ANGEL IN THE SHADOWS (IV) SHORT STORY

In the last segment, Hassan’s notion that his neighbour fed him proved wrong and more food was supplied from the mysterious source. Let’s find out his plan for unmasking the identity of his secret provider and how well it works.

ANGEL IN THE SHADOWS (IV)

The next morning, Hassan woke early and positioned himself beside the front door. He would appear at the sound of footsteps and catch his benefactor before he or she could escape. That was his plan. But by 10 a.m., he gave it up and came out. Behold another flask! Must have been delivered when he used the bathroom but he was sure there had been no knock. Perhaps, the knocking was only done on the first day to alert him. He wished he had washed and brought out the previous flasks. His helper was running up an unnecessary bill providing a fresh one for every meal.

When he got indoors, he decided to call a girl from the Corporate Affairs Department of his former firm whom he really liked. They’d only gone out a couple of times with other work colleagues, but on the occasions they’d chatted alone, they felt very comfortable around each other like old friends. Although it didn’t seem right to start a relationship in his present condition, she seemed like the sort who could offer him a listening ear and some comfort at this time. Before he could locate her number, he received a call on his other phone. He couldn’t believe his eyes for joy. It was the girl he was about to call.

“Imelda, I woud have said, ‘Talk of the devil …'”

“Except that I’m no devil.” They both laughed at that.

“I know you’re busy and all that. But I was wondering, can we meet later today?”

“Sure. Come to the eatery by the office about five.”

“Hmmm … not a very good idea. Don’t want to be seen in the vicinity for now.”

“I understand.”

“You do? How? Why?” He had expected her to ask for an explanation but from her response, she already knew what happened to him.

“Listen, I can’t talk here. See you after work.”

Hassan wished he had found out why she called in the first place but he could contain his curiosity till they met. For some reason, he dressed carefully as though he was going for a date. At first, he wore a grey Senator outfit which he later shed because he felt overdressed. He finally settled on a pilot blue polo-neck shirt upon black trousers. That looked casual enough with his black loafers. He came back after leaving the bedroom. He had forgotten to use his favourite musk cologne.

He sent an sms to Imelda to meet him at another eatery in Gwagwalada where she lived. He’d been to her apartment once with other office staff to pay her a condolence visit after the loss of her mum. He didn’t want her to have to go far to get home later.

Fortunately or unfortunately, the establishment was closed for business as the building was undergoing renovation. When Imelda arrived looking smart in a navy blue skirt suit and black pumps, she suggested they go to her place rather than start scouting for a suitable place to talk. Hassan agreed because her house would offer them far more privacy for the confidential discussion they were going to hold than anywhere else.

When they arrived, Imelda dropped her bag on the sofa where Hassan sat and asked what she could offer him. He asked for a malt drink. As she went to get it, he stood up and followed her.

“Why don’t you let me get that while you take a moment to unwind?”

Imelda tried to stop him but it was too late. From where he stood, he could see into the kitchen and stacked on top of the fridge were about half a dozen small food flasks.
-To be continued-
Ⓒ Edith Ugochi Ohaja 2016

God can send you help from where you least expect it. Seems the vibes Hassan got about Imelda were right afterall. She is a really cool girl!
Have you been in a situation where you got help from an unlikely source? Or, perhaps, you’ve been in a tight corner and a friend in need, a friend indeed, stood by you. Care to share?
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58 comments

  • Faith aforka konyefa

    Yes that is god for you. But these stories are more common with thise whose ways please the Lord. Hold firm to Him and u would be sure of more wonders

  • Okigbo Chika Gideon

    U made my day with this story, waiting for the next segment. Sometimes, we recieved help from the unlikely source.

  • Edith Ohaja

    Have a blessed weekend as well.

  • wow! who would have thought it was Imelda? hmmmm! am curious now. part v

  • this story is nice..i am moving over to the next part..nice nice.. mam keep it up

  • Onuorah chinemerem

    Imelda! Heiyaa!
    But if I must guess, I think the guy will get angry, all this male egos. But who knows,there might be a twist. Next pls!

  • oleru precious

    I love the suspense in the story

  • Tobechi

    Strange! Very unlikely twist.. Lemme rush on!

  • Barnabas Timothy ebube

    What will happen now hassan has gotten a clue

  • Mokogwu Josephine

    the suspence is quite intriguing

  • Mokogwu Josephine

    nice one

  • ATUDUME BLESSING CHINWENDU

    Now there is a clue to the angel

  • ubah chisom mariagorathy

    What a nice story, I enjoyed it

  • odo chidera

    hahahahaha. hurray!!!!! i said it.. a friend in the office.. mummy carry go

  • chinaza ezenwa

    am enjoying it

  • Chigbo ifeanyi James

    The girl from office?, hmmmm. next part.

  • ugwoke onyinyechi sylvia

    wow, sometimes the answer to your question is right before you.

  • Nweke Jemimah Chisom

    I thought as much..

