OPHELIA

Chapter 28: Ancient Relics!

I met a handful of people in this new life that were real with me. So I could say they didn’t love me for my body or any sinister reason they loved me for…I didn’t quite know. I had been meaning to get an answer to this question else it was possible I mistook their kindness to mean love. It was a complicated phenomenon after all—love.

Pastor Man, Ma’am Veronica, Jacob, Daniel, Grand Pa, Bobga and though I was at the verge of falling apart with Rachael, I was grateful I’d known her. She’d been avoiding me for the past week and only exchanged greetings. I didn’t think Jesus approved of such behavior but who was I to judge her considering that he didn’t approve of my unending lashings either.

I prayed to be better and that the burning of my body would be removed. However the more I prayed, the more it reappeared. I imagined the worst case scenario—Jesus had left me and so he couldn’t answer my prayers. As I stared out my window, an adventurous flame was rekindled when my eyes fell on the rooms that lined the backyard fence wall. We had a few hours until I went for my first choir practice session. I was eager to get behind those doors; but for the keys, there were no obstacles. I rushed to the gate.

“Jacob…” He startled from his seat almost bumping his head on the door of his room. I didn’t realize he was taking a nap in the sunlight.
“Can’t a guy get sleep in this house? If it’s not cars honking, it’s girls yelling.” He looked at me with annoyance.
I rolled my eyes. “I want the keys to those storage rooms, where can I get them?”
“That’s it? No sorry for disturbing my sleep?”
“I didn’t know you were sleeping. Just tell me where the keys are.”
He laughed mockingly. “Unfortunately for you, they are with me and you are not eligible to have them.” He sat down crossing his feet.
“Just cooperate without a fight or I’ll go into your room and get them myself.”
“Which room? My room is out of bounce to females.”
“Then give me the keys.”
“Who are you? You can’t even say please. If you don’t know the magic words then forget it… What do you want to do with the keys anyway?”
I beamed. “Well, I figured there must be old pictures and little antique stuff I’d like to see… have you explored the rooms? You must be as curious as I am.” The mere thought gave me goose bombs.
“Why would I be curious about packing stores? It’s mostly junk stuff in there.”
“Come on let’s check it out together?”
“Nah, I’ll rather give you the keys.”
“C’mon it’ll be fun.”
“Take the keys and thrill yourself I want to sleep.” He took off his cane hat and covered his face.
“Hmmm…your mates are reading books and here you are sleeping.”
He took off the hat. “Should I show you the books I’ve read this month? I just finished one this afternoon.”

Did he just say books and month…more than one book in one month? To think of it, I haven’t read a single book all my life. I rather not compete with him on that. Why did I bring that up in the first place?

“Fine book worm, give me the keys.” He threw them to me. I bounced to the backyard, picked the oldest looking door and ventured in. To my discontent, all it was was a room full of household tools of all categories—lame! The next door had a set of old couches and dining chairs—lamer! The next room was full of fire wood—lamest! The last room before the three-stoned fire side kitchen was the only hope I had left to an adventure. I prayed it had some real stuff. I kissed the key and slotted it in to the lock. The door swung open and I was welcomed by a meshwork of cobwebs—it was a good sign; there certainly were some ancient relics. I turned on the light. Rats squeaked in a corner, I shook off a spider making its way up my arm.

There were lots of boxes, old toys, book shelves and a wardrobe. Speaking of which it would be interesting to have a Narnia experience but this was the real world. I ran my fingers across those dusty boxes, opened one of them for no specific reason. However, I saw old school books and exam papers; Pastor Man was of average intelligence while Ma’am Veronica was a straight A student. It was ages ago yet they still kept it. Neither of them where teachers; I thought it absurd to still keep those but considering that Pastor Man was an order freak, it wasn’t so absurd plus his library was wealthy which made more sense for him to want to keep old academic prowess.

School…too bad I hadn’t been able to obtain any certificate except my nursery school certificate. I couldn’t even remember if I was a straight A student or what? The only academic skill I had was reading and writing. I was grateful because it was better than nothing.

The corner of my eye caught a book hanging on the edge of the last shelve to the ceiling. I climbed a couple of wobbly boxes; miraculously they held my weight till I got the book and stepped down. The book was all dusty. I blew the dust away and its black color revealed. I opened it. It was a diary; Pastor Man’s diary—he kept a diary.

16th June 2005

Dear Dairy, I feel alone in this world. I got into a fight with my brother and his wife; they wouldn’t let me go to church. I want to serve God. But the price to pay is very high. Our parents are gone; they are the only ones I have left. Now I have to choose between them and God. My brother has given me two weeks to make my decision. If I choose God, he’ll throw me out of his house…I’ll be homeless again after many years of suffering. I am in a dilemma… His wife just had a baby, my pretty niece. I should stay around to help her with chores. If I choose God I will be unfilial, if I chose them…God is my first family would I not be more unfilial…

I never imagined Pastor Man to have such a pitiful past. His brother was cruel. It was unethical to read someone’s diary but it had been locked up in there probably for ages surely he didn’t mind. I planned to delve into its pages after I turned every box inside out. As I was about to put the book away, it slipped from my hand. I bent over to pick it up and a picture slid out of it. No. Way. It was a picture of Pastor Man and my Dad.

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Jesus is Lord😊😇 Feel free to comment and enjoy.