I Believe!

By Ọrẹolúwa Matẹ̀milọ́lá

Sara has been running for a long time. She can barely remember why she started or what she's aiming for. One thing she's certain of - Jim is at fault. At the speed she's maintained all her life, she's missed more than she realises and when her brother returns to their lives suddenly, she fights the urge to know more, to dig deep and figure out some long-buried emotions.

As a young 17-year-old, David would like nothing more than to goof around with his friends, ask the girl he likes out and sit around a dinner table with his family. With no memory of the last time they did this, he seems to be living on a dream trying against odds to hold his family together. David is bent on his goal to love his father till he turns his life around and show his sister that persistent love can change anyone. Soon enough he realises that plans no matter how tight can break.

Mike's life has comprised of jail terms, running, hiding and searching. When he meets a young woman, he finds purpose and passion in his otherwise bland life. Now the question is, will he have enough time to run back, uncover truths and search for the right things before it's too late?

The loss of his wife brought Jim lower than ever. In his grief, he turns away from his children sowing deep hurt and resentment. In a sudden move to correct his mistakes, he seems to have forgotten how to do anything right. Will he get the chance to soothe his children's hurt or is his destiny already written in the stars?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ọrẹolúwa Matẹ̀milọ́lá
• Release date: Mar 31, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005060534

Ọrẹolúwa Matẹ̀milọ́lá

Oreoluwa enjoys writing fictional stories as they pop into her head. A perfect day for her would be one with a good book, good tv and some time to write down her thoughts and imaginations. She enjoys the outdoors mostly going on hikes and long walks with friends.She also enjoys starting and participating in discussions on her blog or over a cup of coffee or tea (depending on the day's mood). I Believe! is her first published book and as soon as the other books she has written are edited, they will also be published.

Book preview

All characters and events in this publication, other than those clearly in the public domain, are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright © Fatima Matemilola 2021 [e-mail]

The moral right of the author has been asserted.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of the author.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996.

To the glory of God and for the blessing of all.

"Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things."

Colossians 3:2 (NIV)\

1997

PROLOGUE

Sara Okoro sat dejectedly, her elbows on her knees and her chin cupped in her hands as tears rolled down her face. She couldn’t believe any of this was happening. It seemed so impossible.

A beautiful picture appeared in her mind’s eye. It was a few weeks ago or was it months ago? Her mother could barely sit up but her one-year old brother Dave had wanted a story. So heaving and struggling, her mother had sat up against the headboard, put a limp hand around Dave and read slowly from the storybook Sara held up. It was one of their last moments together.

Through her mingled thoughts, Sara was able to make out a few words from what was being said. All of her Uncles and Aunts were here; their skins still flushed from the feast they had the previous day. An outsider might view their presence as a sign that they cared but she knew better.

She glanced at her brother, Mike, and noticed the hard rock expression on his face from his place next to their father. Since their mother’s death, he’d drastically changed and become reserved and constantly angry. She wasn’t sure what was wrong but whatever it was, it was Jim’s fault. Her father, Jim, who was very obviously still nursing a hangover - a sight she was all too familiar with - sat there next to his son as if he’d rather be in bed.

Sara’s eyes wandered once more to the sea of Aunts and Uncles, some of whom she had never set eyes on before, all feeling so important at this sombre meeting.

As her eyes moved across the group, the last bit of what was being said hit her and she sucked in a quick breath, sat up and whipped her head toward the speaker. Dressed in shiny traditional wear, probably sewn specifically for this event, Sara would not have known her Aunt if they had passed each other on the street.

As what would pass as nothing more than fake concern spread across the woman’s plump face, Sara allowed herself to playback what she had just heard. … so you should think seriously about getting married again at least for the children’s sake.

And just like that, Sara felt like she had about had enough. Who did these people think they were? Her mother had only been buried yesterday!

At that moment, she caught a glance of her father absently nodding his head. Was he actually considering it? Did he really think that was what herself or Dave needed right now?

The thought of David reduced Sara’s irritation and she tried to settle her thoughts on him instead of what these people were saying. Dave’s second birthday was only a few days away and even though she knew it was not a good time for anything elaborate, she was determined to make him feel special on that day. A slow smile spread across her lips as she looked around for him and concluded that he was probably asleep inside the large family house behind the gathered group.

She took a deep breath that turned into a sigh. Her own birthday was coming up next month - her eighth birthday and her mother wouldn’t be there.

Angry tears stung her eyes at the unfair situation and she wiped them away with the back of her hand. Her throat hurt so much with all the tears she tried to swallow back, but she had to be strong for herself and Dave. That was all she was concerned about.

Sighing, she glanced at Mike and wondered at how much older than his eleven years he looked but then again, they all looked older. A frown deepened her brow as her eyes rested on him. So much would be different if he weren’t here. As far as she was concerned, Mike was a mistake and a ticking bomb.

Feeling weary, she sat up, stretched her back and turned to the Uncle who was presently speaking. She just couldn’t take it anymore. She was totally wasted both physically and emotionally and maybe mentally she thought as she got to her feet and made her way to the middle of the gathering. At the back of her mind, she knew that if all was well, she wouldn’t even be thinking what she was actually doing.

Enough!

The sound of her voice startled her but blinded by her unbearable and long suppressed pain and fatigue, she faced all the heads that turned to her. Every one of them mirrored one of the many emotions she was feeling.

Enough of all this. She continued when she was sure she had all their attention. You’re all talking like you care and that’s funny because I know you’re all here to eat and gossip.

Sara! Her father sounded almost completely sober as he obviously tried to rein in his anger.

