Let Heaven Decide

By Nathan S. Ajoku

Let Heaven decide, is about the moving story of a promising young basketball star who married his high school sweet heart and lavished her with silver and gold, but when a debilitating injury sidelined him and the streams of money wasn't coming in, she treated him with ignominy and Josh was forced to leave his house, his marriage and his only be

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gotham Books
• Release date: Dec 8, 2023
• ISBN: 9798887756387

Book preview

A black and white image of a flower Description automatically generated

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

TO GOD who watches over me day and night, my endless thanks. Lord, You are an awesome God for the things you do amazes me. I couldn’t have ventured this far in life without Your providence and for Your unmerited grace. Even when I grumble and complain negatively just about everything, even when things get hectic and I am tempted to throw in the towel. You have always found a way to see me through. Please, help me to understand that regardless of what happens from now onward, it’s only You who holds the key to my life and to my accomplishments.

To my wonderful wife Ini Chi-Chi Ajoku. Thank you immeasurably for putting up with me and for loving me just the way I am. Thank you also for keeping me straight even when I stray and ask for forgiveness.

To my son, Nathan Chidi Ajoku, through your situation, I’ve learned to trust God with all my imperfections. Son, I relish your fortitude and your faithfulness. Believe me, God has not forsaken nor forgotten you. Keep fighting for a day would begin a new story in your life.

To my exceptionally beautiful daughter, Miss Brittany Adanna Ajoku, for your tenacity, wealth of knowledge and for your unconditional love that kept me laboring. Thank you also for helping me with your computer skills even when I didn’t know what to do. You’ll always be the center of my world regardless of what tomorrow would bring. We’re a family that never gives up or gives in. And

despite all that had besieged us lately and all the temptations that had abated us—we’re still solidly standing on the rock of ages (God). To my circle of friends and supporters, those who have stayed faithfully and caring with me through thick and thin, Mr. Umuna Ekeocha (My honorable inlaw, my playmate, and my best friend), Dr. and Mrs. Geoffrey Okere. Chief Charles and Lolo Okere, Mr. and Mrs. Benson Ekeocha, Chief Festus Anukem, Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Nwozuzu, Dr. Nkwoparah, Dr. Mfon Aqua, Mr. and Mrs. Eke Chukwu, Mr. Ugochukwu Ihekere, Mr. and Mrs. Barnabas Osong, Hon. B.B. Iheoma O.P.A President for his leadership and caring attitude and many others I couldn’t enlist at this time of writing.

To the dead and unforgotten and well-appreciated relatives; Mr. Thomas Ajoku (Father) who died when I was just three years old, Mrs. Janet Ahuruole Ezenne Ajoku (Mother) who once told me to always put my trust in God and to always give my very best in all I do. Papa Jacob Ajoku, Mr. Peter Ajoku (Baba) Nda Eugenia Ajoku, Mrs. Harrieth Onyeneke, Mr. Manuahotu and Victor Kemalu, Richard Ejike Oparanozie (Skido), Godwin Ejimofor, Sam Ekeocha (Quasi), Chima Maribe, Nze Emmanuel Ashilonu and Okachukwu Ajoku. May your souls rest in God’s everlasting peace.

To my beloved sister Mrs. Esther Adaeze Ekeanywu, whom the Lord called home at His appointed time, you’ll forever remain in my heart. Whenever I remember you or see your picture or see you in my dreams, I remember the good times we’d together. I want you to know that I did my humanly best to save your life, but God’s time is the best. And it’s not for us to question His intentions or His will. May He keep your souls in perfect peace.

My deepest gratitude to those through their prayers, thoughts, words of edification and kindness touched my life in many different ways. Mrs. Sophia Ajoku, Miss Glory Oparanozie, Mrs. Rita Nzerem. And many others whose faces or names I couldn’t remember at this time of writing, I ask for forgiveness. I pray that the good Lord will continue to inspire us to love, pray, cherish, forgive and to support one another regardless of our differences.

Finally, to my readers, you’ll find in this inspiring novel laughter, joy, and sadness. You may even pick up anger and disappointment with some of the characters I portrayed to give flavor to this book. Yet, as a work of fiction, they all played an active role good or bad in the way we live, act, and react in our everyday lives.

