01.04.08 The 6th Cost of Unforgiveness
6. Deserting your Vision
Nabakka was an Administrator at a school for physically-challenged children. She had always longed to work for such an organisation. Fresh on her mind were memories of how her parents had failed to find a school that would accept her severely lame brother Steven, without discrimination. Unfortunately, the boy had passed away before tasting the joy of literacy. That mishap was what had pushed Nabakka to pursue a specialised course in Sweden and thereafter, work for the school.
Nabakka’s hard working predisposition came in handy, making her a darling of the School Board. For despite the school’s scanty budget, the girl managed to start a library for the children through donations from her Swedish lecturer, Rudolf. Nabakka had informed him of her aspirations to create an enabling and refreshing yet educative environment for the students. “You could be part of this..., and God will surely bless you”, she had written in a passionate email to Rudolf. In no time, boxes loaded with books, games, toys and other interesting study materials had been delivered at the school.
The other outstanding thing which Nabakka did was to revamp the school compound. Within only a few months, she had grown a wonderful lawn where the children could sit and relax; and a glorious garden to match. In addition, she had managed to persuade a paint factory to give the school buildings a free ‘make-over’. And, in just a flicker, the school had attained a ‘spik and span’ look that would settle even the fussiest of parents.
But the most touching of all was the school choir which she had established. Having been a member of a famous choral group in the city, Nabakka had a lot to offer. “Music is medicine for the soul”, she would always tell the children; a thing which would make them look at their challenges with fresh resolve to make an impact in life. So, when the choir came top in the zonal music festival, the students, parents, school teachers, directors and the entire community at large were overjoyed. “You are indeed a God-send”, many parents had confessed in appreciation of the tremendous contribution that Nabakka had wrought. “My late baby brother would have loved this...”, she mused.
Then one day, a young doctor named Mulimba turned up for internship at the school’s clinic. Given Nabakka’s responsibilities, she found herself working closely with Mulimba. “I like him…, and I think he likes me too...”, Nabakka recalls sharing with a friend, co-worker and housemate named Rinata. “You should invite him for Sunday lunch” Rinata had joked. The thought of ‘getting serious with someone’ was intriguing for Nabakka, given that her mum had been on her case recently. “Nabakka..., may be your criteria for an eligible ‘Mr. Right’ are too stringent...”, she had often remarked, warning that the girl should not be searching for an angel as she would never find one.
During the weeks that followed, the ‘like’ metamorphosed into “love”, and before Nabakka could even realise it, her and Mulimba were deeply in love with each other. Life became so fulfilling for Nabakka. “Mulimba knows how to treat me like a lady”, she would always confide in Rinata.
However, things took a different turn during the month that Nabakka went on leave. The first alert was a text message from the school gardener; a young boy who had grown to regard Nabakka as a sister. “Madam” the message read, “I do not understand what is going on between Mulimba and Rinata…”. Then when Nabakka quizzed Mulimba about his relationship with her best friend, the doctor’s temper flared up, soon after which he hung up.
By the time Nabakka returned to the school, Mulimba had already left for the capital, having completed his internship. Efforts to contact the doctor became an uphill task as he would almost always claim to be busy. Coincidentally, Rinata resigned on grounds that she had found ‘greener pastures’ elsewhere. A few months later, Nabakka was shocked to learn that Mulimba and Rinata had wedded!
For endless months, tears would stream down Nabakka’s cheeks in unbearable remorse. She could hardly bring herself to terms with the fact that her so-called best friend had betrayed her so openly, and to such an extent. “How could Rinata do this to me”, she would cry. “Why not just put those guys behind you?” Nabakka’s mother had advised, after the girl bitterly declared that she had no choice but to leave the school. “Mum, I see Mulimba everywhere I look”, she stammered under her breath; insisting that staying at the school would only evoke painful memories.
It did not take long before Nabakka resigned. The Director was flabbergasted. “How about your dream to help these children..., what will we tell them?” he asked with a break in his voice. “Surely, you cannot let all your efforts just go down the drain”, he added; hoping that Nabakka would see reason. But no amount of pleading could shift the girl’s stand.
Several years have gone by, since all this happened. However, when I passed by the school recently, the sight was pathetic. The buildings have never been repainted since Nabakka left. The garden is non-existent and the lawn dried out. The library closed down; and saddest of all, the brave melodious sound of children singing songs in defiance of their physically challenged status no longer fills the air. To cut a long story short, there is nothing at the school to show that Nabakka ever stepped there!
Emotionally-charged choices, such as the one made by Nabakka, have notoriously set many unforgivers on the wrong path; after they made permanent decisions in situations that were temporary. Such people have found themselves in the wrong place; with the wrong people, at the wrong time, doing the wrong thing. Did you know that unforgiveness has caused many to discard visions that would have otherwise changed the world? If you occupy your mind with people’s past offences, bitterness will cloud your visibility. Consequently, you may no longer be able to discern, let alone grasp valuable opportunities. Reminiscing on offenders has caused many people’s opportunities to escape through the window.