ISOKENE Episode 32 by Opeyemi Ojerinde Akintunde

ISOKENE Episode 32

The day after Gold’s death, we had a lot of visitors including reporters. How the journalist knew, no one could tell. Mr. Gbesan also came around. People expected us to shed tears but we were all smiles. Even Henry was smiling, Emerald was smiling. That was because Gold spoke to each of us individually before she passed on. Henry told me she had told him, he was the best dad in the world and that she forgave him, but he should please not let the mistake repeat itself….He said, they had played scrabble together….

Emerald said, Gold had told her she was the best sister in the world. She had told Emerald to always have her inhaler with her always. She told Emerald, God wanted her to come home to rest and she even made a joke about going to heaven to tell God about Emerald’s Asthma… They had danced together for the last time…..

I was told Margaret was waiting outside to see me, I was told she was scared to come in as I may see her as the cause of Gold’s death…I remembered Gold’s words about living life with no hatred in my heart. I asked myself “What would Gold do if she was here”. I knew Gold would have accommodated Margaret to listen to what she had to say… I told them to let Margaret in….
As she walked in, I saw a woman who regretted her actions…. I swallowed hard, because the moment I saw her, I missed Gold the more… everyone was in the living room including Mr. Gbesan, Isokene and Ibidolo, and few ministerial friends.

“I know you don’t want to see me but I have to do this…. You raised an angel named Gold, the world saw her as a sickler, but she was a healer… I am sure she didn’t tell you, the day before she died, she called me begging to see me at the hospital and these were her words to me… She said…
“I don’t blame you for what you did, Aunty Margaret, I blame the death that took away your husband… No right thinking person wants to cause another person pain, but sometimes out of desperation we find ourselves doing that… I don’t blame God for being a sickler, rather I thank God for the limited time he gave me to speedily fulfil my destiny… Do you know Geniuses finish their exam on time…i guess I am a spiritual Genius and that’s why I had to finish my exam on time and I think I will get an A, but what about you Aunty Margaret, what score do you have now on your score sheet, will marrying my father be a plus or a minus for you?”
The whole room was quiet as we all listened to Margaret as she narrated her encounter with Gold and unexpectedly she did something strange….

She said
“Gold and Diamonds are precious materials, although Gold may be more valuable but overtime if well worked on, Diamond can also become more valuable… Mama, I took away your Gold through my selfish action, now I am giving you my Diamond. I know you are a great miner, you brought out something great from Gold, and I know you can bring out something more beautiful and spectacular from Diamond. Have your SON… I will never ask you for him… with this I hope to get a pass on my score sheet just like Gold said “Margaret said
Margaret placed Diamond in my hand and I remembered Gold’s words loud and clear…

“I am not angry at the baby, in fact I have always wanted a baby brother too, she is only helping you to carry the baby”
I looked towards where Gold’s portrait was and it felt like I saw her smiling….
I gently sat on the chair, still dazed and guess who spoke…
Mr. Gbesan, the business man in him spoke…
“Are you ready to put that into writing with a lawyer present and we all as witnesses?” he asked… “It is going to be stated that you gave the baby Diamond willingly to the family, and no matter what the child becomes in future, you will never try to claim being his mother…
Margaret nodded, and at that point I realized God doesn’t make mistakes, we as humans just need to be patient to find out why certain people came into our lives…Thank God for Mr. Gbesan who was around to make things official. I saw Henry crying so hard. Mr. Gbesan went close to him and gave him a manly hug…

Isokene had read law in school but was not practicing because of Ibidolo her husband….I just heard her say
“Maybe this was the only reason why I spent all those years studying law so I can be useful on a day like this… Madam Margaret, if I prepare the necessary documents now, are you ready to sign?. Plus we will need someone from your end who will be your witness”
“My friend is outside”
My tears kept flowing with no limit….Gold was gone, but God was giving me a second chance to start a new journey with Diamond……
All papers were signed in less than two hours, pictures were taken as proofs of the official handing over to Henry and I, with all the witnesses present.

Henry, Emerald, Diamond and I started a new life and life became sweeter than what we had before. I could end this book here, but it will make the story incomplete, I am yet to tell you how I got Margaret her own bed…..
Isokene had invited me to a celebration party…..