It’s my godly hope that you the reader will find my narration in this novel very fulfilling knowing that God never fails the heart that believes in Him. As He asks us to forgive those who trespasses against us, let’s give forgiveness a chance in our hearts.

With sincere love, prayers, and hope.

Nathan S. Ajoku

March 2023

LET HEAVEN

DECIDE

CHAPTER 1

G ROWING UP without a father was the hardest thing for Heaven. At the age of thirteen, she lost her beloved father to an unexplainable divorce—which she blamed solely on her mother. All Heaven could remember that memorable and unforgettable night was seeing her father gathering a handful of his belongings and throwing them mindlessly inside his truck while her uncaring mother stared at an empty space in her clustered bedroom. As Heaven watched her father make another trip—perhaps his last trip to his truck, she followed him and clinging to his right elbow, she begged him to stay.

Daddy please don’t go, she pleaded, with tears running down her cheeks.

Please don’t go—please, please.

I’ve to leave, her father said, frantically as he disentangled Heaven’s hands.

Mommy doesn’t want me around any longer. Perhaps I’m not good enough for her. I’ve to leave. His mind was made up to leave and perhaps never to return. Heaven crumbled to the floor as tears flooded her eyes.

Daddy please don’t go, she begged again and again.

If mommy doesn’t want you any longer, I want you. Please, please Daddy, I want you to stay at least for my sake. Seeing that she couldn’t stop her father from leaving, Heaven ran to her mother’s bedroom where she saw her sitting on the floor sobbing.

Why is Daddy leaving? Heaven yelled.

I saw him throwing his belongings inside his truck. What’s going on and why are you not doing anything to stop him?

I’ll explain, Vivian said, after a moment of silence.

Mommy will explain—I promise. Heaven stood still with a frowning face, and then she turned facing her mother.

Don’t you care that he’s leaving? she asked.

And how could you do such a heartless thing? How could you?

How could I do what a thing? Vivian interrupted now standing erect facing her daughter.

"How could you allow him to go?

How could you?" Vivian swallowed the lump in her throat.

We’ll be fine, she said, stroking Heaven’s back.

How could you say that when he’s already gone? Vivian stared hard at her daughter’s face and when their eyes met, she blinked away the tears in her eyes. They lapsed into a moment of silence. By the time Heaven returned to the living room, her father was gone leaving the front door unlocked. She ran outside hoping to have a glimpse of him, but his truck was nowhere to be found. She ran back to the living room, fell on the floor, and wept bitterly.

Leave me alone, Heaven screamed as she felt a hand caressing her shoulder.

It’s all your fault. How could you do such a thing? How could you allow him to go?

How’s it my fault? her mother asked, as she tried to pull Heaven up from the floor.

It’s all your fault, Heaven cried, struggling to free her hands from her mother’s painful grip.

You should have stopped him from leaving. You should have blocked the door. You should have at least begged him to stay, but you didn’t.

"How’s it that everything that happens in this house is my fault?

Why do I have to be blamed just for everything?"

Because you’re always yelling at him. I heard you last night yelling and screaming at him. And now he’s gone—I may never see him again.

I’m sure he’ll return, Vivian said.

How? Heaven interrupted.

I don’t know, Vivian said.

But I am sure he’ll return. This is not his first time of leaving. He always returns, that I can assure you.

Please leave me alone, Heaven said, sniffling. She wanted to be left alone.

And how long are you going to lay on that dirty floor? How long? Heaven remained silent and then she let out a deep sigh.

Please go away and leave me alone. Vivian wasn’t the kind of a mother who endures any moment of her daughter’s tears or sadness. As she walked back to her bedroom, she couldn’t hold back the tears that had enveloped her eyes. She buried her head in her pillow and cried until there were no tears left to shed. Moments later, she went to her bathroom to wash her face. Her eyes were red and swollen, perhaps from crying. She viewed her face in the mirror and what she saw baffled her. As she regained her strength, she walked back to the living room where Heaven was still lying on the floor; she too had cried herself to sleep.

