Nosa Tales

Mama is a typical definition of prayer warrior. I don’t hate prayers, but my mother’s level of ‘prayer warriorism’ is something else. You can call it exhausting.

I was born and raised in a strong Christian home with long prayer sessions. For this reason, my cousins avoid coming to our house.

Morning devotions in our house feels like a full Sunday service. During the devotion, we have our prayer time, praise and worship, Bible study and even testimony time. Everyone must give a testimony or two.

“Only the living can testifier…” was Mama’s slogan during every morning devotions.

Mama wasn’t good with English, but she was a sucker for any activity of God. And we understood her mode of communication (Nigerian pidgin).

We always had our morning devotions in the sitting room. Our sitting room space was wide enough to hold a community meeting (not literally), but Mama always made us seat close to her so she can have her eyes on everyone.

She always sat in the usual side of her favorite sofa which was next to a supposed painting of Jesus Christ on the cross. She always had her blueish scarf in a funny looking manner, a large bible on my laps, with her glasses pulled to her nose.

She is ever ready to render hot slaps or throw her slippers at anyone that doesn’t pay full attention during morning devotion. When she’s seated in that position, we know the drill.

Although this has been a family ritual for years but I found it uneasy to conform.

Sometimes I wish I had many siblings so that when I’m tired I can doze off without Mama noticing. Unfortunately for me, it was just Ese, my sister and I.

Papa is a church worker too but wasn’t so much of a prayer warrior like Mama. He is always calm during morning devotions, unlike Mama.

Last week Friday, Aunt Osas, Mama’s youngest sister, invited me to Abraka to spend the holiday. I was to travel the following day.

I was literally over the moon because I have not been out of Benin in a long time. Also, I would be free from morning devotions. It was an exciting feeling; don’t judge me.

Morning came, I woke up earlier than usual, had my bath and got ready for my trip. I made sure I had my bag all set the night before. Then I rushed to the sitting room to wait for morning devotion.

I heard footsteps approaching the siting room. Then there was a pause…

“Eseosa!!!!! Nosakha…” Mama called out.

‘Mama I’m here’ I replied sharply. I did not let her call out my my full name when I answered her call.

Mama usually calls our names in full when she wants us to answer her quickly, when she’s teasing us and when we are in trouble.

She moved the curtains; winced her eyes to see who was there. She didn’t have her glasses on and the sitting room light was dim for her to see me clearly.

“Nosa! Ahan! You don wake for morning devotion?” She asked in disbelieve as she saw me.

“Yes Mama! Prayer is for the living” I chuckled as I replied. She had no idea that I was acting up because I was in a hurry to leave.

As usual, after morning devotion, we had prayer session. I knelt down and Mama prayed for journey mercies and protection. The prayer took like forever to come to an end. Papa had cut her in-between to let her know I had to leave to catch the first bus to Abraka.

“My pikin, God go carry you go and bring you back to us as one in Jesus name, Amen!” She said as she finalized the prayer.

I said amen and managed to stand up from my kneeling position. My knees were hurting so badly.

While Papa got ready to drop me off at the Motor Park, Ese helped with my small traveling bag.

We got to the park on time. I took my traveling bag from the car boot and stood beside Papa’s window; waiting for him to alight.

“Oya take. Be a good boy, okay?’ Papa said handling me some money from his car window.

“You are now a big boy; board a bus yourself. Abraka no too far na.” He added, assuring me and himself I could handle it. Before I could reply, he waved me good bye and drove off.

I’m was 15 years old and didn’t know my way around. I was a little scared but I shrugged it off.

“I have been to Abraka at least twice with Mama. Getting there wouldn’t be an issue.” I said within myself.

The park was not so big but the crowd there was massive. Agberos here and there were yelling at each other. Some were arguing and at the same time trying to attract customers.

I got to where they sell ticket and got a bus ticket to Abraka. Then I took a seat at a small bench, and went lost in thoughts when a woman tapped me on my shoulders.

“no be your bus dey load be that?” She said in a concerned tone.

I quickly stood up, thanked her and headed to the bus immediately. I almost missed my bus, thank heavens for the Good Samaritan.

The bus finish loading and we were set to go. I usually don’t sleep during travels, but this time, sleep took me away. We had barely left Benin and I already dozed off. I wasn’t well rested the night before, because I was busy preparing to travel as early as possible.

When I opened my eyes, everywhere looked strange. Probably the Governor of Delta State had made massive changes that I couldn’t recognize the place.

I looked out the window, I couldn’t tell where I exactly was. I was still trying to identify my location when I saw a sign post that reads ‘Living Faith Church, Onitsha’. The last time I travelled to Abraka, I never pass through Onitsha. It was then I realized I was either on a wrong vehicle or something was up’.

“Please where is this bus heading to?’ I asked a matured-looking man that sat next to me.

“To Abakiliki” he replied.

“Aba what…!!!!!! I jumped up.

Now I was wide awake. I just realized I boarded the wrong bus and we were over three hours away from Benin.

Then I remembered ‘the good Samaritan’. Apparently, she made me board this bus because she thought it was heading to my destination.

At that point I became confused and scared.

I took out my Nokia 105 from my jeans pocket. I hit the power button but it didn’t come up. I tried the second time and it came up. The next thing I saw was ‘low battery’. Then it switched off again.

I tried to switch it on but this time, it didn’t power on.

I didn’t have Mama or Papa’s number by heart. Even that of Aunt Osas. Every one’s number was in my phone.

The man sitting next to me advised I call my parents. I explained to him that my phone battery was dead and I didn’t have their number by heart. He starred at me in disbelieve.

It was embracing.

He immediately called the attention of the driver and he packed by the rear side.

Someone on the bus uses the same phone as me. He lent me his battery. My face brightened up when my phone powered on. I quickly dailed Mama’s number.

That was a wrong move. I should have called Papa.

‘Nosa, you don reach Abraka?” she asked at the top of her voice. Mama’s voice was ear-splitting. I bet other people around me could hear her voice through the phone; and it wasn’t even on speaker.

“No Mama. I’m in Onitsha…” I was trying to finish my sentence when she interrupted me.

“Eh! Nosa, you say? What you find go Onitsha? Na Onitsha your Aunty Osas dey live?” She asked.

I was about to reply when I realized the question was rhetorical. The people in the bus burst into laughter. Network disconnected the call before I could think of something to say.

The driver asked if I still wanted to go to Abraka. I didn’t hesitate my answer. I told him sharply that I just wanted to go home.

Then he guide me to get another bus going to a park where I could board a bus heading to Benin.

Thankfully, I got another bus heading to Benin in no time. I was wide awake all through my journey back to Benin.

When I opened the gate, Mama was sitting outside with Ese and Papa was standing next to them.

“Nosa is back.” Ese screamed as she ran towards me with her arms wide open. I hugged her tightly.

We were still in each other arms when Mama gave me a heavy knock.

“You this pikin, you wan kill me?” she asked angrily. I could sense worry in her voice. I looked into her eyes and they were so red. Mama had been crying. She was worried sick about me.

“Come here joor”. She added and dragged my head to her chest. I felt safe in her bosom.

Mama’s prayers kept me safe.

No more solo travels for me anytime soon.

The End.