The loud clowny crows vehemented the environment as Tiana took stage to eulogize her husband,"My husband was such a kind hearted soul, always embracing him, being defensive with 'try me' mantras whenever I saw that he was down or oppressed.Always observing associative signs that were encouraging, discouraging or sensitive,I always assured him that he should focus on marching forward in life irregardless.He was always fretful about not getting any bigger,since he was involved in drug businesses that threatened him somehow.I guess getting married to such games really wasted him a lot,if not jocular times fading.I encouraged him to be serious in life,to stop silly games which made him appear stupid in the long run,you know ;to always jumpstart,not to be missed with such dramas.I honestly never saw him coming to such demise.It was such a shocker.As much as he got dreamy in selling drug signals sometimes, just to console his silly games,but I loved him so much,he was my legal man,I deserve all the justice in avenging his blood.May his soul rest in eternal peace!"
Lara then took stage later on,"I love Pavel so much,he was my man.He loved Pasha too,I have been through a lot lately with my two boys,facing my demons beneath the night blankets, just getting worried about them.Waking up early in the morning thereafter,to intercede for them.God has been faithful,saving Pasha but I still thank him for Pavel irregardless.Pavel was an introvert but loved his family.Comically,he would bring us together during family times.He was just taciturn,reserved,he had least issues with other people.I don't understand why he fell as a victim,but I also seek justice upon his blood.May his soul rest in eternal peace!"
The last moments slipped by, one by one, irretrievable."The earth is the Lord's and fullness thereof, the earth and everything that dwells therein." The priest, with the gesture of a cross, scattered earth over both the bodies of Victor Micheals and Pavel Kane. They sang "The souls of the righteous." Then a fearful bustle began.The coffins were closed,nailed,and lowered simultaneously into the ground.Clods of earth rained on the lid as each grave was hurriedly filled by four spades.A little mound formed.Emotionally, both Nadia and Pasha climbed on such graves as they wept incessantly.Only the state of stupor and insensibility which is gradually induced by all big funerals could have created the impression that he intended to speak over their parents' graves.
Pasha raised his head and from his vantage point absently glanced about the bare autumn landscape and the domes of the huge tents around.His snub-nosed face became contorted and he stretched out his neck.If a wolf cub had done this, everyone would have thought that it was about to howl.The boy covered his face with his hands and burst into sobs.The wind bearing down on him lashed his hands and face with cold gusts of rain.A man in black with tightly fitting sleeves went up to the grave. This was Raju, the dead man's brother and uncle of the weeping boy;a former priest,he had been unfrocked at his own request.He went up to the boy and led him out of the graveyard.
The news got highlighted which in turn sparked nationalwide anger and unrests against bourgeoisies.That autumn there was strikes among the various union workers,who demanded protection from the government.The strikes proved perennial since the government saw to it being costly to set up security systems to the many individual workers all over the country.Their demands seemed too hard to meet.Twice a week,the vast contingents marched peacefully across various streets countrywide,holding up their charted messages, whistling and clamoring in their professional attires.My close allies and I were among them.
This in turn, angered the cabinet secretary for labor who, after three months of failed negotiable progress, gazzeted massive job lay offs to any worker who didn't report back to work the following week.Being fretful,I quickly resolved to report back to work.However, the rest of my allies who were in public hospitals became adamant with the strikes,in a grumpy way, perhaps they were influenced,but this aggravated their situations in the long run.They were later on fired.
The perennial strikes had devastating impacts.Patients died in hospitals or home,due to limited doctors in proportion to their vast numbers and urgent cares.Inflations made life unbearable, transport systems like railways got crippled,learners skipped superfluous subjects,cases got postponed at courts and so forth.Such gruelling situations,coerced Tiana to move with Lara.Tiana at one time arrived,"Hey Lara,I was glad to hear that you accepted my pleas to move with you!" They then cuddled.Lara welcomed her,"Welcome,make this place your home.Hi Nadia!" "Hi too!" "So,here we have Pasha.Pasha!Since Nadia will be staying around,she will be your step sister!" Pasha hysterically greeted them,"Hi Nadia and Tiana,I will be glad to be a step relative.Feel at home,kindly!"
