Joseph (The Hand Of God) - Season 1 - Episode 9

5 years ago

Joseph (The Hand Of God) - Season 1 - Episode 9

Chuks stared at his wife ridiculously. “Did you know about this?”

“You think I’m a party to this?” Doris quickly returned.

Chuks rosed from the table fuming with anger, he walked out of the house.

Doris had always suspected this. From the moment Hassan left for campus, he had been different. He seemed to question some of their beliefs and opposed others. He barely participated in the family rituals and she thought since he was old enough, he could choose to worship at any time he desired.

She should have known better that his friendship with Veronica and Christopher’s son was going to have a great influence on him.

***

Veronica and Christopher were happy to see Hassan. He had stopped by to see them. Their son, Paul, was away in school though. They were glad to know he had continued his faith and were also surprised when he told them about his confession to his parents.

The couples had always prayed for him. They worried for him, too.

“And what was your father’s reaction?”
“He was really furious like I expected, but I left the table before he could say anything.
I guess my parents were both in shock. I left the house very early this morning. So I haven’t seen them after last night.”

“Let’s pray they take it well,” Veronica said.

***

Later that Afternoon, he left for home. He dreaded going back home, but he couldn’t stay out all day.

Chuks had stayed up all night thinking about his son’s confession. He feared the trouble this would bring upon him if the cult found out. Besides, Hassan was going to turn twenty-one in the coming month, and he had taken a vow to give the boy back to the society – it was the reason he had worn the necklace to keep him safe. If he couldn’t pay his vow, he knew the kind of disaster that awaited him. He knew he had to do something fast. Hassan must be joking. He just couldn’t renounce his beliefs just like that.

Hassan found his father waiting for him when he stepped into the living room. His mother had left for the market, the gateman had told him.
He knew it was time to answer to his father but he was surprised at the soft voice which his father spoke with.

“You can’t join those Christians like that,” Chuks tried to make his son see reasons.
“But I am old enought to choose whatever religion I desire.”

“I get to choose for you,”
Hassan shook his head. “I really don’t understand why this is a problem. I get to live my life, after all, you and Mum lived yours.”
“We gave you that life.”
“No, God gave me life not you.”
Chuks laughed. “I see, let me explain,” he began. Chuks told his son how his birth came about and also about the oath, a vow he was to fulfil in a month’s time.

“Are you saying you are a member of a cult?” Hassan was amazed.

“I have always been. Where do you think I got all these wealth from?”
“I can’t believe this.”

“You have to, and you have a part to play.”
“I do not have any part to play,” Hassan asserted, rising to his feet. He was no longer afraid of his father. “No one is going to force me into worshipping another god. I get to worship God Almighty alone!”

“Not in this house! I forbid you!”
“No, you can’t. You don’t have the power to!”

Chuks was stunned at his son’s boldness.
He trembled with anger. Not once had Hassan defied him before. Right now, he was going to make his decision so he could know he meant every single word he spoke.

“If you do not renounce that nonsense religion, then I disown you! You cannot be my son and continue to worship that God of yours!”

“You don’t mean it, Dad,” Hassan scoffed, but his father was dead serious.

“You start by picking your things and leave this house, or have a change of mind and continue being my son.” Chuks walked out of the house now. Hassan was still in shock when he heard his father’s car roar to a start and screeched out of the compound seconds later.