come back from the chemist shop near to her home at Laranto. She had gone to buy a pain reliever. The Doctor had recommended it for her any time she felt tired or felt discomfort. She slept off after she took the drug. Later, when she woke up, she didn’t feel like she felt earlier, though she thought she needed more rest. However, she had go to work, so she got up to start preparing.

Later at work, it was a busy day for her at the Clinic where she works as a nurse to support herself and her family. However, as the day wore on, she felt a relapse in her condition. When she got home later in the day, she got worried over her health. Later, Elijah her husband came in from the Mines Company at West of mines in the city where he works as a security supervisor. He smiled at his wife when he saw her, but when Miriam welcomed him in an unusual tone, he reached out to her and asked, how are you today sweet heart? You look as if you need attention she smiled back at him wanly and responded actually I am not sure as to how I am feeling; I suspect it has to do with my condition because I still have two weeks left to carry this baby. Miriam, we should not take chances her husband said, and continued and I don’t like the look on your face and you have been using your handkerchief and yet you are still sweating, I think we should go to your clinic. Miriam nodded in agreement; though hesitant, but she obeyed her husband and both of them left to go to the Clinic.

Katako community clinic is about thirty minutes from Laranto where the couple lives. Miriam actually works at the clinic as an auxiliary nurse. A job she started about two and half years ago. She met Elijah at the hospital about a year and half ago. Elijah had visited the clinic then for an ailment and Miriam had impressed him. The two got friendly after this and seven months later, they got married at Saint Murumba, Catholic Church in Jos.

Elijah waited in the waiting room while the Doctor on duty attended to his wife. He was still lost in his thoughts when Miriam emerged from the consulting room and looking better she walked up to him to inform him that they could go home sweet heart I am through with Doctor Sanusi Miriam said as Elijah was awoken from his thoughts when he heard her. He said I am ok and there is no need for panic, so I am free to go home. She continued and said further the good thing is that I been given two weeks to rest at home because Tega my colleague who was on leave resumed duty earlier in the week.

They took their leave after this and got home a short while later. Miriam appeared to have shaken off her ailment as she came back to herself. She went to the Kitchen, looked for a glass cup and went to the tap in the kitchen and poured herself a drink of water. She sighed after this and walked back to Elijah who stood in the living room. She walked into him into him I the process. Surprised, Elijah led her to a nearby chair to sit down. I am sorry sweat heart; I didn’t know you were coming down here he said. I am sorry too she responded, and said further I was coming to ask what you will like to eat. Elijah looked surprised again before saying why do you have to bother, I will help myself, after all we have just come back from the clinic?. Miriam who was in no mood to argue smiled and said thank you before she walked towards the bedroom.

Later that evening about seven o ‘clock, she rose up from her nap and walked to the kitchen to prepare supper for both of them. Elijah saw her and wanted to assist, but she wove him off amiably and told him not to bother because she was much better and that she needed to move around.

Minutes later, Miriam watched with delight as Elijah ate, and Elijah noticed and looked in her direction and said I enjoyed this food you know, I knew you were the woman to make happy for the rest of my life the first time I saw you. I am also happy with you sweet heart, she responded, you ought to know that cooking is a woman’s hobby and I prefer being busy irrespective of my condition. I agree with you Miriam, her husband concurred and also prayed may God give us a healthy child on your day of delivery The two continued conversing in the same spirit after both of them had retired to bed saying one thing or the other as the day continued to wind itself up. Tired and after he noticed he was getting drowsy Elijah decided to call it a day Well good night my sweet heart, he said you know I have to rise early in the morning for work. Good right love", Miriam responded after this both fell asleep.

The seconds moved one after the other after this, and the minutes took over and ticked one after the other until it got to an hour and the time continued in this mode. It was all dark as the night took its share of its quota of nature. There was no one in sight on the deserted streets, save stray domestic Animals such as Goats and Sheep defying the night in search of food. Occasionally, a Dog nearby did bayed at no one in particular as if it was lonely and tired of the dark. Even the Moon that later came out as if it had a smile on and brightening the Night did not deter the Animal from baying further. It was as if the silhouettes it saw disturbed the poor Animal. However, after a long while, the mutt apparently got tired and stopped. It went to lie down on a nearby veranda after this to await the new day.