Lara however beseeched,"Here,I survive by pension,I know you too were surviving that way.Unfortunately, I got fired,due to such silly threats.But I still believe justice delayed is justice denied, whatsoever.Our husbands' blood must be avenged irregardless of the external noises and threats." Tiana acquiescented,"Yeah, law must take proper ways and enactments in such matters!I'm glad to have you all the same ,we will fight to the end!" Then Tiana and Lara both hugged for a while.
Lara and Marina while just staying back home as perhaps as house maids, found something useful to do around despite attending the bi-weekly strikes meetings where they wore clowny sacs ,head sufurias, chatting in crescendos "Mention their names!Workers' lives matter…..!"
The government got sued but the cases appeared despairing longer than expected, perhaps due to state capture of judicial systems, but such determined workers stood firmly and never got shook in the long run.
In a weird way,the duo while just hanging around, developed clandestine lesbian feelings while the kids were away at school."I can see the orchestrations here; from 13th December till May 13th, the government has just been numb on our pleas.Forget about It!" Lara thought. Before she continued,"I mean it's past Christmas,then Easter, it's just frustrating!By the way, I would love to love to know you better Tiana!" Then Tiana became curious enough,"What do you mean by that Lara Scott?" "I mean,I would like to drive you crazy! Tiana, I'm honestly in love with you!You'll never walk alone!I wanna be part of your life.Whenever I'm broken,you make me feel loved!" Lara flirted even as she touched her body romantically.
Even before they knew,they suddenly were kissing each other, while touching each other's sensitive parts for a long while.A sudden knock at the door,halted their activities.The kids were back from school.The Isuzu school bus had just dropped them a while ago,but their parents being absent -minded had forgotten their usual norm of picking them up from stage.
At St.Pete hospital,we had experienced fatal ICU fatal errors due to lack of competent doctors around:
Case: A newborn in an ICU received 1000x the normal dose of Heparin due to a miscalculated IV pump setting.
🔹 Outcome: The infant bled uncontrollably and died from internal bleeding.
🔹 Cause: Lack of double-checking high-risk medications by nurses.
But then Tina's dad was on the verge of falling into such errors since his sudden arrivals.
ICU Admission: From Emergency to ICU Care
Step 1: Initial Assessment in the Emergency Room (ER)
✔ Patient is stabilized in the ER (e.g., oxygen support, IV fluids, blood transfusions).
✔ Vital signs (BP, HR, oxygen saturation) are checked to determine ICU need.
✔ Emergency procedures (e.g., intubation, dialysis, CPR) may be done before ICU transfer.
---
Step 2: ICU Admission & Immediate Care
✔ Patient is placed in a bedside monitoring system for real-time vitals tracking.
✔ Intravenous (IV) lines and central lines are inserted for medications and fluids.
✔ Mechanical ventilation is started if the patient cannot breathe independently.
✔ Blood tests, ECG, X-rays, and scans are done for further diagnosis.
---
Step 3: Life Support & Continuous Monitoring
1️⃣ Ventilator (Artificial Breathing Machine)
Used for patients with respiratory failure, COVID-19, pneumonia, or head trauma.
Oxygen levels, lung pressure, and breathing rate are adjusted as needed.
2️⃣ Dialysis (For Kidney Failure Patients)
Removes toxins and excess fluids if the kidneys are not working.
3️⃣ IV Medications & Nutrition
Sedatives & Painkillers – To keep patients calm (e.g., Propofol, Fentanyl).
Antibiotics – To prevent infections.
Vasopressors (BP Medications) – To stabilize blood pressure.
Tube Feeding (NG/PEG tubes) – If the patient cannot eat orally.
4️⃣ Continuous Cardiac Monitoring
For patients with heart failure, arrhythmias, or post-heart surgery.
5️⃣ Brain Monitoring (Neuro ICU)
Used for stroke, brain injury, or coma patients to detect brain swelling.
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4. Daily ICU Routines
✔ Morning ICU Rounds – The intensivist, nurses, and specialists review each patient's progress.
✔ Diagnostic Tests – Daily blood tests, ECG, chest X-rays, or CT scans.
✔ Turning & Positioning – Prevents bedsores, pneumonia, and muscle stiffness.
✔ Weaning Off Ventilator – When a patient recovers, the ventilator settings are adjusted for gradual breathing independence.
