EAGLE FROM THE RUBBLE: CHAPTER 49 (FINALE)

geniusvic (54)in #story • 8 years ago (edited)

At Nneri, his proposal generated a lot of excitement. This was probably because there was no significant government presence in the area. The roads were bad, there was no pipe borne water and the electricity supply was only available at the local government headquarters which was far away from the community.

The traditional ruler of Nneri, after consultation with his cabinet, offered him a wide expanse of land opposite the parish. He promised to make more land available should there be need for that. Obioha had the land surveyed and marked out before returning to the US.

The next three years witnessed a great transformation in Nneri. The contractors handling the project had the roads tarred to facilitate their work. The project attracted government attention and it brought pipe borne water and electricity to the area. The ultra-modern teaching hospital was ready within this time. A date was fixed for the commissioning.

This occasion attracted the governor, his executive council, other important dignitaries and then the whole community of Nneri, both young and old at the venue. The packing lot was filled to the brim with assorted cars. The canopies were filled with guests. The traditional ruler of Nneri was present as the chief host.

The governor after commissioning the hospital thanked the initiator of the project and his group and the people of Nneri for their wonderful contribution to the growth of the state. He hoisted the Nigerian flag in front of the hospital and cut the ribbon. The signpost which was hitherto covered was uncovered and it read: FR RICHARD TEACHING HOSPITAL AND HEART FOUNDATION. There were loud cheers that shook even the ground from the crowd.

"Couldn't he have named it Nneri Teaching Hospital?" a man in the crowd asked, in between mouthful of food and drink. There was plenty of food and drink for everyone that day.

"If Fr. Richard had not been here, where would Nneri Teaching Hospital had been?" someone snapped behind him."

The first speaker turned around and looked at the person that uttered the rejoinder. It was a woman. No one had noticed her arrival. She sat at the back of the great gathering. She was well dressed and appeared learned too. There was a great contrast between her and the rural women gathered there. She wore a black skirt suit and had a dark spectacle over her eyes. Her face was partially covered with a shawl. From what the first speaker saw of her, she was very fair in complexion. It was apparent to all observers that she was a woman of great beauty.

As the first speaker continued to stare at her, she turned and looked at him and he quickly looked away. They had recognised each other. Dike tactfully shifted from the scene and changed position. Obioha was at this moment, giving a vote of thanks

"....I thank the governor for making out time to be here to commission this project. My joy today is that this project which is a pet project to me has been completed. A lot of people in this part of the world die of curable diseases due to lack of adequate medicare. Someone dear to me once died of a heart disease which could have been cured if adequate treatment was begun on time. This singular incident makes me feel highly honoured to bequeath this hospital to my people.

"From time to time, I and my group would be
coming around to assist in whatever way we can. We will do this through supply of required equipment, manpower and other material needs. I thank everyone for finding time to come. Thank you all and may God lead you safely back to your destinations."

"Nneri kwenu," the traditional ruler cheered. He repeated the greeting for three consecutive times while the gathering responded "Yaa" each time.

"I thank you, worthy son of Nneri. You have made us proud..." As he continued thanking and greeting all around, Obioha got up and made for his private office at the end of the waiting hall.

He entered his office and tried to place a call to his family in America. He had promised them he would let them know immediately the hospital was commissioned. He tried to dial the number but a tap on the door stopped him. He had sneaked out from the crowded venue and had made sure no one noticed or so he thought. He wondered who it could be.

When he opened the door, Oyibk embraced him and held him to her heart.

"You have a heart of gold. If only you know what you have done to me today. You have lifted a burden I have carried all my life. I have never felt so peaceful in so many years now," she said.

"What of your husband and children?" he asked.

"Tony could not come to see you because he felt he failed you too," she said.

"Please, tell him he is wrong. I admire his courage and love for you. He loved and treated me like a son even in the face of traditional barriers. When next I visit home, I am going to organise a family get together here we will all meet one another and interact as one family," he said.

That night as Obioha lay on his bed in his hotel room, he felt immensely satisfied for several reasons. First, he was no longer bitter and angry with anyone or anything. Secondly, he had done something for humanity. Through this project, he hoped to immortalise the memory of Fr. Richard, the man that thought him the meaning of true love. He opened his bible and brought out the image of St. Francis which Fr. Richard had given to him at baptism. Through the years, even when things seemed to have turned against him, he had unconsciously kept this photograph and muttered this prayer from time to time. He did not really know why but now he seemed to have understood the prayer better. He turned the photograph over and started saying the prayer at the back.

"God make me an instrument of peace..."

And he fell asleep.