"God never fails and he knows everything."

"Really?!"

"Yah."

My face remained the same but I was having inner conflicts.

He knows about the divorce? He knows about the sudden flashes of light? Well that's new.

I walked away. I found Dad.

There was silence in the car as we drove home.

I was preparing to meet with Anome at school the next day. She was almost always silent but at least she was company.

When I got down to open the gate, I saw another bright flash of light. It was more intense than the others. This time, it came with a strong jolt of electricity. I felt it move through my bones. I collapsed.
And.....
Was that a voice?

...............................................................................

My vision was fuzzy.
I could make out white walls.

The hospital?

I was on a bed. My head hurt. I sighed.

"Looks like someone's awake."  A man said with a smile.

I rolled my eyes inwardly.

My dad was called. Before long he entered. The wooden door closed behind him.

"What's wrong with her?" He asked the man who happened to be the doctor.

"Sir, please have your seat." He pointed to a wooden chair for my Dad to sit on.

My dad didn't budge. He stood frozen to the ground, impatience in his eyes. I almost laughed. I knew his outburst would shock the doctor.

"I said what's wrong with her?" He was obviously trying to control his anger which was unusual.

"Sir, it's not something I can just say. You and I would have to have a conversation before I can tell you."

My dad took in a deep breath. I could feel his anger brewing but where was the outburst?!

He sat down.

My eyes widened in shock.

What?! That's impossible. My dad never follows orders or listens to others' opinions. What is going on?

The doctor stood up and began his nonsense big English as my dad called it when we were discharged.
The doctor said that series of tests were carried out but all of them proved negative. I was free from sicknesses. Then, he concluded that I had traces of malaria just so I wouldn't go without treating anything.

My dad was curious to know why I had suddenly collapsed. The doctor's words made no sense to him. When we were alone in the car, he asked me something.

"Oghenetegha,...."

I stopped fiddling with the edge of my dress and focused on him.

This was completely unusual.
He never called me by my full name.
No one did.
Only my mother did that and, that was whenever I did something bad, escaped my duties or lied.

But at most she'd call me Otegha.

Something was definitely wrong. My eyes started to water.

What's wrong with me?! Why am I tearing up?!

"I know what's wrong with you." He drummed on the steering wheel. "It runs in the family."

"What's that?"

I wasn't scared. How would I be scared of some family stuff? I mean that is so....

"A disease that kills girls at 15."

No wonder dad has no sisters. Doesn't bother me.

"So what are the symptoms?"

"Dizziness, irritability, frequent unconsciousness, suddenly craving for roast beef and eventually death. Only my mother escaped."

I laughed. It was not a good time to laugh though.

But seriously? Craving for roast beef?! That's so pointless and fake.

I turned the laugh into a cough pretending like I wasn't laughing.

".....and cough."

I laughed so seriously that I had a belly ache. It was so funny.

My dad remained silent.

After my laugh died down, he continued.

"How old are you even?"

He doesn't even know my age.

"I'm ten."

"That means that you have just about four years to live."

I laughed again.

"I'm fourteen o."

"You're joking right?"

"I'm serious. I'll be fifteen on December 1."

"That means you'll die soon. You need to go back to your mother very soon."

This guy is so funny.

"When? Tomorrow abi?"

"Yes."

"You are the one joking here."

He started the car and drove us home.

What he did at home frightened me. He packed my bags for me and put them in the car. He told me to pick other stuff and get ready.

So he's seriously serious?

At night....

After dinner, I just remembered something. "God never fails and he knows everything."

So, this God knows that I am being passed around my parents anyhow. This God is so 'loving'.

I laid my head on my bed after checking that I've packed all my important things and after switching off my lights.

I heard a loud bang from below my bed. I looked at my bedside table thinking that something fell from it causing the noise.

I switched on the lights and checked below my bed for anything. Nothing was there.

I shrugged and turned off the lights again. I tried my best to sleep but I couldn't. I decided to count the number of days till my birthday (or death day maybe my dad would say that too).

I later dozed off.

Midnight...........

A bright flash of light brought me out of my dreamless sleep.

I sat up.

The sight almost killed me.

Why?

Well, that's because I couldn't believe it.

An angel or a god whatever. Was right in front of me. Little me was shivering.

"Get up and follow me." His voice came in musical notes but with seriousness and compassion intertwined in it.

I wanted to oppose but the being in front of me could strike me dead with it's brightness alone.

"To where?" I tried to sound brave.

"To wherever I take you to Tegha." He didn't sound angry. I would have been furious. If I were to be in his shoes I would have slapped myself with whatever I could.

But he didn't.

How did he even know my name? 

I stood up. I followed him. He led me to my father's room and opened the door.

My dad was praying.

"Why?"

"He's concerned about you."

"So am I really going to die?"

"I am not authorized to tell you that. Only the father in heaven can do that."

"So why is he praying? And, who is the 'father in heaven'?"

"Jesus, the Messiah."

"One of the people that made the Bible book right? I don't wanna talk to him."

"Why if I may ask?"

"He has so many rules."

"He loves you. The way you think of him isn't how he really is. He loves you and he is able to do anything for you. Talk to him."

My heart felt heavy.

Toughen up!

"He'll just vex and tell me all my sins and lies and all that."

He raised a brow.

I sighed
Deeply.

How did this Jesus catch up with me?

"Jesus....."

"Yes, my daughter?"

My brain probably switched off.