The secretary, holding a bouquet of flowers, is approaching the door, and she steps aside with shock as a weeping Yaa Pomaa comes running down the corridor.
The secretary enters the office and sees the pastor holding
Ama Boatemaa, who shows her ring to the secretary.
SECRETARY
(excited)
Oh, Miss Ama! Congrats! Oh, wow! This is so super!!
She hands the flowers to the Pastor and hugs Ama Boatemaa happily.
Pastor Zac is smiling happily as he takes the bouquet and turns the card on it round, and then he freezes and the smile dies from his face.
ZAC LARBI
(anxiously)
Akua, who brought the flowers?
There is so much concern in his voice that they all look at him.
SECRETARY
A bearded man, Pastor. Tall, well-built, wearing huge glasses but he didn’t leave his name!
AMA BOATEMAA
(stunned)
Oh! Oh, my God! Is it him?
Zac shows her the card on the flowers.
It reads:
CONGRATULATIONS, YOU TWO!
YOU BETTER MAKE IT WORK OR I’LL COME BACK AND COVER YOU FROM HEAD TO TOE WITH LEPROSY.
ZAC LARBI
My dear Lord! It’s him!
AMA BOATEMAA
Yes, oh, yes! Akua, when did the flowers come in?
SECRETARY
Oh, just a few minutes ago. I brought it here the minute he gave it to me!
The pastor rushes to the desk and lifts the telephone and dials with trembling hands.
ELDER SENA
(awed)
It’s that strange man, right?
Ama is weeping silently and impatiently looking at Zac.
AMA BOATEMAA
Yes, yes, Elder! And we haven’t seen him to thank him ever since Zac came out of prison!
ZAC LARBI
(shouting into the phone)
Security! There’s a tall bearded man coming down! Please stop him, okay? Don’t let him leave! Tell him I’m on my way down, but please do not hurt him, okay?
AMA BOATEMAA
(agitated)
Oh, let’s go, let’s go!
The two of them run out to the corridor and take the private elevator, which brings them to the main reception area where the head of security is waiting with three others.
ZAC LARBI
(anxiously)
Where’s he, please? Where’s the man?
SECURITY CHIEF
He’s gone to the car park, Pastor!
ZAC LARBI
(agitated)
Why didn’t you stop him? I gave express instructions to keep him here!
SECURITY CHIEF
(nervously)
We tried, Pastor, but… but he… he said if we touch him he will put leprosy all over our body… I’m sorry but… we believed him!
AMA BOATEMAA
(laughing now)
Of course you did, of course you did! Come, darling, the car park, quickly!
They run across the yard towards the car park, but suddenly a sleek, beautiful, powerful black Escalade comes round the corner and heads towards the entrance.
The window winds down, and the stranger looks at them, and then he salutes.
ZAC LARBI
(anxiously)
Please, please, stop! Please, we beg you, sir! Just for a minute!
AMA BOATEMAA
I beg of you, sir! Please, please, we need to speak to you!
The stranger does not stop.
The window comes back up, and he turns through the entrance, and he is gone!
The two of them stand looking at the entrance.
ZAC LARBI
Hope you got the number of that car!
AMA BOATEMAA
No, love. Thought you did.
She wipes tears from her cheeks and smiles.
ZAC LARBI
Goodbye, sir! Thank you, for everything you did for us, for our love, for me. I can’t thank you enough!
AMA BOATEMAA
(shudderingly, sad)
You think we’ll ever see him again?
ZAC LARBI
I hope so, my love, I hope so!
AMA BOATEMAA
Goodbye, stranger! May God continue to bless you… thank you so so soooo much!
And out on the highway, the stranger pulls off his hat, and it comes with the bushy facial hair.
He tosses the hat into the back.
He is not so old.
He is indeed a very handsome young man, and obviously with a lot of money.
A handsome, wealthy young man.
He looks into the sky and laughs wildly.
THE STRANGER
You came through again, Father, and I’m glad you used me for Your good works, once again! I adore You, I honour You, and I worship You, for counting me worthy!
A terrible three-tongued lightning lights up the sky, and thunder roars massively, vibrating through him pleasantly, and he knew he was loved when he felt a massive presence in the back seat, a presence that filled the car with blinding light.
The Stranger smiled sweetly.
He had to fight with all his might not to turn round and look at that Supreme Presence in the back seat, because he knew that if he turns and sees it, he will die.
THE STRANGER
(exhilarated)
Old man that!
And the sky splits open with multiple lightning strikes that look like an elaborate web!
It is the most amazing sight the stranger has ever seen, and he laughs as he drives on.
THE STRANGER
Welcome, Mighty Father! You’re powerful, and none compares to you!! And that is why I’m not ashamed to flaunt you, because, Yakai, You live, and You’re the greatest!!
The presence was very heavy, and for a moment he feels the touch on the back of his neck, and something powerful and divine passes through him, and tears come to the Stranger’s eyes, because he knows he is loved, and favoured….
THE END.
Story by Aaron Ansah Agyemang
Visit pobsonline.com for more amazing stories and search for Pobsonline on Google Play store or click here to download our Android App
