The World As it Spins

Chima's nightmares did not stop. On some days he slept peacefully, other days were rough. His productivity levels were dropping and he was afraid someone at work would notice. His fears were too late as Bayo noticed and called him for a chat. Bayo was Chima's supervisor and they were almost friends. They'd have been friends if Bayo was not a maniac. Bayo was unpredictable, on some days he was cool but most of the time he was a raging furnace. Word had it that his descent to his present state began when his fiancee left him to be with another man. Bayo was nice to Chima when he called him to his office. He even flashed Chima a smile. The first since the year began. He pointed to a seat and when Chima sat down, he cleared his throat and began. "I noticed you have been down these past few days. Anything the issue?" he asked, surprisingly gently. "No, not at all" Chima lied. "You know, I would understand. Yours is a young marriage, is the wife troubling...

Miriam lost her peace since her husband Chima first had a violent nightmare. More nightmares followed in the subsequent nights and Miriam was all the worse for it. Chima on his part said little about his nightmares, but from the little he said, she could guess they were all gory. All Chima would say was that he had nightmares about war and would ask that they pray against war.  The nightmares took their toll on Chima, sudden sounds startled him and he winced whenever he heard gunfire on TV. Miriam was surprised when Emeka his younger brother called her to report Chima. Chima had visited their mother and then seized his game console because Emeka was playing violent games. Surprisingly, it was Chima who had bought the particular game for Emeka.  "I don't know why he is acting that way but it is strange" Emeka complained. "I think he is just stressed. I will talk to him" Miriam replied. Emeka was a mild-mannered young chap who was like the brother Miriam never had...