Vivian stood beside her daughter for a few minutes but didn’t make any attempt of waking her up. She stayed in the living room watching over Heaven who was in a deep sleep.

When Heaven finally woke up, she was surprised to find her mother dozed off on the couch. She went and sat beside her and in an attempt to tip toe to the bathroom, she sneezed loudly.

Heaven, you’re awake, Vivian said, unsure of where Heaven was.

You must be hungry.

I’m not hungry, Heaven replied.

You can’t go on without any food in your stomach. You will lose all your body weight and look like that girl we saw on the television show last week.

Heaven raised her eyebrow slightly and then twisted her upper lips. She couldn’t remember the girl her mother was referring to. Besides, all she’d wanted at that very moment was to be left alone—alone to herself, alone to her sadness.

What girl? Heaven asked at last.

In an attempt to respond, her mother sneezed. She felt congested after countless hours of crying.

What girl? Heaven asked, again.

The girl who was as slim as a toothpick. The girl who refused to eat because she was angry at her parents. Heaven lowered her head as if to be in a deep thought. And when she looked up, her eyes were filled with tears.

I miss my dad, she said, emotionally. Vivian glanced at Heaven and for a moment, she didn’t know what to say or what to do. She became afraid and frightened that she could lose her only begotten daughter just as she’d lost her husband. She held Heaven’s hands close to her chest while fighting the tears that kept surging to her eyes.

I’ll explain if you promise me that you’ll eat something, Vivian said, wiping Heaven’s eyes.

I don’t want you to starve. It seems that you’ve already lost some significant amount of weight in just a matter of hours. Have you even seen yourself in the mirror?

Heaven didn’t say anything. She wanted to use the bathroom so badly. As she headed to the bathroom, her mother followed her. She stood at the door while Heaven stayed in the bathroom for what seemed to as an eternity.

I’ll explain what happened if you promise to eat something her mother’s voice echoed outside the bathroom door.

Will you promise to eat?

As Heaven emerged from the bathroom, she was surprised to see her mother waiting patiently at the door. She walked past her without uttering a word and then she went straight to her room. Her

mother followed her. Heaven sat at the edge of her bed and her mother sat next to her. There was a moment of silence.

Let’s go to the kitchen so I can fix you something to eat, her mother said, as she grabbed Heaven’s hand.

I can hear your stomach growling and that means that there’s nothing in your stomach to sustain hunger.

Heaven could no longer ignore her mother’s request or resist her plea for her to eat. She too could hear her stomach growling louder and louder. Suddenly she started to feel nauseated. She sat at the dining table while her mother was in the kitchen preparing her something to eat. When her mother brought the food and placed it on the table, she directed Heaven’s eyes to the kitchen.

Go and wash your hands, she said. Heaven nodded and then walked to the kitchen with a frowning face.

I hope you’ll like what I cooked, her mother said as she straightened the rumpled tablecloth.

I fixed your favorite food of fried rice, and I also added an extra piece of meat to make you happy. I know how much you love meat. Heaven faked a smiling face. This is not what she wanted, even though her stomach was growling for food, she wanted her father.

Let’s pray, her mother said, lowering her head and folding her hands across her chest.

Let’s ask God to bless this food we’re about to receive. Heaven closed her eyes partially and also folded her hands in a prayer form.

Lord, we pray that you’ll bless and sanctify this food that we’re about to receive. Let it provide good nourishment for our bodies and for our soul in your son’s name we pray.

Amen, both sounded.

Heaven took a spoon full of rice and deposited it gradually into her narrow mouth. She then chewed it slowly and uninterested until there was nothing left in her mouth to chew. She reluctantly took another scoop and then held the spoon closer to her mouth while her mother’s gaze remained glued in her direction. Afraid of what her mother might say, she slowly deposited its content inside her mouth.

Why are you not eating your food? her mother asked, after watching Heaven from the corner of her eyes.

I know you’re hungry because I can hear your stomach making some funny and unpleasant sound. Heaven pressed down her stomach with her right hand in an attempt to quench the growling.

I’m full, Heaven said, resting her spoon at the side of her plate. You cannot be full with only two or three scoops of rice, her mother interrupted.

