Chapter Forty One
QUANTUM LEAP IN THE FAMILY 4
When Uju, Dora's senior sister, saw the post and showed her husband who immediately shared it on his Facebook and Instagram pages. Within thirty minutes, it had ten million likes.
Jewel, who was watching the television in her room, ran to her parents' room upstairs in a rush and knocked while she called out
"Mom. Dad. Put on your television. There is Breaking News."
When she got into her parent's room, she sat beside her dad, who was still answering calls, while Dora switched on the television.
The media was reporting the incident as 'BREAKING NEWS'. Now, the state governor Udoka Achigbu, who was vying for a second tenure in the office saw it as an opportunity to win the people's heart and earn their votes, arrived at the scene. His arrival attracted full media coverage to the incident. All his commissioners and party leaders were present too. The members of the House of Assembly were not left out.
"It can only be a miracle. KENNY HAVENS is really a heaven. We thank God. I also commend the efforts of all the agents like; Security Agents, Fire Service, Road Safety, ambulance and the civil defense. This shows how patriotic you are to our beloved state in particular and the country in general. Keep it up".
The governor concluded.
The Commissioner of Environment Mr. Homily Ebubedike ceased the opportunity to educate the masses on how to protect the environment from fire disaster.
"Like His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Enugu State had said, it, this can only be a miracle. I want to urge every one of us to be safety conscious. Fire outbreak can happen at any time."
He looked at the fallen Fuel Tanker which the camera projected and then continued.
"Make sure you have your fire extinguisher in your car or cars and at home. Put out all lights off when leaving your offices and houses especially naked lights like candle, gas, cigarettes studs and so on. Make sure all your lighters, matches and all ignitable materials are well secured to avoid getting into the hands of wrong users like children and people with mental problem."
The Commissioner educated.
Some occupants of the estate were also interviewed, and they commented accordingly.
"It is good to live in an estate where the landlord has the fear of God. Some landlords build their houses with blood money and....."
The comments were interrupted to avoid negative reports on the Landlords Association of the state.
"What would you have done if there had been any explosion?"
The journalist asked to know how much the people know about Fire Safety Management.
"I will first notify the Fire Agency. Then, I will raise an alarm to ensure that everyone evacuates the building. If by any reason, my clothing catches fire, I will drop and roll on the ground to extinguish the fire."
"Thank you very much."
The reporter said while moving to another tenant.
"What would you have done if there had been any explosion?"
"Thank you very much. It all depends on where I was at the time of the explosion. If I'm in the house, I will crawl on the floor and breathe through my shirt. I will avoid breathing directly to avoid inhaling the fume from the smoke while I call for help with my phone."
"As you can see, the Fuel Tank did not explode, no life nor property was lost. Just like his Excellency the Executive Governor of Enugu State and others have said, it can only be God. Reporting from KENNY HAVENS estate, this is Joy Ugwu, reporting."
Their Estate became popular over at once. Meanwhile, this attracted the envy of other estate owners in the state. The Landlords Association began to look for loopholes to blacklist their estate and declare it a death trap.
"I feel like sowing another seed"
Said Ken out of excitement.
"That will be when we have money"
His wife suggested.
"I don't think seed can only be money. From the Reverend's sermon, seed can be anything precious to you."
"So, what do you have in mind?"
She asked with so much enthusiasm.
Ken called the Reverend, their home church, and booked for Thanksgiving. He told his wife that they will use one of the duplexes in the estate for Thanksgiving.
"We will prepare to travel to Enugu State for the Thanksgiving. God's name be praised."
Dora was not just happy because of the miracle of delivering their property, but because her husband was on the same page with her on seed sowing.
At the Recreational Park
Jeff, who was already out of the house before the news of the tanker accident came back. He doesn't like going to the field with his phone for fear of it falling off his pocket and shattering. His friends from Enugu also called his number.
Meanwhile, On his way to the park, he walked to Emeka Ezra's apartment, hoping that he should be waiting for him in front of his house as agreed. He moved on to the park alone when he could not find him.
'He can come and meet me at the park when he is ready. I have a new skill to practice.'
Jeff murmured to himself as he headed towards the Recreational Park.
Emeka Ezra had been his childhood friend. They were of the same age but different in months of birth, and they had attended the Company's Staff Demonstration School from the Crèche to the Secondary School level. Though not in the same arm, but in the same class. They were noted as the intelligent students despite their fathers' positions in the organization. Emeka Ezra and Jeff were very respectful to their teachers and drivers. No driver had ever complained of insult or disrespect from them. Unlike some children who were over pampered by their parents. Children from such parents hardly pass their exams. An encounter with them will tell how untrained they were.
'I don't know why he was not waiting for me at the door as agreed.'
He said as he continued his walk to the park.
Mr. Jeffrey Morris was getting his training kits out of the trunk of his car – Chevrolet Camaro LT1. Jeff, who changed his mind about training alone on his new skills was searching for what to do to while away time before Emeka Ezra would join him, walked up to the stranger.
"Good evening Sir, let me help you with the booth if you permit me."
He offered Mr. Jeffrey Morris.
Though respectful, he was not a timid or a fearful person because he had the boldness of a lion. He was a very lively person to be with. The most striking aspect of him was his love and care for others. He hardly failed to help when the need arises. Once they visited his paternal home, he saw an old woman carrying a pail of water, and he assisted the woman by carrying it to her house. The woman thanked him casually. When she was told the son of whom that had helped her, she came running to their compound to thank him again.
"God will bless and help you, my son. You shall excel in all your endeavors."
The woman prayed for him and that was when Ken and his wife knew what had happened. Jeff had gone out with his cousins when he met the old woman; others ignored her, but Jeff volunteered to assist. They were so proud to have him as their son. His nature came to play again as soon as he met Mr. Jeffrey Morris.
"Oh! Good evening, young man. That will be great."
He said, handing over the boots to him. He brought down his back-pack, and they headed to the adult section of the park. Jeff dropped the boots and was about to take his leave when he said.
"I beg to take my leave, Sir."
Jeff said, looking directly into his eyes.
"Can you stay with me for a while, if you don't mind?"
Mr. Jeffrey Morris requested.