  • Suspence in suspence I am moving on to the next

  • Ekeh Chioma Jennifer

    keep flowing ma …..i love your spirit of writing

  • Asogwa Emmanuel C.

    excellent

  • real suspense let’s see what the next one is all about

  • odiase erico osazee

    nice use of suspense

  • Fidelis Favour Chiamaka

    she had enough food flasks no wonder she didn’t come back for the others…..anyways, he found his Angel

  • ifebe june sobechukwu

    suspense all the way. well, wat interests me more is the girl from the office….cool

  • suspense, now am curious can’t wait for the next segment

  • ugwu kosisochukwu ifunanya

    I love this story, impressive write up

  • Ekechukwu Nkechi Esther

    great story

  • chika divine umunnakwe

    God is our help but He can send anybody around to help us. we should always be kind to people like Hassan who had tried to be generous..

  • Ekpali Joseph Saint

    the way God thinks differs from man. we get help from an unimaginable source. is really good…

  • Onoh Oziomachukwu

    Finally! the angel is unveiled. I love where this story is headed. Good job ma’am!

  • Victoria Nonike

    WOW! who would have thought??! this story is getting really interesting.

  • Ezeme Evans Ejike

    God be praised. That is how he works. What we think is not what he thinks. He always has something bigger from what we are expecting. God bless you ma

  • Atudume B. Chinwendu

    My God, I can’t stop but continue moving on and on. I pray his ego don’t get messed up.

  • nwankwo gift nneamaka

    wow! i don’t know what to say this one really got me. Eyaaa am so happy for Hassan i guess he is a good man for him to be getting all these love from his colleague.

  • Kat

    She really is a cool girl! Hassan must have been so so surprised. Wonder what his reaction will be,what he’ll say to her. I can see love sparks already in the air o. Lets see what happens next. Beautiful use of graphics ma’am. It depicts the angel in the shadows quite well.

  • Otti Uzoma Augusta

    and here is the angel. Wow this story is really really captivating. i need to huury up to read the next part, i want to know what Hassan reaction will be like.

  • Anazodo Helen

    I bet hassan never saw that coming, with the food flask, i think she is the one with the food delivery, wow this is getting intresting

  • Onyeka Stanley

    I gotta admit the suspense here is thrilling and astonishing. I’m in the clouds ,can I please land on a safe ground?

  • Chukwu Oluebube juliet

    God’s plans differ from that of man,at times what we think is not his plan for us..he has better plans

  • Emmanuel chibuike

    one thing about God’s miracle is that it doesn’t come most times from where we expected it and it is always marvelous even when Hassan wanted to call Imelda she called immediately, this is to show that God cares for even the least of what we need in life

  • Ugwu Chika Samson

    Wow! Am so glad that the source was revealed. Imelda is really God sent, not every lady will do such thing knowing the predicament this guy is going through. I think she is the kind of girl Hassan should settle for because good girls are rare to find this days.

  • Agbo Onyekachi Obumneme

    Yah! True, God can send you help from a source you least expected. That is because He works in a mysterious way. Sometimes people you are expecting to help you won’t be the people that will help you but those that never came to your mind and at times even total strangers.

  • Thomas Rebecca Ina

    Awww
    My heart can’t feel a little relief, I hope it’s her
    It keeps getting more interesting, Let Me rush on

  • Stephens Chinecherem Grace

    Wow! So Imelda was the angel in the shadows. Helping without being seen, I like that!

  • Ozioko Glory Oluchi

    God is so wonderful, always making provisions from where we least expected. I love the way Imelda does it, without making noise in order to be noticed and praised.

  • Favour Mark

    By God’s favour, I have at many occasions been helped by people I least expect their help. There was a day I needed money to pay for my first year academic session, and like every first year-to-be student, I called and told my parents, uncles and relatives about it. One fateful day, someone called me, my coordinator in teen’s department, and you know, asked about school, payments and feeding. I told him and the conversation ended with, “I will see what I can do to help”. That evening, my friend ran into my room saying that something big had happened. I followed her to my pastor’s place, where I receive a call from my mum saying that a very good Samaritan had transfered to her account, 99% of my every payment I needed to do in my first year, expect for acceptance fee. I asked who it was, behold, the man that called that day.
    It was amazing. Everyone keeping on shouting in awe and I was so grateful to God for that awesome angel in the shadow.

  • Mbata Jemita

    Really good of Imelda it shows that she is a caring friend by her actions, I have come across good people like her I have a friend who cares for more than I do for myself. God uses people to help us in our difficult moments. Nice post ma.

  • Chukwunwenwa Chinenye

    The story is getting more interesting…. Imelda? I didn’t see that coming and I’m sure Hassan didn’t see that coming too.

    Wow! I need this kind of angel in my life right now. I’m broke I need plenty money. But if I wake up to wads of dollars at my doorstep every money, will I have the guts like Hassan to pick the money? Lol. The fear of turning to a tuber of yam won’t let me be great. ?

    Meanwhile, is there hope for Hassan? Will any goodnews be birthed out of their discussion?

  • Nwoye chiamaka favour

    Indeed help can come from anyone. She understood his plight and decided to help him in the way she could. It is good to have such h friends.

  • Ezeh Onyekachukwu C

    This is wonderful. Hassan can make a good detective. Does it mean that his suspicions were right. But if it was really Imelda that have been sending food to him, then she has a golden heart. God bless her.

  • Ejiofor Emmanuel

    Wow. That’s so nice of her. True love in the air?

  • Ejiofor Emmanuel

    True friends never forget their friends no matter their circumstances. Imelda is a true friend

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