Itohan quickly took the phone to Ese. She saw the message too and was surprised.

“Do you know this person?”Ese asked.

“Yes. His name is Livinus. He complained severally that Eric was owing him a certain amount of money. I tried talking to Eric about it and he promised to pay him,” Ese explained.

“This name that you are calling is strange. Do I know him?”Ese asked.

“Yes, you have met him. Do you remember the day that someone held Eric by the shirt in front of the gate?”

“Yes, I remember. But later that day, I gave Eric the money that the man was demanding for?”

“I can’t believe this . Eric did not pay the debt,” Itohan told Ese.

“Is that why he should take a life that he could not give? Ha! I have been pursuing shadows, not knowing that the killer of my brother is walking freely. Please give me his house address and phone number. I am going to the police station now. By the time I am through with him, he will join Eric over there.”

After Ese left for the police station, there was a knock on the door. Itohan opened the door and was surprised to see Uloma, Stanford and Osas standing there. The shock of seeing Stanford was severe. She managed to welcome them even as tears welled up in her eyes.

The last person she would wish to see her in present condition was Stanford. The shame was so much that she kept looking down even as tears kept pouring.

“I.T this is not a time for tears. We came to spend quality time with you so cheer up and get us something to drink,” Stanford said in a bid to cheer her up.

“What do you mean by something to drink. Have we eaten food since morning. Instead of you to ask her if there is food so that we can eat.” Osas chipped in.

“And the one you will take home too, since this place look like eatery in your eyes,” Uloma told Osas and they all busted out laughing.

“The problem I have with the ladies in our church is that they pretend a lot. Uloma do you want to tell me that you are not hungry?”

“Osas I am not hungry, talk for yourself,” Uloma told him.

“Stanford what of you? Don’t you care for food?”

“Osas stop disturbing me. I ate food before leaving my house.”

“Okay o since I am the only one that is hungry, there is no problem.” Osas said.

“I have rice, let me get you some,” Itohan offered.

” Have you seen it. They said that a closed mouth is a closed destiny. Thank God I did not close my mouth. I will appreciate it, thank you so much my sister.”

Itohan placed the food on the dining table and invited Osas to go and eat. For about 3 minutes, Osas was looking at the food without touching it.

“Why are you not eating the food that you requested for,” Uloma asked.

“I’m waiting for the second meat and juice ,”Osas answered.

Itohan busted into laughter,” Really? Keep waiting” Itohan told him.

“If you know that you gave this food from your heart, bring the second meat and juice. But if you did not give it to me from your heart, come and carry the food,” Osas told Itohan.
“It’s okay , I have heard.”

Uloma and Stanford were happy. Their plan to make Itohan happy was really working out well. All thanks to Osas.

Itohan got up to go and carry the food. Immediately she touched the plate, Osas held it with both hands.

“I.T what is the meaning of this? Why are you dragging the plate with me” Osas asked as he held the plate tightly

“Were you not the one that said that said that I should carry my food,” Itohan asked.

“Please leave my food. I have not eaten since morning,” Osas begged.

Stanford and Uloma was rolling on the ground in laughter. Itohan joined them too.

Uloma shook her head,”Osas is it every time that you will be complaining of hunger. Get married so that we can rest. All the ladies in the church are complaining about you,” Uloma joked.

“What are they complaining about?”

“That you should settle down,” Uloma responded

” Did I tell you that I am unsettled. Anyway, I am waiting for you. When you are ready, you tell me.”

“I am ready, come and meet my parents?” Uloma told him.

“Which of your parents. I hope it is your biological parents?”

“You will meet both my biological parents and the adopted one,” Uloma told him.

“If it involves meeting elder Paul, please count me out. Unless he will be at Abuja till we finish the discussion,” Osas said while winking at her.

“Why,” Stanford asked even as Uloma was laughing.

“Why not ask Uloma.Can’t you see that she is laughing. Ha! Osas, I have suffered.”

“What exactly is the matter?” Stanford asked.

“I went to visit Uloma, I didn’t know that Elder Paul was at home. When the security personnel told me that Uloma was not around, I told him that I will wait. I requested for water but the security personnel went inside the house and came out with juice. My brother, I downloaded it.”

“Congratulations !” Stanford mocked him.

“When Uloma came back, I followed her to the house. She brought another juice. I was dealing with it and waiting for food when elder Paul came out.

“Good evening sir,” I greeted.

“Good evening. Are you the young man that have been waiting for my daughter?”

“Yes sir,” I answered excitedly.

“I remember that I told the security personnel to serve you pineapple juice?”

“Yes sir he did. Thank you sir.”

“It’s seems you didn’t like it,” elder Paul asked me.

“I love it sir. Infact I finished it” I ranted joyfully, not knowing what was waiting for me.

“You finished it and you have also finished a big pack of orange juice. I also heard you telling her that you will eat pounded yam and eat rice too. Is that how you eat? Besides, this just 2pm on a working day. Don’t you have work?”

“Dad!” Uloma called while trying to send signals with her eyes to him. She was just trying to save the day and reduce the embarassement but it did not work.

“Uloma, who is he to you?” he asked.

“Daddy, He is my friend and our church member too,” Uloma answered.

“I hope nothing serious is going on between the two of you?”

“Ha! He finished you” Stanford exclaimed.

“He really finished me. I didn’t know whether to stand or to sit or even to vomit the juice? Ha! I have suffered” Osas lamented.

“Does it mean that Elder Paul does not know you?” Stanford asked.

“No, he doesn’t know me. He has already relocated to Abuja before I joined church,”

It’s true,” Stanford corroborated.

“As if the insult was not enough. Their clueless house help came out with some food in take away pack, telling me that it is the food I would take home. Elder Paul was like, what! At that point, I almost urinated on my body. I quickly lost my appetite.”

“No wonder you refused to escort me to see Uloma yesterday,” Stanford said even as they were all felling on themselves in laughter.

“If it is you, will you go! You better stop this nonsense,” Osas shouted jokingly as they were still laughing at him.

“Uloma you are laughing at me. Don’t worry, I must marry a woman that is more beautiful than you,” Osas joked.

“Ha! It’s like elder Paul scattered your plans. Were planning to marry Uloma?” Stanford asked”

“You guys should leave me alone o” Osas said with smiles. Afterwards, he signalled Stanford and they changed the topic .

“I.T we are here to know how you are doing . I have not been around. I embarked on a little journey that is why you have not seen me,” Stanford told her.

“Is it travelling to USA that you are calling a little journey. I am amazed at the way God is uplifting you. The company you are working for is really a gift from God” Itohan responded.

“All glory to God. As I was saying, Uloma and Osas told me what happened. It’s really a pity. I heard about the accusations levelled against you. I know that God will vindicate you.”

“Amen!” They chorused.

“Is there any update concerning the investigations,” Stanford asked.

“Yes, just this afternoon, I saw a message of threat that was sent to Eric’s phone on the day that he died. We suspect strongly that the person might have a hand in his death,” Itohan answered.

“It is well. In all, you have to be strong. When I first met you, one of the things I admired about you is your commitment to the things of God and the way you prayed. It is unfortunate that when you met Eric, you threw all away. But at this point, you have to run back to God and hold on to him tightly. He is the one that sees both in the secret and in the open. If you can go back to him and make amends, he can tell you everything that happened. We have been praying for you but you have to pray for yourself too. Tell God that you want to know everything that happened.” Stanford told her

As he was still talking Itohan got up suddenly and wanted to run out but Stanford and Osas quickly held her.

“Leave me alone, they are calling me…” She shouted.