BEYOND THE PROPHECIES

PROLOGUE

Teniola sat on her bed in her purple-themed room staring at the mango tree. Spotting a ripe, juicy-looking mango, she arises and moves to the window side to get a closer look. Teniola eyed the mango hungrily; she was a sucker for the keitt mango, preferring it to the alphonso mango that was scattered all over the market place. Teniola's gaze shifted to her short and lanky gatekeeper who never stopped hovering around the tree waiting for mangos to ripen; she thought she would go down and pluck it before he did. Teniola quickly went over to her bedside to find her slippers just as her phone began to ring. Olo mi by Tosin Martins started to play and she knew it was a call worth more than a keitt mango. That ringtone was reserved for one person alone; Funsho Macaulay. She smiled to herself knowing it would be quite a lengthy call; they had barely been able to spend enough time with each other lately because of their busy schedules but it was a Sunday afternoon so neither of them would have to hang up within the first three minutes. Teniola cleared her throat and then swiped

her screen to answer the call.

‚Mr. Macaulay, I thought we were still on the challenge?‛ she said

immediately she picked the phone call and smiled sheepishly.

‚What challenge is that Mrs. Macaulay‛ he replied from his end,

acting like he couldn't recall the challenge she was referring to.

‚Our, I can do without you challenge, Mr. Macaulay; who is calling who now?‛ She asked in a teasing manner earning a hearty chuckle from him. Teniola plopped down on her comfortable purple-themed chair,

resting her free hand on the table.

‚Teniola, we both know I lost that challenge as soon as it began; I was only seeing how long I would last without talking to you but apparently not very long‛ he said.

‚That's good, thank your stars you called.‛ she smiled.

‚Hmm, you win this round but I know how to get even. Anyway, do

we still have plans for Saturday?‛ Funsho asked her as they had perfectly mapped out their plans, for the coming week. It was a necessity for them to plan their time as they could easily get carried away with work; it was the same reason Funsho was unmarried even though he was already in his

mid-thirties.

‚Yes, of course, we will be seeing the movie together at 4p.m‛ Teniola responded knowing fully well, that was not the plan he was

referring to.

‚Teniola Arielle... I'm sure you know what am talking about. C'mon, pour out your mind; speak, for your father is listening to you‛ He said, making her laugh. He was fond of calling himself her father or older brother just because he was older than she is; she would sometime say she was his mother instead. They had the kind of relationship most people desired. They were best of friends for a long time but only advanced their relationship recently. He had caught her attention five years ago when she had taken her big mummy to the Spa as a part of her 50th birthday treat. Funsho had been reluctantly following a younger woman who could not decide on what nail polish to buy; she found out that the lady was his younger sister who had just returned from Australia and insisted he took her out. Teniola noticed his crescent-moon shaped eyes as soon as he walked up to the counter; he also had an imperious nose, an angular

flaunty jaw, and his hair was full but styled in a neatly shaped crew cut. He could pass for a model with his Samson physique although she could not say much about his fashion sense.

Funsho had approached her some minutes later, asking to seat next to her on the lounge sofa so he could get a better view of the TV after Teniola insisted that the attendant changed the channel to super sport. They quickly realized that they both supported Chelsea and soon started sharing commentaries and goal scoring excitement, to the annoyance of the other women who had no idea what was so interesting about football. By the end of the match, Funsho had realized she was a die-hard Chelsea fan and asked that they got together sometime soon. They exchanged contacts,

soon realizing that their faithfulness to Chelsea was not the only thing they

had in common.

‚I am just worried Funsho; what if you come and she doesn't approve of you? She always had something to say about every man I ever brought home seeing as her prophesying prophet is still hale and hearty‛.

She said with mixed feelings. On one hand, she wanted to take things with Funsho to the next level by introducing him to her mother but on the other hand, she wanted to save him from her mother's embarrassment. She had not said a lot when Teniola told her she was seeing someone, so she was scared she will take her usual step. Teniola was convinced Funsho was her

last bus stop and she had prayed and received favourable answers concerning him.

‚Teni when I asked you out, you only said yes to me after settling

things in the prayer, so if God be for us, who can be against us. God is with us. I know you are bothered because of your past experiences but things will be different with me; I carry fire baby girl. Who will not want to have a son-in-law like me?‛ he said trying to ease the tensed atmosphere, he had a

knack for being playful in serious situations.

‚Funsho! Must everything be a joke?‛ She said trying to fight the

urge to burst into tears.

‚Okay, I am sorry but on a more serious note, we just need to trust God with this. We are a team and we will handle this together; we will put that day in his hands and everything will be okay. We will of course take advantage of Aunty Ronke's presence because if anybody can vouch for

me, she can.‛ Funsho said.

‚Funsho, I have made up my mind, if she doesn't agree this time around, she will be so shocked at how I am going to change it for her. This is not fair at all Funsho, I will be thirty in a few months and all my friends are already married. Stella had her second baby last week, and my own

mother is indirectly ruining my life!‛ Teniola grumbled in anger.

