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RedemptionTheatre By Ezechukwu Dennis Author Notes: I was born in Anambra state, Nigeria, into a
christian family and I grew up in my country home. I was educated at the
seminary and the University of Calabar. I'm receiving self-education in creative
writing. And I have manuscripts in drama, fiction and poetry. Serious need for
social change mostly inspires my works. I'm working towards earning my living
as a writer, critic and teacher.
Click here if you'd like to exchange critiques
At Aba in Abia state, many Bus Conductors are notorious for their
aggressiveness. They get angry as often as they breathe. The consequent
scenarios were always huge violent dramas acted out against the
passengers, motor touts or even their drivers.
Besides, they have flair for women; though they do not in most cases go for
prostitutes. Their girlfriends solely belong to them. And they brag a lot about
these girls. Sundays are special days for having good time with them. However,
the girls are always careful. Any exchange of pleasantries with cousins or
uncles unknown to these Bus Conductors would instantly turn them to punch-bags.
To them battering women is a manly act.
Chaka is an instance of such Bus Conductors; though he does not fight often. He
had never failed to take his girlfriend out for a treat. The most interesting
thing about Chaka anyway is that he attended a church service on this particular
Sunday.
Chaka had not left his apartment on any Sunday for a Sunday service. It was Joy
who would leave hers; only to end up at Chaka’s. And they would make love to
their fill. Joy had always left when those who really attended church service
would be going home.
So when Chaka announced he would be attending a church service on that Sunday
morning, Joy did not believe him.
“Which church?”, she had asked without meaning to know actually.
“For Johnson Street”, Chaka replied, easing his slender body out of the bed.
“You no dey go any where-o”, she retorted, getting up from the bed too.
“Taaa! That one na talkor?”
“You and who dey for too much talk? I have said it, you are not going any
where”, Joy had nagged as Chaka dressed up.
“Life no dey sweet you again, abi?, Chaka warned and smiled wryly as he applied
a body perfume with a harsh scent.
Joy squeezed her nose and drew her head backwards, more into the bed on which
she was now sitting.
She regarded Chaka coldly. She was thinking Chaka wanted to take another girl out. So she did not want him to leave. She was not desirous of having sex with him----they have had a round that morning. But Chaka was the type that detests using condom. So Joy was afraid of contacting any disease through him. The stress of abortion he puts her through was enough.
“I don go”, Chaka announced finally and made for the door. Joy ran and blocked
his way.
“For dis Nigeria?”, he queried. Fury instantly invaded his thinly bearded face.
“You no dey go anywhere”, Joy maintained, barricading the door with her heavy
body.
Immediately Chaka bounced on her, shattering her lips in the process. He left
her bleeding.
Truly Chaka went for a church service. A friend had invited him for his child’s
church dedication. The friend had been helpful to him.
When Chaka arrived number 4 Johnson Street, he became confused. Fine, he got the
street number right. But he could not decipher which was the church. Chaka stood
before the three-storey building that housed four different protestant churches,
each on a separate floor, not knowing what to do. He now blamed himself for
acting the ‘Aruba’ who knows it all and not paying attention to his friend, when
the latter tried to explain the location of his church.
Later he decided to take his chance instead of inquiring from the people who
were arriving for the various services. May be he would walk into his friend and
family. A scan through the four floors yielded nothing. Finally Chaka decided to
worship at CHAPEL OF CHRIST aka REDEMPTION THEATRE, on the first floor, for no
other reason than music. At least let it be what he gained. The choir sang like
the band in Ron Kennoly’s or Cece Winnams video CDs which he likes watching
every Sunday morning during and after the consummation with Joy, to convince his
neighbours he was not really a bad guy.
Miraculously Chaka felt the magnificent voices. He understood for the first time
the lyrics of most hymns sang before the homily. He felt something overpowering
him: a stream of excitement that filled him with joy. Later, Chaka was deeply
moved by the pastor’s sermon. The pastor preached like he knew his life. Really,
it had been an age since he listened to the last sermon in his hometown before
leaving for Aba for greener pastures.
“Alleluya!”,Chaka had shouted with the congregation as the pastor intoned,
“praise God!” at the end of his preaching.
After the service, Chaka was filled with a new spirit. He remembered Joy and
became full of remorse. He made a solemn decision to be at the church again by
the next Sunday.
Chaka walked dejectedly out of Redemption Theatre and leaned on the front
corridor rail. From here he watched as people came out of the ground floor
church. Soon, a group of people among them started posing for snap shots.
Behold! It was his friend and family with their well-wishers. Chaka smiled and
quickly went down to join them.
On the next Sunday, Chaka invited Joy for a church service at Redemption
Theatre. Joy was highly amused.
“Keep on deceiving yourself”, she derided. Chaka was forced to laugh. He had
thought she would behave that way.
“Joy, I dey serious. Let’s go together”.
“Go where with you? Na me dey find women for you on those other days wey you dey
beat me, go out?”
“Chey I don apologize for all those times I beat you? Please I beg again,
forgive me”.
“Just dey deceive yourself. You say you wan go out? Go! I dey hold you? Abi you
want make I hold you so that you go break my lips again?”
“Okay, no follow me. But go to the church where you dey worship before.”
“I no dey go any where. Na by force?”
“No be by force. But I wan lock my door before I leave for service”, Chaka said
with utmost seriousness.
Joy was stung by her own idea that Chaka was now fed up with her and was driving
her away. Hatred for Chaka brewed in her heart.
“Okay, was it why he never cared to touch me since I come dis morning?”, she had
thought.
“Please let’s go for service”, Chaka broke into her musing. She stared at Chaka
and realized he was not his usual arrogant and brutal self. He rather regarded
her with affection. Her mood softened.
“Can it be true Chaka don change?”, she continued to think.
“Okay”, Joy said weakly as Chaka held her hands and helped her up from the bed.
When Joy finally got to Redemption Theatre, she was overwhelmed to see Chaka
shout, jump, clap, sing dance and pray like every other member of the
congregation. She felt so happy and decided to live for her God too.
Chaka and Joy discarded their old life. This surprised of Chaka’s friends and
neighbours. Gradually a wall grew between them and their friends and neighbours
who failed to understand why Chaka of all people should abandon the life they
have lived together for years.
Chaka and Joy came to know new friends who encouraged them to grow stronger in
their new faith. They lived a life of true joy and happiness. And a few months
later they started giving out their wedding invitation cards. But before this
exercise could be over, the police arrested Chaka. One of his ex-girlfriends
resurfaced with a complaint to the police that the abortion which Chaka took her
to the hospital to carry out had caused her infertility.
