“Doctor, any good news?” she asked

“It’s unfortunate, we tried all we could but Mansa is paralyzed. It will take a miracle for her to walk again.” The Doctor  said.

“Oh no my daughter! God will surely answer my prayers.” Mrs Bernard said.

“He will indeed answer, Mansa will walk again.” Obed said calmly. “Doctor, can we see her now?” he asked.

“Now about that, did any of you serve Mansa with breakfast today?” The Doctor asked.

Obed and Mrs Bernard looked surprised at that question.

“I’m afraid No. What is it?” Mrs Bernard asked.

“Can I see you in my office Madam?” The Doctor asked.

“Yeah sure” answered Mrs Bernard.

She then followed the Doctor to his office. From the Doctor’s question, Obed figured what happened to Mansa had to do with food poisoning.

He wanted to see Mansa. Since he knew her ward, he walked that way and snuck into her room without anyone noticing him.

There she was, lying in her bed, looking up at the ceiling. She was lost in thought.

She knew she has been poisoned and that got her thinking.

Who could have done such a thing to her?  What wrong has she done to anyone to be treated like this?  And who really sent that young Abigail girl who claimed that she was from Mrs Bernard. She knew her foster mother didn’t like her much but even then, she didn’t think she’d go as far as poisoning her.

These were only a few of the questions running through her mind as she laid on her sick bed.

She had no idea she was paralyzed. The Doctor hadn’t given her that piece of information.

When Obed walked in, she didn’t even notice because she was so lost in thought.

Even though she couldn’t feel her legs move, she felt a cold touch on her toes.

That distracted her from her thoughts. She quickly checked to see who it was. It was Obed.

She smiled as she saw him. Her smile was so beautiful that it got Obed smiling too.

He came close and  looked into her eyes.

Mansa called out his name softly ” Obed”

Obed placed his finger on her lips, shushing her. He slowly bent his head and kissed her forehead.

“Mansa, you are well” Obed said.

“I know my God will heal me Obed” Mansa said.

“Don’t worry my dear,  just pray and thank God.” Obed said.

He took out a complimentary card from his pocket and gave to Mansa.

“As soon as you get out of here, go to this address” Obed said.

“For what Obed? You are acting weird” Mansa said.

She was worried about Obed’s strange attitude. Mansa was in fact, getting scared.

“I will be right back. Let me check on something. When I come back, we’ll talk” Obed said with a smile on his face.

“Where are you going, Obed? Mansa asked.

“Don’t worry dear, I will be back. Just close those beautiful eyes of yours and pray” Obed said this and walked out of the ward.

Derek was at the police station, still praying and hoping to get out of jail ASAP. He felt alone and sad.

He thought he had been rejected by his family. Ever since he was arrested, no one apart from Obed and his mother’s lawyer had come to visit him. Not even Chris or his own mother.

He felt neglected. Even though he had not yet been convicted, he already felt isolated.

His only comfort was in prayer. It was really the only thing he could do at this point.

Sometime that morning, one of the policemen came by his cell and announced that he was a free man.

Derek was surprised. He couldn’t believe his ears. “Who could be behind this?” He wondered as he put on the shirt he wore when he got arrested. He walked to the counter and saw Obed there waiting for him.

“Obed, how did you do it?” Derek asked.

Obed smiled at him.

“Just get yourself ready, I’ll wait for you outside” Obed said and went out.

Derek was given some papers to sign and as soon as he was done, he went out. But Obed was nowhere  to be found. He looked everywhere and couldn’t find him.

“Where could he be? Derek asked himself.

He waited for a while to see if he’d show up but he didn’t.

He had no option but to go. The first thing that came to his mind was to go and see Mansa at the hospital. He quickly left the police station.

Back at the hospital, the Doctor was wrapping up a lengthy discussion with Mrs Bernard concerning  the food poisoning incident that almost cost Mansa her life.

He advised that apart from Mrs Bernard and any other person she recommended, no one would have the privilege to visit Mansa until she was finally discharged, as precautionary measures.

Mrs Bernard agreed to what the doctor had said and recommended only Rita and Chris. Apart from them, no one was to be allowed to see Mansa.

Right after their discussion, Mrs Bernard asked to see Mansa briefly.

The Doctor gave her the go ahead and they came out of his office together.

“Mum” Derek called from behind, just as they stepped out of the Doctor’s office. He had arrived the hospital.

His mother was very surprised to see him.

“Derek,  how did you get here? I was just about to come and see you” Mrs Bernard said.

Derek shook his head and said “I’m here now, how is Mansa?.

“We are going to see her now. Meet the Doctor. He is the one taking care of Mansa, Doc this my son Derek”

They shook hands but were interrupted when someone called Derek from behind.

The voice came from Mansa’s ward. They turned and to their surprise, there was Mansa standing on her two legs in front of the ward.

She looked healthy.

“What’s happening? This can’t be! The Doctor said in amazement.

To be continued…