The Costly Decision

A Short Story...

The masked gigantic man with scary muscles like that of western wrestlers maintained a very high speed with an unwavering stamina as he pursued him with a sharp cutlass. Mazi ran as fast as his legs could carry him. But the more he ran-the closer his adversary got. If only he saw the face of the man who was determined to take his life, he would have let loose his voice and shouted his name as he ran. Even if he eventually gets slaughtered, he would at least know who to report to his ancestors that killed him-probably for the sake of reprisals or vengeance. He stumbled on a stone and fell under an orange tree in the middle of nowhere. The masked man finally caught up with him, raised the sharp cutlass to take his head and Mazi woke up-panting and sweating like a christmas goat. "Thank God it was only a dream," he muttered. It was exactly 5am on sunday morning when Mazi Nathan Oguejiofor woke up from his modern furniture bed which he saved so much money for a period of two years to purchase. He wondered if it could be responsible for his nightmare. He knew he had more peaceful nights on his old small mattress, but he still cherished the fact that he eventually bought the modern furniture bed he had always yearned for. Yes,he could boast in their entire Amaozara village and the Umunebo kindred as one of the very few who owned and slept on a modern furniture bed. Although it took him two years to save some money to make the purchase,what mattered most to him was that he owned one.

He streched his body and yawned so loudly as if he had not tasted anything since the past four days. He had managed to find his way to his bedroom the previous night with the help of his wife Beatrice who had always pleaded with him to watch his drinking habit.
Mazi Nathan was one of those men in Amaozara who you dare not bet anything with when it comes to drinking palmwine. Even if the palmwine had stayed for four days and has fully fermented,if you bet your life for three full kegs,they could sit down and finish it at once and take your head in return.

Even though his early morning yawnings were loud enough to wake a sleeping bear,Beatrice who was lying helplessly beside him seemed to be undisturbed by her husband's early morning routine.Rather, she faced the wall and was busy snoring her sorrows away.Mazi stared at his wife and wondered what sort of creature she was,that she could still be fast asleep even after he had let out his early morning loud yawnings.


"Beati,won't you wake up?.It's already past five" Mazi muttered while quietly tapping her wife in an attempt to wake her up.

Beatrice turned,wiping her eyes with the back of her left arm-she responded "Goodmorning Mazi,how was your night?".

"My night was as good as yours" He replied.
Mazi Nathan continued,"as you know,today is sunday and I do not want to be late to the 6am morning mass.Please,boil my bathing water and get it ready,I want to leave for church as soon as possible".

Beatrice nodded in affirmation.Though she was still feeling very sleepy and her eyes were still heavy,she managed to get up and made towards the kitchen to do as her husband had requested.
It is very obvious that Mazi Nathan Oguejiofor does not mince words each time he professed his penchant for palmwine,but it still does not stop him from attending the early morning mass on sunday and on time too.

"Mazi,the water is ready.I have already kept it in the bathroom for you" Beatrice told her husband as she pointed in the direction of their old bathroom which was built separately from the main house.

"Beati biko daalu" he replied.
"Oooo Mazi.Please,you can go as soon as you're ready.There's no need to wait for Nnamdi and I.We'll join you at the church later"
Mazi retorted "There's no need to remind me.Of course you know I won't wait for you.I'm already running late!".

Mazi was one of such men who don't spend up to a minute while preparing to go out.He personally believed that it was only for women.
So,it irritates him when he hears that some men even own mirrors to look at themselves before going out.What a waste of time!
Before you could say 'Okeke Mbonu!',Mazi Nathan was already prepared.He quickly dashed out of his room with the small Bible his son Chibundu had bought for him when he returned from the compulsory three weeks camp orientation activities for his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

At exactly 6am,the mass started and the big church auditorium of St.Patrick's Catholic Church Amaozara was almost filled by the congregants who were more than six hundred in number.In Amaozara and beyond,the members of the Roman Catholic church were very known for attending their mass on time.


During the homily,the Reverend Father Richard who was widely known for very long and boring speeches stood facing the congregation from the alter.As usual,he was dressed in white soutane and a purple chasuble to match the church season.
It has been widely known and noticed that any mass that Father Richard would preach,many congregants would doze off.Those who try so hard not to sleep in church,found solace in their phones or gazed at the preacher and pretended to be listening to his long boring preachments.

