Gambo came back to the Lighthouse with a large entourage.
Favour was the one who woke me from sleep…
“ Chuks, Lai Abubakar is here with Gambo, I guess there is trouble, he is asking to see you…” Favour said over the intercom. My heart skipped a beat, but I braced Up assuring myself I couldn’t die yet as God had given me too many chances to live…
I stepped into the Lighthouse common room that served as a living room. Madam Uyai was there, Favour, Tina and some of the older youths. Lai Abubakar has his head bowed and the security personnel that stood around him didn’t have friendly looks on their faces.
Gambo gave me a smile as I walked in. At that same instance, Abubakar looked up. Fear gripped my heart as I didn’t know what to expect, he had a blank look on his face.
With his tiny frame, he stood up and walked towards me…
“ You must be Mr Chuks that preached Jesus to my daughter…?” He said and if not for the love of God in my heart, I would have denied knowing Jesus that very moment…
“ Yes sir” I said
“ Walk with me …”
Favour shook her head in the negative and I knew that probably was the best…
“ I am sorry sir, I am not enjoying the best of health now, so I have been advised to stay indoors” I said
“ Ok, then can we be left alone for a while?” He said directing his question to everyone in the room. Everyone looked at Favour and with her nod of approval, they all left the room. The security personnel left as well.
“ I was born and raised a Muslim and I intend dying as one, however I have been a secret disciple of Jesus. I read the Bible and apply some of it to my life. Although In public for political reasons, I have to pretend I hate the Christians. Gambo is my only child and I desire that she be happy all the days of her life. Gambo has been a stubborn self willed child of mine for years but after she met you and returned home, I saw someone else who wasn’t my daughter. Gambo has become well behaved, she stays indoors these days. I was forced to have a sit down with her few months back…
**********
“ Daddy, the old Gambo didn’t have peace on the inside, I was a troubled teenager and that’s why I always came across as a troublesome child, but ever since I met the Prince of Peace, he has calmed me on the inside. He told me peace be still…”
“ Prince of Peace?”
“ Father, I know you may kill me for this, but I cannot deny what I have now..”
“ What do you have now?”
“ Jesus Christ!”
***********
“ I was quiet for 15 minutes as I knew what she felt was real, but I was scared of what my family, friends, politician friends would say if the news that the only daughter of Lai Abubakar had become a Christian…, but what kept tugging at my heart for months was that if the prince of peace could make my daughter happy, what kind of father was I to want to deny her that happiness….” He said and had a long pause…
“ I am a satisfied Muslim, with no intention of converting, but if my daughter wants to be a Christian so be it, besides I have peace knowing it is the same God she wants to get closer to, the difference is she is going through the path of Jesus Christ….”
I was tongued-tied and I silently wished Favour was present to hear what Lai Abubakar was saying to me…
“ That is why I have brought her to you… I want you to adopt her as your daughter and protect her with your life. This will be our little secret. To everyone, I will tell them I disowned her for changing her religion, but between us, you know I didn’t do that. I have explained to Gambo as well, her mother is also in agreement… Please will you accept her as your daughter?
I stood looking blankly at him, wondering what on earth was happening….
To be continued
