Written by Glorie Adepoju

SIXTEEN

“Don’t you think you should inform his wife about it?” Bridget, Pastor Sam’s wife asked, dressed in her pyjamas. Toothpaste and brush in hand.

“Good idea, but the arrow seems to be pointing in the direction of the Minister, not his wife.”

“Just like what I saw when I prayed for their family,” Bridget said, proceeding to the washroom to brush her teeth for the night.

The insistent feeling of danger around the Boadi’s family burdened Pastor Sam so much that he mentioned it to his wife to pray for the family. He didn’t give her the reason why. Plus, The Holy Spirit ministered to him to instruct the Boadis to go on a seven days dry fasting.

After praying fervently about it, Bridget had a dream a few days ago.

In the dream, she saw Minister Kofi doing something secretly but she couldn’t see what he was doing. Then she saw a red danger sign pointing in his direction, a loud voice said
“Stop now! or Judgement will come.”

It couldn’t have been a more precise dream and a confirmation. Pastor Sam then told her about his observations during his meeting with Minister Kofi.

“How about talking to both of them at the same time?” Bridget said stepping out of the washroom.

Pastor Sam considered that option.

“That’s a good suggestion. They should both be home about this time.” He fished out his phone from his pocket and placed a call. The phone rang, and Minister Kofi picked up.

“Hello, Minister Kofi. How are you doing?”

“Hello Pastor, good evening, sir. Fine, thank you, sir.”

Bridget joined him, Pastor Sam put the phone on the louder speaker.

“And you sir? And the family?”

“We are all fine, thank you. I’m sorry to call at such a time of the night. I’m calling regarding the issue I spoke to you about in my office the last time”

“I thought…”

“Yes, I know, I know your take on it, but the Holy Spirit has not released me.”

Breathing down my neck is a better word.

Pastor Sam didn’t say that part out loud.

“I sense the spiritual urgency so strong in my spirit. Pls is your wife there with you? Pls put me on loudspeaker, I wish to discuss this with you both.”

A pause. A shuffling sound. Then Minister Kofi was back on line.

“No sir, she’s…not with me, she’s already asleep sir.”

Bridget raised a brow in question.

“Oh ok, in that case, pls let her know that the Lord asked me to tell you to go on seven-day dry fasting, concerning this issue. Both of you. Pls make sure you inform her so that the Lord will unveil what this spiritual heaviness is all about.”

“OK, thanks a lot sir, God bless you, sir. I will make sure I tell her.”

“Good night ”

“Ok sir, goodnight, sir.”

The call ended.

“He’s lying. I strongly sense his wife was somewhere around where he is.” Bridget said perturbed.

His wife’s tested and trusted gift of discernment was sharp if not sharper than his.

“Whatever he is hiding, his wife is also in the dark about it.” Pastor Sam said

Something was wrong.

“We won’t stop interceding. We won’t.”
Bridget said sadly.

“Exactly.”

They held hands.

“Father in Jesus name”

“Amen”

…to be continued…

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SEVENTEEN

“Darling, was that Pastor?” Ama
asked.

“Yea” Kofi replied, hoping his voice sounded nothing like how agitated he felt.

“So why did you tell him I was sleeping?!”

Telling you what Pastor Sam said would mess everything up.

“I didn’t want you to go through the stress of having to do all that talking tonight. He wanted to know if you are having any problems as the new Head Usher.” He lied.

He lied so smoothly, and it didn’t surprise him. He was getting better at it.

“It is not a big deal honey, I could have just answered him. I don’t think lying to him is appropriate.”

He heard the obvious undertones her words carried and his conscience pricked him.

He swallowed hard, suddenly very uncomfortable.

“I’m sorry dear, I was concerned about you.” he managed to say, hoping that was enough to silence any further suspicions.

Instead, Ama’s eyes were trained on him. She wasn’t buying it.
Nervous, Kofi’s heart beat in fear.

I need to get out of here now!

He stood up abruptly, his hands instantly in his pockets.

“I’m going in to rest,” he said faking a yawn.

She seemed to buy it. Her features softened.

He walked inside.

Once inside, he released the breath he didn’t realize he had been holding.

“My God! that was close” He muttered; his voice shaky. He rubbed the nape of his neck subconsciously.

Ama probably suspects me now.

He mused angrily. Pastor Sam’s nosiness is blowing my cover.

A feeling of anxiety settled heavily upon him.
He stopped himself just as he was about to pace.

He sat at the edge of the bed.

