OPEN SECRET
CHAPTER Nine
Okegbemi Ebenezer
Anita became a regular visitor in the house of John as she spends lot of time talking with him. She ensured that his clothes are well washed with the help of the washing machine and ironed. She stored the house with food and ensured that she cooks before leaving the place.
âAnita, I really appreciate your kind gesture towards my sonâ Johnâs mother (mama nonsense) said to her smiling and revealing her set of brown teeth which was as a result of her old age. It was the same teeth that she always uses to scare blessing anything she talks back at her by saying if she curses her with her brown teeth and she reveals it to Blessing who becomes scared of her.
âAll thanks to God ma, what will I have done? I just pray for the quick release of my friend from the kidnappers denâ She said and looked emotional.
âThatâs very thoughtful of youâ
âNevertheless of what use Is the person that we donât even know her usefulness when she was around that all she knows how to do was to go and consult an herbalist so as to destroy my lifeâ mama nonsense said and looked at John straight in the eyes to check his reaction.
âWhat do you mean mama, are you trying to frame up my wife that she was after your life as in someone should please tell me something that I donât understand in this placeâ He said looking inquisitive which was the effect mama and Anita wanted on him.
âSo you are saying, you are not aware, who knows maybe it is the two of you that even collided to take my life but let me tell you, my God is greater and stronger than any forceâ She added and smiled while Anita looked sideways to avoid eye contact with John.
âAnita tell me something I donât knowâ He shouted at her as he stands up and look her straight in the eyes.
âYour wife, I mean Blessingâ She stopped and looked at John who was staring at her and all of a sudden Anita broke down in tears.
âI told her that it was not biblical to visit an herbalist but she refuse to listen and went in search of one as she claims that mama had vowed that she would not see the wedding except she was not the one that gave birth to youâ Anita explained in between sobbing.
âOh, thatâs nice. So the wife I wanted to marry was not only seeing a man but also going diabolical, there is no problem but God why all these. You showed me clearly and you spoke to me about Blessing, I donât seem to understand all these drama about her. God speak to me, pleaseâ He lamented as he sat down and shakes his head and legs in sorrow.
âPlease donât be cross with her, it was the devilâs handworkâ Anita pretended to be pleading as a good friend on her friends side.
âI warned you earlier, I said out of all the ladies on this earth, it is that useless lady you are marrying as your wife where there are other beautiful ladies that are ready to worship at your feet. Is it money that you donât haveâŠyou are famous and good looking but you kept saying God told you that she is your wifeâ
âI warned you several times both in the physical and whatever means I know then but till the day you both took the oath as husband and wife, you were still saying she was the one for you. Anyways, that is not the issue on ground now. It has been three month now and there is no information about her. We even heard about the death of âŠâ John motioned to her that she should stop.
âMama, it is enough, I know you donât like that girl but donât ignore the fact that God spoke to me about her. Have ever tell you something before and it doesnât come to passâ He said and looked the two women from one side to the other.
âHmm, if you say so but what can a person that is not on his altar do, God had left Saul long time ago because of his stubbornness and ignorance in the things of the Lord but he was still the king and people respect him until he met a challenger who was Goliath, he challenged him and Saul was unable to do anything but for the grace of God upon a young lad named David who delivered the Israelite with just a shot from his sling. So what?â Mama No nonsense said to John who was shocked at his mother fluency in the usage of the bible.
âAre you surprised that I could relate the story well, let me tell you John you are not on your altar anymore and for you to go back there you need to allow this young lady into your life and that is Anitaâ She points at her while she smiles back.
âExcuse mama, what has Anita has to do with what you just said. Donât you know the weight of the biblical example you made just nowâ He said to her.
âForget about that, the same teeth that the dog uses in biting his puppies are the same teeth it uses in playing with them. You canât run your ministry like before and that is because you are still grieving your lost but dead wife while there is another replacement hereâ She said to him.
âBut I donât remember telling you that I wanted a second wife or did we discuss anything like that someday that I donât rememberâ He questioned his mother.
âLook at you, you need a woman, assuming she is communicating now, we would say, she is alive but not a word from her and you are giving yourself a lame hope. You better wake up and open your eyes because you might not see a lady like Anita again if another man takes her away. Grab the opportunity while it last nowâ Johnâs mother said to him and smiled at Anita who was smiling sheepishly and adjusting her gown properly.
âMama, I think it is time for you to be going, I need some time to think but you can wait Anitaâ He instructed while mama gave a knowing look to Anita of which she nods to show that she understands what she was saying.
âAre you saying I should, no problem I willâŠpastor John that doesnât have regard for his own mother, what nonsenseâ She hissed and moved out of the house.
As she steps out of the house, Anita moved closer to John with a loosed skirt and passed in front of him. Immediately, John saw that his he was shockedâŠhe wanted to talk but she came closer to him and embrace him.
âWhat is this you are trying to doâ
âJust watch and let me fit in the position of your wifeâ She said silently to his earsâŠ
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Blessing was confused as a result of the dream she had. She was scared at the same time.
âHow can someone who is my best friend that knows all my secrets be the one covering the grave over meâ She asked herself.
âGod you are the one that can answer prayers irrespective of situation, I know I am a sinner but please answer me on thisâ She prayed.
âWhat is the cause of the hatred and wickedness from Anita towards meâ She prayed.
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âAnita, you will not believe this, John got me a new Gucci bag and you remember that he got me a Versace last week, you see ehn, this guy dey spoil meâ Blessing said to her friend as she rocks her bags.
âHmm, this is nice o, thatâs it. You are happy now that he is getting you all these things but when I was telling you to accept his proposal then, you were saying, you are not ready but now you are ready rightâ She replied.
âYes o and not only that, he even promised that immediately after our wedding, our honey moon will not be in Nigeria but in CanadaâŠgirl, I am so happyâŠThank you for telling me to accept him o. I am so gladâ She screamed while Anita was staring at her.
âYou better donât shout too much and lose your voice, we have things to sort out abegâ Anita cautioned her but with deep hatred and jealousy in her voice.
âNow, he got you all these and I know he will get you more, so which one are you letting go of the old onesâ Anita requested.
âAhn ahn!! Wait now, at least, let me use them for a week or so then I will give you, what about the ones I gave youâ she replied.
âAnd more so, I am not the one that says you should not have rich and hardworking fiancĂ© o. After all, you do say you canât marry a pastor, so why requesting for goodies nowâ Blessing at her and the words got to Anita who was furious but controlled her anger.
âIt is not my fault but I hope you remember that I was the one who introduce you to him, so why all these unnecessary talkâ Anita fired back.
âThat was then. Thank you for leading me to Christ and for letting me know him but hope you remember that he always say that it was God who spoke to him about meâ She smiled.
âWhat if I have blocked the chance of him meeting you and take the advantage, will you be here spewing rubbish from your mouthâŠsee I am not in for this talk this morningâ Anita replied her and stormed out of the house.
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âJesus! So this is all that transpired, but Lord it was just a mere talkingâ Blessing said after waking up in shock.
âI said it out of happiness but Anita did not tell me all theseâ She soliloquies.
To be continuedâŠ. OPEN SECRET
