ÀPĀ—The Scar (2)

And I will call upon Your Name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine
Oh... 
And You are mine, oh... 

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Saviour

I will call upon Your Name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am Yours and You are mine

(Oceans by Hillsong played in the background as angry Ajoke Josephine Alison stirred aimlessly at the stars in the sky as if she was asking them why her life was so dim and void of light.) 

For Ajoke, that was a long sorrowful night. She kept gazing at the sky, lost as tears streamed. 

There was awful quietness. 

It seemed as if the whole heavens stood in attention over Ajoke Josephine Alison that night. It felt like something had shifted—perhaps, the dark heavy cloud hanging over Ajoke Josephine Alison was melting away. 

Who would know the result of the outcry of a lonely soul who called on heavens to hear her cry and run to her aid? Hmmmmm (Said the narrator). 

Ummph... !  (Dr Luke sighed)

 

9:45 a.m., at City Life Clinic

It's been forty-five minute stretch since Dr Luke Daton had read Ajoke's story to the rape victims yet all of them still had their eyes glued to him as if to force out the rest of the story from him.

Ajoke's story seemed like a never-ending sorrow for the rape victims. It brought back memories of their hurts.

Mmhmmh... (Dr Luke cleared his throat—alerting the patients that he was set to continue the story). 

(All the patients looked at him keenly.)

And there all night until morning, out in Alison's courtyard, laid Ajoke on the grass and gazed at the heavens. 

Deji and Orelope Alison had gotten used to their daughter's episodes—not even they could pacify her. 

It was morning, and a postman brought a mail for Ajoke;  her father received it and called out to her “Ajoke, there is a mail for you!”. 

'Yes, dad. Hold on!' (Ajoke replied). 

Ajoke walked sluggishly to her father and received a brown envelope from him. 

With a weird who-is-this-from? stare—Ajoke, unsealed the envelope and took out a white folded paper that reads: 

To my best friend (the letter reads)

Dear Ajoke, 

I couldn't have celebrated my big day without you, I know it's been ages since we last saw, ever since that very sad incident. However, I haven't stopped thinking about you. How have you been, dear 'Joke? I want you to know that I am getting married to Charles—Do you remember him? He was also concerned about you but you shut us all out. We understood that you needed some to heal. 

My wedding is in 10 days and I would love it if you came by. 

Please see the invitation attached to this letter for details about the wedding and venue.

We look forward to your presence, dear.

Your friend, 
Kiara

(Unknown to Ajoke that her parents were eavesdropping; they both chorused) 'Are you going?!!!'

'No!'  (Shouted Ajoke)

You know I don't have time for these things—love, weddings, etcetera. Not my cup of tea! ’ (Ajoke replied abruptly)

Ajoke headed for her room—leaving her parents who looked back at each other, confused, as they saw their daughter walking out on them. 

 

Two Days to the Wedding

Ajoke is seen reminiscing over some of her childhood experiences. She remembers Charles, Kiara and Dickson—how they stayed by her side after the monster, Damien left her broken. She recalls how Charles exposed the owner of the round pendant as Damien in front of the cops. 

Ajoke knew that she owed her friends, Kiara and Charles a duty. At least, her presence at their wedding would give them joy and she could also pay back their favour. So, she made up her mind to be present at the wedding. 

Ajoke had no time to love anybody, hence, the only justification for attending her friends' wedding was to pay back a favour. 

 

The Wedding Day

The event was more of a private ceremony with just a few other friends and family members at Maison May, Brooklyn, New York. The exchange of vows took place and the joining was done by the reverend. 

The glee on Kiara's face was almost contagious, making all the ladies giggle as their friend danced with her heartthrob, Charles. 

Ajoke sat towards the edge of the hall with a smile curved around her lips as she watched her two friends dance. She reminisced on their pasts together: 

'Oh, good old days... ' (Ajoke said and smiled)

Walking briskly into the hall was a 5 feet, 9 inches tall guy who happened to be Kiara's cousin, Peter, whom they were expecting from Oregon. Peter had luggage with him which he tossed under one of the dining tables as he joined his favourite younger cousin on the dance floor. 

There was something so special about the man, Peter—was it the light that seemed to resonate from his being or his energetic leg work on the dance floor? He seemed to have lit up the wedding hall for the entire attendees.

Shortly after the dance, Ajoke walked towards her friend, making gestures to leave but Charles, signaled that she waits. Then he picked up a glass of wine and clanged it with a fork, as if to call the attention of the guests.

'Beloved family, join me as I raise a glass to my beautiful wife, Kiara.' (Charles said—There were cheers from the guests as their wine glasses were raised to Kiara).

'And to a special long time friend, Ajoke—Cheers!' (Charles said with a smile).

Ajoke smiled in response to Charles.

'Now let the dance begin!!!' (Peter said from where he stood, making all the guest laugh).

Unexpectedly, with a broad smile, Peter went beside Ajoke and said 'may I have this dance'. (Embarrassed...Ajoke, could not say no because everyone was cheering at the gesture, so she said 'sure').

The dance is brief, nice and gentle. Then Ajoke, told Peter she had to leave. She went to the couple and bade them farewell.

She was out waiting for a taxi when Peter rushed to her. He quickly handed out a pen and a paper to Ajoke with a bright warm smile and said 'I'd like to call, if I may'. 

There was something irresistible about Peter that Ajoke could not understand. This was his second polite request to her in one day, yet she obliged him again. 'Why?' (She thought).

Ajoke's taxi arrived at the Alison's residence at 6:45 pm. Both Deji and Orelope rushed out to welcome their daughter. She smiled back at them which was unusual. 'I sense a miracle brewing' (Orelope whispered to Deji who gave a confirmatory nod and a smile). 

