Immediately she drove out of the church compound, I left. I left angry at God. “Why her? Are you kidding me? Anita?”
Never have I felt this cheated in my life. “Wasn’t God supposed to avenge me? It’s alright that He did not. Now if they count children of God, she will be numbered with us. No, now! Haha now! Haba! Abba Father!”
The whole church was soaked in the power of God, it was so palpable. My left hand kept quaking, and I knew what it meant.
I was feeling the presence of God tangibly, but I am still in shock at who God was using to minister so much power in the church.
Never in this world did I think I would meet Anita again, and even if I would, definitely not there.
To be honest, it irked me seeing her but I was in the church, and I didn’t want to leave. Well, if not because I was there already, I just wanted to satisfy my curiosity.
This was about what happened about 5 years ago. It would have meant nothing if I was just a once-in-a-while Christian, with a little shambala here and there. She shattered me, destroyed my life and ministry at its cradle.
By the virtue of God’s grace, I was the vice-president of God Eternal Fellowship, on the campus of the University of Ibadan. I was really known on campus for the ministry given to me, with which I use music to convey.
Anita was just a random fellowship member, and I knew her beforehand as we studied in the same faculty. I found her fascinating, at the time.
No! It was nothing beyond that. She had a very light and lively character. We can say she’s the life of the party, lighting up every room she entered.
Knowing how much she hadn’t been committed to the fellowship, I would always encourage her to be committed, and utilize the power of the community of the church.
In no time, we became so close, as we started going to classes together. Sometimes, we would even study and brainstorm, in preparation for tests and examinations.
While all these went on, she’d throw passing words about how I’ve caught her fancy.
I thought it was one of her jokes. She’d bring me timely home-made food. Her dishes were always tasty.
I wished I had seen the writings on the wall. How can a lady cook every now and then for a man, without anything being the drive? Well, it was with a drive for Anita. She wanted me for herself alone, so badly.
“Pamilerin, are you home?” She asked with her tiny voice.
“Yes, but I am the only one home sha. What is the problem?”
“I made your favourite food. I just want to drop it and leave. Nothing much. MOG, no be today I just dey come your room na.”.
I smiled, until I remembered that God had given me an instruction to leave my room for a prayer walk by 7PM.
It was already 5 minutes away from 7PM, but she was talking about pounded yam and egusi. Prayers can always wait, right? I yielded convincing myself that I didn’t want her efforts to go to waste.
In no time, she got to my lodge in the fellowship’s quarters. Oh, I didn’t tell you? I lived in the fellowship’s quarters.
I left the door a little opened, as I just felt a little off unexplainably within my spirit.
“Man of God. E calm down now. This one wey you open door down. Even though I no serious, I still be Christian somehow somehow now. Dey calm down o.”
I finally closed the door, so she would not feel awkward.
“People dey outside, no worry.” She said, as she sat on my bed, and began to unbox the food.
I salivated as I saw the sumptuous meal. “Mehn! This one you’ve been serving me premium food back to back. I love this.” I started devouring the food immediately.
She laughed, “eat gently jor.” She softly and subtly touched my head, which I paid no attention to as I was battling with the meat I was eating.
She looked at me with so much intent and asked, “what’s your plan for me bayii, Pamilerin?”
I had to drop the meat so I could talk. “Plan? I don’t understand, Anita. Abi in what way? Me I sha know say God plan for us na good, no be evil, so we fit get hope and future.”
“So, is that the same plan you have for us?” She smiled, still looking at me.
She continued. “Hmmmnnn, a future and a hope. These men of God and using scriptures to speak sha.”
“Anita. It’s a hope and a future. Not the other way round.”
She hissed. “Answer me jorr”
“Anita. Wait o. This one wey you dey serious I thought we were still joking? I don’t understand. You know we are just friends now.” I laughed it off.
“You and these your jokes ehn.” I continued with the meat.
“Oh, now I’m joking, Pamilerin. To dey chop all my delicious food no be joke o. The ice creams wey you dey always chop na joke too. All my green light. Na joke to you abi.” She started shedding tears.
I joined her on my bed, and held her hands so as to pacify her. She rested her hands on my shoulder.
“Anita, it’s not like that ehn. We are just friends. Honestly, I’m so sure, there’s no hope for romance between us, let alone a future.” I said softly.
“Stop saying that. Who said we can’t be more? We can create that future ehn. Just say you don’t love me.”
“No now. That’s not what I am saying.”
“So, are you saying you love me?” She look at me.
“No o… I’m not saying that either.” I stuttered.
“What are you saying exactly now? Or is it because I’m not spiritual like you, I’ll be serious and grow now.”
I tried standing up from the bed, but she held me back, and hugged me so tight. It started to feel weird and uncomfortable, as she wouldn’t let go. I forced myself off her hold.
“Am I that irritating to you?”
“I think you need to leave now. Understand that nothing romantic can exist between us.” I stood my ground.
”Why are you so certain, Pamilerin?” She came closer to me, staring at me in the eyes.
” I just know it, Anita.” I tried avoid eye contact with her.
“Am I not beautiful enough ehn?”
“It’s not about that. See…”
She cut in, “What is it about then?”
“Look, Anita, I need you to leave. And I don’t think I’ll be comfortable with our friendship anymore.” I retorted
She clapped her hands silently, and stared at me. “You’re chasing me out of your room, and even out of your life, after everything I’ve done.”
”Anita. Look…”
She cut in. “Don’t bother. You’ll regret saying this.”
She approached the door to exit the room, but she made a u-turn and stared at me for a short while standing akimbo at the door.
Something I never expected happened out of the blues. She tore her top, and rushed towards me to lock my shirt.
Holding on to me with shirt, she intentionally fell on the bed, I followed suit falling on her. She held on so tight that I couldn’t regain my balance. Before I could say jack, she started screaming.
It all happened so fast. People broke into the room to see what was happening as her voice was so loud.
She told them I was trying to have my way with her. I was dumbfounded, and I kept wondering about everything unfolding, with my mouth a little opened.
Fellowship members stared at me in disbelief and disappointment. The president came in, took me by my hands and dragged me out. He looked at me and said, “what happened?”
This was the same question I kept asking myself until I appeared in front of the campus mission board on the issue. I was relieved of my executive position in the fellowship, and was mandated to attend all services promptly.
Worse, the news got out, the blogs carried it. I could barely show my face on campus. Invitations for ministrations stopped totally.
Now, tell me, how am I not cheated? This same Anita just ministered fire and brimstone, five years after what she did to me. I’m still here trying to figure things out. How can God save her? She’s worth no mercy!
Worse, she did not recognize me. Probably she feigned ignorance. I approached her after the ministration. Before I could say anything, her manager led her away saying, “brother, she won’t be able to wait. She has another ministration to catch up with.”
“Oh waw. She’s even an itinerant minister? Must be nice.”
To Be Continued. Join my community to be notified of the continuation.