Besides, you’ve not eaten anything since yesterday or even a day before. They traded quick glances.

Oh Heaven, what can I do to make you eat? her mother asked, showing some signs of frustration.

"Okay, what if I take you shopping?

What if I buy you that dress your friend was wearing at the church last week?" She was willing to promise anything to see Heaven eat. Suddenly Heaven’s face brightened and then her spirit dampened instantly. She remembered that her father was gone and immediately the smile that was spreading across her face suddenly gave way to sadness.

CHAPTER 2

W HEN JOSH left his house, his wife, and his only begotten daughter Heaven that cold and freezing night, he didn’t know exactly where he was going. His mind was made up to leave even if it would cost him his life or all that he’d labored for. Though in his inner mind, he knew he couldn’t stay too far or a day without the sight of Heaven—the daughter who meant everything in the world to him. Josh drove around his neighborhood aimlessly that night and then returned to where he usually parks his truck in front of his house. He thought of knocking on his entrance door, but for some strange reason he decided not to. The thought of Heaven weighed heavily on his mind. How was she going to make it in real life without him? How was she going to adjust without his presence? How was she going to grow up without a father? He loved her very dearly and couldn’t remember leaving her for a day since she was born. Suddenly, Josh remembered the day Heaven was born—the unexplainable joy he felt deep in his heart and the piercing sound of a child he would forever love. He likewise remembered when the nurse told him very proudly that he’s the father of a lovely baby girl. He also remembered the first time he held Heaven in his arms and the jubilation that consumed his soul. Suddenly, he felt tears rushing quickly to his eyes. He took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled. What a life, Josh murmured, as he dried his eyes with the back of his palm. Without Heaven, he felt lonely, saddened, and unloved. It was a very cold night with the temperature predicted to be at a freezing point. The weather forecaster had issued a drastic warning; advising people to stay inside or off the street. To sleep in his truck means that Josh must leave his engine running throughout the night so as to generate enough heat to keep him warm. Suddenly, the danger of being exposed to carbon monoxide crossed his mind. He was aware of the danger posed by this poisonous gas, and many that had died of carbon monoxide inhalation in his community. He also remembered the story he heard from one of his neighbors of a man who was found dead inside his car—in his garage while it was still running. Inasmuch as Josh was concerned, he wasn’t going to be the next victim of carbon monoxide poison. But what was he supposed to do? A series of thoughtless ideas floated through his head on how to make it through the freezing night. Unfortunately, none of these hasty ideas made any sense to him at that point. After a moment of indecision, Josh left his truck and strolled down to his house. It was very late for anyone to see him.

The light in Heaven’s room was still on—shielded by a red curtain Josh had installed many years ago to prevent the sun from penetrating into her room. At a point, he’d wondered if it was a mistake to have allowed Heaven to stay in that particular rooms overlooking the eastside of the rising sun.

With Heaven’s light still on, Josh wondered if she was still awake or if she might have forgotten to turn off her light—something she does every now and then. Josh stood still for countless seconds contemplating on whether to knock on Heaven’s window. He didn’t want to scare her; and certainly, he didn’t want to activate their house alarm, so he decided just to stand at the window as long as his body could withstand the freezing temperature. When Josh glanced at his

wristwatch, it was exactly two o’clock in the morning, so he decided to walk back to his truck after noticing that his fingers were frozen, and his ears were completely numb. He thought he was going to lose his ears, as they felt hardened and lifeless.

The early morning sun was directly on Josh’s eyes as that made it impossible for him to sleep comfortably in his truck. As the morning hours progressed, he didn’t want to be seen around, so he drove to the next street and parked his truck where he could have a glimpse of Heaven on her way to school. He was in his truck until around eight-thirty that morning when suddenly he saw Heaven and

her mother entering into her car. He kept his gaze until they drove away. Suddenly he felt tears in his eyes. The urge to follow them crossed his mind, but he immediately discarded the idea. He wasn’t going to give away his hideout.

Maybe I should have stayed, Josh said to himself.

