Afterwards

Dear Jesus,

As soon as the bomb was dropped, Mrs Trimon fainted. I was shocked to my bones as was everyone else. We eventually revived Mrs Trimon who broke down in sobs as mom struggled to console her.

Felicia is my age mate. How on earth was she pregnant? She's not the kind of girl who seems promiscuous. It dawned on me that that could actually have been her reason for the attempted suicide.

The doctor said we could go see her one at a time in the convalescence ward they'd moved her to.

When it was my turn, I walked in cautiously. The sight that greeted me was so unbelievable. Felicia, a naturally robust girl, was lying on the bed with her eyes closed. She was so white. I suspected the procedure of the surgery must have entailed draining part of her blood. Several blood bags surrounded her bed. Tubes were connected all over her, passing blood and water.

A sob escaped my lips. I took her hand in mine. I espied several cuts on her wrist. Had she been cutting herself, damaging her body? I didn't have the slightest clue that anything was going on. We weren't particularly close but I still felt a little guilt.

"I'm so sorry Felicia. I'm sorry. I prayed today not knowing it was you God was asking me to pray for. Please, come back to us. Your mom and dad and sister want you back. We love you. I love you," I muttered as tears dropped from my eyes.

Knowing I had limited time to spend with her, I kept praying while holding her hand. She didn't move an inch.

I was still seated by her side, engrossed in deep prayers when I heard the door to the ward open.

A young man, who looked awfully familiar though I couldn't quite place where I had seen him, walked in. I hurriedly rounded off my prayers. He just checked the monitors and then took a file on her bedside.

Out of curiosity and cos the silence was so deafening I spoke up.

"Should I excuse you sir?"

That was when he looked at me. I took in his comely features. I saw a flicker of recognition in his eyes. My eyes widened as my brain clicked.

"You-"

"You-"

We both stuttered at the same time as we pointed at each other.

"You came to the orphanage three days ago, am I right?" He asked.

I was too shocked to speak. I simply nodded my head. He was the guy who I saw placing his hand on Lydia's shoulder when we were say goodbye. He had the same bold chocolate brown eyes, ebony black hair and pointed nose. The only confusing thing was that he was wearing a white overall that made him look almost angelic. Was he a doctor here? I thought he was one of the orphans too.

He was the last person I expected seeing. Oh bother! I must have looked like a mess with my tear-filled face.

"What are you doing here?" I finally managed to ask when the cat had pity on me and released my tongue.

His shocked expression melted into an enchanting smile that set my heart beating erratically.

"I'm an intern here. I'm actually studying Psychology and medicine in MyCheynne College."

Jesus, my curiosity at this point had sky rocketed to the third heavens.

He chuckled slightly, probably amused by my gaping-mouth visage.

"Is she your sister?" He asked rather abruptly, breaking my mini-trance. His head gestured at poor Felicia, who by now I had forgotten was laying down pitifully on the hospital bed.

"No! She's a friend." I paused to ponder the validity of my statement. I didn't want to make a wrong first impression. "Actually, she's my church member."

Now that I think of it Jesus, I should have just stuck with the friendship status.

By this time he looked as if I was delaying him. I apologized. He requested for my number.

Alarm bells began ringing loudly in my head. No guy has ever asked me for my number. I mean no single guy. I'm sixteen and I've never gotten a date all thanks to my reputation of being a pastor's daughter. Jesus, I must admit I was hesitant at first.

But then, I felt this inner reassurance (coupled with my immerse curiosity) and I went ahead to give him my number.

"It was nice meeting you, uh..." He droned.

"Radiance, Radiance Abraham," I completed for him.

"Oh Radiance. I'm Fredrick Tyson by the way."

"It was nice meeting you too Fredrick" I said cheerfully as his form slid out the door.

Hmm... So Tyson huh! I wonder if he's in anyway related to the almighty Mike Tyson.

This is getting interesting.

Well, I got back home very late. As in very late. After we left the hospital, we went to the Trimon's to provide moral support. Mom had to practically insist that Mrs Trimon eat something.

Ever since she was revived from the fainting spell, she was mute and wouldn't stop shedding tears of sorrow. If one could view the thoughts in her mind, I'm sure she must be blaming herself for all that happened. She was so ashamed that she couldn't look at my mom in the eye. My sweet mom went ahead to cook a simple meal of rice and stew.

Jesus, please resolve the issue in this family. May they know that despite all that is happening, you still love them and that we still do. Don't let them leave the congregation because of shame. *Sighs* That's almost wishful thinking. I hope this adversity doesn't take away this family's faith. Let it be an avenue for them to get stronger in the Lord.

I was so hungry by the time I got home. Mom and Dad were exhausted from the full day's ministering.

Thankfully, we had some grilled chicken in our freezer and a little bit of fried potatoes. I microwaved that and we ate in silence. A very rare phenomenon. The tension from the day's event still lingered. We were each lost in our own thoughts trying to process it all.

My mind drifted to a particular intern with chocolate brown eyes. I unconsciously glanced at the screen of my phone.

No missed call. No message. What was I expecting?

I slept late. I lay on my bed for a while thinking. Kathlyn and Priscilla had sent me a message on our WeChat group. I didn't have the heart to reply.

I drifted off into a sweet sleep after I prayed to you.