It has been two month since the burial. She had started going to school two weeks after the burial. Grandpa had gone back to Nigeria. Since she was eighteen, she could live alone.

Before her grandpa left, he gave her a lot of advice.

"Sandra learn to love the Lord with all your heart. We are passing through a lot due to the loss of our loved ones but don't doubt God or his commandments. Always trust him that whatever situation you are passing through now is for a purpose and a reason. So my dear. I will leave you but remember darling that grand dad loves you with all his heart. Take care of yourself." He kissed her forehead.

"Grandpa, don't go please. Who will take care of you? You will be all alone in Nigeria with no one to take care of you." Sandra spoke out in concern knowing fully well that grandpa could not cook to save his life. He was getting older. If he stays with her, she could take care of him since she will soon be graduating from high school in a month time.

"The lord will take care of me, my dear. Take care of yourself. I have a plane to catch." She nodded in understanding. The driver press the car horn telling us that he had arrived.

"I guess the cab is here. Let me carry your bag. I will miss you grandpa. Call me whenever you get to Nigeria alright." She hugged him tightly before carrying his bag out the door. She opened the door for him as they both entered.

When they arrived at the airport, the old man became emotional. He cried knowing fully well that he was going to miss his granddaughter. Sandra hugged him tight before whispering good bye into his ear.

"Remember Sandra, love the lord with all your heart, with all your might and strength. Take good care of yourself. Don't follow bad friends. Goodbye Sandra. See you soon." I nodded before whispering see you soon back to him.

When grandpa left, she came out only to see that the cab had already left. She didn't carry her purse only her phone. Who would she call? She thought She could not call any church member because all of them were still hostile to her including Emily.

Remembering one months ago, when she came to church on the Sunday after the burial of her loved ones. They treated her with disdain and hostility. None of the member talked to her. They all ignored her. Except the Pastor's and Leaders who offered their condolences. She remembered seeing Emily and talking to her that day.

"Hi Emily, how are you? It has been a while. You did not come to see me or even call when I was at the point of death. None of you offered any condolence when my father and grandma were buried." Sandra looked at her expecting an answer.

"I was busy. I had a lot of things to do." Emily answered but what shocked Sandra was that Emily was avoiding any form of eye contact with Sandra.

"Emily, busy? Wow. I can't believe this. You were busy? Well, all that aside. I am wondering why everyone is avoiding me. Is there a problem?" She asked concerned. No body offered any condolence except the pastors in the church. Not that it affected Sandra or anything. She was just surprised.

"No one wants to talk to you, Sandra. They think you are cursed by God because of your sin. They think you caused the sudden death of your family members. They are all avoiding you because no one wants a death sentence on their heads." But what shocked Emily was Sandra's reaction. Sandra was laughing and that brought attention to her. All the members of the church were looking at the scene before them.

What she said to Emily was shocking to both the church members and Emily herself.

"Emily, my dear, do you remember Job and our Lord Jesus in the bible. How Job's friends accused him of sin not knowing it was the devil behind it all. They did not know anything yet they judged weakening the faith of Job. The anger of the Lord was kindled against them. Maybe, if they had prayed for him, the burden of Job would have been relieved. What of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The Israelites did not know that Jesus was the son of God, the king. They were expecting a king with crown and fine linen not the Carpenter's son. Emily, do not follow the multitude to do evil or else you will be one step into eternal damnation." With that, Sandra hugged Emily and smiled.

"Have a blessed day, Emily"

The pastor of the church looked at the girl and smiled wondering what kind of girl Sandra was.

Unknown to Sandra, God was feeling proud of his daughter but Satan wasn't.

Sandra left the church that day smiling.

Returning back to reality, Sandra does not know who to call. Then she saw Ryan's contact and immediately dialed his number.

"Hello Ryan." Sandra greeted immediately he picked. It has been long she saw him talkless of hearing his voice.

"Hi Sandra. It has been two month. How are you doing?" He responded.

"I'm fine thank you sir." She answered smiling.

"So what can I do for you Sandra?" Oh yes. She forgot the reason she had called and was busy enjoying his voice.

"I am stranded at the airport. I didn't bring my purse. The cab left. Can you pick me up?" She answered immediately

"Send me the address. I will send my driver to pick you up. I'm very busy at the office.." He cut the call. She sent him the location.

Sandra saw a car pull over twenty minutes later. A middle aged man, not more than forty came out of the car and walked over to where Sandra was.

"Are you Miss Sandra?" She just nodded wondering how the man knew her name.

"I'm Mr Anderson's driver. He told me to pick you up and bring you to his office." She nodded again. The man was scary.

They got to the company. The journey to Ryan's office was not easy but they finally arrived.

She knocked the door immediately the man had showed her his boss's office.

She heard a voice from inside telling her to come inside and she knew it was Ryan's voice.

"Hello Sandra." He said when she stepped in.

She smiled at him wondering what she was doing in his office.

"Hi Ryan. It's so good to see you in person." Sandra greeted

"I know you are wondering why I brought you here." She nodded in affirmation.

"Well first, I missed my good friend who never bothers to call me and secondly, I wanted to show you a picture of someone wondering if you would know the person."

He then reached for his drawer and brought a picture of a person I once hated but now have been forgiven. Ronke.

"Yes I know her. She was my step mother. Why?" She asked in confusion.

"This woman was the killer of your father. She was the one driving the truck that killed your father and almost killed you. She is in jail now." Ryan said and Sandra almost died.





Sorry for the delay till next time.
© Faithfulness Celestine