Sister: Rediscover Yourself

By Angel Gabriel

May is a quiet, unassuming young lady from a wealthy family. She decides to give that all up to serve as a religious in an institute. She soon learns the hard way that not all that glitters is gold, and after a long period of struggle, she leaves the institute for re-entrance into a society she had previously left behind. It's tough, it's rough, but eventually, she triumphs and, in the process, learns a very powerful lesson, which is, it is possible to rewrite a sad tale, it is possible to make something out of a messed up life. Nobody should ever be written off, for inside every tale of failure comes a potential for gold. We may not be able to decide what fate throws at us, but we can, with courage, choose the best response to every situation that presents itself.

From how it all started, May tells her story in a simple but entertaining style calculated to inspire you to be the best you can be.

A truly captivating, rich, and suspense-filled story. An enjoyable reading and a must-have.
Mercy Kay, publisher

An inspiring story of personal struggle, confusion and eventual triumph. A must-read.
Victor Akpewe, PhD in mathematics

• Language: English
• Publisher: Partridge Publishing Africa
• Release date: Oct 3, 2014
• ISBN: 9781482803297

Angel Gabriel

The author writes from a wealth of personal experience and from her vast resource of living with and caring for persons who are hurting and who have lost hope. As a woman, wife, and mother, she is able to pierce through the barriers that divide the young from the old and presents a story that will touch every life who reads it and do exactly that for which she wrote the book, which is to inspire the reader to hope again, to believe again, and to step out in faith. Angel Gabriel is a woman who believes that true happiness comes from being inspired and being an inspiration to others. In this book, she presents a story of how it is possible to rewrite one’s history and become a success. She is happily married with three beautiful kids.

Book preview

Prologue 2000

May glanced anxiously at her watch as she sat in the beautiful chair and wondered if Tracey could make it in time before the rain fell. It was a beautiful evening but a light wind was blowing and it looked as though the rain could fall at any time. She had chosen this place particularly because it brought back so many memories of the past and how it had all started. She herself resided in valley hill and Tracey in lake pine city but when she had contacted Tracey last week, they had both agreed to a date in barcity. This was a special place for them. This was where it had all started. Glancing again at her watch, she saw it was now 4.05pm.

(Oh God, she thought, ‘I hope Tracey makes it in time. I would not like it if she didn’t)

Tracey was a long-time friend; they were both of the same age but of different family upbringing. While she came from a wealthy family; though things had taken a turn for the worse some years back, Tracey came from a poor family. Despite their differences, the two had struck a relationship which had blossomed ever since. They had not seen each other for ten years now, and had only been in contact twice since then. May could remember where they had first met. It had been at the church of St. Michaels here in Bar-city. It was puzzling the way both of them had been attracted to each other, looking back now and sighing, May could see that it was destiny that brought them together, leading them to fight for what they believed, leading them…

May, a sweet voice called

Turning round, May spotted Tracey’s slim figure making its way through the neatly arranged dining tables to her. Her face breaking into a wide grin as Tracey reached her, May jumped up and they both hugged each other tightly.

Oh God, it has been so long’ May whispered and suddenly there were tears on her face. Pulling back and looking into her friend’s face, she could see that Tracey was crying too.

It’s so good to see you again May, after all these years, I never knew we would meet again’

‘Oh Tracey’, May broke in joyfully. ‘I was almost afraid you wouldn’t come. I didn’t know what I would have done’."

Sitting down now, they both regarded each other intently. ‘Tracey has not changed much’ observed May. Her friend had always been on the slim side. With her height and beautiful shape, she could pass for a model anywhere.

Tracey has an air of success around her, May thought. Quite different from the Tracey I used to know ten years ago. Little wonder though, since Tracey was now a successful actress and a singer, May concluded.

‘Oh Tracey, I am so happy for you.’

