Bury my sins 18

Title: “BURY MY SINS, NOT ME

CHAPTER 18

(AT AMINAT MANSION)

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The following day, on a Sunday morning, Aminat woke up and slowly walked to the dashboard in her room. "I can't believe I'm running out of time," she thought. "It feels like just yesterday I was celebrating my 24th birthday, and now I'm counting down the days until my de’-ath. Life isn't fair."

She took her marker and crossed out the previous Saturday on her countdown calendar, leaving her with only 42 days until her 25th birthday, which would also be the day she would d.-ie.

Aminat felt a wave of sadness wash over her. "I'm not ready to d.’ie," she said softly. "I still have so much I want to do in life."

She sighed and looked at her bucket list on the table. "I've accomplished some things, but there's still so much left undone," she thought while ticking off the things she had already done, but her mind was filled with regret for the things she hadn't done yet.

She began to hear the voices of Gabriel, Bosco, and Pastor Solomon's ghost from the living room that same morning, they are planning to go to the Anglican Church today, which is also their Thanksgiving Sunday. They wanted to help Pastor Solomon retrieve his laptop from the church office.

Aminat walked into the living room and joined the conversation of the trio. "What's the plan now?" she asked.

Gabriel, who is standing by the door, replied, "We're heading to the Anglican Church now to retrieve Pastor Solomon's laptop, which he left there."

Aminat sat down slowly on the couch, with her eyes fixed on the trio after Gabriel replied to her. "I'm not going with you,” she said in a low tune, “but I want you to be careful, Bosco, and call me if you need anything. Also Remember that I didn't send you, so I won't be responsible if anything happens."

Bosco, who is determined to help Pastor Solomon, nodded and said, "I understand, Madam Aminat, and I'll be fine. Since I've been paid well for this task, I am willing to take the risk then."

"Let's move, guys. We don't have much time, and we need to get to the church before it's too late. We cannot afford to miss the Thanksgiving service," said Gabriel.

They all went downstairs and Gabriel started the car. They drove off with Pastor Solomon's ghost sitting silently in the backseat, and Aminat staying back at home.

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(AT THE ANGLICAN CHURCH)

Pastor Thomas approached the pulpit and switched on the microphone. "Praise the Lord, everyone," he began. 

"Today is our Thanksgiving Sunday, as you all know. We've gathered here to give thanks for the blessings God has bestowed upon us. It's a day to reflect on our fortunes, to express our gratitude for the good things in our lives, to dance, and to remember those who are less fortunate."

As the pastor continued to speak, Bosco quietly entered the church and took a seat near the narrow walkway, strategically choosing a spot close to the pathway that led to the pastor's office.

"Today, we celebrate God's goodness for all that He has done for us," Pastor Thomas continued. "Now, everyone, please join me in singing this song if you know that God has been good to you."

The congregation stood up as the keyboardist began to play a melodious tune.

🎵🎵”You have done so much for me, I cannot tell it all," Pastor Thomas sang, leading the first song, and the congregation chorused “narakele mo” enthusiastically.

"Oh, I see someone out there in the congregation is not singing or appreciating God for His blessings enough,” Pastor Thomas continued. “Please close your eyes everyone and appreciate God for His goodness upon your family."

Bosco, noticing that many people already had their eyes closed, thought this was a perfect opportunity to sneak into the pastor's office.

His initial plan before was to use a breakdancing style during the praise session, dragging his feet and moving his legs slowly in reverse like Michael Jackson, to blend in as he made his way to the pastor's office and then run out through the backdoor.

But now that most people had their eyes closed, it seemed like an even better and easier opportunity. He was about to make his move in the office when the pastor said everyone could open their eyes.

"What a missed opportunity," Bosco muttered to himself. "I will just stick with my original plan during the praise and worship," he decided silently.

The congregation opened their eyes, and Pastor Thomas gestured for them to be seated.

"As we continue to express our gratitude for God's blessings," Pastor Thomas said, "it has come to my attention, through divine revelation, that there is someone among us with the intent to steal from the house of God. We may not know who this individual is, but remember, God sees all, and His words are not to be taken lightly.”

The congregation looked around, curious about the unexpected revelation on Thanksgiving Sunday.

“If you are that person planning to defraud God," Pastor Thomas continued, “listen to the Lord's warning and turn away from unrighteous acts. We may now proceed with the next part of our service," he concluded and switched off the microphone.

Immediately after the revelation from the pastor, Bosco began to panic. "What if this revelation is about me?" he thought but quickly dismissed the idea. "Revelations fit whine you, but no panic,” he motivated himself in pidgin English, hoping there is someone else in the church with the intent to steal.

He reassured himself that he is here to help Pastor Solomon, and not to steal. So he sat down quietly, waiting for the perfect time to act.

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Meanwhile, Gabriel and Pastor Solomon's ghost sat in the car outside the church, waiting anxiously for Bosco to come out so they could leave.

The mission is taking longer than they had anticipated, so Gabriel leaned back, resting his head on the car seat and trying to relax while keeping an eye on the church entrance.

Finally, when Bosco emerged, they drove back to Aminat's mansion, only to face a shocking scene upon their return.

Bosco's eyes widened in shock as he saw Aminat in the compound, appearing transparent and almost ghostly, resembling that of Pastor Solomon Ghost.

"What's wrong with you, Madam?" Bosco asked with a voice full of concern and Aminat responded softly, saying “I am fine.”

Gabriel, who lacked the spiritual sight to see what Bosco was seeing, looked around in confusion and began to speak. "We haven't even gone inside the living room, Bosco, and you're already talking to Madam Aminat in the compound. Where do you see her?"

Bosco ignored Gabriel and rubbed his eyes again, trying to make sense of what he was seeing. 

"Do you not see Madam Aminat standing there?" he asked, turning to Pastor Solomon's ghost, who nodded in confirmation. "I think she is dead, just like me, and that's Aminat ghost standing right in front of us," Pastor Solomon's ghost added solemnly.

Gabriel, who was surprised by Bosco's actions, rushed into the mansion quickly. His heart began to pound as he discovered Aminat's lifeless body lying on her bed.

He shouted sorrowfully and began to shake Aminat’s body frantically, crying and calling out her name to wake up.

Suddenly, Gabriel jolted awake to reality from his bad dream, stared around, and realized he had fallen asleep while waiting for Bosco to come out of the Anglican Church with the laptop..

"What kind of nightmare is this at 10 a.m.?" Gabriel muttered, glancing at his watch and wiping sweat from his forehead. "And why is Bosco not out of the church with the laptop yet?"

After waiting a little longer, Gabriel noticed Bosco running toward their parked car outside the church and immediately switched on the car's ignition.

"What took you so long?" Gabriel asked as he started driving away as soon as he got into the car.

Bosco simply replied, asking Gabriel to keep driving and promising to explain everything once they reached the mansion.

Meanwhile, Pastor Solomon's ghost, also in the car with them, repeatedly tried to grab Bosco's cross bag, but his ghostly hand kept passing through it like air. "Why won't you bring out the laptop now so we can destroy it now?" Pastor Solomon pleaded.

But Bosco told him to calm down, insisting they needed to leave the church premises at once.

To be continued……