There was an overdose medications' errors by one of the few incompetent junior doctors who were around which in turn triggered a high risk emergency medications;a chance of life and death.The few competent doctors, including me, that quickly responded to such calls miraculously stabled him,hence saving his life.B.P reverted to normal.
Liver cirrhosis, hypertensions had crippled Tina's dad who lay under my watch for quite a while."Pete, please take care of my daughter!" "I will sir,but you sound pessimistic.Be positive sir!I know you're gonna see the goodness of Lord in the land of the living!" "You're such full of faith,lad, but then I got addicted reminiscing how I used to mistreat my own flesh and blood in an inhumane way!" "The past is in the past,just find a new company of perhaps,believers who will act as healing therapists with such words of encouragements,but if you choose to languish yourself in despairs, even your grandson won't be happy at all!" "I love you all, including Junior,I enjoy your fun companies,but then it's still hard for me to move away from these traumatized past events against my family.Trust me,I have tried all means including church fellowships,but I wish I had an epicure!" "Okay,let me leave you alone!Tina and Junior are on the way to see you.Just rest peacefully.I'm still optimistic that you will live again.We all love you sir, unconditionally!"
Tina and Junior that afternoon paid him a visit.We all overstayed there along with Tina's mum for a couple of days and nights,just to make sure Tina's dad was safely discharged.Junior had to skip schools,it really showed how much he loved grandpa.On the seventh day however,we received sad news about his passing away.Tina ran violently on hearing such news,to weep his dad at his bedside.We all joined her to mourn her incessantly for the better part of that afternoon.
"Holy God,holy and mighty,holy and deathless,"the words drifted softly down the street and stayed there;as if a feather duster had softly brushed the air, everything was swaying -wreaths, passers-by,the censer swinging on its chain from the priest's hand,and the white earth under foot.
"Junior!My God!At last."I was shaking his shoulder."What's the matter with you? They're carrying out the coffin.Are you coming with us?"
"Yes,of course."
The funeral service was over.The beggars, shuffling their feet in the cold,closed up in two ranks.The hearse,the gig with wreaths on it.The cabs drew up closer to the church.Out of it came Tina's mum,crying;lifting her veil,damp with tears,she cast a searching glance at the crowd,spotted the pallbearers,beckoned to them,and went back into the church.More and more people were pouring out.
"Well ,May his soul rest in eternal peace!"
We slowly made our way to the cemetery at the other end of town.That day the hard frost had broken.It was a still,heavy day;the cold had gone and the life had gone too -it was a day as though made for funeral.The dirty environments,seemed to be in deep mourning.
A week later, Junior on his way to school,got kidnapped by strangers.We received calls from such people after futile searches of him around school and his allies' residences."Junior is officially kidnapped,they are demanding a million,in this economy, even threatening us to kill him if we involve the authorities!" I anxiously told off Tina. Tina then replied,"We can't raise such amounts, that's mission impossible in such inflations. You got paycuts, heavily taxed, what the hell is wrong with these guys?" "Let's just try to negotiate,in installments terms!" After such agreements,I anxiously made private phone calls in a bid to negotiate in installments terms. I later returned to Tina,"They have agreed in installment terms.But they have said we will pay for his up -keeps in the long run.I got a chance to speak with Junior.I promised him that we were doing our level best to leverage the dire situations." "That's great news!At least I know that my boy will be safe and sound,as long as we don't involve the authorities,I bet the faster we bail him out ,the better it would become.Otherwise,tables might turn in unimaginable ways!"Tina resonated.
Mars on WhatsApp group later on narrated how he separated with Liss:
Guys,in presence of Liss,I would like to officially state that we are officially separated.The divorce procedures are underway.Liss I'm sorry that you caught me red-handed with a couple of maids.I regret that I shouldn't have brought such maids in the first place.I confess to have slept with them stealthily,while you were away.As hurtful as it may sound,I wanna take this opportunity to ask for your forgiveness.Find it in your heart,to have no debt except the debt of love.Just know that I will always love you forevermore,and no one will ever come close to replace you,even as we suddenly come to this point.
A few hours later then Liss replied before lefting the group:
Mars ,you surely know what you did!We have a family already but still went ahead to sleep with those ,…I don't know why you insisted on fetching those maids.I always satisfied you romantically and sexually,day and night, perhaps something is wrong with you.To add injury to insult,you went ahead to visit those pubs, became drank ,those rhumba nights,where you went overnight!On those few Saturdays.Just shameful of you,I bet you even slept with those waitresses!I'm taking Markel with me,you can stay with your stubborn son,like father like son!"