‘Me too May, Tracey said as she handed her a handkerchief. ‘Here, she said ‘blow your nose’

‘Thanks Tracey’, she said gratefully as she took the napkin from her. Blowing her nose, May felt a surge of strong affection rush through her for her friend and for the umpteenth time again; she silently thanked God for giving her a friend like Tracey. Looking up with a watery smile, she caught Tracey looking at her curiously,

‘I take it I look good’ she asked with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

‘Throwing back her head and laughing loudly, Tracey mused over her friend ‘Good Old May, she thought. Nothing has changed much and yet I can detect an air of maturity that was not there before. Looking closely at May again, she concluded;

‘Yes, it’s there. That air of determination is still there but there is more, May looks…, she actually seems older than she really is, realized Tracey with an astonished look on her face, for it was not that May was that old, being twenty eight years as she herself was, but it was as though the years’ experience had matured her overnight. This May whom she thought would never grow up. Life must have dealt her a hard blow, Tracey realised.

Spotting the look of astonishment on her friend’s face, May asked ‘what is it?’

‘Nothing… nothing really, Tracey replied but made a mental note to ask her about her life later on. For now, let them both celebrate their re-union.

‘So what will you have May? Tracey asked.

‘No ma’am, it’s my show and you just stay calm and enjoy yourself’, said May. Beaming with joy at the surprised look on her friend’s face, May signalled the waiter over.

‘Please bring the bottle of champagne over now’, she requested.

‘Right away miss said the waiter and walked briskly away.

Noticing that Tracey’s face still wore a surprised look, she offered by way of explanation.

‘Tracey, you deserve the best you can get. More so, it has been so long and I have missed you so much. I am doing this to show you how much I appreciate our friendship and you know what? She asked with a questioning look on her face.

‘Tracey shook her head.

‘I want to propose a toast’, May continued, ‘and that is to us, to our friendship and our destinies.’

‘Yes, but where is the wine ‘asked Tracey with a laugh in her voice.

‘Right here lady,’ the waiter’s voice sounded as he approached them and expertly poured the champagne into the two glasses set before them, he then set the bottle down on the table and left.

‘Raising up her glass and with a solemn expression on her face, Tracey said, ‘to our friendship then and to our destinies’

Nodding her head in affirmation, May raised up her glass to Tracey and they both clinked glasses. As each took a sip of the champagne they regarded each other with affectionate smiles and it was not without reason that they did so, for it was here on this very spot they had once proposed a similar toast and since then had never seen each other again until now.

Motioning to the waiter who stood hovering nearby, May asked Tracey ‘what would you have?’

‘Anything at all… Tracey replied. ‘Well then, please get us two plates of spaghetti with salad and some fried plantain’, May ordered.

‘Be right back lady… said the waiter and left them with a smile.

‘These two ladies are acting funny, perhaps they have not seen for some time,’ he concluded.

‘This is just a prelude to what I have to offer. I also want to invite you to my place after we leave here, I have prepared something real special for you’, May finished with a grin on her face.

‘Oh May… Tracey exclaimed sitting upright. You did not have to go to such trouble for me.’

‘It’s nothing Tracey, like I said you deserve the best.’

With a sigh, Tracey relaxed back into her chair. It was just like May, she remembered, to want to always call the shots. May had a stubborn streak in her but was always ever so joyful and a great company to be with. It was these two things among other things that made her feel a strong attachment to May. In a sense, they were very much alike, as both had a strong drive to survive and to succeed despite all odds.

Looking around her, she could remember the first time they met. It had been at the church of St. Michael’s. Later on, Tracey was to wonder what actually could have made the high horse as she thought of May initially, come to church regularly as she did but was to find out much later when their friendship had blossomed that May’s parents, despite being rich were devoted Catholics and committed Christians.

The Mass had just ended and as they were coming out, she had bumped into May as a result of which May had hit her hand against the door-post. Turning round, she had made to apologise to her but May had looked at her angrily and walked off. She had followed May right to the church gate and had begun to apologise.

‘Get away from me’ May had screamed.

‘But I am sorry’ Tracey had insisted. "It was a mistake; I did not do it on purpose.’

‘I don’t care, just leave me alone’

Tracey had put her hand on May’s shoulder then and said quietly ‘I am sorry.’

She remembered that May had looked with surprise at her hand on her shoulder and made as though to hit it off, but at that moment their eyes had met and they had stood, and stared at each other. It was the beginning of a beautiful tale.

‘Hey! Come back Tracey…, let’s eat now, for a moment you were lost in thought’ May remarked.

‘Actually I was, admitted Tracey, ‘I was recollecting the day we first met.’

