I Believe!

Part Thirteen

"I'm so glad you could come at such short notice." Dr. Mfonido said to Michael.

They were standing in the corridor just outside Jim's room. David and Bidemi were at home because they hadn't been ready whenhe had received the call from the Doctor asking him to come at once. Michael looked down the hallway, he knew they'd be here soon so he wished he could rush the Doctor on and get whatever it was out of her so he could hear it first and decide how best to present it to them himself.

He looked up at her anxiously. He didn't want to rush her but he wished she'd just get it over with. His teary eyes searched her face as she began to speak.

After she left, he stood there for a few minutes trying to compose himself and just as his hand was on the door knob to turn it, he heard Bidemi call out.

“Hey, Mike.”

He turned just in time to see both of them walking hastily down thehallway toward him. He quickly wiped at his eyes and hoped the quicktears he’d shed had left no trace.

“Hey, what kept you guys so long?” he smiled and was surprised athow easy it came. He was actually getting good at this.

They got to him and Bidemi gave him a quick hug. “We had a flat tireand there was something wrong with the spare. The mechanic promisedit would only take a while so we decided to wait but we ended upspending all this time. How’s Jim?”

Michael was surprised at how she was able to say all that in only onebreathe. As far as he’d seen, nothing could dim Bidemi’s spirit and hewas so happy she chose to be with him. He looked at David beforeanswering. His face looked so drawn and tired. No 17 year old shouldhave to go through all these. David smiled at him as if to say don’t worryabout me and Michael nodded.

“The Doctor said he doesn’t have much time left. We could lose him very soon or not.”

To his surprise, David smiled and said, “I guess we just have to believeGod that His Will shall come to pass.” He nodded toward the door forMichael to open it.

They all went in and sat quietly around the bed. Jim looked peaceful ashe slept and they watched as his chest rose and fell gently surrounded byall the tubes attached to him.

Bidemi looked at Michael and David and as if through an unspokenagreement, they all bowed their heads as Bidemi’s soft steady voicefilled the hospital room.

“Dear God, thank you for our lives. Thank you that we have eachother. Thank you that Sara survived the crash. Thank you for Jim. Fatherplease help them come to believe in you and in all these, let Your Will bedone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

The prayer was brief, sincere and all they needed to hear at this time.Not long after they raised their heads, Jim moved his hand.

“Did you see that?” David asked, “He’s moving!”

They all got up and moved closer to the bed and sure enough, Jim’seyelids fluttered. They held their breaths as just a while later, Jim inhaled gently and his eyelids fluttered open. It took some time for his eyes to focus then as he recognised David, a small smile appeared on his lips then it turned to a slight frown of surprise when he noticed Michael and Bidemi. He turned back to David, “I thought... I’d never see you again.”

His voice sounded coarse and was no more than a whisper. David had to bend real close to him in order to hear him.

Jim tried to clear his throat and winced, “I need some water, please.”

Bidemi quickly poured him a glass of water while Michael and David gently helped him up, minding all the tubes and machines. After taking some water, he turned to Michael, “It’s really you.” he croaked.

Michael smiled and held Jim’s hand. He drew Bidemi close with his other hand, “This is my wife, Bidemi. She’s been waiting to meet you.”

“She’s beautiful.” Jim’s voice sounded so dry and he seemed to be in a lot of pain but he still smiled, “There’s something different about you.” He said to Michael, “Your eyes.”

Michael looked at Bidemi then David. Could God really be answering their prayers so soon? He looked down at Jim again, “I have Jesus.” He said simply.

Jim nodded in understanding then suddenly his face twisted in pain and he let out a hoarse cry. Immediately, Michael was out the door to get a nurse while David pressed down on the call button by the bed and soon Dr. Mfonido and some nurses came in, “I’ll need you guys to go out please.” She said as she reached Jim and started examining him.

The three of them went out quietly. Everyone was too scared to talk. Michael was filled with so much anger. He hit the wall hard, felt the pain surge all the way up his arm and he hit it again and again drawing the attention of the people nearby.

Bidemi held his arm in a determined grip and turned him to face her. She held him in her arms and Michael wept like he’d never done before. He clung to Bidemi like a child and wept without reservation.

“Where is God now?” He asked, his voice muffled against her shoulder as he clung to her tightly

David wiped his own eyes and came up behind Michael. “What do you mean, Mike?” he asked gently, “Dad woke up less than 5 minutes after our prayer. Who else apart from God could have done that?”

Michael pulled away from Bidemi, wiping his face with his sleeves, he turned to David, “That was a coincidence. God’s not supposed to do the obvious. He’s supposed to do the miraculous.”

“Still doesn’t mean it wasn’t God. God works in different ways.” Bidemi said

He turned to her angrily then turned away. “So you both mean God would let him die without accepting Him? Without an opportunity to mend our relationship?”

David was thinking of a good response when Bidemi asked, “How do you know he doesn’t already believe?” both he and Michael turned to her, briefly considering the possibility.

Michael turned away first, finally having his emotions under control, he said, “That’s trash and I’m seriously beginning to doubt this all so powerful God.”

“Michael!” Bidemi’s voice was filled with so much hurt and surprise that caused her eyes to sting, “God doesn’t have to explain himself to you but you have to believe.”

“What...” Michael was cut short as his phone began to ring. He pulled it out of his pocket and took a step away from them before he answered brokenly, “Hello.”

He listened for some time then said “Ok, thank you. I’ll be there soon.” He slid the phone back into his pocket and sighed heavily, “Sara has just arrived. They say they’re taking her to Wuse General Hospital. I’ll go and join the ambulance so they’ll bring her here. You guys should just wait here, okay?”

They nodded and Michael started down the hallway. He stopped after a few steps and turned back. “You know Bidemi, you might be right after all. Maybe God wants to kill us all because I don’t see how we can survive all these. I just don’t see how.” His voice shook and Bidemi’s heart went out to him as he turned and walked away dejectedly.

David dropped into one of the chairs lined up against the wall of the hospital hallway and Bidemi joined him. She held his hand and looked in his eyes earnestly. “You don’t believe him, do you? You know better, don’t you?”

David simply looked away from her. He didn’t know what to believe anymore. He trusted God but what if Michael was right? If God was really up there why would He let all these happen and not give them any sign that something good would come of it? Was everything really coincidence and fate? Just where is God’s hand in all these?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi people! Thanks to everyone reading my story :D. I hope we all have an amazing journey together. Hit the star if you enjoyed this part and let me know what you think in the comments. I'd appreciate suggestions.