Pastor Sam has no evidence to back up anything. It’s all baseless suspicions. It’s even possible all his supposed revelations were tactics to pressure me into confirming his suspicions.

“I think I’m getting ahead of myself here. I am jumping to conclusions too quickly and getting unnecessarily agitated,” he said to himself,

“Relax Kofi, everything is still under control. I have not been found out.” He said quietly and his racing heart calmed.

He lay on the bed, facing the ceiling, his fingers intertwined behind his head.

He had to agree with that scripture he heard Pastor say to him that day in the office.

Stolen waters are sweet,

“Stolen waters are sweet, more than anything I ever tasted,” he said licking his lips,

A wave of pleasure washed over him and he thought of her for a brief moment and with that thought came the memory of their last encounter, his pulse quickened.

“I cannot afford any risky slacking, like what happened tonight. I need to inform her that we have to be more careful now,” he said

With lips pressed together, He began to plan how to better camouflage the affair, because he intended to keep it a secret affair forever.

…to be continued…

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EIGHTEEN

“You refused to eat, or even talk. You still haven’t eaten, just tears and more tears. What exactly is the problem? Please open up to me.” Ama cajoled.

Silence.

Jackie hugged her pillow tightly, staring into space, eyes red from hours of crying. Her appearance and body language indicated she was depressed. She shook with sobs at intervals. Ama became more worried.

“My best friend, Tina, I just got the news from home–” Jackie broke the long silence.

She paused, and her hands tightened on the pillow but she managed to continue, Ama waited eagerly.

“I lost her. She’s gone forever.”

“I’m so sorry dear.” Ama consoled, she didn’t know this Tina, but the girl would be just as young as Jackie, since they were best friends.

What kind of death had snatched a blossoming flower, a rising sun at midday?

“Was she sick, what really happened?” Ama probed softly, her voice filled with sympathy.
Jackie took a deep breath as if bracing herself to answer.

“Sometime back, we went out chilling as usual. We met this married man who was interested in me. I was in a cranky mood that day, so I showed no interest in him.”

“As time went on, he and Tina started dating, in fact I encouraged her. I don’t know how, but his wife found out. And…” her voice broke and a tremor ran through her.

“The woman paid guys to beat the life out of Tina, literally.”

Ama gasped, her hands over her mouth in shock. Jackie buried her head in her pillow and let out heart wrenching sobs.

The way the young lady had died was too gruesome to even imagine. Ama was too shocked to offer even one word of comfort.

“It could have been me, if I had dated the man, I could have been the dead one now.” Jackie blurted out.

“Never have we experienced anything like this ever since we have been dating married men.” her face twisted in pain.

“Pls, I told you before, stop this way of life Jackie.” Ama said, her voice filled with deep concern.

She pulled her close and offered her shoulder, letting Jackie rest her head on it.

“When I lost my mum, it hurt too much. Losing her was like I was cut open brutally, the wound raw and bleeding. I needed to find a way to ease it. Partying, drinking, clubbing, changing sex partners, all these reckless lifestyles were supposed to be tranquillizers to help deal with the pain.” Jackie said, her voice barely above a whisper, but Ama was close enough to catch every word.

“Married men, they are mostly more experienced and matured. They are the perfect choice. Losing Tina made me see the uselessness of that kind of life. She just wasted away at such a young age, and that could…have…been…me.” Jackie shuddered.

“I want to put a stop to it all, but I don’t know how.” she said, her tone suggested she felt totally helpless.

Ama was certain this was the perfect time to tell Jackie about the love of Jesus, without hesitation she spoke.

“You need Jesus Jackie. Accept Him into your life. He can help you to be a better person.”

“Not again Aunty, pls.” Jackie said weakly, pulling away, as Ama had anticipated.

“Jackie, I love you that’s why I’m showing you the only way I know to a better life. You have tried other ways, and they have failed. Try this one at least ” Ama said emphatically

Jackie sighed, running her hands through her dishevelled hair. Ama could tell Jackie was considering it.

“Yoo, at least I can work with that” She sniffed.

“I want to try Jesus Aunty.” she added with heavy eyes fixed on Ama.

“Say after me Jackie” Ama said, holding Jackie’s hands lovingly.

“Lord Jesus ” Jackie sniffed and repeated.

Ama’s heart leapt for joy as Jackie said the sinner’s prayer

…to be continued…

pEn&pApEr
GLORIEADEPOJU

….

Are you as concerned about Minister Kofi as I am?

Who do you think is his sin partner?

Drop your thoughts in the comments section as we look forward to having our question answered in the preceding episode.