No one dared to comment,it seemed a too personal issue to intervene.But we all viewed out of empathies and sympathies.On the same WhatsApp group Marina ,a month later, elucidated how she lost Lavrenti.
Guys,it dawned to me, this mid-mornings to announce to you about the sudden demise of Lavrenti,my daughter.As she prepared herself for school,this dawn,the faulty iron box shocked her to death as she endeavored to switch it off.The knob was on a high level,making it heat faster,being faulty however,it killed her on the spot.Hospital resuscitations proved futile in the long run.Funeral arrangements are underway.Channel your contributions so that we may give her a descent send off!
Others then poured out their messages of condolences to Marina and Ahmed."rip Lavrenti." "Marina and Ahmed may you find comfort in these quiet storms!" "Lavrenti was such a kind soul,rip….and so forth "
We were able to further network henceforth, raise a couple of funeral funds and on the seventh month,when the disruptive nationwide industrial strikes were officially called off,was when we sadly laid Lavrenti to rest:
The church was quiet, save for the faint rustling of the wind outside, the only sound mingling with the soft murmur of a few voices. The room was dimly lit, with candles flickering along the aisle, casting long shadows across the pews. In the front, the coffin sat draped in a simple white cloth, a single bouquet of lilies resting on top, their fragrance filling the air.
Father Thomas stood before the congregation, his black robes flowing as he moved slowly, the weight of the moment pressing heavily on his shoulders. His face was calm, but his eyes carried the unmistakable depth of sorrow — not his own, but that of those gathered before him, the ones whose hearts were heavy with grief.
He raised his hands and began with the familiar words:
"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
His voice was steady, almost soothing, as if trying to anchor those around him to something greater than their pain.
"Today, we gather to say goodbye, to honor a life that touched each of us in ways that will not be forgotten," Father Thomas continued, his gaze sweeping over the mourners. "Though our hearts are heavy with loss, we are reminded that death is not the end, but a transition. A passage into the hands of God."
The congregation listened in rapt silence, some with heads bowed, others with eyes fixed on the casket as though it might speak, as though it might somehow bring them peace. Father Thomas's voice carried a sense of calm, each word a bridge between the pain of loss and the hope of eternal life.
He stepped closer to the casket, placing his hands gently on it. A few muffled sobs filled the space, but Father Thomas didn't rush; he let the silence linger, letting the grief wash over him and everyone present. He understood. This was a moment that no words could truly ease, but perhaps, for a fleeting second, his presence could offer comfort.
He continued, quoting from the scriptures:
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."
His voice broke slightly as he paused, collecting himself, then looked up.
"While we grieve the physical absence of our loved one, we also celebrate the promise that we will be reunited in God's time."
Father Thomas spoke of the life the deceased had lived — the kindness, the laughter, the love they had shared with those around them. As he spoke, the priest's face softened, his own memories of the deceased flickering through his thoughts, a bittersweet smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He had witnessed many funerals in his years, but each one was personal. Each person was unique. And he carried their stories with him, even as time moved on.
"May God grant eternal rest to her soul, and may perpetual light shine upon her," he said as he closed the service with a final prayer.
The sound of the final amen echoed softly in the stillness, like a whisper of hope. Father Thomas stepped back, his hands clasped together in silent prayer, allowing the mourners their moment of reflection.
As the congregation slowly rose, some moved toward the casket, placing their hands on the polished wood or offering a final prayer. Others lingered in their seats, heads bowed, processing the weight of what had been said and what had been lost.
Father Thomas watched quietly, his heart heavy yet full of a quiet peace — the peace that comes with knowing he had offered comfort, even if only for a brief moment, to those in need.
He knew this wouldn't be the last funeral he would preside over, but each one would always hold a piece of him, for each person he buried left behind a mark on his soul — a reminder of the fragility of life, and the beauty of faith.
Gloomily, non-chalantly if not melancholy,we had a chance to pay our final respects to Lavrenti.Each ally and family member scooped soil,then poured upon her graveyard in such honors.Flowers were offered, tears shed,wails from Marina,Ahmed and Alisa reverberated for the better part of that dark- cloudy day.