The Moon soon began to take its leave as the Night appeared to make way for a new day. The cockerels in reaction to this started to crow one after the other and early risers started wake up as Elijah not immune to nature also woke up from his slumber and quietly got up from bed to prepare to go to work. Soon enough he was ready and like a loving husband he went to his wife who was still asleep and whispered farewell into the ears of his other part, his wife.

Later in the day and not too far away, It was a sunny Wednesday afternoon in Saminaka metropolis a nearby town to the city of Jos. Two young ladies Lamin and Lola both hawkers of fruits were on their way home after selling most of their fruits. They walked along their usual path along the bushy road towards Saminaka students’ academy. They walked on silently, and occasionally exchanged jokes whenever they saw anything of interest. They were still in this mood when they walked got to and walked past the school’s gate and as they moved further it was as if they heard a baby crying. Amazed, they looked at each other, and as if on impulse both of them moved in the direction of the noise until they got to a point and saw a carton. They stopped in their tracks and when they looked inside it they were surprised to see a baby crying and alone with no one nearby. It was wrapped in leaves. It was Lola that first found her voice and she exclaimed My goodness, who in the name of God could have done this!! Lola exclaimed in a surprised tone. What sought of cruelty is this Lamin also reacted, lamenting at the sight baby of the before them, abandoned to its’ fate. Later as they figured out what to do, they forgot their anger and began to admire it. The baby was looked so cuddly. A bundle of joy and a good sight to behold. This was the thoughts in the inner minds of the young ladies as both continued to admire the baby.

Lola, though continued to adore the sight, still remained worried over the baby and a thought out of nowhere appeared in her mind. An idea then struck her mind after this and suggested to her a clue as to the source of the baby’s plight. she mused over it and expressed it consequently saying Lamin, I am really surprised, you are right anyway. What a lovely looking baby, but who knows, could it be one of the students that is responsible for this, no one can tell you know? She sighed after expressing her thoughts. What can we do now? Lamin her companion who also looked worried asked. Do I know? Her friend responded and said further I am afraid you know people may see us and think we are responsible for this, so let’s do something quickly and still said further and you know anything may happen to the baby if we don’t do something Ok Lamin agreed and suggested lets approach Pa Kadiri the school’s watchman, I think he’s at the gate yonder I agree with you, we shouldn’t waste time, let’s go and inform him.

Pa Kadiri was at a loss when he heard their story; he hastily left what he was doing and followed them back to see the Baby for himself. So it’s true he said who could have done this he said further. Lola and Lamin too looked back at him but could not answer his questions. So what’s going to happen now, we would like to go Lola told him and looked at Lamin who nodded in agreement. Go? he asked in a frightened tone, who is going to be my witness he asked them again and added Please do me this favour he pleaded, Let’s go and see School’s Principal who will know how to handle this problem. The two young ladies looked at each other for a while as if they tried to make up their mind and as if by sign language they said nothing and agreed to follow him.

The three of them walked back into the school’s compound towards the Principal’s office. Pa Kadiri led the girls upstairs to the office and they met the Principal Mrs. Patrick alone in her office attending to the papers on her desk. When he saw the Watchman with the two ladies she suspected something was amiss, so she granted him audience and patiently listened to the his story and by the time he was through, her placid disposition began to disappear and by the time the full impact hit her. She was about getting up to confirm the development, but on second thoughts changed her mind and she started to ask questions as a result, are you sure? She asked him Yes I am sure, Lola and Lamin also nodded in agreement, while Pa Kadiri suggested they all go back to the spot. Well if that is the case, I will need the head teacher to be around she said, so go and call Mallam Sheu and lets us all meet there, I will go along with this girls, she said further.

