Forever (8)

"If you’re interested, I can refer you to the therapist I used then?"

“I’ll like that, thank you.”

 “Okay, that’s settled then.”

 At that point, she looked at King. King nodded his permission for her to continue. “Another thing that really helped me is this: I work with young girls that have gone through this and are still going through it.

  I volunteer at an NGO that helps girls like that and we do all we can to get them out of the situation  through my issues while helping others work through that. I can connect you if you’re interested in that too.”

  “I’d really love that!” Alewa exclaimed.

 “Wow, that’ll be so interesting.”

 “I’m glad you’re excited about this Alewa.”

 “Oh yes I am. I’d love a chance to help someone going through what I’m going through.”

 “Awesome. So I should set it up?”

 “Could you hold off on that for a bit?” she asked.

  Georgina looked confused.

 “I’m not backing out. It’s just that I’ll love a chance to see that therapist you mentioned earlier. I think it’s better I work through my problems first, before trying to help other,”  she explained.

 “Alright. That’s fair enough.”

  “Cool.” She looked to King again, and he nodded just as he did earlier. Georgina cleared her throat and dived in. “Alewa, there’s something else I purposely left till the end; not because it’s less important but because it might be the best decision you ever made.” She paused.

  “I’m listening.” Alewa was curious to hear what she’s about to say. Georgina looked her in the eye. “King told me you were averse to the idea of going to church?”

 Alewa looked away. “I don’t really want to get into that right now.”

 “I understand. But can I say something?”

  “Go ahead Georgina.”

  “You must understand that I’m not trying to coerce you into what you don’t feel comfortable doing, but the fact is God has been a big part of my life for years now and he played a significant role in how I was able to move on and attain peace. I don’t want you to trifle with that. At the very least, think about King’s offer.”

  Alewa looked at her steadily for some seconds. She looked towards King too and he smiled. “Okay, I’ll go with him this Sunday,” she finally said.

 Georgina beamed. “Fantastic! Now let me get the card of that therapist. I’ll be right back.” She excused herself.

King hugged Alewa the moment Georgina was out of the room. “I’m really proud of you my dear. Now, you can embark on your healing journey.”

“Thank you King. But church?” she asked doubtfully “I know how you feel about that. Just try it out this once, and if you don’t like it then I won’t bother you about it anymore.”

 “Okay then. Let’s try that this Sunday.”

  “Awesome.”

   

    ***

 Eight weeks later

 Alewa stood at the door watching the girls in the room. They were all involved in one activity or the other. Some were reading, some playing games, and some knitting. One girl was seated by herself at the corner, reading a huge book, and glancing at the other girls from time to time.

Some of the girls had trouble fitting in and Hannah was one of those. She approached her where she was seated.

 “Hannah, is everything alright?”

  “Yes ma’am.”

 “You look rather uncomfortable sitting there.”

 “Oh, I’m just trying to wrap my head around this. These girls seem really happy.”

Alewa smiled. “I assure you they are.”

 “That’s really something.” Alewa saw the longing in her heart. She patted her knee. “Don’t worry, you’ll get there. It takes some of us more time than others.”

 Hannah nodded. “Thank you Miss.”

Alewa patted her knee once more. “You’ll be fine,” she told her and walked out.

 To think she herself had come so far in just two months. She had grown from the lady who was scared of her own shadow, to the one who could confidently work with girls like these.

Now that she had found a purpose, her life was much more meaningful. King and Georgina had been there for her all the way. They had helped her when she needed help, and encouraged her when she felt like giving up. Going to church with King had been the best decision she made as Georgina predicted. She felt renewed, refreshed and rebirthed when she gave her life to Christ.

 She did not fully understand this God yet, but she was working at it and focusing on her walk with him one day at a time.

The therapist Georgina recommended had been helpful too, but after two weeks of seeing her every day, Alewa was ready to move on. She was ready to focus her time and energy on helping those like her.

Her introduction to the NGO had gone very smoothly. Alewa had been there for a week now and she was enjoying every minute of it. She resigned her job at the company she was with so she could focus more on this. She had enough money to last her through her lifetime and she could afford to share also.

After she finally had something to live for, she decided to take her disease seriously. She commenced taking her drugs religiously and she felt better for making that decision. Even her doctor had been surprised when she told him she was coming in regularly for check-ups. She is taking that one day at a time too.

Her cell phone rang, she checked the caller ID and smiled when she saw it was King.

Watch out for the concluding part of this series coming soon.