"Good day, Miss Ifes."
"Good day, officer," Ifes replied.
"We got a report that you and two other ladies came into this hospital yesterday badly injured. Is that true?"
Oh! She had laid unconscious in the hospital since the previous day? She hadn't even bothered to know what time of the day it was and how long she had laid on her bed.
"Yes, officer."
"Can you tell us anything about this? Did you get into a fight with Becky here?" The officer pointed to Becky. "And how did Alexandria get involved with the whole thing? Do you also know anything about epilepsy?"
"Alright, officer I will admit that we had a misunderstanding and it led to a serious fight, but that was just about it."
"But you can elaborate more to help us better carry out our job." Of course, how beautiful of America to protect the lives of foreigners who were within the confines of their political territory, but Ifes didn't want the cops to carry out their job on her, not to talk of helping them do it better.
At this point, Becky, who currently was in the bed next to Ifes', was certain she was dreaming. It couldn't be. She had expected Ifes to do what she regarded as the needful by blowing up everything so she and Alexandria would prepare to be arraigned in the police net. But something different was happening here. It was too good to be real. If this was a dream, Becky wasn't ready to wake up.
"Alright, Officer, I appreciate the fact that you're doing your job, but let me tell you that Becky, Alexandria and I are friends. We just had a little misunderstanding, and I don't want to hold it against anyone."
"Alright, if you say so." The officer didn't look pleased.
"Yes, Officer. Friends do disagree, right?"
The police officer nodded his head and cast a suspicious glance at Becky. He turned back to Ifes, sighed and said, "Alright but we'll keep an eye on you to prevent further recurrence."
Unwilling to continue bantering with the police officer, Ifes scoffed. "Okay, Officer, if you insist, we'll have it your way then. Anyways, I really appreciate your concern."
"You are welcome Miss Uzondu, I guess we'll be on our way now. Do not hesitate to dial the emergency number should you sense trouble."
"Yes, I sure will. Thanks once again."
"My pleasure." The officer said and turned slightly to address Becky. "Miss Becky, we'll be keeping an eye on you and your friend. This should not repeat itself again."
"Alright, Officer." Becky said, trying to control her emotions.
The officer left with two other men who walked behind him. Becky's gaze followed the officers until they were out of the ward. She paused and listened, just to confirm that they had really left and weren't lurking behind the door to eavesdrop.
When she was satisfied, she turned towards Ifes and asked in perplexion, "Why didn't you spill the beans? Why didn't you testify against Alexandria and me? We almost killed you. No! I almost killed you. Yet, you defended me in front of those officers. Why?"
Ifes tilted her head to look at Becky. "Well, it's not about me. Jesus did much more for you. If he were here in flesh and blood, he'd still do more."
Jesus! Becky wondered in her heart, Ifes spoke of him as though he were someone she was fond of.
"So you see, it isn't about me, but the one who offers salvation to mankind."
Becky wondered that the same Jesus who would make someone speak good of her even when she had tried to harm her, that Jesus was worth emulating. He was indeed a role model to Ifes. Hunger stirred up inside Becky to know this Jesus that could ask his followers to forgive.
"Please, I know I'm not worthy to make this request, but can you tell me about Jesus?"
Ifes beamed. "Yes, I'll definitely tell you, and don't take it that you aren't worthy. Actually, no one is worthy, but Jesus makes us worthy with his blood"
"His blood? How?"
With delight, Ifes began elaborating. "Jesus is the Son of God, the true living God. Because of his love for mankind, he left all his privileges, rights, honor and power, and came to us in flesh and blood."
"There was a man named Adam. The Bible recorded that he was the first man created by God. God placed him in a garden called Eden and gave him charge over all he created. But Adam committed high treason, and sold out his rights to our enemy which is the devil. So, that was how sin came into the world."
"The Bible makes me understand that sin is the root of poverty, sickness, hatred, hardship, corruption, war, and ultimately, death. Sin came and man was immediately separated from God. But Hallelujah! Jesus came in to be the link between God and man. To restore what had been lost."
Becky exhaled deeply as she was engrossed in the story she was listening to. "Please continue."
"Jesus was made flesh and was birthed by a virgin mother. Before his crucifixion, Jesus moved about doing good wherever he went. He healed the sick, raised the dead, and cast out devils by the words of his mouth. He even walked upon the sea, fed five thousand souls, excluding women and children, with five loaves of bread and two fishes. He did so much that I cannot finish recounting all to you in a week. But after all this, like a lamb, he was slain on the cross of Calvary and rose victoriously from the grave on the third day like a lion. He is called the Lion of the tribe of Judah."
Becky sat still, obviously shocked at what she was hearing about Jesus Christ for the first time. Sure, she had heard the name of Jesus before, but that was just about it. She didn't know of his suffering, his death and resurrection.
"Jesus is in heaven, at the right hand of God the Father, still speaking on our behalf. He is our advocate, our link to the Father. That is why when we pray in his name, we get results," Ifes said, emphasizing her words by nodding her head.
"Who's God the Father?" Becky asked and Ifes elucidated.
Feeling convicted, Becky asked her to pray the sinner's prayer with her.
"You can repeat the sinner's prayer to receive Christ after me," Ifes said.
Becky nodded affirmatively. "Alright."
"Lord Jesus, come into my life. I'm a sinner but I believe you died and rose from the dead to save me. Now, with my mouth, I confess you Lord over my life. Thank you, Father, for saving me. In Jesus' name, Amen!"
Becky chorused after Ifes, meaning every word from her heart.
As they finished, Becky felt her burdens lifted. She felt the light pour into her life, obliterating every darkness. She was happy. In fact, for the first time she felt a peace she had never felt before.
"Wow! This feeling is great!" Becky exclaimed. "Alexa! I need to tell Alexa what happened. She needs to know."
As she made for the door, Ifes called out to her.
"Hey! Wait up, I would like to come along." Ifes removed her infusion drip and the sheet used to cover her as she heaved up her still-sore body to follow Becky.
"Ifes, you might not be strong enough to come with me," Becky said, studying her.
"I insist. I don't only want to see you off, but I also want to see how Alexa is faring."
Becky looked animatedly at Ifes and said, "That will be beautiful."
On getting to Alexandria's ward, they explained everything to her and shared the good news with her. She opened her heart, accepted the truth and gave her life to Christ.
Mandy and Chloe were relieved to see Ifes at their doorstep.
Ifes recounted her ordeal in the den of Alexandria and Becky, then the wonderful news of the transformation that happened in the hospital.
Chloe was exonerated and relieved that Ifes came back unhurt. Yet, something still bothered her heart which was her brother Israel. She made a strong resolution to continue praying and believing that one day, Israel's heart would be opened to receiving the truth.