Chapter 2 Patient

The travails of the Okaros were such a huge setback that affected not only the parents but also blighted the aspirations of the children, particularly Patient. He had tremendous pity for his mother for her tenacity towards keeping the family intact in the face of abject poverty. For the sake of her children she went into trading, selling bean cake and pap in front of the house. Every morning she would display her goods, which later also comprises of dried fish.

Sometimes, for the sake of quick sales and reaching out to more buyers, she would take the goods to the market square with the help of her two elder daughters. Even with this additional income, they were still struggling financially because the profits she ever got from her trade was like a drop of water in the ocean compared to the large liabilities they had.

Beatrice, being an attractive young woman, had just a little education out from the primary school. She came from a large polygamous family which didn't help matters and as such had many things working against her for marrying Mr.Opus.

Nevertheless, she didn't relent in supporting him in every possible way to jolt out of his dilemma.

One thing that sustained her greatly was her unflinching faith in God. She would always sing aloud praising God to the hearing of everyone whenever she was washing or doing other domestic duties at home. Most times she would look at patient as she sangand make gesture in consonance with the lyrics of the song suggesting he was a child of destiny and blessing from God to his parents. Over time, he and his sisters had become used to this lifestyle; even her daily prayer offerings.

Repeatedly, her voice resonated in his head with these words, "Patient, you are a great child who will make it in life; and you will bring your father and I out of poverty." And strangely , each time she said them , he sensed a glow of light that seemed to envelope them along with a tacit assurance that things would be better by God's grace. He knew those weren't empty words because she believed them; and for that reason, he also believed them.

It was reassuring that part of her strength came from a deep-seated faith in God and perhaps just as much from her ability to inspire him and his siblings to know she meant every word she said to them on a daily basis. She was gifted with an intuitive sense that enabled her perceive what should be done at every point in time. No matter how bad their situation was, she never worried about what they would eat; she would arrange for something before their father returned .

Interestingly, even with the heavy burden on her shoulder she never kept a gloomy face, but was always cheerful and full of life. You would never hear her complain. Atimes her refusing to allow patient settle for less would challenge him to exceed expectation. When she believed in something, she held on to it and wouldn't quit. "Patient, you weren't burn to be a failure. You can do it!" And this we admired so much about her.

At age 13 Patient successfully moved to grade two, passing all his examinations with distinction. Seeing his love for school and a rousing will to grow, his teacher, Mr. Angelus took him aside to have a word with him after school on faithful Monday. The school bell has just being rung and as usual many pupil could be sighted scampering across the school field as they dashed under the sultry afternoon sun to return back home for lunch. Some who loved sport use their bags to set as goal post and played five aside. Pabo was of course not left out in the game. He hookwinked Patient to Join them in the football game, but seeing him with Mr. Angelus meat his antis would be to no avail. This was his life, and he enjoyed playing,jesting and mockery any one that cross his path. often, this resulted in fight and duels with other pupils, a situation that has earned him several suspension from school.

The teacher's quarters were not far from the school buildings.They 5 adjoining flats having their frontage facing the eastern part of the school field.from where Mr.Angelus and Patient were now seated and having their conversation, one could be having a vantage view of pupils playing football and others doing all manner of things just to lazy around before going back home.

Patient's mind rustled between joining his friends on the field and staying back to listen to what Mr.Angelus had to say.He loved football and just couldn't help blazing away from his captor to have fun with the other pupils,but that wouldn't happen because he knew this was perhaps going to be a turning point in life.He sensed it as Mr.Angelus started by saying,"You are a great person and I want you to understand this early and live your life as such."

As Patient heard these words,it was as if there was a tremendous amount of energy that charged through him because they corroborated what his mother kept telling him. Mr.Angelus continued by telling him how he had been watching him closely to see how he would help improve his life by having him change his mindset.He tried making him understand how a man's thinking can influence his life.He help him achieve it.

As he raised his head to look directly at Mr.Angelus, tears dropped from his eyes;tears which weren't caused by a beating.Battling the gush of tears from his eyes Patient stood up, walked towards Mr. Angelus and hugged him in a show of Thanksgiving for all his support and encouragements.To this Mr. Angelus tried to know why he was emotional as he motioned for him to have his seat and tell him more.

Patient narrated how each day his family struggled to eat two square meal, and how he often had to go on an empty stomach in order to forfeit his meal for his younger ones.After hearing him, Mr.Angelus Was greatly touched by Patient's account that he made up his mind to accommodate him.He asked Patient if he would like to leave his parents and come over to live with him; without thinking twice he joyfully accepted and jumped on Mr.Angelus sobbing and thanking him. Patient then requested Mr. Angelus to come over and speak to his father to permit him, which he agreed and promised to visit when he's chance.As he left Mr. Angelu's place his steps were springy, knowing that living with his teacher would greatly help him in all ramifications-so much to learn from him, no more distractions and he would have enough time to study.He didn't even notice the presence of the playing pupils as he walked home under the scorching sun humming some of the songs his mother usually sang.His happiness for this encounter knew no bounds.He would live to cherish this meeting forever.

Mr.Angelus was diminutive in stature and approaching his sixties.He kept a well-trimmed beard and a low hair cut having a large side parting on the left. He loved wearing starched long-sleeve shirt upon well-ironed trousers with suspenders; he was a neat man by all standards. His courteous nature and friendly disposition endeared him to many and he was well respected in kuroama for his integrity and uprightness. Every pupil in the mission school loved and respected him for his generosity and humility.

He lost his wife about ten years ago. They both had two girls who were married and stayed with their husbands in the city. They're well to do and frequently send money to him even though he appeared to have little need for it because of his simple lifestyle and contentment with his own salary. He's a devout ChristianChristian and walked in the fear of God. Inspire of entreaties by many, he refused to remarry partly because he perceived that it would disenable him from effectively doing hi evangelical work in the church.

He had no problem in attending to domestic affairs because some of his pupils like Patient usually came to his house to take care of them. Life for Mr. Angelus was as easy like Sunday morning. He was completely sold out to helping people become better in what they do in life; after all this was one of the decisions that informed his career as a teacher.