THE ROSE GARDEN
“Bulus, hurry your brothers up and let us go over to the Rose Garden” Mallam commanded brusquely
“Alright Mallam” Bulus responded. Mallam’s tone brooked no argument. Bulus sensed that he was still shuffling through his internal conflict from earlier
Mallam had been acting funny all week. Speaking nonsense and acting weirdly too.
“Move it guys” Bulus yelled at some of the men still lounging after the meal.
The Rose Garden was merely across the road from the Inn. And he needed to get there fast. There was a restless urgency about him as he strode out in long strides.
“Can we call off this Project please?” Mallam muttered beneath his breath
“What Project, sir?” It was Yohan who was walking alongside Mallam
“Oh no, that wasn’t meant for you” Mallam muttered
“Who then?” they were really afraid that this inner conflict was causing him to unravel
Ignoring them, he quickened his pace and went into the Garden.
“Wait here” he instructed the team while signalling the trio to follow him further inside
“Stay here and watch while I quickly sort this out” he had stopped abruptly and Yohan almost bumped into him
To their amazement, they saw him stretch out in the dust few yards ahead
“Can we abort this Project? his voice quivered
“It is too late now. How can I help? Ruach whispered gently fanning Mallam who was sweating profusely in the breezy night
“Why do you want to bail out on us now?” Abba looked on tenderly
“It is costlier than the budget. And the Scope! What was I thinking?” Mallam groaned with his head in his hands
“You were aware of the total costs and saw the Scope before you agreed to undertake this Project” Abba retorted
The thought of calling off this Project sickened him. This was his ultimate chance at buying back his prized designs once and for all
“The aerial view did not give a clear picture of what was on the ground” Mallam was hyperventilating
“Go easy on him boss. You can call off this Project, whatever it is. Except that you are an insatiable hard taskmaster who would do anything for glory irrespective of the costs attached”
“Who invited you here Lucifer and what do you know about The Project? Abba growled as his eyes turned fiery
Nonplussed, Mallam looked up at Lucifer who winked at him with a rueful smile
“My officer in charge of this vicinity noticed the unusual presence here and alerted me. Regretfully though I only heard something about aborting a Project and no other details so far” Lucifer smirked puffing out his chest
“Michael!” Abba yelled in exasperation at his Chief of Defence
“Oh, Mikey old boy, sheath your sword; I was on my way out anyway” he strutted off
“As much as this situation is highly stressful for us, let us all breathe and forge forward” Ruach appealed while placing a supportive hand on Mallam’s shoulder. He felt an electric surge and offered up a grateful smile through his tears
“I will deliver it” There was a renewed strength in Mallam’s voice
“What changed?” Abba raised a brow with his arms still folded across his chest. His only way of restraining himself from reaching out and embracing his boy. An act which would finally sabotage this Project
“Shaitan’s presence was all the encouragement I needed”
“I would support you if I could. Unfortunately, you have to go this distance alone” Ruach offered soothingly
“Here they come. Let us go” Abba pointed at the approaching throng. Noticing the soldiers with weapons drawn, Michael’s men began advancing towards them
“Hold it! no fighting tonight! Michael commanded in a steely voice
And Heaven departed leaving Yeshua alone to his fate.