CAMARADERIE TROUBLES

After the storm comes the calm. The wind normalizes, blowing gently across the earth, swaying trees and grasses as they dance seductively to celebrate the return of normalcy. The dark clouds shift, revealing clear skies, a mockery of its former state. Still, the havoc the storm wrecked remains fresh in the minds of all. The grounds are wet and water flows in torrents in gutters and canals.

Selena looked at the darkened sky from the veranda of their new apartment. Stars littered the sky, some bright, some dim. She exhaled. A movement behind her made her turn.

IK smiled at Selena as he joined her at the railings. He brushed aside her hand gently so he could see her face. "You shouldn't be out here alone"

"I know" Selena answered shortly, staring at nothing in particular. Then she looked up at her brother. "I was scared, IK... I thought I'd never see you again"

IK was silent for a while, seeming lost in thought. "Me too, Love"

"I should have been with you"

"Maybe I wouldn't be here if you were" IK countered.

Selena blinked, looking away. "I should have spoken to you"

"Maybe I wouldn't be here if you had"

Selena opened her mouth and closed it. "What happened IK? Everyone stopped calling, we thought..."

IK breathed. "I was flown out of the country"

Selena's eyes flashed with curiosity. "You went to America?"

IK nodded, grinning. "With mummy and daddy" He hadn't felt the thrill of it then though, he had spent all the time in the hospital. It was a terribly painfubtime, thinking he was alive now was nothing short of a miracle. "Mrs Dongmo paid all the expenses"

"Who is Mrs Dongmo?"

IK smiled. "You'd meet her soon, and Doctor Wunmi"

Selena frowned, she hated not knowing something. "But you are okay now?"

IK nodded with a sincere smile. "Yes, Love, I am fine now"

Florence stood a few paces away, concealed by the curtain as she watched her two eldest children. She wiped at her tears, her heart

-

bubbling over with joy and gratitude to God. She had missed sights like these her children together, happy and without fears. She watched Selena launch into tales of the past weeks. She watched their laughter, feeling bubbles of happiness envelope her insides. She had

thought it impossible to have this

again, she had thought her son couldn't live again, she had thought their family couldn't be complete and happy again, but here they stood, the storm had passed and they were still standing, their bond even stronger than before. They had learnt to be grateful for the challenges life brought their way because it made them stronger.

Florence stepped into the veranda. "Okay kids, time for bed"

For once, Florence noted that Selena didn't argue about not being a kid. She smiled.

"Let's go, Love" IK held his sister's hand and together, they walked into the house. Florence smiled, her heart full of happiness as she walked in behind them.

They never heard of Jamal again. No one saw him, heard from him or even knew what happened to him. bimbo and the family were forced to forgive Jamal in their hearts because unforgiveness has a way of turning around to hurt the offended.

Ironically, Mr Ishola grew to be a really wealthy businessman but he lost what was more important and couldn't be bought with money -family. But after all said and done, the Onaje were grateful for the

journey they'd been through one

they'

were grateful for the flowers found amongst thorns, the ones who made life a bit more bearable as they journeyed through the wilderness. And they knew that whenever life brings a starless nights, they'd fight through together, knowing that afterwards comes the dawn of a bright new day."""""