Salama moyoni,ni salama moyoni mwangu...
Such moving songs instigated us to tears.A bright future ahead,with untapped potentials; such words still couldn't describe Lavrenti's premature life.
The following day,Lara calls in for a coffee devotional meetings by schedules on the WhatsApp group:
Guys,I know we have been through a lot.From losing Victor,Pavel, Tina's dad,Lavrenti to us losing our jobs except Pete.Junior still missing, Mars separating from his family.Guys,this is not normal.It requires divine interventions.I know even Pete has slashed paycuts due to the devastating effects of that loomy strikes.Inflation making life unbearable.We will stick together, irregardless.A three cord strand is not easily broken.I was suggesting that we meet at my place for evening coffee devotions.We will start by exposing the book of Psalms even as we hopefully seek interventions to alleviate us from such excruciating burdens .We need the Lord to restore back our joys unspeakable!
The rest of members then seconded her idea of such meetings.But it was to begin a month later,after further concessionary agreements amongst themselves.
In the meantime,weeks later,I got a chance to be welcomed by Marina to her place to discuss Junior's tricky situation.
Marina after ushering me in,"Pete,I called you to discuss your son Junior.I have a friend who is willing to offer at least half a million,he is from NGO .But then it is like a five year loan with zero or little interest!Are you willing to take it?" Hysterically,I replied,"Of course, I'll be more than grateful to take such offers after all, I just need to see back my son as soon as possible.Thanks Marina for coming through for me!" I said even as I stretched out my palm towards her palm.
In such chemistry,Marina moved closely suddenly,"And is there anything else I can offer in return?" She seductively mentioned even as she squeezed herself towards me;her braless- transparent vest exposed her big breasts,marked with dark nipples.My heart pounded heavily as I stared in such lusts for a long while. "Marina ,what ….are you trying to do?"In trembles,I stammered. Even before she said anything,she forcefully kissed me.
The next thing I know is that I found myself with Marina under the same blanket on her marital bed, both of us covering our nudity.
"Quick,Ahmed will be back anytime soon!"Marina exhorted. I quickly put on my displaced attires before kissing her goodbyes in such hurries.
The first evening devotional meetings soon started.
Lara: Guys welcome to our first coffee devotions.I have the pleasure to host all of you.You may sip your coffees!Ahhh...Okay let's start.I have selected a few pieces of Psalms based on faith teachings.We are gonna meditate upon them even as we endeavor to open up further.The most basic is Psalms 23.
Psalm 23:1-4
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
What do you understand by that based on your prevailing circumstances?
Tina:That I shouldn't fear my son's kidnappers.I know that the Lord will give me rest assurances.
Lara:That's good,Tina. We believe Junior will be restored back to his parents.
Mars:The rod and staff of the Lord will comfort me.Mistakes made,lessons learnt!
Lara: Thanks for your honesty,Mars.I'm sure also He will lead you further to the still waters.
Marina:The Lord is my shepherd.I'm satisfied by that fact.Even though,I lost my daughter,I still know that He would still shepherd me!
Lara: Our heartfelt sincere condolences Marina! We are still with you during these difficult times!The Lord is surely our shepherd!
Tiana:He restores my soul,and he leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.I have been reeling and healing all the same from my hubby's death.Thanks, especially,to Lara.She has been there for me in such therapeutic journeys.
Lara: Ooh!Thanks bestie! We shall overcome the trauma from our hubbys' loses!
…. Okay, guys,thanks for your honesty, and inspirations.
2. Psalm 46:1-3
"God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling."
(Faith even when the world feels like it's collapsing.)
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3. Psalm 56:3-4
"When I am afraid,
I put my trust in you.
In God, whose word I praise,
in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.
What can flesh do to me?"
(This shows raw honesty — feeling fear, but choosing faith.)
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4. Psalm 27:1
"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"
(A bold declaration of fearless faith.)
Okay those are the basic four faith verses that we will expose today.The second one talks about having faith even if the world feels like collapsing.Refuge, strength and present help.Who from experiences,can elaborate,any volunteers?
Pete:I can say for a fact that I still have faith in finding my son alive.I got financial aids from miraculous ways,only a quarter perhaps,has remained.I find refuge from such facts.
