Ryan gritted his teeth and balled his swollen fists on his knee before continuing.
"He started embezzling my dad's money. Dad trusted him so much that he couldn't probe him. Because of this, my dad almost ran bankrupt."
"This man kept it clean, and even promised to help my dad with the investigation. My dad believed him, not knowing that he was doing everything to cover up his tracks."
"When my dad could bear it no more, he brought in the cops to investigate and find out who was embezzling his money. My dad was dumbfounded when reality hit him. He was disoriented for weeks after discovering that the one he loved as a brother betrayed him!"
"What scared my dad the most was that when he was convicted he swore to get back at my dad for sending him to jail."
"'So, Mr. Miller, you'll stay with your son when you've made my children fatherless by sending me to jail, huh? I'll get back at you, I swear! I will destroy you and your family for doing this to me, I'll show you the true nature of where I am coming from!' he had threatened as he was being cuffed and pulled by the cops into their van."
"My mum consoled my dad, telling him it was an empty threat, and he will never have the opportunity to do that since he'll be spending many years in jail. My dad believed my mum but little did we know that he was capable of doing what he said. I mean, those words weren't empty threats. We severed all ties with his family, but of course his son, Emeka, was still my classmate."
"Emeka set me up by stuffing hard drugs into my locker, and reported to the school that I had illegal drugs in my possession. Knowing how close I was to him, the school authorities had so many reasons to take his words into consideration. I was about to be expelled, but my saving grace was that the school chose to investigate the allegations before making any final decision."
"At that time my dad's image was almost finished. His rivals, whose children were in my school, got the information. They used it against him so that their businesses could thrive more than his."
"The investigation was done and I was vindicated while Emeka was expelled, sued to court and sentenced to prison. He was eighteen years of age at the time."
"That was the genesis of my hatred towards Africans. I've never been able to forget his last statement, when he said he will show my dad the true nature of where he was coming from. I presumed all Africans had the same evil nature."
Inhaling and exhaling deeply, Ryan continued, "When Mandy introduced you as her roommate, her friend, and said she wanted you to be part of our squad, I vehemently disapproved. Some of my friends were skeptical about it, but Anne-Marie was ok with it as well. I tried all I could to make them stay away from you. I thought what I was doing was right. All I wanted to do was to expose your true nature. I mean, the wrong perceived nature I had about you and all Africans. But here I am today and you forgive me swiftly like nothing ever happened between us."
Ifes held his hands and spoke softly to him. "I can't speak in defence for that man or for all Africans. That's because I know that there are good and bad people around the world. Talking about forgiveness, I don't have to hold any grudge against you." She paused for a while and continued.
"Ryan, I love you, but I want you to know that God loves you more than you know. No one forgives as well as he does."
Ryan drew back shaking his head. "I don't think I am one of those God would want to forgive. The reality is that I'm not one of those God will ever forgive. Even if God forgives me, I can never forgive myself."
Perplexed, Ifes asked, "Why?"
"I have done things you could never imagine I'd do."
She told him about the story of Paul in the Bible, just when she thought he was getting persuaded, she got another knock on the door. Ryan shifted uncomfortably.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
"Oh, no! God! God! Surely you won't let this happen. First, it was Skylar getting interrupted with the call. Now, this knock on the door is trying to prevent Ryan from giving his life to Christ today."
Ifes kept praying that the person who was at the door would abruptly turn around and walk away. Alas, the knock became persistent. Louder and louder, it rattled.
Seeing the person would not stop, she slapped her forehead, asking whoever it was to come in as she remembered the door was not locked.
Ryan jerked from his seat when the door opened and Mandy stepped in.
Mandy drew back, gasping as she spotted Ryan. She gave Ifes a swift look, then to Ryan, and looked away. No one spoke. The room was so quiet you could hear their heartbeats.
"Umm! I'll be on my way now." Ryan tilted his head and spoke nervously gazing at Ifes. "Thanks for your time," he stammered, spinning around and making for the door.
Mandy's gaze followed him until he slammed the door on his way out. Realization dawned on her. Ifes could have been sharing the gospel with him! She faced her roommate, giving her an apologetic look for any distractions she caused.
"He was actually on his way out," Ifes said, not wanting her to feel guilty about anything.
"Ifes!" Mandy tugged Ifes' hand from her side. "I'm sorry for the way I behaved towards you earlier. I'm sorry for walking out on you!"
"I guess I was angry, but my worry overshadowed my anger. It's good you're back." Ifes looked away but not before she noticed the puppy face Mandy gave her.
Ifes had to tell her all the nicest things she knew in the world to convince her that she wasn't angry.
Feeling convinced, her look changed to that of curiosity. About why Ryan was here. Reading her expression, Ifes went straight to giving her the answers. Mandy was elated after she elucidated everything to her. "Why didn't you tell me? I would have given my friend the hug I've not given him for a long time!"
Her friend! When last did Ifes hear Mandy call Ryan her friend? This day was such an exciting day for Ifes. Excited for what was coming, the future was looking bright now.
"I told you, Ifes, I told you! I told you that someday he'll see the difference in you." Mandy held her friend's hands in hers, giving her the look of confirmation.
Ifes waited for her excitement to taper before giving her the big news. Mandy's heart leaped for joy after telling her about the good news she got from her family.
"I can't believe this! Am I dreaming or what?" Mandy whirled around the dorm room, bellowing excitedly. "Ifes, please pinch me, let me be sure I'm not dreaming!" Mandy came close, stretching out her hand.
"Ouch!" Mandy winced when Ifes pinched a particular spot on her outstretched arms. "Why did you pinch me?"
"I only did what you asked me to do." Ifes smirked and she rolled her eyes.
"You know I didn't mean it, but never mind, I won't let you spoil my joy today. Come on, Ifes, I think we should party!" Mandy spread her hands like a bird released from its nest to fly. "Get dressed. I'll take you out. The treat's all on me."
"Yes!" Ifes thrust a fist in the air, reaching for her closet.
"Not too soon, girl. You have to dance first."
Ifes whirled around to see if she had truly heard that from Mandy.
Mandy grinned. "I mean, let's dance and praise the Lord. Wait a minute, I think I know the right song to play. Where's your music player? We will be dancing to one of my favorite songs."
"Over there." Ifes pointed towards her bed.
She bolted to Ifesinachi's bed, scooped up her music player, pressed the button, navigating through her music playlist. Amused, Ifes watched as she navigated past those songs she expected her to play, then stopped at a particular song list. It was a chain of music, though the first song was sung in English: but it was sung in the Nigerian highlife genre.
Watching her dance, Ifes remembered the first day they met, the day she told her the things she loved—dancing was one of them.
Seeing Ifes wasn't dancing with her, she whirled around and yanked her over, compelling her to start dancing. Ifes danced like she was going to dance away her life! She didn't know where to start. This was one of the great days of her life! As she expressed her gladness in various moves and grooves, she paid attention to the song lyrics, believing the lyrics would express her gratitude and her praise to God.
He's a miracle working God,
He's a miracle working God,
He's the alpha and Omega,
He's a miracle working God.
Oh, Lord how great thou art,
Oh, Lord how great thou art,
Great God, great God, great God.