Bringing out all the courage she had ever possessed and maybe even some from the future, Sara continued in a clear, steady voice. "I won’t stop Daddy and even you can’t stop me because you’re obviously not in your right mind, sitting here and letting this bunch of people tell you what is right.

Tell me, which one of them visited even once this last year Mummy was sick? Which one of them advised you to stop drinking so much? Huh?

Without waiting for an answer, she continued in a pained, passionate voice. None! That’s right, not one of them. She blinked rapidly to hold in the tears brimming in her eyes, her voice breaking with the effort.

Stopping to catch her breath, Sara swiped her sleeve across her eyes, I’ll go in there, the many eyes seemed to follow the direction of her pointed finger. get our bags and Dave and go to the car. If we don’t see you in 5mins, you can forget you ever had a son or daughter because you’ll never see us again.

Satisfied and shocked at what she’d just done, Sara marched into the family house, and surprisingly shut the door quietly behind. She didn’t know how she got the courage to speak in front of the lot of them, but she was glad and of course, her threat was empty, a last minute grasp at straws. She couldn’t actually run away with Dave. How would they survive?

A moment after she left, the group of adults began to murmur in disbelief. With disapproving, unashamed stares they turned to Sara’s father as they waited to see how he would handle this.

Jim couldn’t believe what had just happened either, but he had little time left to wonder as Sara came out of the building with Dave like a sack of potatoes in her arms. Some cousins trooped behind her helping with the bags. Her threat echoed in his head and though he hardly believed it, he was glad for the opportunity to leave. He took a deep breath to portray his anger at her behaviour and then he got up.

Clearing his throat, he tried to maintain a convincing balance of sincerity and anger in his tone, I’m very sorry about that. I promise I will talk to her and we’ll get back to you all soon. Mike. He called his eldest son and they started for the car together.

They met Sara and Dave waiting inside the car and without a word or glance back, Jim started the car and drove off headed for their home which was about 8 hours away.

2013

CHAPTER ONE

Sara pushed the door shut with her foot as she entered her tiny apartment flipping through a fashion and health magazine a friend from work had recommended. She hung her keys on one of a set of hooks by the door and turned on the answering machine to listen to her messages.

Many people thought it strange that she had an answering machine and often complained that it was her way of avoiding socializing but she didn’t care much for people’s opinion. The machine served its purpose and that was that.

The machine beeped and the first message began to play.

She’d set up the answering machine a few months ago when she decided to reduce her dependence on mobile phones in order to increase her productivity. So far the experiment’s been a success - only a few people had her mobile number.

Absently listening to the messages, she dropped the magazine on the kitchen counter which was a few steps from the door and the sitting area. She removed her laptop from her bag and turned it on before starting for one of three doors in the room. One door was the entrance/exit, one was the bathroom and the last one was her bedroom. She took off her shoes and quickly discarded her blazer and was about to turn on the shower when she heard the message from Kolade. She wasn’t surprised he called her home phone; they seemed to be in a constant game of cat and mouse. She paused to listen.

… So what are you doing tonight? Remember, it’s a Friday night. All work and no play isn’t good. He chuckled nervously. Chiwetel, Lami, I and some others are going to see a movie tonight. We’d probably just hang out for some time after that. Call me when you get home so I’ll know when to come and pick you up. Please call me, okay? He added, a plea in his voice

Kolade had been her boyfriend for almost four years now with their relationship constantly bouncing between off and on.

Add to that the drastic change their relationship experienced when he ‘found God’. He suddenly stopped spending the night at her place and if she ever ended up at his place at night, he would sleep on the sofa.

Despite everything they’d been through, Sara had always been surprised and thankful that he stuck around. She knew she had been and continues to be a handful. He’d definitely had a lot of reasons to break up with her over the years.

Sighing, she was about to continue with her task when the machine beeped again. Another message,

Hi Sara, I guess I actually hoped to get you at home or maybe not. As soon as she heard the laugh, Sara knew whatever was coming next was serious. Anyway, I just wanted to check on you and… um Dad came back home yesterday, he’s fine just a few bruises here and there. And, um… uh, Mike called. He’s also okay. Just thought you’d like to know. I’m staying home with Dad tonight to make sure he stays in. Um… bye, talk to you later.

With a deep frown, she withdrew her hand from the tap, she didn’t like the way David sounded. Add to that the fact that he didn’t call her on her mobile, there was definitely reason for suspicion. Going back to the sitting room, she picked up the phone, her finger pressing on the number 1 until she heard the connection sound.

Hello, David picked up on the second ring. Hey Sara, what’s up?

I got your message.

Are you pacing? David chuckled, trying to lighten the conversation

David, don’t try to change the subject! She scolded mildly. The way she had always done while he was growing up.

I’m not trying to change the subject, David laughed. It’s just that you pace when you’re worried and there’s nothing to be worried about now. So stop pacing.

Fine! Sara stopped in the middle of the room You leave me a message saying Mike called you and I shouldn’t be worried? What did he want? Was he in trouble again? Why did he call you? She started pacing again

Calm down Sara. He only called to tell me where he is. He wanted to send me money, I said no, thanks. Asked what he was doing now but I felt like he didn’t want to talk about it so I dropped it. He also wanted to know how Dad is doing and he asked after you.

Where did he say he is? Sara asked quietly, absorbing what he’d just said. Mike hadn’t made contact with any of them in almost 3 years and she considered no news excellent news where he was concerned.

Kaduna. Says he’s okay. He even said I could call him if I need anything.

"Do you think He’s genuine, Dave? Last time we heard from him, he was sentenced to Kirikiri prison in Lagos