Trauma and Horror, bundled in one

I was getting into the groove with my morning jog when Joe Mettle’s Ga Praise Medley on the God of miracles album came up on my selected playlist. I was moved so much that I decided to slow down and have a good dance, as I catch my breath. In every sense, the songs on there had “Kekeed” me to the point of singing out loud on the streets (not that I understand Ga that much though).

The streets were unusually quiet, but for this one other guy who had run past me a few minutes ago on his own exercise expedition. I felt the urge to give him a good run for his strength but then again, The Ga Praise medley force was too overwhelming to ignore it’s pull to dance.

Through my headsets, I began to sing out loud on the streets whiles jostling my body to a few archaic moves. I wasn’t totally oblivious of my environment by the way. I was attentive to sounds and noises, the reason I spotted them earlier.

They drove past me uphill. No, I wasn’t suspicious of anything because that wasn’t the first time motorcycles plied the route. The okada business actually booms in the area so the last thing to suspect is an okada guy passing you by. I sang on, as I heard the sound of the motorbike come ‘vooming’ back downhill, in the direction I was headed. After about 50 meters from me, they turned again, this time directly towards me, having slowed down.

There were two of them, and my usual smiling self gave them a smile as they drew closer, thinking they needed directions to wherever they were going; silly me.

In what looked like the many movies I’ve watched, one pulled out a gun (till today, I still cannot confirm if it was fake or real), pointed it to my waist region and ordered that I drop my phone. Horror, doesn’t begin to describe what I felt. The other added that I drop everything else I was holding. Mind you, I was going jogging so you wouldn’t expect that I carry along a safe deposit box with me. I only had my phone that tracks my run, my hand band to hold my phone and my headset. And so with a tumbling fear, I dropped everything all at once on the floor. The gun holder then blurted in a stern voice, “you are a woman, do as we say, don’t let us hurt you. Just walk away without a shred of noise.”

Jesus knows I peed my pants just a little bit as I walked away praying very hard these two don’t do anything scary as I turned my back towards them. God being so good,  they sped off as they picked all I had dropped off of the floor.

It took my confused self a lot more minutes of processing the events before I could finally stand at a safe distance and breath. Thankfully, I got someone who had gone jogging earlier and was coming back, to escort me home.

It’s been 3 weeks and I’m still dealing with the trauma of that morning, the very morning of Good Friday, 30^th March 2018. I haven’t been able to go jogging since then and yes, every strange face I meet on the streets now looks suspicious to me, even children. Every now and then, I get flashbacks. I know I will heal one day, but this is an experience I wouldn’t wish on anyone, no matter who.

It has certainly affected my healthy lifestyle, but I’m hopeful to get back in shape soon. Until then, just keep me in your prayer, and in your own way, don’t let down your guard in matters of security as you step out to exercise. Be conscious of your surroundings and as much as possible, find a jogging partner if you can.

We’re still about the fitness life though. We may be down but we certainly aren’t out. I can’t wait to start an active running life again. Till then, I will still be sharing with you a few tips on this life we’ve chosen.

Let’s do this.