Marina:I concur with Pete. Strength during such difficult times comes from the Lord.Through connections, I have seen Pete's doors being opened.
Ahmed: Alluding to that also, is that ,being a committed Muslim,Allah has kept us safe.Not that I'm better than y'all ,but through my devotions,I just saw the hand of Allah, always remembering you guys, despite everything you are going through!
Lara:Thanks,Pete,Marina and Ahmed for sharing such insightful messages.No one is better than the other.I like that.We should always put to one another to such humble accountabilities. The third one shows feels of fear but choosing faith.Someone expound on that?
Mars:In God we trust; sometimes we are faced with life's uncertainties like my on-going divorce procedures.Am I ever gonna find Liss's replacement?Or just fall back to my exotic temptations? I choose faith as long as you guys are around to keep me accountable!
Lara: Very good of you Mars! We will hold you accountable,just like doctors,we will monitor your behaviors lest you fall into masochistic sexual misdemeanors.Sadism even in form of masturbations are serious signs of depressions which might gradually graduate into suicide if not poignant.
Tiana: Speaking of partners; I used to be a housewife, but then the unprecedented loss of my husband left me in tartars!I didn't know where to start.Him being the only breadwinner.I got worried especially, about Nadia;her education.But Lara,you came through.Thanks a lot!
Lara:I'm glad also to have you as my partner.I love you bestie! Moving forward…..The last is a bold declaration of faith.Fear versus faith?
Okay,I will explain this one.My son Pasha was miraculously saved. Reminisces of high school planted seeds of doubts but instead I chose faith because I knew even though I forgot Him ,He still cares for me somehow.And from that day since, despite everything that had happened,I still chose to declare this verse boldly.
Tiana: Alluding to that,Nadia being superstitious,was however, saved from her childhood hippo attacks.So,from that I can also boldly declare that verse , in whatever circumstances !
Tina:(shouting in bold gestures.)We will get back junior!
(Then , everyone clamoured loud 'Amens!')
The devotions soon ended.However, I still got worried about Junior.I made secret phone calls to that stranger later that night:
P:Hello boss!
S:Hello Doctor!Did you get the full amounts as per agreements?
P:No!I just wanted a discount,perhaps.I know only 250k remains,how about 100k? I have exhausted my sources.I'm on the verge of being enlisted on crb if these institutions notice my careless borrowings,in which I'm unsure if they might be repaid?
S:No!No!No!Daktari! You are intelligent! You should know where you will source the rest of the cash?I can only add more time!
P:You just speak as if these loans are easy to outsource them!They cause breaking points!
S:Fine! But the least I can discount you is 170k!Give it or leave it upon your son's head!(Phone hangs up!)
Being solemn with such dealings I however,sinisterly,reported the issue to the police,the following day:
"Hi!I'm Doctor Pete!I have come to report a kidnapping case for my son Junior Peter.He is a thirteen years old,short,brown, symmetrical like both his parents.Could you kindly help me?"
Constable replied,"Okay, Daktari, can you explain maybe how your son got kidnapped,so that we may record in such bids of tracing him!"
"Junior Pete was just coming from school,when all of a sudden a car came towards him,(in his pursuits of looking right-left-right then crossing the roads!)The anonymous vehicle all of a sudden,just took off after kidnapping him.But,since then we have been communicating, threatening me not to involve the police.The ransom price was a million.I'm only remaining with about 170k!"
"Why didn't you tell us Daktari? Those conmen need to be apprehended as soon as possible!Give us his number we will do our best to trace those conmen and hopefully everything will be restituted!"
"Thanks afande! I'm sorry for being quiet in such sensitive cases! Services to all! I highly appreciate your kind gestures!"
Three weeks later, the police staged an operation on the kidnapper's premises,but it proved futile ,since they were earlier alerted- on distantly seeing their approaches.I got face chatted by that stranger later on:
S:(Aggressively holding sobbing Junior by neck strangles.) You think this is a joke!I'm gonna behead this little trash of yours if you don't pay up, Daktari!
P: (Spluttering.)Junior are are you okay! Junior I promise I'm gonna free you! Junior,my son!
S:(Boisterously!)Shut the hell up! I need my F 200K or else you will collect this lifeless body down by the oceans!
P:(Whimpering while heavily panting!) Okay!I have heard you boss! Just give me more time!