A few weeks after, Dr. Peter was seen in his office going over a few patient case files. He smiled and briefly gazed at his wallet. He had been thinking of a perfect time to call Ajoke being a little nervous. He hadn't been in a relationship since medical school. He had wanted to wait patiently for the girl the Lord would open his eyes to. He didn't know why but he felt that there was something special about Ajoke, and the Lord kept calling his attention to give her a call.

'Dear, Father, I know that it's you, Lord. I can't but feel your leading on this. Thank you Lord for I know you have gone ahead of me.' (Peter said and quickly finished up his task for the day).

It was 8pm, Peter was at his residence. 'Can I call her at this hour, I hope she will not be busy?' (He wondered)

He picked up his mobile phone and dialed Ajoke's number. It rang the first time and the second time. Then, he heard a voice at the other end:

'Hello' (the voice said briskly). 

'Hi...It's Peter (He said and paused for a while)...'Kiara's cousin, we met at the wedding, some weeks ago and danced. 

Remember...?' (He said)

'Oh, yes. Peter...' (Ajoke, responded)

'How are you?' (Peter asked)

'I'm...Great.' (Ajoke said , wondering about his purpose for calling).

'Erm, I just wanted to say 'hi' and know how you're doing. I'd 

like to call again if that's, okay.' (He said)

'Alright, I think that's fine.' (Ajoke said).

'Thank you so much, Ajoke. I want you to know that I treasure your time and I hope that I, we...can make the most of it by the Lord's grace.' (He said)

'Bye for now' (He said and hung up after a while).

Life wasn't the same for Peter, as he now spends most of his evenings on the call with Ajoke, and sometimes calls at his free time at work. As weird as it all seemed to Ajoke, she also looked forward to his calls. Ajoke's parents couldn't but notice the light cheerfulness in their daughter's voice and attitude towards them. They knew something had changed and also noticed her long conversations on the phone with frequent laughter. 

'Who has brought light into the life of our dear Ajoke'? (they wondered) 

One noon, Peter called Ajoke and said, 'I'd like to come over to New York City, if you don't mind. I'll book a restaurant ahead'.

'Okay' (Ajoke said)

'I'll send the details' (He said).

 

Four Days Later

Peter and Ajoke were seen at the Maison May Resort having breakfast.

'I'm sorry for calling you out here all day, I wanted to make this special and memorable for us. I believe we are heading towards a beautiful destination, Ajoke. I know that distance is quite a challenge but I want you to know how special you are to me. I also promise not to waste you time or lead you on a headless journey.' (He said)

Ajoke smiled.

'Ajoke Josephine Alison, will you be in a relationship-leading-to-the-altar with me?' (Peter asked, with his white face turning pink)

There was an awesome silence around the duo for a while. 

Peter's heart pounded with a million beats. He nervously wiped his face with a handkerchief, gently holding Ajoke's tender hands.

'Erm...Peter, I think we need to talk about something. (Ajoke said nervously)

(She had never been in any romantic relationship, not before or after the unfortunate incident.)

'Yes, Ajoke, I'm all ears...' (Peter said)

'There is dark secret in my life that has a hold on me for many years. I have not shared this with anyone, and only my parents, grandparents, Kiara and Charles and those that witnessed the ordeal are aware of this. I must also warn you that this might be a very devastating news for you' (Ajoke said, and sighed)

'Ajoke...If it's this much of a concern to you, then I am ready to bear whatever it is' (He said)

'I was mercilessly raped at my high school promenade after-party which I attended with your cousin, Charles and some other grade mate' (Ajoke said as tears rolled down her eyes)

'Oh...my...God.!' (Peter interjected)

'My drink was spiked and giddily, I went to the restroom in one of the rooms, unknown to me that a wicked boy had smartly snuck behind me. He hurt me in the most disposable way for any girl. He left me unconscious; bruised and bleeding and fled the premises. Kiara found me and saved me with Charles and another good friend. The horrible boy was arrested but the scar he left behind never left me. I managed to get into college the following year' but life was never the same. I sunk deep into depression and alcohol for years until we met. Our friendship changed me unknown to you. (She said amidst heavy tears)

Peter took out his handkerchief and gently wiped her tears. Squeezed her hands and said:

'That must have been a very horrible ordeal, Ajoke. I can't even begin to imagine how hard it must have been for you up till now but I want you to know that the Ajoke I have known and still see here today, is the most beautiful woman to me...and I do not care about what has occurred in your past. I want you to know that the Ajoke I have fallen massively in love with, is pure and new. The past no longer has hold on you nor can it stop us. I love you immensely Ajoke, and if you will permit, you're the woman my heart wants—the one the Lord has constantly led me to.'

Ajoke sobs.

'Yes, Peter, I'd love to make this journey of love with you.' (Ajoke said as Peter drew her in for a hug)

Peter knelt down beside her and brought out an engagement ring with a broad smile.

'Ajoke Josephine Alison, will you marry me?' (He said to her)

Her heavy and swollen eyes could not hide her joy as she said, 'yes, I will'.

Peter slid the ring into her engagement ring finger and hugged her tenderly.

He held her hands tenderly and said: 

'Unto you Lord, do we commit this new step, we ask that, it be the most life changing good decision of our lives, and that you bless us with your good portion in Jesus' name. Amen.

 

10:30 a.m., at City Life Clinic

Awwnnnn... (The patients reacted, all emotional about the happy ending of Ajoke's story. Some had tears in their eyes while others hugged themselves tightly.)

'So, nothing is impossible or irreparable. You just have to believe that you can experience love, joy and peace again.' (Dr. Luke said to the patients)

 

Light Fades