Torns

Episode 34

“We used to live in Jos.”

Her eyes flew up to meet his distant look. He held her bag in one hand and opened the door to the three bedroom bungalow with the other. She walked in after him.

“We relocated to Abuja many years ago after a life altering tragedy.”

The sad glint in his eyes tugged at her heart.

“My siblings went to church one evening. I had a tummy ache, so I couldn’t go…” he swallowed spittle.

Her concerned gaze remained on his face.

“They… they… a group of Jihadist locked everyone in the church and set the building on fire.”

Overcomed by sorrow, she covered her mouth with both hands and tried not to scream.

“No one… no one survived,” he dropped the bag and staggered to the seatee.

Funmike settled on the chair closest to her. She held his gaze and wished she could make his pain disappear.

“My mother lost her marbles and my father…

my father…” he gave a shake of head, tears flowed.

She got up and went to his side. She couldn’t imagine what they must have gone through.