SUSAN REVENGE Episode 10 Ayo Omolayo
It’s been 2 months after my clash with Mr George. The guy was so determined and truth be told, it wasn’t a joke. He summoned me to his office the following week and asked me if I was ready to comply with him.
Instead of giving him an answer, I began to preach to him. He dismissed me immediately and told me he was giving me another week to decide.
What was he planning? Fire me and let’s go our separate ways. At the end of the week he gave me, he never asked after me. He left me to myself, which was a relief on my part.
But the problem was when the month ended, there was no alert. I was like, God what is happening? Was there a mistake somewhere or not? I asked some of my colleagues with style if they saw alerts. They all gave me a positive response. Why was I the only one left out?
“God! No salary! I’m finished!”
No wonder why Mr George gave me enough time to make up my mind. That’s why Christians were not in Queens high school. When their salaries were stopped, they resigned and left.
I don enter be that. Everyday, my savings kept diminishing. That meant one thing. I had to leave for peace to reign.
I picked up my pen and tried to write a resignation letter. I felt restless in my spirit.
“Lord what is it?” I asked.
Then my mind travelled back to what I told Sophia. I told her I would be the only Christian who would not compromise, and yet not quit the job.
“Na wetin make me talk that kain thing! See me see problem!”
And from the look of things, the Holy Spirit wants me to stay. I’m running out of money. I don’t have anything left. But if you want me to stay, I will stay.
The next month came and they were yet to pay me. It looks unbearable.
This was why Chioma gave in when the salaries stopped coming. Working without being paid can be so frustrating. And the most annoying part of it was that God wanted me to endure it. Each time I thought of resigning, I would lose my peace.
I remained, thinking God would make a way. But things got worse. I wanted to ask my colleagues for money but I felt no peace about it. Even Mr Wilson, never gave me a dime. So much for send another one.
“Lord, revenge is not sweet oh! I’m starving here!”
So arriving in school today, I was informed Mr George asked to see me. I quickly dropped my bag and hurriedly left to meet him.
“SUSAN, STOP!” The voice said authoritatively and I paused in my tracks.
“IN ALL THESE THINGS, WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS THROUGH HIM THAT LOVE US”
I felt revived and refreshed by those words.
I was almost going to beg Mr George for a penny. I was almost going to tell him I was sorry for the way we spoke to each other months ago. He would have laughed and asked me if I had learnt my lesson.
I was going to plead with him to be merciful unto me. God forbid! A princess, begging a pauper. It’s a big error. I would have disgraced my maker in front of him. Thank God for those words.
I knocked and entered with a smile on my face.
He was smiling too. A mischievous one to be precise.
“How are you doing?” He asked grinning.
“I’m doing great!” I replied and sat down.
We were both silent for a while.
Both of us looking intently at each other. I guess he was looking for any hint of sadness in my expression.
“Habakkuk 3:17. Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:
Verse 18. Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation”.
Those words echoed in my heart and produced a smile on my face.
I was even asking myself why I was so excited? Oh the joy of the Lord is my strength!
Mr George kept watching me.
Probably looking for a woman that will beg him. He watch for something to gloat about, but my god was such a genius.
“Kudos! Holy Spirit!” I said within me and used my imagination to give him a high five. He’s such a darling.
“They that trust in the Lord shall never be disgraced!” I said inwardly and threw a smile at Mr George.
“Do I amaze you?” I asked.
“Why do you say that?”
“You have been staring at me without saying a word, or telling me why we’re here?”
“Oh!” He raise an eye brow.
“Actually, someone must be wondering why she has not been paid”, he said and paused to look at me.
I smiled at him and saw the confusion it gave him.
“Anyway, I was expecting her to show up to at least ask why. But she didn’t seem interested, so I decided to tell her myself”.
“That’s so thoughtful of you!” I said grinning.
“Susan, are you insane? You haven’t been paid for 2 months and you are here smiling?” He asked.
“That’s what Jesus can do”.
“Don’t!” He raised a finger.
“Say all you want, but don’t mention Jesus to me. I don’t want to hear a word about him. I’m only here to help you get your money!” ,
I giggled and shook my head in astonishment.
“George! I’m not sure you know me. I told you I’m a Christian and you kept thinking I was an ordinary girl. One thing about Christians is that we are always strange, different from normal people”.
“That’s enough!” He said and stood up.
“I called you here to inform you that you would not be paid untill you comply. Untill then, you are free to tender your resignation letter whenever you get tired of this school. Also, have this!”
He threw an envelope towards me on the table.
“That should put food in your stomach. I’m not a wicked man!” He grinned.
I looked at the money and back to him. I knew nomatter how tough things were financially, I was not supposed to touch that money.
“Mr George”, I said as I rose up.
“I will never give you a resignation letter”, I said.
“That’s interesting! I’ve got a free teacher!” He said mockingly.
I smiled and shook my head.
“You are the one who would get tired
of me. You are the one to send me away”.
“Young lady, can I also shock you?” He said grinning.
“I would never give you a sack letter! I love employees like you. I wish I had more of your type in this school. That would make me richer. No salary! Sounds cool don’t you think?”
He asked and burst into laughter.
I smiled back, watching him intently.
In the midst of his laughter, I could see sadness in those eyes. He’s such a confused man. He doesn’t know what he is doing. He is only pretending to be strong.
“Let’s see who would back out!” I said and turned to leave. I wanted to preach to him, but I felt the nudging in,side me not to.
“Are you leaving already?” He asked.
I paused and turned.
“Do you have anything else to say?”
“What about your money?” He asked, surprised I hadn’t touched it.
“Oh that’s not mine! It’s yours”, I replied.
I saw the shock in his facial expression.
“How are you going to survive without your salary?”
“Good question!” I smiled and turned to face him.
“The birds of the air do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet my heavenly Father feeds them”.
“Crazy woman!” He said and shook his head.
“Stop following that book. It’s no good. You can’t survive on the words written on a book. Those words would not put food on your table”.
“A princess doesn’t starve. She’s got a rich dad who’s so rich that his birds do not go hungry. So how can his princess go hungry? It cannot happen!” I said with conviction welling in,side me.
“I thought you said you were an orphan?”
“Yes I am, but I was talking about my Lord Jesus”.
“That’s enough!” He said, raising his hand in protest.
“I think you are high on something and it’s affecting the way you think. I guess by the time it wears out, you would come back to your senses and comply. I wish you happy foolishness!” He said and sat down.
I smiled and turned to leave.
“Susan!” He called.
“What? I turned to look at him.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” He asked.
There was a hidden concern written in his expression.
“Let’s see who would lose!” I said and walked out.
As I left his office, my stomach growled loudly.
“Oh Jesus! I’m so hungry!”