‘May smiled shyly at the recollection and said, ‘we have all the time to remember all that, but for now let’s eat.’

Tracey saw now that their food had been brought. Settling down, she attacked the meal hungrily for until now she had not realised she was starving.

Much later when they had finished, they left in Tracey’s car to May’s apartment. Stepping inside the apartment, Tracey was taken aback at the sheer beauty of the place.

‘Why, this is lovely’ she exclaimed, looking around at the interior decorations. ‘It’s a nice place you’ve got here May,’ she commented.

‘Yes Tracey, Nick bought it for me’, she said with a sly grin.

‘Nick…, she turned a questioning look on her friend.

‘Yeah Nick, sit down Tracey, I will be with you in a minute’. So saying May went into the inner room.

Sighing weariedly, Tracey sat down and stretched out on the sofa. She recalled that May had told her a couple of months back when she had phoned her that she was in school and would soon be graduating, but she could not remember her mentioning anything about a boyfriend. Well, they had a lot of catching up to do.

She had almost dozed off when they she heard a tray being wheel into the room. Sitting up, she saw May wheeling a tray laden with drinks and snacks towards her. Coming to a stop right in front of her, May sat down with a flourish on a nearby chair and said-

‘Tracey, you’ve made yourself a success in every respect. You have finally achieved what you always wanted, to be somebody…, to be something in life.’

Sitting up properly now, Tracey spoke up ‘I have achieved what I always dreamed off May, but I feel there’s more, I feel moved by an inner compulsion to do something more.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘What I mean is that I know I have achieved greatness but something inside me tells me I am not finished yet. I have been thinking of something,’ she continued ‘and I know it will sweep all who know me off their feet, because it will be totally unexpected but it will be what I know I want,’ Tracey finished with a determined look on her face.

Knowing that look so well, May said ‘Tracey, I believe in you because I know you. We are two of a kind. I too feel a strong desire to do something extraordinary, something which I know too will make all who know me think I am mad but just like you Tracey, it will be what I know I want and more importantly what will give me happiness’, May finished grimly.

Remembering what she had observed of her friend in the restaurant, Tracey got up handed a drink from the tray to May, took one herself and sat down near her.

‘Tell me about it May.’ Taking a sip of her drink, May set it down wearily on the rugged floor beside her and said with a faraway look on her face.

‘It’s a long story Tracey…, a very long one’

Closing her eyes – her mind wandered back to how it all started, a very long time ago.

Chapter 1

MAY (1993 – 1996)

Today it was her birthday. It was the fourth of January in the year 1993 and she was eighteen years old.

As she stood by the window gazing out at the beautiful landscape, May wondered if everyone felt the way she did on their birthday. She felt sad, sad because her parents were not around to celebrate it with her.

Her daddy had suddenly gotten an urgent call and had to travel down to Sea spot, to come back next week. Mum had gone with him. They had left her with enough money to have a little get together with her friends, but it’s not the same thing, she thought miserably. Being an only child, she was used to being dotted on but her parents being also the strict disciplinarians they were also made sure that she grew up into a responsible person. She could almost hear her mummy’s voice cautioning her on something. As much as they loved her, they did not spare her when she committed an offence.

Walking over to the phone, she decided to call her friends Ada and Vivian. Sitting on the chair next to the phone, she put a call through first to Vivian’s place. She heard the phone ringing and then someone picked it up.

Hello, Mr Dempsey’s residence, how can I be of help to you?’ said a voice. She immediately recognised the voice to be that of Vivian’s elder brother, David.

‘Hello David, it’s me May’

‘Oh hi May, where are you calling from’

‘From home of course, mum and dad are out and I am home alone, she responded the way, she continued, is Vivian in?

‘Vivian went out to see a friend but she told me she wouldn’t be long’.

‘Alright, would you tell her I called and that she should call back?’

‘I will… is that all?’

‘…yes David, thank you’. Dropping the phone May wondered at herself, she was almost on the verge of confiding in David just how miserable she felt but did know know why she held back, There and then she decided against calling Ada.

She might not be at home anyway" May, consoled herself. Even though she had known Ada and Vivian from her childhood years, she did not really felt that special closeness she knew should exist between great friends… not that both her friends were bad or anything like that, but she knew it, ...she just knew it that a closer relationship could come up between her and someone else.