Maybe I should have stayed for the sake of Heaven. She’s worth every ounce of my sweat and blood. The feeling of regret engulfed Josh’s mind momentarily. He felt saddened and then angry. Never a time in his entire life had he ever regretted any of his actions or decisions, and never a time had he been subdued by his own indecision. But now, it seems that everything he’d labored and fought for was falling apart before his own very eyes.

Josh’s a proud man—proud indeed of his accomplishments. He’s a man who goes after his heart and after his dreams. He’s also a man who never settles for less. Was it his fault that his marriage fell apart? Or did he sentimentally ignored all the warning signs and became a prey to Vivian’s charisma?

Josh knew that he’d lost Vivian forever the very day he signed her divorce papers—something he undoubtedly regretted. Suddenly he became agitated.

I should have listened to my lawyer who urged me to contest my divorce on the grounds that I was the victim of Vivian’s selfish manipulations. I should have listened to some of my high school trusted friends who warned me repeatedly about Vivian, as a gold digger"—someone who mercilessly preyed upon her, an innocent victim with her powerful seductive acts. I should have listened to my mother who warned me to stay away from girls with high taste and endless demands. I should have listened to my instincts that urged me not to rush into an early marriage. Now all the hand writings that I saw on the wall are now coming back to greet my unbridled childish decisions.

Where did I go wrong? Josh asked, beating his chest mercilessly.

And why must I pay such a heavy price for marrying my high school sweetheart?As Josh struggled at the thoughts that crowded his mind, he heard his cell phone vibrating. At first, he didn’t want to answer his phone, but when he overheard his mother’s voice, he decided to pick up his phone.

Hi Mom, Josh’s voice rattled. He wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone.

Josh where are you? his mother asked. I’ve been calling you all night and all day. Why didn’t you or anybody answer your phone?

Josh remained silent momentarily, but his mother could hear him breathing hard. Are you still there? his mother’s voice echoed into Josh’s ears. Why are you not speaking? What’s wrong with you?

I’m very sorry mother for not answering your calls, Josh said. There was a moment of silence.

I called your home phone a thousand times last night and no one even cared to pick up the phone. What happened to your answering machine? What about Vivian or Heaven, were they not home also? Josh remained silent.

I’m very sorry that no one answered your call, Josh’s voice sounded apologetically.

Your father and I couldn’t close our eyes to sleep last night while thinking of you and your family. You almost gave your father a heart attack. You know how fragile his health is now that he’s getting older.

She waited for him to say something, and when he didn’t respond, she continued.

Now, can I talk to my grand daughter if she’s around? Or is she at school? I want to wish her a happy birthday before I forget. You know how forgetful my mind are these days. It seems that my memory is no longer holding up as it used to be.

Josh’s heart almost failed him the moment his mother mentioned Heaven and Vivian’s name. He took a deep breath and exhaled. The urge to tell his mother about his ordeal crossed his mind. But how was he going to explain to his mother that he slept in his truck the previous night, or that he left his house, his wife and Heaven amid his divorce—which he’d hidden from his parents for some time now?

Heaven is at school, Josh said to his mother. Do you want me to tell her to call you when she’s back from school?

Why don’t I call her, his mother interrupted before Josh could finish what he was saying. When does she come home from school anyway?

Josh swallowed the lump in his throat. He knew his mother was waiting for an answer.

"Around four-thirty to five this evening. Why don’t I tell her to call you—at times she goes to her friend’s house right after school."

I guess that’s okay, his mother agreed. Tell her to call me. I need to know what she wants for her birthday this time. I didn’t want what happened last year to happen again this year.

Josh waited for his mother to finish her statement. He knows how she reacts if interrupted.What about that wife of yours? his mother asked. And how is life treating her?

Josh bit his upper lip so hard that he tasted blood in his mouth. Suddenly, his mother’s warnings many years ago started to surface in his head. He remembered how many times his mother had warned him about women with extravagant taste—the negative feelings he recalled after his very first date with Vivian. He also remembered during the course of their short marriage how the relationship between his mother and Vivian had stained to the lowest point.

Though Josh couldn’t remember vividly what caused his wife and his mother’s relationship to disintegrate. All he could remember was that the two never see eye to eye on many issues. Even though he was caught in the middle, he did everything he could and everything within his power not to take sides or to partake in their arguments or disagreements.

