Wounded Pilgrim 24

DO SOMETHING

Eliezer looked like he had been slimming unfavorably and was weak. You would be forgiven to think he needs to walk around with stones in his pockets to give him the stability just in case a whirlwind came about unannounced. Even before Bartholomew could speak to him and probably get to ask him a few questions he knew all was not well with his old-time friend. The gentleman was supposed to have settled back in his house from the small compulsory holiday he and his wife Happiness had been given after the small drama in their house.

“Brother, you were to have been back full of energy like two weeks ago and not like this?” he started trying to be as compassionate as he could but deep down his heart he knew he was not compassionate enough for someone like him. Eliezer was the person who insulted him in the face and came back to make things right when he needed help from him. Although he had gotten over the fact that this same guy had married a lady he thought he would marry he still failed to understand why he still kept remembering this. But the fact that Happiness came to his house that day she had been kicked by the person who was supposed to protect her made him feel like there was something under the hood. Was it not being preached in the churches that eyes of the married folks open up after marriage when they actually suppose to be closed only to their spouses?

“It’s a strange world” wondered aloud which sort of startled Eliezer. Bartholomew realized his mistake and quickly apologized.

Apparently, Eliezer was going through a hard time and he was at the verge of the toughest time in his life. He saw it fit to approach someone like Bartholomew hoping to get solace and shoulder to lean on despite the somehow bitter past they have had together recently especially the one that lead to him and his wife separating and going to their maternal homes for a change. His stubborn kid brother Richy was now locked up in a Rehab center for the next three years. Eliezer had just began narrating his ordeal when the waiter brought one plate of rice with meat stew. Bartholomew pushed it to Eliezer to start eating first. Eliezer wished he had been a much smaller amount of food since his appetite was now minimal owing tot the fact he was nursing some bad conditions like stress and ulcers in his current state of health.

For the short time they had been sited there waiting for food as they talked Bartholomew had picked up close to three phone calls two of which he had had to walk away and talk in private. Eliezer had been able to narrate to him anything to the end because of this phone interruptions. He was getting worked up because time was really moving fast and the better for him if he could just get to tell Bartholomew what he wanted to say to him and be gone to sort other pending issues before the end of the day. Already in his mind he was not only getting impatient and annoyed he was seeing it like Bartholomew already knew what he wanted to say to him and was just agreeing to take phone calls just to waste his time. Already getting an audience at his office had proved to be a mountain till God intervened for him and Bartholomew called him for a follow up.

Every time Bartholomew finished a phone call he had almost forgotten what Eliezer had been saying and he had to start over again to make him understand what he would be saying next. They were doing well with their talk when suddenly Anastacia entered the café and headed straight to their table. Bartholomew only noticed her when she came close to where they were. He stared at her right from the feet up to the head then he turned back to Eliezer who had just noticed the interruption and stopped talking.

“Whatever made you avoid me the whole week Bartho today I want to know it” she began without bothering to greet them. “Yet our offices are not far from each other.”

“Don’t you have courtesy to greet people when you meet them?” Bartholomew asked her sharply.

“Sorry my apologies, good afternoon gentlemen”, she apologized and stretched her hand to shake their hands.

“Am Eliezer, a friend of Bartho”, Eliezer introduced himself to her.

“Oh, Am Anastacia, a great friend and workmate to Bartho”, she introduced herself too. “Now if you will excuse me we have something we need to sort out work related” she said then turned to Bartholomew. “Come with me.” It was a soft request yet an authoritative one in all means.

“Sorry we were in the middle of something wouldn’t it wait?” Bartholomew tried to turn it down.

“How does work issues have to wait yet they have waited for a whole week?” she went on. “If you don’t follow me I will get hold of your hand and take you out of this café!”

Bartholomew could have resisted but it would bring a scene at the café and all he could do was comply.

“Okay let me pay for his bills if you don’t mind” he managed to say just before she turned to face the café.

“Be quick then, lunch time is over by the way”

Bartholomew felt between a rock and hard place, first of all he was wondering how she located him there at the café and secondly, he was wondering what Eliezer would think of him now that this was happening. He left a one thousand note on the table which quickly disappeared into Eliezer’s pocket before leaving the café.

“If only he knew am not here for his money but rather his audience” Eliezer thought sadly. He knew how women were very manipulative at times when they fix their target on you. Outside Anastacia was all smiles when she saw Bartholomew walk up to where she was standing. When he got to where she was he just passed her a little and said over his shoulder “Let’s go then”. She walked slowly behind him wishing they could walk together and probably hold hands as they walked through the corridors back to the offices. On the other hand, Bartholomew felt like kicking her and punching her with his fists for what she had just done to him. If only God could open each of them to see what was going on in their minds…