Nwayirindu...
The aroma of cinnamon filled her lungs, and she detested the scent. It caused her to sneeze, and when added to her food, it resulted in stomach discomfort and throat irritation. The initial sneeze drew everyone's attention toward the tomb, while the second one raised suspicions about the presence of another individual within.
"There was no one here when we departed."
Another sneeze from her caused half of the crowd to scatter in fear. Lukas and Moses rushed in, followed by Susan.
"Please wait for me," she whispered.
They proceeded through a dimly lit, elongated corridor adorned with flower pots arranged along one side of the walkway. Lukas turned left, leading them to the location where Virtue had been laid to rest, while Moses remained behind to ensure Susan did not lose her way. He extended his hand to her, but she promptly withdrew hers. She walked past him and joined Lukas.
""Virtue?" Lukas called out, as she had gone through another door in search of human beings.
Susan whispered, "Oh my goodness," and covered her mouth with her hands.
"What is that?" Lukas turned around to face her. She pointed at another door. Virtue heard them coming and hid behind a door, but the light fabric that was used to wrap her body had loosened and draped carelessly on the floor.
Lukas slowly walked to the door and said loudly, "I am your father, my name is Lukas, and I am coming in."
Lukas walked in with his hands up, as he turned the door to expose the girl who hid herself. Indeed, it was Virtue.
She folded herself, not recognizing who it was that had claimed to be her father seconds ago.
"Moses!" Lukas called out, and it made Susan scream out of fear.
"Coming!" He replied and turned to face Susan. "If you get scared so easily, why did you come?" He grabbed her by the arm and went through the place his father had gone through.
Finally, he stood beside his father. Susan took a deep breath, and all of them had their hands up in the air.
Virtue was confused.
"This," Lukas said, bringing him forward, "is your brother, Moses." Moses nodded in assurance. "This is Susan, your helper," he concluded.
"Virtue?" She asked.
"Yes, that is your name."
"No, that is not my name," she said, causing Susan to faint.
"Let us depart from this location and provide an explanation during our journey home," Moses assured.
Nwayirindu hesitantly followed them, despite her state of undress. Moses swiftly removed his shirt and draped it over her, then used the piece of cloth that had fallen from Virtue to cover her waist.
They assisted her in sitting on the stone where her lifeless body had previously lain.
"The events we just experienced are beyond the realm of normalcy," Lukas remarked.
"How do we explain to others that our daughter, who passed away yesterday and whose body was in an advanced state of decomposition, miraculously returned to life while we awaited the arrival of a priest?"
Moses returned to retrieve Susan, carrying her body outside. Mr. Nile took her from him and inquired about the situation.
"I am unable to provide an explanation at this time."
"What transpired? Did someone sneeze?" Evelyn inquired.
"Mr. Nile, kindly escort my mother home. We shall convene in the house shortly."
Before she could utter another word, Moses reentered the room, instructing the ambulance personnel to remain outside.
She glanced from father to son and then to her palms. She touched her hair and became even more perplexed.
"Where am I?"
"How did I arrive here?"
"Why am I in a tomb?"
"This is not my body, so whose is it?"
Nwayirindu, a patient woman, decided to wait for these individuals to reveal their intentions.
She observed their speech and movements and discerned that Virtue was cherished. However, she had yet to comprehend why they addressed her as Virtue.
🍀After a considerable amount of time, they escorted her outside, causing the two ambulance attendants to experience a state of shock.
"How is this possible?"
Both Lukas and Moses shrugged their shoulders, indicating their lack of understanding regarding her survival and well-being.
They proceeded through the tunnels while inquiring about the events of the previous night, particularly how she managed to drown despite being one of the most proficient swimmers on the island.
She simply gazed at them with astonishment, taken aback by the abilities they attributed to her.
Nwayirindu enjoys physical activity, but swimming is not among her preferred pursuits. While she possesses the ability to crochet, the level of patience required to create a tablecloth is not enough. She chuckled quietly to herself.
Upon reaching the mansion, Moses guided her to the living room, where she was offered a seat. Mr. Nile accompanied Evelyn, who was struggling to stand on her own due to the overwhelming grief that had consumed her.
She approached Virtue and stood before her.
"Virtue?" She hesitantly moved closer and gingerly touched her daughter's face. Nwayirindu gently turned her face to one side.
"Virtue murmured, "I am not her."
Evelyn disregarded her words and embraced her, feeling faint.
With tears in her eyes and a tear-stained face, she turned to face her husband. "I knew she was alive!" She inquired, "You were aware of this as well, correct?" Lukas nodded, approached her, and they embraced while Virtue observed.
Evelyn had never been one to grieve appropriately. Her father passed away twenty years ago, and she still believes, or chooses to believe, that he is still alive but residing overseas.
When it comes to death, she has been in denial or appears to be in denial the majority of the time.
She hugged Nwayirindu and cried. "Oh, my dear child, I apologize for the times I prevented you from living your life to the fullest or traveling as you wished," she said, attempting to remove the balm from Virtue's face. "Now, you have the opportunity to do so." She smiled, and Nwayirindu, feeling genuinely sorrowful for her, wiped the tears from the elderly woman's face.
"May you live a long and fulfilling life."
Evelyn let out a dry chuckle. "You may even postpone or cancel the wedding if you believe it is in your best interest, as long as it ensures your well-being and happiness, my dear."
""A wedding?" Nwayirindu inquired.
"With Nathaniel." Lukas chimed in.
"I believe it would be best to allow her to shower and rest. It is evident that she is unable to remember anything about herself," Moses suggested firmly as he guided her to her room. "Allow me to show you the way," he offered, and she permitted him to assist her.
"Someone prepare her bath."
The maids standing nearby appeared shocked and required a gentle reminder before they regained their composure.
Another maid was assigned to assist her until Susan's recovery.
The maid diligently washed her body and ensured she was appropriately dressed before leaving to retrieve her food.
Nwayirindu surveyed her surroundings, and the baby pink and sky blue colors elicited a mild irritation, prompting her to roll her eyes.
Having declined to look at photographs, she approached the mirror after dressing and was taken aback by her reflection. "This is not my face," she exclaimed, attempting to distance herself from the image in the mirror.
"Oh my God" she screamed, horrified at the new body she has come to live in. She has lost all her memories of her past self and has yet to form any new ones.
"My lady, I am about to enter," the new maid announced.
Nwayirindu slipped into bed and closed her eyes, feigning sleep.
"My lady?" The help insisted.
"Come in."
"My lady, we have prepared your favorite dish," the maid informed her.
"Which dish is that?"
"Grilled prawns and rice with vegetables on the side," she replied cheerfully.
"That is not to my liking. Could I have steak instead?"
"Madam, we..."
"Do you wish for me to meet an untimely demise once more?"
"Oh my, no, my lady, I apologize sincerely," the maid said, flustered.
Nwayirindu scoffed and laid back down.
She was filled with fear and anxiety, but she concealed it well. Perhaps this was all a dream, and when she wakes in the morning, everything would be as it was when she possessed her actual body.
"Hope is the anchor of the soul"
(Hebrews 6vs 19).