S:Time my ass! You betray me! Time is money!You might not see your own soon!I'm giving you one F month! Shit!(Disconnects video call!)
I went after Ciku, to elucidate the horrific video call with that stranger! "This guy claims is from Juja, one of your own,maybe you can try to convince him in mother tongue so that our dear Junior might be released!" I pleaded. Ciku replied,"If he can't understand such basic language,how sure are you ,he is gonna understand my mother tongue?" Ciku argued."Now,what are we gonna do? Perhaps they are in Juja,near that university you attended? Should we guess our ways there?" Hesitantly,I asked. "No,police know best how to handle such situations,let's do our part of seeking the 200k,as soon as possible!"
"Okay!I agree; we play our part!The police play their parts! Hopefully,a win-win situation at the end of the crisis!" Tina agreed then ,"okay, hopefully!"
A month later after our first devotions , we then conglomerated.This time,Marina showing signs of pregnancy(,while for our case,we had deadlines to meet!)
Lara: Good evening yet again to another devotional session.I hope y'all are well.This evening,due to late comings , unfortunately,we are gonna focus only on two verses:
Psalm 37:5.
"Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act."
(Faith expressed through trusting and surrendering your plans to God.)
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. Psalm 91:1-2
"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the Lord, 'My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.'"
(Beautiful imagery of God's protection for those who have faith.)
The first verse is about commiting your ways to the Lord.So, who is gonna expound on that?
Ciku: Guys,have you found any cash yet?I'm desperate to release my son,as much as we commit our ways to the Lord.This is a matter of life and death!
Lara:Maybe we can help our urgent allies here with their case!On WhatsApp group,they kept pressuring us with such messages,but it looked like no one replied!
Tiana: 200k is not easy to raise in such short span, we all voiced our contributions earlier. I don't know maybe if someone has further connections? Their son's life is in danger,and time is running out fast!
Marina:(sitting close to Pete,while holding his hand in such smiles. ) Guys ,don't worry I got you! My NGO'S allies are easily available to me,and them being affluent,I'm sure I'll be able to convince them soon enough!
Ciku:Thanks Marina for coming through for my son!
Lara: Tiana can you help me serve coffee from the kitchen.We have a short break,we will continue shortly!(Both girls stood up and headed out to the kitchen.)
(In the meantime, jabbering took place.)
Ahmed: Guys! If no one noticed.I'm proud to announce to you that Marina who sits opposite to me,is pregnant again, miraculously,as you can see! ( loud applauses followed. Messages of congratulations clamoured thereafter.)
Marina: ( Still holding Pete's hand up high in such misdemeanors- oblivious gestures.) I want to thank God.The tribal chief,author,perfector of everything.Beautiful in time,he has made such momentums to arrive.I believe there is time for everything as shitty as it may sound,somehow, you know; the ugly,hate, knowing how to fight, scattering,wars,but instead there are those glamorous moments,the loving moments,bonding moments,pure natural and beautiful moments,which all came along with healings and the turning of our hearts. God has restored to me Lavrenti (cheers then followed except from Ahmed and Ciku,who got bored with her misdemeaning gestures.)
Ciku then excused herself to the enlightened washrooms for quite a long while before she returned along with Lara and Tiana as the three embarked on serving coffee with snacks.
(We then had a short snackyand interactive break.)
Lara:Time is running first.Let's quickly hop into the last verse;
Psalms 91.Beautiful imagery of protection to those who have faith.I remember being an alter girl, instrumentalists,I was really dwelling in the shelter of Most High.It's rewarding to serve God in church.I abided in the shadows of the Almighty.
Marina:(winking at Pete.) I can really testify to that! Ahmed taking me rounds to mosque as a couple, really paid off!Now, we are celebrating this pregnancy!Right my darling (facing first Pete in winks then quickly facing away towards Ahmed.)
Then Tina stood up in such frustrations.
Tina: Marina why do you keep winking and flirting around with my husband?Are you stepping bare footed on hot coals? Or don't you know to that this is my hubby,for better or worse? And you two;Lara and Tina ,why were you two kissing inside the kitchen while serving coffee?The same bible advocating union between male and female,is the one that you are using to preach wine,while drinking water!You bunch of hypocrites!(Tina left the place infuriating with such anger!)