~~~THE DEVIL ON THE ALTAR~
~
CHAPTER FOUR
Locating Patricia’s room was not really difficult for Paul, the fellowship president.
“Peace be unto this house,” Paul said as he knocked quietly on the door.
“Peace be unto you too,” Celestina replied and opened the door for their guest.
She was shocked to see the president in their room and more so she didn’t know he was coming and the room was not that well arranged to receive an important guest like that. Their room was not spacious but it was comfortable for two people to live in.
“Please have your seat,” Celestina said pointing to the chair behind the door.
Patricia had been sulking since she received a call from home and Celestina has been trying to calm her down but she has refused to be calmed. She didn’t even raise her head to see who was at the door, not until Celestina mentioned the name of the brother before she stopped sulking. She was also wondering what the whole president of the entire student fellowship would be doing in her room. Paul also noticed the surprised look on Celestina’s face so he decided to state his reason for visiting them.
“I’m actually here to see Sis Patricia. I’ve noticed that she has really changed from who she was before and I’m certain there should be a reason for that and I’m here to find out that reason.” Patricia who was lying on the bed decided to pretend as if she was asleep hoping that Celestina would not open up to Paul but something else happened.
Celestina told him about everything that has been happening to Patricia and she even told him of how the whole situation had affected Patricia’s relationship with God. How she no longer read her bible or pray and in fact she preferred to stay in the room and sulk than to go for lectures or church programs and that in most of the courses she had written the exams, she didn’t prepare adequately for it. Paul was so shocked at the discovery that he kept quiet for a while then he later spoke.
“Sis Patricia please sit up and talk to me,” he said looking over to where Patricia was lying.
She sat up and greeted him, her eyes were red and swollen. He could not just imagine that the fervent, jovial and beautiful sister had been reduced to something else.
Paul advised her, encouraged her, prayed with her and even told her stories of how he lost his father just after he completed his first year in the school and he didn’t allow it to affect his spiritual life. He told her of the importance of always having a cordial relationship with God and not letting anything come between her and her Maker. He showed her examples in the bible of people that had trusted God in difficult situations and how they got their victories. He admonished and counseled her and even led her back to Christ. Because before he finished his sermon, Patricia had discovered that she had gone far away from God and needed to rededicate her life to God and she did. He was really a God-sent because his visit helped Patricia overcome the entire trauma she was going through and she became her happy self again.
To be continued…
© Grace Olayemi