Glancing around the room where she was, she was struck by the silence that came rushing at her. She suddenly felt so alone and on an impulse decided to take a walk. Having come to this decision, she felt better almost immediately and dashed into her room to put on some fresh clothes. She selected a while skirt and a light blue top… wondering momentarily whether to put on a sandal or heels, she finally decided to put on the sandals,

‘After all who cares? She thought.

Running a comb lightly through her hair, she glanced at herself in the mirror and made a little grimace.

Yuk… she made a disgusted sound, for she saw that she had added on a little weight, turning sideways she looked critically at her buttocks, there…, they did not peep out so much. She was always scared of growing out of shape. Apart from the constant worry of trying to keep in shape, she was okay by any beauty standards and took largely after her mother Edith Abori who had been a great beauty in her time and still was.

While dressing up, she came to a decision to walk up to the park. They had a little pond there and she just knew she would feel better gazing at the clear water.

‘Good morning miss’, the cheerful voice of the gateman rang out.

‘Good morning Mr Mike’ she replied trying to sound happy.

‘I won’t be long Mr Mike; I am just going out for a walk.’

‘Aiye miss, till you are back.

Smiling at that, May knew Mr Mike took a special delight in talking and acting funny. He had been employed only two months back after the previous gateman left and was already proving to be a resourceful and reliable person.

Walking up to the park, May took time to study her surroundings. It was not often that she went out and when she did, it was always in the company of her parents, and when she went alone, like to school, the driver always had to take her there.

A little worried that her parents would find out she went out alone by herself since they had given explicit instructions that she dare not venture out at all, she wondered if she should have told the gateman that she was going to church. Even if her parents had found out, they would not be so angry since if it had to do with church, they rarely complained.

‘Oh well, it’s just this once’ she thought

‘Bar city was a small but beautiful town. Situated between two hills, it was dominated by so many bars hence the name. Curiously, the owners of these bars like her family were not indigenes of Bar city. The early settlers named it Bar city and since then the name had stuck.

Mentally she counted off all the things which made Bar city the beautiful town it was ... there was the school where she attended, there was the school where she attended, there was the Cinema de Royale, there was the big Iloko market, there was of course the bars, and the church of St. Michael’s… and of course their house. Yes, because her parents’ mansion was a thing of beauty and was quite outstanding amongst all other houses.

Coming to a halt at the gate of the park, she read the writing on the signpost, it said ‘come and see’.

Well, let’s go in and see them’ – she thought

She was greeted by the sound of birds chirping as she entered through the gate. Looking about her she spotted an empty seat under a baobab tree and heaving a sigh of relief for the seats were rarely free as many couples trooped in day and night for a quiet time together, she hurried towards it.

She sat down and leaned backwards for the seats had a reclining back. Closing her eyes, she breathed in deeply… Yes this was what she wanted, at times like this she felt so free and alive like a bird soaring in the sky. God—she felt so caged in at home. She loved her parents but they watched over her like a vulture guards its feed. Hearing voices near her, she opened her eyes and saw a couple walking slowly towards her direction, chattering and necking like two lovebirds. She closed her eyes again and pretended to be sound asleep. She heard them come near her and then move noisily away.

She let her mind wander and a picture come to her mind.

She was at school and it was break time. She had moved with her friend Ada to the school cafeteria to get some drinks and snacks. On entering the place, Ada had spotted some of her friends who were boys and had moved over to them. She had felt a twinge of envy in her at the carefree way Ada was relating to the boys. May had never had a boyfriend because she was so scared of boys. Her parents had repeatedly drummed into her ears to keep away from men… they will get you pregnant’ mum had advised. She felt her parents were right but why did she feel am emptiness in her? Why did she feel she was missing out on something?

Ada had wanted to introduce her to a boy named Victor but she had refused, giving a silly excuse. At that time she had felt she did the right thing but later on she had felt that emptiness again in her.

She could not tell mummy and daddy. They would be angry with her especially if they knew… if they knew she wet her pants sometimes just thinking of men.

She had sat at a table and waited for Ada. When Ada had finally come over, she had noted with envy the smug look on her face, she had felt so hurt that day and resolved to do something about it. That was two years back and she had never done anything about it.

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Bringing her mind back to the present, May wondered if