Chapter 2 2

As soon as we heard the sound, Steve, his girl and I jumped out as the veil of the Action Bitters we drank fell off our eyes. Steve miscalculated and his right-side tyre entered a culvert and made a serious noise.

IJ stayed back in the car, she relaxedly cushioned her head on the car's headrest. She was heavily intoxicated and restless.

The noise we heard was not as serious as what we saw. Soon, our customer called people for help.

The vehicle was lifted from the affected side and pushed out. Steve started the car engine for us to continue our journey, one of the guys who helped us to push the car out shouted for him to switch off the car engine. The car sump cracked and engine oil was gushing out from the engine.

In no time, a mechanic was consulted. He drained the engine oil, lose the sump and said we should take it to Ore where we could solder it, bring it back while he fix it and we continue our journey. The time was a few minutes passed 3pm, the sump had been soldered by a welder, yet, Steve was busy looking for where we could relax and have more drinks.

"Guy, let's hurry and leave to avoid Mowe traffic." I told Steve who had maintained a placid composure ever since the incident happened. "Old boy relax, I am not in a hurry to go back ooh. In fact, this problem though going to cause me a fortune but I am seeing it as a blessing in disguise."

"What are you talking about Steve?" I asked on a surprising tone. You see that my babe, Amara? For over 18 months I have been chasing her, 'make she give me something. For where?' Marriage this, marriage that. She maintained that there's nothing for me until make a commitment.

I have sent her transportation money over three times to visit me, either she spends the money and tell me stories, or visit Lagos and stay back at her sister's house. I would be the one that would drive to see her in her sister's place, spend my money and she will only give me a peck.

I traveled to the village, went with some of my elderly uncles to her village. We went with a bottle of hot and kola nuts. We saw her parents and I proposed marriage to her. You need to see as she was running around cooking and serving us.

That was how she relaxed to follow me to Lagos, even at that, she said she would be staying in her sister's house and be visiting my house. My guy, make we relax here and drink, around 7pm or so we will go back. No machanic would fix this thing at that time.

We will only look for a hotel and lodge." Steve concluded and began to lick his lips.

"You mean you are not going to marry her...?"

"Marry who?" Steve asked curtly. "After stressing me for close to two years? This is my only opportunity. That girl is an ogbanje, we could go to Lagos, and stories would change.

She might even insist on staying in her sister's place, won't come to my house until after wedding. I would be Aaron nah, Aaron that went home empty-handed."

"Chai Steve, what's your gain? Holes are the same nah."

"Nothing ooh, just to confirm if her own hole is made of gold or, is it not the same thing those girls at Lagos Island share to us freely?"

"How about that girl?"

"You mean your Mama Iwota? Old boy that girl fine ooh. This type, I could auction my goods from China just to touch her." Steve said, salivating.

"What if she refused? What if she did not agree to stay in a hotel with me? My guy, what qualification would a man possesses to touch her?" I asked Steve on an exciting tone.

"Well, I pray she is a real human being or not possessed, this kind of beauty, I no trust am." Steve said twisting his face.

"Guy. Why are you creating fear in me?"

"So that you could change your mind make I carry. That girl is good to be used as a sample, only to be parading around in front of your car." Steve stuttered and began to laugh lavishly.

A few minutes past 7pm, we were back with the sump clutched in our hand. Amara face was worried, she said she was calling Steve's number without the knowledge that his two phones were in the car. IJ was sober now, but did not know my phone number to call me.

The mechanic looked at the sump and nodded his head satisfactorily, but said he would not fix it that night. Steve and I began to beg him, Steve said he could use torch to fix it that he had an appointment that night in Lagos. Amara said she can't risk her life, rather, we could secure the car and look for a hotel to lodge....

From my house to the church would not be more than 45 minutes, I had received frantic calls from Brother Kingsley and other brethren, the calls were becoming unnecessary. My mind had rigmaroled to many things, but could not come to any conclusion. Aside prayer warrior department which I was drafted to, nothing, not even church treasury, or have I purchased any item, to be accused of misappropriation of church fund.

I was scared but God's words kept encouraging me. It could only be a misunderstanding. I sauntered to the church to notice that a group of people have already sitted and waiting for me. I greeted Brother Kingsley, other members, apologized for my lateness and quietly sat on a chair kept for me distantly away from others.

I may have already been convicted before my arrival. "Sister Jacinta, please tell us what you told me yesterday, same thing which you confirmed in the presence of Bro Kingsley." Brother Mark stood to say. He was the assistant prayer warrior. A robust man with mischievous looks and funny smiles.

"Just as I told you Sir, which I also confirmed in the presence of Brother Kings..." A lady stood up to say, I am sure I have never seen her, but she could be one of the congregants.

"I said to confess my sin and pray for forgiveness. I am tired of living in sin and double-standard with Brother Iyke, worse was his boldness in the pulpit despite our frequent sexual immorality."

"For how long has this wickedness been going on Sister Jacinta?" Brother Mark asked again.

"I cannot recollect, but I am sure it is over two months now. My conscience could no longer take it, especially whenever I see him mount on the pulpit to give empty prophecies, deliverance and messages."

"Bro Iyke, I know what Christ saved you from, but a leopard would never change its colour, you see 2Corinthians 5:7? It is not meant for you, non of the old things about you has passed away, no, your old ways of life is staring you in the face.

From today hence forth, you are not allowed to handle any microphone, you are not to give any prophecy neither are you permitted to pray for anyone, in fact, whatever prophecy or vision seen should first be communicated to the elders for scrutiny before dispensing it. Truth be told, you are ban from any prophecy until I confirmed you are fully repented and saved." Brother Kingsley concluded.

I wanted to say something, but I was forbade, the more I raised my hands to speak, the more I was ignored. However, Brother Benjamin pleaded for me to be heard, that even a condemned criminal has the liberty to speak. Then, I was told to speak briefly because I have wasted their time.

"I thank you my father in the Lord, Bro Kingsley. Where would I have been without the grace of God and your timely intervention? Yes, I know what God saved me from which I made a vow never to go back to Egypt.

Sometimes ago, you told me of God's instructions to leave on a certain period which is in a few months from now. I rather, as a father to bless me and let me go than to support or conspire against such drama.

This sister cannot say where we have been committing this evil, either in a hotel or in my house which I am sure she doesn't know. So, I accept all your conditions and sanctions as long as I am not thrown back to Egypt, I accept. May the will of God be done in our lives?"

As I was about sitting down, Brother Kingsley said we should pray and end the meeting. While praying, my heart was troubled; I was conspicuously offended on such gross conspiracy. "Peace... peace... peace." My soul sang. Peace of God that passes human understanding was what my heart sang, yet my head was blank to take a decision...