5 Friends of the Lord

"That's my best friend, we grew up together, went to the same Catholic secondary school, got the same job, married from the same community in Imo State and both of our wives gave birth to boys a year apart".

"Really? How is that possible?" Uche asked in wonderment.

"Yes, why will I be lying to you? He is my soulmate in Heaven and a brother in my previous life". He paused and said with pride "That man will take a bullet for me. I'm sure and I will for him"

"So, he is a pagan like you?" the lady from behind inquired, sarcasm evident in her voice. the whole car erupted in laughter once more.

"No, he is not" the driver replied, a grin dancing on his lips, he seemed not to be offended. "He is still a very committed member of the body of Christ. That's the difference between the both of us".

"How are the both of you still friends?" Uche asked for that was very rare. People of faith are never friends with unbelievers for their bible warns against it.

"Well, three things are involved" he brought three fingers out. "One, we hardly talk about religion together. Two, I think we both know that we are brothers first before anything else. Then three, he thinks someday, somehow, he is going to bring me back to the fold of Christ."

"That is if you don't bring him first to the other side…"

"Driver, please, go back to the story?" Uche pleaded.

"Yeah, he nodded and returned to the story. "She said during the holidays when she is back from school, she pays the priest a visit to help out with some chores. One cold day, one thing led to another and the said holy man forced himself on her…

I told her right out that she was lying. These men of the cloth have taken oat of celibacy and can't do such. To prove it was no lie, she went on to mention the name of the Priest and his parish which I can't say. As it would happen, I knew the priest personally. He is a close friend to our own parish priest. He comes to our parish on special occasions."

"Hmmm… na wa oh" Uche settled into his seat. The journey was really interesting, the driver entertaining and quite brave. He was the first person he had seen in Nigeria publically talking about his belief with no fear of any kind. That is one of the basic rights of man, after all, the right to believe in whatever you chose.

"Oga driver!" A man's voice disrupted.

"Passenger!"

"I wan piss!"

"Alright… just wait a little, let's get to the company filling station in front…"

"Oga, I no fit wait till we get to that place. The thing hold me badly…" There was a pain in his voice.

"But, I can't stop on the highway with thick bushes on both sides of the road."

"Bam! Bam!" he banged at the body of the car twice. "Stop me jor… I want to piss"

"Old man! Respect your old age! What kind of nonsense is this? You want to spoil my car?"

"Bam! Bam!" He slapped again, this time more violently. "Stop the car! I wan piss!"

"Oga, please, stop the car, let the man urinate for peace sake" Uche pleased, getting frustrated by the banging.

"No!" the driver bawl out. "That's how a passenger made one of our company drivers to stop around this area. Immediately, the bus stopped. Armed men from nowhere came out and robbed everyone, collecting all their valuables". He paused and turned behind, "If you like urinate on your body, I will never stop this bus until we get to that filling station…"

"Please, driver face the road before you kill all of us" the lady behind chastened.

"I go piss for this car oh!"

"Youngman! Shut up and sit down!" An advanced man dressed in Ankara seating beside the man commanded. "What kind of nonsense is this? I am beginning to suspect you!" He pointed his index finger at him. "You gang is out here waiting for us right?" He nodded suspiciously with his hand over his mouth. "I am a retired police officer and while you were busy ranting, I sent a text to the DPO of the nearest police station, informing him of an incoming robbery. If I hear one word… just one from you again". Abruptly, he kept quiet.

The young man fell back to his seat silently and like a child been scolded by a parent, he didn't say a word until they got to the fill station about five minutes after.