Mazi Nathan was seated at the rear of the church.No matter how early he might be to church,he always found his way to the rear for reasons best known to him.
So,during Father Richard's homily,Mazi was totally absent minded.Merely looking at him,one could easily tell that he was lost at that moment.Mazi was very worried about Chibundu-his first son who was very far away in the Northern part of Nigeria where he was doing his compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).When Chibundu graduated as an accountant from the Imo State University,he was posted to Katanga,one of the terrorist most affected states in Northern Nigeria.Mazi received the news with reluctance but Chibundu insisted on going.Mazi had no choice than to let him go.

But what bothered him was the fact that Chibundu had phoned him two days ago to narrate how he miraculously escaped a bomb blast scene.That phone call gave Mazi a very rude shock and his blood pressure was badly affected.He wondered what would have been his fate if he had lost his first son who happens to be the only University graduate in his family to bomb blasts."God forbid" He muttered,even while the homily was still going on.

Before the mass ended,Mazi had already concluded to ring Chibundu as soon as he gets home immediately after the mass to ascertain when he would return finally from Katanga.Chibundu had told his father that he would be back on tuesday of that same week after their passing out parade at their state stadium.Mazi could not wait to see his son again.He wanted to be sure that nothing happened to him all through his stay in the North.

"The Lord be with you" chanted the Reverend Father from the alter.
The congregation chorused " And also with you".

The mass ended and everyone started leaving the church auditorium quietly.Mazi Nathan was so much in a hurry that he almost forgot the Bible he took to church.

As soon as Mazi got home,he did not bother about having his luch first before ringing Chibundu.He dashed into his room and reached for his Nokia 3310 cellphone on his table where he kept his valuables.

"Hello Nnaa!,Olee otu imere?"
"I'm fine papa.How is everyone at home?" Chibundu asked.
"Well,we are all fine.I remember you told me you'll be back on tuesday.We are all eager to receive you.I hope you have not changed your mind?" Mazi asked..
"No papa.Don't worry,I'll be back by God's grace.Should I buy you some kilishi?"
"No Nnaa.Don't bother yourself.Just come back home first.The Kilishi can wait for someother time" Mazi replied.
"Alright Papa.But there's something we'll discuss when I return" He chipped in.
"What?!,I hope there is no problem?" Asked Mazi.

At that point,his heart had started beating a little faster.Mazi Nathan was known by his family and friends to have High Blood Pressure (HBP).He was always on drugs and regularly visited his doctor at Amaozara Community Hospital for Medical check up.

"No Papa.Don't worry,all is well.Infact,it's good news!.I'm sure you'll be happy about it" Chibundu replied.

"Sure?.Alright my son.We'll discuss as soon as you return.Please,take good care of yourself and have a safe trip as you return".

Mazi dropped the call and heaved a sigh of relief.He couldn't wait to set his eyes on his son again after what seemed like a decade.At least,the whole Amaozara and Umunebo kindred will know that his son,the only graduate accountant in their entire village has returned from National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

That very sunday afternoon,Mazi Nathan did not feel like having luch anymore.He lost his appetite completely after the phone call session with his son.All efforts made by Beatrice to convince him to eat the white rice and his favourite 'ofe akwu' soup,proved abortive.

Finally,the long awaited tuesday came and the entire Oguejiofor compound was filled with family friends trooping in and out.Mazi Nathan had earlier informed all his friends about his son's arrival.
It was exactly 5:25pm when a motorcycle pulled up in front of Mazi Nathan's compound gate.It was Chibundu!

Almost everyone rushed to welcome him.His mother,Beatrice could not contain her joy.
She seemed even happier and more excited than Mazi.

"Nnaa,look at you.You've grown even taller" she said after giving Chibundu a big hug.
"Mama,I thank God for everything.He has been there for me" he replied.

Everyone was delighted to welcome Chibundu.There was an absolute air of celebration in Mazi Nathan's compound.Mazi and his friends sat under the coconut tree in his compound which provided a little shade and was busy doing justice to the kegs of palmwine which Mazi had earlier ordered from Nwafor Ukata,his special palm wine tapper.

Around 9:45pm when everybody had settled down and were about going to bed,Mazi sent for Chibundu so they could talk about what he had told him earlier on phone.Mazi could not wait till the next day.Since his son had already told him that it was good news,he couldn't wait to get the full jist.

