She walked through the forest alone, filled with fear and trembling, breathing heavily after running for a long time. She constantly looked back, checking if the strange men were still following her. When she was sure that no one was after her, she paused, sighed heavily, and sat down quietly under a dry tree. "I'm safe now; which way should I go?" she whispered.
She had relaxed a bit and was thinking of a way forward because the night was dark and there were no traces of light. The small lamp in her hand was already growing dim. Not long after, she saw someone from afar, passing through the thick forest westward in her direction.
She decided to follow suit to see if she might luckily find a way out—out of gloom to safety. She made sure her steps were as quiet as possible so as not to alert the person she was following.
In a short moment, she found herself on a road path, and then she realized that the person she was tracing was a woman carrying a basket full of yams; it was uncovered, so she could see everything in the woman's basket.
After hesitating for some time, she summoned the courage to follow the woman to wherever she was going. After trekking silently for about 20 minutes, they entered a small village.
Everywhere was quiet because it was almost midnight. People might have gone to sleep, she thought, hiding behind a hut to see which way the woman would go. However, as she was about to step out to peek, she felt someone touch her shoulders from behind.
She looked back and was surprised to see the same woman she had been following. She wanted to scream, but the woman silenced her. "I'm not going to harm you," said the young fair woman.
She looked like a middle-aged woman too. "What is your name and what are you doing here? I know you have been following me from the forest," said the strange woman. "My...m-my name is Stella, ma," she stuttered. "Come with me," said the woman. She took Stella in and fed her roasted yam and pepper sauce that her children had prepared for her.
She also made Stella have her bath in their small open bathroom behind the hut. Afterwards, they sat down to talk. Then Stella began to narrate her story of how she found herself in that situation.
Earlier, I had waited for a decade and three years for a child. After I got married to my husband, we had thought that our babies would start coming one by one immediately, but my story was different.
Relatives, family, and friends pressured me, especially my mother-in-law. But I kept trusting God. We've done all the medical check-ups we can, and the results prove that we are both medically okay. So I guess I need to go spiritually about my condition. A friend of mine introduced me to her prophet. She told me that the man is a divine healer; there is nothing he can't do.
So, I told her to take me there so that my prayers would be answered. Upon getting there, I was happy, but that happiness was cut short not long after I and other women I met there were asked to enter a room. On the door was an inscription: "The Waiting Room."
We went in, and the door was shut. I couldn't even say goodbye to my friend. I saw a crowd of women—old and young, short and tall, slim and fat; in fact, I even saw a beautiful dwarf. All were seated on the floor. They looked haggard, tattered, and exhausted. "Welcome to the waiting room," one of the women greeted me, and I responded with a smile.
I was there for two weeks. We were fed only once a day with water, vegetables, and fruits. I was worried because my phone was seized, likewise others including our bags. There was no way out, and no light; about 70 women, including myself, were locked up in the room. When I asked one of the women why we were still in the waiting room, I was shocked at the news I heard.
She told me that all the women would have to wait for a year each before meeting the man of God. What baffles me is why we can't go back unless we are attended to. She said that anyone who tries to escape will likely pay a sum of ₦50 million naira. She said it's a sin to come to God and then run back, so one must pay for their sin.
However, I refuse to understand their gibberish. I found out that whenever they came to serve us food, they stayed with us until we finished eating. So, I had planned with other women. After a month, we took action and all ran out in the middle of the night. We tied the men up; there were about five of them, and we ran away.
Some women refused to come out, so we had no choice but to leave them behind. Everyone went their separate ways looking for safety because we were being chased by another group of people.
I should have known that place was evil and my friend was a betrayal. I was chased by two hefty men, but along the way, they disappeared; I couldn't see them again, so I saw you after relaxing. I pray others are safe wherever they are. "Stella explained"
The waiting room where you had just left, and the 15 years of waiting— which is better, said the woman. Then Stella began to cry. I never wished for that kind of waiting in my life. My husband would have reported me missing by now because I didn't tell him I was going to that place; I lied about going to see my friend. Stella wept bitterly.
"It's okay, your joy has come," said the woman. "This land is fruitful; anyone who stays here for a maximum of 7 days, eating and drinking and taking care of little ones, will definitely have her own child."
"I will do what you asked me to do, ma; I just don't want to wait forever," Stella cried. So, the woman guided her and helped her with the right things to do.
Then, after seven days, the woman took her to a riverside for cleansing, placed her on a boat that was going to the other side, and told her the name of her place: The Fruitful Land, where all that is due for an achievement comes. She explained that the one she went to was a fake one planted by her friends, who were kidnappers in disguise and involved in slave trade.
They look for people who are desperate and tired of waiting for the right time to conduct their evil business, of which her friend, Roseline, is one of them.
Stella was discouraged, but she was happy that her prayers had been answered. She got to the other side of the river and then took a bike from there to the garage going to the city. From there, she found her way home. Her husband broke down in tears after seeing her.
I thought I had lost you. I heard the news of women who were abducted and have gone missing for many years, and one of them confessed that a woman set them free from bondage; she mentioned you. In fact, the place has been traced by the state security services, and all those monsters and their leaders have been arrested.
When I couldn't find you, I reported that my wife was missing. I was so devastated, Simon said as he hugged his wife. I'm glad you're back my love. That same month, Stella became pregnant, and she gave birth to two bouncing baby boys after nine months.
Waiting may feels eternal but patience wins the most. Thanks for reading.
