Pastor Leonard The Great Sinner (3)
(A True life story)
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I took a taxi and got to my house. My mum had already seen me with my devastating looks. “Jennifer, what happened hope all is well? because I called you earlier and your pastor said I shouldn’t worry about you that you’re in safe hands.” “Yes mum it’s just that I don’t understand what my pastor is telling me.” “I literally don’t understand what you mean by that statement. What is your pastor telling you?” “Ummmm, it’s just that, it’s…. mum it’s…”
“Jennifer, since when did you start stuttering because I never knew you to be a stutter. I’m asking you a question, I said what is your pastor telling you!?” “I don’t want to put myself in trouble God. It’s better I keep my mouth shût, what do I do now? what do I even know, I need to look for another thing to tell mum to avoid anything suspicious” I said to myself deeply. ”
“Mum it’s just that pastor said I need to be very very careful that I should be meeting him for frequent prayers to connect with the spiritual life.” “Oh! that’s impressive, then you’re supposed to be amazed, is that why you were acting like someone that was carrying the whole world in her head?” “don’t think too much okay, you need to eat it’s already late the one you’ve prepared earlier wasn’t enough. I’ve prepared dinner” She said and held my left hand as we both departed to the dinning room..
“Auntie, they gave me an assignment in my English workbook” my little bro exclaimed. “Okay okay, let’s finish eating. Remember one of the table manners I thought you which says Don’t talk while eating. when we are done eating, I’ll attend to it, do you understand?” “Okay, auntie.” It was even when we were eating that my dad came back from work and he joined us. And I’m always happy anytime I see my parents smiling, it gives me joy..
So I assisted trinity with his assignments, and I was always the type that loves advising my brother to read, that he should always remain focused. Although he was still good in arts. That was one of his talents. Some days when we all are sleeping, he’d be awake drawing some 3D animations/cartoons. And my dad always gets furious when he sees him doing any artwork. When I see him, I’d always encourage him, because discouraging him is like driving him away from his talents. So I’ve always supported him.
That same night around 9am I glanced through my watsapp messages and saw a message from an unsaved contact which reads “Hello Jennifer, how are you doing? I trust you are doing fine. Please I’d really Loved to apologize for whatever that transpired. I’m really sorry. Please I’m not the social media type. I’d really want you to come to my place to have a deep conversation with you or if possible to give me a call let me talk to you.” The message was sent 10mins ago.
“But I can’t go there alone anymore. If I’m to come, it should be with my mum or my very close friend. What about all the prayers and everything you said earlier, you didn’t do anything. When I came you were telling me something else. Pastor, you are a married man with grown up kids, your daughter unity is my very close friend. Pastor I don’t understand you anymore. I don’t even know if I should trust you or not.”
Then he replied “Jennifer why are you saying all these. I’m your pastor and I know what’s best for you other than any other person. When I gave you that money why didn’t you reject it? You already know where I reside. Come to my place by 6pm on Saturday then we’ll talk. tomorrow I have other members to attend to.”
“Pastor what if I can’t make it on Saturday?”
“Even if I’m coming, I’ll be coming with my mum, for her to witness everything that will transpire that day. Because I don’t like what you did the other day I came to your office. What if it was to be in your house, who knows what would’ve happened.” When I sent him that message, he just went offline and I didn’t see his reply as well. And I noticed that, all the messages he had sent earlier, he deleted all..
The following morning, I got a call from one of my friend and he told me that “James” health was getting worse. I felt disheartened. When I told my parents about it, they felt it as well. They insisted that we should pay them a visit so we all went to see him in the hospital. So when we got there I saw my pastor had arrived there already. My heart skipped twice when I sighted him.
I tried to avoid any eye contact with him till it got to the point whereby he instructed everyone to bring their hands together to pray for God’s intervention regarding James health. After he said that, I was shocked when he left where he was standing and came to hold my hands because he was about holding my hands. Fear gripped me as he clasped my left hand. I was shivering.
Out of fear I hurriedly ran to one of the nurses there to inquire about their restroom . And she pointed me in the right route . So I went to use the restroom when others were still praying, I was using the restroom. I prayed for James while I was still inside.. I stayed there for over 30minutes.. Then I came out. I saw everyone congratulating the pastor for his consistent prayers regarding James health. I just stood at one joint to observe the scene.
So while I was still observing, my mum called and I came out,She informed me that pastor wants to have bible study with me that I need to follow him to the church and he would take me back in the evening.. Then I turned towards mum and replied “But mum can’t we make this another day?” “Jennifer hurry up let’s go, I don’t have much time, I believe you’ve heard your mum or you still want to disobey her?” Pastor responded.
“What’s wrong with that? is he not your pastor?” the other two exclaimed.
I became speechless.
Pastor carefully held my left hand as he bid my parents farewell. He then took me in his car and drove off.
Written by Nicholas Stephen ✍️
