THE DEVIL ON THE ALTAR
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Patricia always avoided anything that would take her to Paul’s room. Even though she had forgiven him, she was always careful to avoid a repetition of the ugly incident. Paul on the other hand felt it was not necessary and instead of them going to far places to pray for secrecy, they could always pray in his room but Patricia thought otherwise. It became obvious that Patricia was avoiding Paul’s room and he was beginning to question her and feel bad about it. He even went to the extent of saying that she had not forgiven him for what happened between them and that if she had forgiven him, she wouldn’t dread his place so much. Patricia was fed up with his constant nagging about her not coming to his place and decided to pay him a visit.
She went to his house one Saturday morning and helped him with chores like general cleaning and washing. She also cooked and they both ate happily together. He was very happy to have her around and he was just beaming with smiles but Patricia was careful, not wanting a repetition of what had happened before. The day went well and they both went to the church together in the evening. Since then Patricia paid him visits more often and spent more time in his room conveniently.
On a particular day, Patricia had gone to his room as usual to help him with domestic stuff and also for them to pray and spend time together. Around 7pm, Patricia took her bag to leave but Paul stopped her requesting that she spent the night. She was flabbergasted at his request and didn’t even know what to say. She just pretended like she didn’t hear what he said and made to leave.
“If you step out of that door, don’t even bother coming back!”
Patricia quietly shut the door and went back to the chair where Paul was seated. She never expected such a thing from him so she was dumbfounded.
“We are engaged to be married and I don’t think there is anything wrong with you spending the night in my room.” Paul said, looking at Patricia who was just staring at the wall like a lost goat. “And in case you are afraid, I don’t want you to be,” he added.
“This is wrong and it is a great sin before God and you know it,” Patricia finally spoke almost in tears.
“Where is that recorded in the bible?” Paul said in defiance.
“That should be in the book of Hebrews chapter 13 verse 4,” Patricia replied and reached for the bible on the table to confirm if she was right.
“Hahaha!” Paul laughed hysterically and Patricia felt embarrassed since she didn’t know why he was laughing. She opened the bible and read the verse before she looked up at Paul to know why he was laughing.
“So did I ask you to defile our marriage bed?” Paul asked.
“I only requested you spend the night and what has spending the night got to do with fornication?” He asked again.
“The bible admonishes believers to abstain from all appearance of evil and spending the night here might actually lead to fornication so it is best we avoid anything that can lead us to sinning against God,” Patricia said convincingly hoping she was able to persuade Paul to let her go home.
“I’m sure you are only looking for an excuse to go but I won’t allow you to leave. It’s either you stay or go and don’t bother coming back. Besides, you claim to love me and yet you don’t spend time with me, you don’t listen to what I say, in fact, I’m beginning to doubt your love for me,” Paul said, stood up and walked towards the door. “You can leave if you want to,” he added and went back to sit on the bed.
Patricia was confused. She couldn’t understand what spending the night has got to do with the authenticity of her love for him. She tried to speak but couldn’t gather her words then she began to cry. He moved nearer to console her, begging her that he didn’t mean all he said and that he was sorry. He went closer to console her and he pulled her closer to himself. She kept on crying as he held her in a tight embrace and then he finally had his way with her.
“Not again! Oh God! This can’t be happening, Patricia kept on screaming as she rose up to put on her clothes. I can’t believe I did this again! Lord, I’m sorry,” she said breaking down in tears.
“Lord, have mercy on us,” Paul said and Patricia gave him a disgusting look. She could feel hatred and anger building up in her and she just resisted the urge to give him a dirty slap or even stab him to death.
“I now know that this is not ordinary. It’s clear you are using charm on me.” She was still looking at him with eyes full of hatred and disgust.
“I also don’t know why all this kept on happening. It’s not like I planned it or I’m also happy with it. We have both sinned against God and instead of you to allow us to ask for forgiveness from God you are here putting the blame on me. Do you know why Adam was also punished for the sin Eve convinced him to commit? It was because he didn’t take the blame, he was busy accusing Eve for his error.” Paul kept on talking.
“Will you just keep quiet? I don’t even want to hear anything from you. So you know the bible and yet you are doing contrary to the teachings of the bible,” Patricia shouted at him in anger.
“I won’t take any insult from you, Pat and I’m letting this slide because of the love I have for you. The next time you try this with me you won’t like what I would do to you.” He was also angry. “And by the way, did I force you? You could have said no but you didn’t. So please stop pretending as if you didn’t enjoy it and as if this is not what you wanted.”
“I can’t believe this is coming from you. Pastor Paul, fellowship president! You didn’t even feel any remorse for your sin. You are worse than the devil and you disgust me.” Patricia walked out in anger banging the door so hard that it made a hell of a noise.
To be continued…
