ABUSED
Episode 23
.
.
.
Thursday is finally here, Maxwell called earlier to reminder me about the church program. I assured him I will come. The program is slated for 6pm; I planned to return home earlier to get ready.
My phone buzzed, a message from Maxwell telling me the address and name of his church. He truly wants me not to miss the program😩.
Deep down I don’t want to go but for his sake I will honor the invitation.
I headed home when it clocked five of clock to get ready. I felt a bit tensed as I got ready, first I had to search for something descent to wear, a scarf and flat shoes, light make up to go with.
Looking at the mirror,. I was satisfied with my look, not too minimal, I smiled to ease the pressure I feel; like a lost soul. I don’t even have a Bible to carry.
Ella just returned from her two days trip, I have been trying to persuade her to quit her trade with Madam M but she kept saying, ‘soon.’ plus she intends to send her siblings overseas then she will put a full stop to it.
I met downstairs munching a snack
” Hah! Ruth you look like mummy G.O😆 ”
I rolled my eyes at her,
” So?”
” where to?”
” Church”
” Ehn. someone is changing”
” And someone is refusing to change🙄”
” Ehn. Well, it’s seems the Holy Spirit has touched your heart”
” I pray He touches yours”
She laughed loudly almost choking on her snack
” Ok. so which church are you going to?”
” Towers of Light. Maxwell invited me’
” wow. That’s nice☺️”
” I don’t even have a Bible”
” Babes you get money buy one”
” I know! I feel awkward going there”
” Come on! it’s the house of God. It’s open to all and He doesn’t condemned but convicts and accept us the way we are to make us better the way He pleases”
” Ewo! Ella the preacher”
” Yes na. See girl na me be Choir mistress that year for our church”
” Hmm. See you later pastor Ella”
” Pray for me o”
” That God should touch your heart so you quit” I yelled as walked out
” My regards to my Dr Maxwell’ she shouted
” He won’t hear” I replied loudly
I ordered an Uber, for some reasons I didn’t want to drive my car to church. It’s my first time going there I just want to be simple.
I arrived the church premise ten minutes before six. Each step I took made me feel unease as I approach the entrance gate. I had to inhaled and exhaled deeply to calm my nerves.
I was greeted by a beautiful well dressed usher, she led me to the front row. The program was about to start.
I felt at peace with the place. Soon the program started with an opening prayer, then praise and worship; I felt overwhelmed as the Choir ministered. That feeling of dejection I always felt disappear and for the first time I felt I belonged.
I can’t explain why I cried during worship, at some point I dried my tears because I felt I was being childish.
Thanks to projector, I followed with the bible quotations. The preacher has a semblance with Maxwell, speaking of him. I tried to call him but it wasn’t available; I didn’t see him in church.
The sermon was titled, ‘ Love of the Father” The words of the preacher kept hitting me at different points. My mind was trying to reasons with what I was hearing especially when he said, ‘ no matter how dirty and how deep my sins are God still loves me. ” I felt touched by the sermon🥺.
I felt at home, unlike me. Soon, the sermon came to an end, prayers were said, an altar call was made, then first timers were called out. I found my way to the front.
We were welcomed, I saw Bisi, she was amongst the ushers who came to welcome us. Smiling at me, she shook me and greeted me. What a coincidence! I never knew she worship here.
We were prayed for and led to a separated room where we were welcomed by Maxwell and other church workers.
They talked to us briefly, collected our phone numbers and wished we continued with them.
I was surprised to see him amongst those that welcomed us. The grace was shared, people started leaving while some chatted and hanged around.
” Hello. I’m glad you came” he said smiling
” I’m glad I didn’t miss it☺️. I almost did”
” How was it?”
” Wonderful.”
” Hope we shall see more of you?”
To this I laughed not wanting to give an answer
” I didn’t see you, I tried calling you but your line was unreachable”
” Yes. I am part of the Technical team, so you won’t see me”
“Ok.”
” Come, I want you to meet my family”
He held my hands and led me into the church auditorium before I could protest. I wasn’t sure about meeting his family.
Some people were looking at us, as we walked past them. Some murmured.
He halted when we got to the place where the ministers were seated.
” Dad, mom, I would like you to meet my friend, Ruth'”
” Good evening sir, Good evening Ma’ I greeted slightly bowing down
” Good evening dear” they both answered with a smile😊
” She is beautiful” his mom replied
” Welcome Ruth, you are part of the new comer. Hope to see more of you” the one who preached said to me
” That’s my elder brother” Maxwell said
” Good evening sir”
” Good evening sister…”
” Ruth” Maxwell added
” You are welcome”
” You are blessed dear” his father said
They seem friendly and nice, I signalled him I want to leave.
We walked out of the auditorium, some people were giggling and others starring as we left.
” You are a pastor’s son?’🤔
” Yes. ”
” Wow”
” Surprised?”
” Not really! I didn’t see you as one”
” My family is glad to see you☺️.”
” They are nice”
” You are yet to meet my sister, she is the sweetest. She was the one I got the second material for on mother’s day”
” Oh! I thought it was for your wife”
” What? I am not married’ he laughed out
” Now I know”
” Ok. How was your day? I hope it wasn’t stressful”
” Not at all”
” I hope I get to see more of you in church”
” Well… Sure”
” Yes! Let me see you off to your car”
” I didn’t come with car. I came with an Uber, I am about to order for..”
” I will take you home”
” You don’t have to”
” Ruth, I insist”
” Ok”
I stood outside waiting as he left to get his keys,
” Good evening Ma'”
” Bisi good evening. I see you worship here”.
” Yes ma”
” That’s nice”
” Hope to see you more”
” Sure”
” Good night ma”
” Good night. Take care”
Coming to church has never been pleasurable as this, I really felt I belonged. Well, I don’t mind attending from today
” Shall we?” Maxwell interrupted my thoughts
” Sure”
He has never been to my place, I gave him directions as he drives. We arrived at my place, 20 Wale close
” Stop here”
” This is where you live”
” Yes. ”
” Nice place”
” Thanks”
I thanked him for bringing me home, alighted, bade him goodbye and left.
It’s almost 9pm, Ella opened the door for me before I knocked. She is been monitoring me these days
” Sis. Ruth welcome. You didn’t even bother to bring him in. Haba”
” Ella please I’m not in for this your drama’
” Ok o. How was the program’
” Splendid. His father is the pastor”
” Really!”
” yes”
Ella kept talking about how pastors and church members would keep scrutinizing me, she wasn’t far from the truth. I could tell from the looks especially that of his brother, he is surprised when Maxwell introduced me as a friend, and the sisters in church have eyes for him I can see from their face, while others are marvelled by the stranger close to the handsome doctor.
TO BE CONTINUED.