"Bundu, why I invited you to my room at this time of the night is to discuss with you about what you told me earlier on phone.According to you,you said it is good news"
"Yes Papa" Chibundu replied.
"Okay. Please,tell us about it. Your mother is also here with me.It'll be good to receive the good news together".

"Uhmmmmn......It is about where I did my primary assignment in Katanga"
" What about the place?" Mazi asked.
"It's a bank.Skyview bank to be precise.I have been retained there as one of their staff.I was given full employment towards the end of my service year".

"Praiiiiisssseeee the lord!" Shouted Beatrice.
"Wait a minute!" Retorted Mazi.
" Beati,there was no need to raise your voice.Don't you know it's already late?".
"I'm sorry Mazi.I was only excited.You know how difficult it is to get a job these days.Now,our son just got one on a platter of gold.It's good news indeed" Beatrice explained excitedly.

"Yes.It's good news. But not totally" Mazi added.
"How do you mean?" Beatrice asked.
Mazi looked at Beatrice and Chibundu very closely and continued.

"Now,we all know about the insecurity situation in that part of the country.We have been hearing news of bomb blasts,massive killings and all sorts of evil perpetrated by the terrorist groups there.Even before Chibundu phoned me last week and told me about how he miraculously escaped a bomb blast scene,I have been receiving such news from Okechukwu Mbanefo,our relative who trades on motor spare parts in that same city".He paused and asked Chibundu.
"Do you know him?"
"Yes Papa.I visited him in his apartment in Tudun Wada on three occasions" he replied.
"Okay.That youngman is very industrious.I admire his courage too.He has been telling me how unsafe it is to live and work in Katanga.That alone worries me so much.Now,you are here telling me about getting a job in that same city".

Mazi paused a little and folded his arms on his bare chest.At that point,the sign of disapproval was already clearly written all over him.
" So,do you intend to stay back there?" He asked Chibundu.
"Yes Papa" Chibundu replied immediately without thinking twice.
Mazi continued," well,if you say so,I'll not stop you.But I want you to understand that if you go back to that place,I'll always be worried.And you know it's not good for my health".
"Yes Papa.But you know how difficult it is to secure a job right now.If I decide to stay back here in the village,I might end up not getting a job in the next five years or even more.Now that the bank has given me this appointment,I think it'll be unwise to turn it down" he explained.
At this point,Beatrice was totally confused.She didn't know exactly what to say about the situation.

"Okay,since you've made your decision,I believe you thought well about it.So,there's nothing I can do about it.I cannot stop you,you're now a man.You are old enough to make your decisions.But you must understand that life is not all about making decisions,you must also be responsible for the result of the decisions you make" Mazi adviced.
"Yes Papa.I understand." Chibundu answered.

On Friday 24th October,Chibundu Oguejiofor found his way back to Katanga to resume work at the Skyview Bank.
Throughout that period, Mazi Nathan was not himself.He was always seen muttering some unheard words to himself.Both Beatrice and almost everyone who was close to him noticed it.At first,people thought it was as a result of his excessive palmwine drinking.But when it persisted,it was obvious that it was no longer the effects of palmwine.

Barely two weeks after Chibundu travelled back to Katanga to resume work,Mazi's phone started ringing on a monday morning while he was preparing to go out.He checked his phone,it was Okechukwu Mbanefo his nephew who also stayed in Katanga with his son Chibundu.
As soon as he saw the caller,his heart left his body.He knew that something had gone wrong.
Okechukwu rarely calls him on phone except he has one bad news or the other.

"Hello Okey,Goodmorning" he greeted.
"Goodmorning Mazi" Okechukwu replied.
" How is work?,I hope all is well with you?" Mazi asked.
"Uhmmmmn...work is fine.But there's a problem.
"What is it again this time?" Mazi asked in curiosity.
"It's Chibundu"
"What?!!!!" Mazi shouted.
"Mazi please pull yourself together.We lost him yesterday.He was one of the victims of the bomb blast in church yesterday" Okechukwu explained in a rather shaky voice.
Mazi Nathan dropped the phone and fell on the bare floor in his room.Beatrice who had heard him shout while taking the phone call dashed into their room and found Mazi Nathan on the floor.

She could not believe her eyes when she found out that her husband has been badly struck down by 'stroke'.He could barely talk nor move his body.
Beatrice raised her voice and wept very bitterlly.She wished that all could be a dream.But reality was already staring directly at her face and into her already swollen eyes reddened by bitterness...