SHEILA'S AWAKENING ( A Nigeria Story)

Consoling

Sheila's eyes narrowed as she listened to her father's voice on the phone. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her mother was gone, and her father had lied to her about it. He had collected money from her for her mother's treatment, but it was all a scam.

Sheila felt a wave of anger wash over her. She was furious with her father for his manipulation and deceit. She couldn't trust him, and she couldn't trust herself to stay calm.

"What do you want, Father?" she spat out the words. "More money? More lies?"

Her father's voice was smooth, but Sheila could detect the hint of guilt beneath the surface. "Sheila, I know you're upset. But we need to talk about the funeral arrangements. Your mother would have wanted-"

Sheila cut him off, her voice cold. "I don't care what you want, Father. I don't care about your lies or your schemes. I just want the truth. And I want it now."

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and for a moment, Sheila thought she had lost the connection. But then her father spoke up, his voice hesitant. "Sheila, I...I didn't mean to hurt you. I just needed the money, and I didn't know how else to get it."

Sheila's laughter was bitter. "You didn't mean to hurt me? You didn't mean to hurt me? You lied to me, Father. You used me. And now my mother is gone, and I'll never get to say goodbye."

The line went dead, and Sheila was left alone with her tears and her anger. She knew she had to move forward, but she didn't know how. She didn't know how to forgive her father or herself. But why does she have to forgive herself?, it's all her father fault.
She cannot let her father's actions hold her back. She would move forward, with courage and grace. And she would make sure that her mother's memory was honored, not tarnished by her father's deceit.

Sunday midnight, Fatima woke up to the sound of Sheila crying loudly and shivering. Sheila didn't tell Fatima about her mothers death, Fatima can't even recall seeing Sheila coming in, she had retired to her bed around 8pm after isha prayer. "Sheila?, Sheila, Sheila" Fatima called her name but no response, she moved closer to her and hugged her, "what happened Sheila?, please talk to me"
"My Mmmother, she she  is dead, she is gone, and there was nothing I could do about because I didn't know, I'm a bad daughter" said Sheila her voice shaking, her eyes red and running as she speaks
"Oh no Sheila, I'm so sorry for your loss ,and please stop blaming yourself, it was her time and no Matter what you think you could have done to stop it, it still won't change what was supposed to happen, just put her in your prayers daily Said Fatima as she holds Sheila even tighter.
Sheila ended up fallen asleep in Fatima arms the whole night but Fatima didn't move at all.
In the  morning Sheila woke up still on the floor but no sign of Fatima in the room. As she was about to stand , the door opened revealing Zarah, and Fatima, Zarah was holding a cup of coffee in one and and what seems like waffles in the other. "You will be alright babe, we are here for you" said Zarah as she hugs her tightly almost choking her.
As she spends the day with the two girls, Sheila's mind kept wandering back to Ahmed. She needed his company now more than any day.
She decides to text him to meet up
Ahmed responded almost immediately. "Of course, Sheila. I'm here for you. When and where do you want to meet?"

Sheila hesitated for a moment, then suggested a coffee shop in town. "This Evening  by 6pm at the coffee shop?" she wrote
Ahmed agreed to meet Sheila at the coffee shop, and she felt a sense of relief wash over her. She needed someone to talk to, someone who would listen and understand. And despite their complicated past, Ahmed was the one person she felt comfortable turning to.

As she walked into the coffee shop, Sheila saw Ahmed waiting for her. His eyes were filled with concern, and his smile was gentle. "Hey," he said, as he stood up to hug her. "I'm so sorry about your mom. I'm here for you, Sheila.""but are you really?" Thought Sheila

Sheila felt a lump form in her throat as she hugged him back. "Thanks, Ahmed," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I need you right now."
"Whatever you need tell me, I'm here" replied Ahmed
"Can you follow me to my state, to see my father, I can't go alone Ahmed, I can't face him alone, I'm scared".