MONALISA (chapter 5)

“We are happy to share, happy to bear,
One another’s burden, that’s why we are here
“We are happy to share, happy to bear one another’s burden, that’s why we are here…”
sang everyone as the soloist led. It was the second last praise and worship session before the fundraiser.

Soon, the host pastor would make a calling then end the day’s sermon. My gang and I on the other hand patiently waiting to strike when our time comes. It was totally understandable that we had to deal with anxiety and suspicious onlookers too, that’s why from time to time we’d act like we frequented the church. Still, I would funnily think about how the newspaper headlines would read the next day because this was going to be a heist of its own kind.

All along before that particular Sunday I believed that the last miracle that ever happened was Jesus resurrecting from the cross until something unbelievable happened. Max was making his way to the pulpit to give out a testimony.

According to the church order of that day, the last session was for testimonials, the pastor made a calling, a couple of believers moved to the front to testify of His Grace in their lives, among the believers was one of my accomplices, the mastermind of the whole heist was about double cross us, I supposed. That wasn’t part of the plan.

This was the plan. Everyone had a vital role to play. Max’s role was to entirely give us a sign, he was familiar with the order of service and function, we needed his keyboard skills to make it a success. Different tones and tonal variations had different meanings, with each having a coded language.

He’d signal us every time he’d want us to act in a way according to the heist plan. John’s role as earlier aforementioned in the previous chapter, was to swiftly grab the money basket from the treasurer after counting is done and the sum announced to all and sundry. Mary’s pulchritudinous would be a great asset too, she’d use that to confuse the hungry folks in front and then grab the bag from John during the commotion, of course a commotion would ensue.

I was to give the duo cover since I was armed. Ted, being an ex-bouncer would then clear the way for us to make it out of the church building, he would also keep an eye on any suspected ‘enemy of our progress.’

The third believer had just finished giving her testimony which left the whole congregation in an awe. Max would soon make it to the church stand. From my own seat I couldn’t imagine how my other counterparts were feeling but one thing I was sure of was that none had managed to leave owing to the fact that the church was full to the brim, a single movement equaled an unnecessary ‘sorry brethren for stepping on your toe’ among others. Our fate was now being determined by ten baby steps that he could just make in a stride.

He gently took the microphone from the predecessor, broadly smiled and move two steps forward, “today” he said, paused and looked at the congregation. “I have seen the light and felt the Holy spirit urge me to desist from my sins and turn unto the Lord.Before I continue, let me call my brothers and sister to join me in this new life; John, Larry, Ted, Harry and my lovely sister Mary, kindly come over here.” He concluded as the fellow congregants happily cheered us as we unwillingly moved to the pulpit, wearing fake smiles to join Max for a ‘redemption journey.’
“You must all be wondering why we are standing before you today.” He continued.

Poet||Writer||Conservationist

You may also like...