Lost but found brother...

                                                                                                                                                pic credit: neurosciencenews.com

I had trusted him. We dined together and I opened the doors of my home and heart to him. He was a brother I found in a distant land. I gave him the reigns of my business until the betrayal.

How could Moh do this to me? Moh swindle me? Never!

I tried to rationalize his motives. I fought the thought that he would intentionally steal from me but the evidence was in black and white. It had been going on for months and he was so good that it took a miracle for me to uncover the ploy. My heart shattered. The pain was unbearable and deep. I was about heading over to confront him openly when he walked in. His explanations did not add up. He had no excuse and the pain I felt was made worse when he apologized. It was the devil and he was sorry, were the words he uttered. Moh was guilty as charged. Friends encouraged me to arrest him and recover every kobo.

It took me a week to reconcile the accounts and my emotions. One bright day,  I summoned my friend and brother, forgave him for duping me of my hard earned money. My wife and I prayed for him. I paid him all his entitlements then hugged and sent him away with good tidings

Five years later

My phone rang. The number was strange and I was not in the mood for phony calls, so I ignored. After several rings, I answered and I still thank God I did.

Mohamed was on the line. He later became a high ranking politician. I was retired, had moved on and not interested in politics. He thought I had died and it had taken him months to find someone who could give him my current number. He was overjoyed and invited me to his office. I was happy for his achievements but never expected his next words.

He had a Billion Naira contract on his table and had called the only brother he knew could deliver. A brother he wronged, lost and would like to have back in his new life. He had learned a lot from my kindness towards him and had sworn to be different after I forgave him. He eventually made peace with himself and God. That day, he made me an offer I could not resist.

As I signed those papers, I could not suppress my joy. It turned out to be one out of several contracts and with Moh, the state always paid promptly.

Nikky it is good to part with people on good terms. Never let your anger get the best of you. That struggling man who is dependent on you today might be your only savior tomorrow. My brother was lost but he found me when l needed all the help I could get. I will be forever thankful that I never burnt that bridge.

As I left Joseph's mansion that day, his words found a place in my heart.