The Man and His M's by Theophany Akuete

 

 THE MAN AND HIS M’S

CHAPTER ONE
MYSTERY

Staring blankly into the emptiness and silence is a man sitting on an abandoned cliff far up in the middle of nowhere. The brief sounds of invisible creatures below and the chirping of birds soaring freely in the sky do not appear to be able to break the emotionless expression on his face. His emotions can only be understood by lingering and looking into his eyes. Eyes with a slough so deep it might submerge the entire planet. His world was gone, submerged, and buried deep.

One may compare James Osas's birth to the circumstances and interactions described in the Bible. Young and impressionable, 16-year-old Abigail became entangled in a bittersweet romance with Bode, her purported lover boy. Bode promised her paradise and beyond, but it is hard to see how a 19-year-old lad dealing with UTME for the third time could pull it off. They say that love may actually blind one's eyes, and Abigail Osas might be considered the victim. She genuinely believed everything the great Bode Badmus said, opting to ignore her parents' caution against the connection.

On a chilly rainy night, Reverend Josiah Osas and Pastor Mrs Clara Osas welcomed a small newborn girl into their family. Before Mrs Clara's pregnancy, they had to wait 10 years after her previous conception, which resulted in her conceiving in her late fifties after going through menopause. It came as no surprise to the quinquagenarians as Reverend Josiah had been visited by an angel in an open vision while his wife was pregnant.
After a busy day at the chapel, he lay his head to rest when a gentle yet forceful voice called out to him, "Josiah, servant of the living God.”
"Here I am," he answered.