Vivian is doing well, Josh lied to keep his mother from further interrogations. Josh knew how insinuating his mother could be at times. He also knew about his mother’s ill feelings toward Vivian. At that very moment, he didn’t feel like staying on the phone any longer. He wasn’t in the proper frame of mind to have a dialogue with his mother—he just wanted to be left alone.

Please tell Dad that I’m sincerely very sorry for what I or we’ve put him through. Believe me, it was due to circumstances beyond our control. Tell him also that I’ll stop by before the end of next week to talk to him about something very important.

His mother didn’t like Josh’s tone of voice, and as inquisitive as she always is, she wasn’t going to let him get away without probing deeper into his mind set—something she does very well in digging out the truth in all her children.

I don’t like your tone of voice young man, she interrupted him. And I hope you’re not having any problem with that lazy, extravagant wife of yours, because I can sense some uneasiness in your unstable voice.

Josh didn’t respond. He lowered his car window some inches to let in fresh air. He could smell his own body odor from not taken a bath.

I’m surprised how you two have lasted this long without killing each other, his mother continued.

The way I see that woman, it’s either her way or the highway.

CHAPTER 3

J OSH WONDERED how his mother could have read his mind well enough to know there was something amiss in his marriage. He wanted so badly to tell his mother about the problem that had plagued him for years—the family feud that had led to his sleeping in his truck. On the contrary, he didn’t feel like opening himself up for further questioning; something his mother is very well at. Most importantly, he wasn’t going to arm his mother with the cane to lash him or an opportunity to be reminded on how much she hated Vivian—an opportunity his mother would forever cease at any given time to say, I told you so.

Josh, his mother called. There’s something that you’re not telling me, and I can feel it right in my bones. Josh paused as if to be thinking on how to change the topic. He was very much aware what his mother was saying or getting at.

And what on earth makes you think that I’m hiding something away from you? Josh said, defensively. He heard her mother laughing aloud and that irritated him.

Josh, she called his name, this time her voice was more condescending. I’m your mother and mothers have ways of finding out the truth in their children. Mothers also have good instincts—it’s our God given wisdom, or shall I say that God created us with the power of fortune telling. So, if you think that you could hide things away from your own very mother, you better think twice. Josh never likes the way his mother puts him on the defense or the way she toys with his emotions. He understands his mother’s gift of wisdom and the power she possesses in dictating certain troubles from afar, but at the same token, he’s now started to dislike his mother’s inquisitiveness and intrusion into his family affairs. His marriage dilemma was his to shoulder and besides, it was absolutely his decision to marry Vivian in the first place. Josh was about to explain to his mother why he’d left home when suddenly he spotted Vivian’s car from afar pulling into the driveway

Mother, Josh called.

I’ll call you right back. I’ve another call waiting on my other line. Is it Heaven? his mother asked.

I don’t know, but I’ll call you back—I promise. Before his mother could respond, Josh had already disconnected her line.

Josh, she called. Are you still there? Vivian drove into her garage by letting the overhead doors slide down. Josh had reinstalled a new automatic garage door to make it easier for her to drive in without having to lift the old heavy garage door whenever she pulls in her new Mercedes Benz. The car was a surprise gift from Josh to Vivian on her twenty-fourth birthday. Among the numerous cars at her disposal, the 680 EX Mercedes Benz Integer was Vivian’s favorite. She always feels elevated and on top of the world whenever she drives it to her church or to any special event.

Did you lock the door? Vivian asked Heaven who was entering into her room from the garage hallway.

I did, Heaven echoed almost out of her mother’s sight.

Vivian and Heaven were in the kitchen when Heaven’s cell phone started to ring. The moment she saw her father’s name displayed on her cell phone, she ran inside her room and closed the door behind her. She remained in her room for an undisclosed time.

Dad, where are you? Heaven asked, emotionally.

And why didn’t you return any of my calls? I left you at least three messages last night. There was a certain hesitation in Josh’s voice as he spoke.

"I didn’t even know that you left me any message until this morning when I checked my messages. Besides, I accidentally left my phone