A short while later, they all met at the spot. It was the turn of the Principal and the school’s Head Teacher to express their feelings and they did lament as they saw the fresh wound from the spot the placenta of the baby was cut. Mrs. Patrick, began to recover from the shock looked at Mallam Sheu the Head Teacher and told him Mallam Sheu, I wonder who is responsible for this, but this is an emergency, how do we go about it? she asked him. I am in agreement with you madam, I suggest we take the baby to Police Station at Sabo in town, he responded. I have a better idea; you can go with Pa Kadiri to the station and report the incident and facing the Watchman she said Pa Kadiri go and tell my driver to come here immediately, then you and the Head Teacher should go and report this matter at the Police station, and I hope these two young ladies will assist me with the baby so that we can take it to the Hospital. Lola and Lamin were happy the problem was being solved, so they raised no eye brow and agreed to go, and because of the excitement they forgot about their wares, though they were actually on their way home and could always come back for them since they left them in Pa Kadiri’s security gate house.

Mrs. Patrick was well known at the community hospital at Sabo and as soon as she got there the baby was taken from her and given first aid treatment immediately as soon as they heard of its plight. She met Doctor Laraba the medical officer on duty and narrated the incident to her. She was surprised too, but promised to help to relocate the baby. She subsequently asked the matron to make arrangement contact the welfare department of the Local government so that the baby, a baby boy can be transferred there later. Meanwhile, not too far away, the duo of Mallam Sheu and Pa Kadiri were also busy. They met the police at the local Police station in town and also narrated what happened at the school’s gate. The officer at the station who is familiar with the school promised to take up the matter and told them his men will soon go to work in respect of the incident.

Some days later, Mrs. Patrick has been principal for over ten years at the school was in her office and she wondered how some people could be so cruel. It is unbelievable that any right thinking person will do this she reasoned in her mind as thought over the incident again while she waited for Mallam Sheu whom she requested to arrange for Lola and Lamin to visit. Then while she was still on this, she heard a knock on the door. The sound roused her from thoughts. Come in She said, inviting the person at the door. Mallam Sheu came in with Lamin and Lola. She offered them seats and addressed Mallam Sheu So how was your trip and how far have the Police gone? She asked him. You know, the occurrence was not new to them. Though it rarely happens, but they are investigating it all the same and still said further I will need your permission to visit them whenever it is necessary and I will let you know when I do because the investigations is extending to any direction they may have clues. However, I hope we can compensate these young ladies for what they did he said concluding his statement. Mrs. Patrick now getting her composure back after digesting Mallam Sheu’s verbal report looked in the direction of Lola and Lamin and smiling said Mallam Sheu is right you know and the School is grateful to both of you, and I think we can still be friends while the school is interested in two of you if you will like to join us in the school when the proper things have been done, so what do you say to that" The two looked at her in disbelief, the right words failed them, so both in nodded and in gratitude knelt down and said thank you. They never thought that day’s work will fetch them this as they in the past had only empty dreams with their modest background. The duo of Mrs. Patrick and Mallam Sheu were also glad that they accepted the offer which the school offered in return as a token of appreciation, even though they were not bound to do this.

CHAPTER TWO

Elijah was performing his duty of security supervisor at the Mining company in West of mine in Jos metropolis. It was a Wednesday, Elijah’s shift had begun earlier in the morning, he was supposed to conclude his shift in the afternoon at Two ‘O’ clock, however, he continued with it because he was still expecting his duty reliever.

Meanwhile as the day advanced on, the miners were busy because they had a target of delivery to meet. Some hours, later Okon, Elijah’s reliever came in late. He met and pleaded with Elijah and told him that he had a domestic problem, and it took him some time sorting it. Elijah’s worry extinguished when he narrated the reason to him and he ended up pardoning him. He took his leave shortly after his. He got home about an hour later. He met his wife at home anxiously waiting for him to arrive from work and excitedly, she welcomed him saying Elijah thank God you have come, I was worried that you were late, so what kept you? she asked him. Elijah also excited to be home at last, jocularly said so I kept you worried while you waited, I think I owe you one because of this he said, and continued and told her the reason, actually, it was Okon that prevented me from arriving earlier because he said he had a problem to fix. Miriam who now looked relieved looked at him and said is that so?. Yes, it is he responded and to ask her So how are you now? Well, I am just fine now because that pain is no longer there and has disappeared. She responded. That’s good, I ‘m happy to hear that, Elijah said as Miriam invited him to eat saying In that case, why not step over and take your meal, so that we can attend the mass this evening in the church You are right, I will go, so why don’t you