‚It is finally finished... I didn't know that I was in a relationship with Mayweather, you will change it for the person who gave birth to you and raised you, interesting.‛ Funsho laughed on the other hand while Teniola only kept a straight face as if he could see her. It was silent for a while

before Funsho sighed loudly.

‚Daughter of Zion, you can't fight your mother because of me or anybody else. You should know that God himself authorized our parents to give us out in marriage, so my dear, keep your wrestling hands inside your pocket. We will put the meeting in the hands of God and His will be

done.‛ He reassured her.

‚She doesn't even know so much about you and it is not supposed to be like that; I had to introduce you to Aunty Ronke first because mummy is being so unreasonable but I know our Jesus will intervene.‛ She was scared

but decided to hold on to her faith.

‚Amen‛ he responded.

‚So, now that we've watered down your fire, what is my lawyer

fiancée up to? Anything I need to catch-up on?‛ Funsho asked but Teniola remained silent when she heard footsteps approaching. She paused to be sure she wasn't hallucinating.

‚Mr. Macaulay, we have to continue this chat later, Iya Teni is on her

way to my room and I'm not ready for her long sermon‛. Teniola

whispered.

‚Precious Father, my fiancée is still such a baby. So, at thirty, you can't

receive a man's phone call at home with confidence; a decent, handsome and fire branded man like me for that matter. We need to rectify this

situation soon,‛ Funsho teased her.

‚Must everything be a joke? Besides I'm not in the mood for questions that...‛ Teniola hung up immediately as the door opened but almost laughed at herself when she realized it was not her room's door. Teniola thought to call Funsho back when she was prompted to pray. She pondered over their conversation earlier as random words dropped in her

heart.

‚Helped‛ ‚Limits.‛ Teniola sighed and put her head on the table

when the words came to her for the third time.

‚Whatever you ask in my name, I will do so that the father may be glorified in the son (John 14:13). Teniola reminded herself of the scripture as she knelt

down immediately, asking God to send a helper to intervene in her

situation and give her a testimony for His glory.

...Ronke's point of view.

‚Mummy not this time, you can't tell me not to marry Funsho! I'm tired and fed up. Mummy, this is the fifth guy I have brought home since I clocked twenty-five. I have just three months left to hit the walls of thirty and you're still rejecting every man I bring home. Enough Mum, I can't do this any longer!‛ Teniola yelled and stomped out of the living room. Her mother had just rudely sent Funsho out of her home and I sincerely pity the young couple. Abebi, my childhood friend and Teni's mother, has given her daughter a tough time with the issue of marriage and choosing a life partner. She had called me a week before, to be present whilst she scrutinize him and I did not have the heart to say that I have known the

young man for a while now. In my opinion, Funsho would make an amazing husband for Teniola but I cannot blame Abebi for her over-

protective behaviour, Teni is all she has.

Abebi had lost Teni's older, twin siblings in a plane crash with her husband fifteen years ago. Teni was just in S.S.1 and was only fourteen years old when the incident happened. Abebi nearly killed herself and it took only the grace of God to restore her and give her the strength to remain alive. She had watched Teniola grow up and ensured she never left her care or the shores of Lagos. She made sure Teniola was admitted to University of Lagos to study law and even when Teni had to serve the country and was posted to Sokoto state, Abebi did everything to ensure she

was redeployed to Lagos. Abebi is an amazing mother but she has

forgotten or maybe cannot see that Teni is no longer the little child she knew; she has grown into a wise young woman, capable of contributing to

her life's matters.

‚Abebi, this girl has a point. You need not emphasize even the littlest flaw in the men your daughter brings to you. Funsho is a handsome young man. He's God-fearing, respectful and works with Chevron as their accountant. He is also from a well to do family in this Lagos; the Macaulay's are very great people, you know.'' I chipped in but as usual,

she was being head-strong.

‚Ibironke Oremi, e jo emi na ko (my friend, it's not my fault.) Alagba told me that the guy does not match my daughter's destiny. Won ni irawo won o ba ra won mu (their destinies do not match.)‛ I looked at my friend Abebi and shook my head in disappointment.

‚Ronke, you know Teni is all I have, so I don't want her to marry into just any home. I know the Macaulay's are great people but Teni's destiny and Funsho's do not match.‛ Abebi said avoiding my gaze.

I gazed at the POP ceiling in the sitting room for a while then looked at Abebi as I tried to keep myself calm.

‚Abebi, 2021 la ma wa (We are in 2021).'' I said trying to pull her out

of the past she was seemingly stuck in.

‚Aunty Ronke, please tell her‛, Teniola had come back to the sitting room with her travelling box. ‚Tell Mummy, my life has always been governed by what Woli-alagba says. When I gained admission for Masters in the United Kingdom, it was this same Woli-alagba who said if I go, I won't come back alive. It was the same thing when I brought Mike home, she said Woli told her he is a wizard who wants to ruin my destiny. Mummy, Mike has been married for five years now with twins. I brought Femi, she said Woli-alagba prophesied that if I marry him, I would die during child-birth like the wives in that family. Femi is also married with children and his wife is alive and well, running Gem Events; the same event planner she intends to call for my wedding. I brought Tayo and Mummy said this same Woli-alagba had seen that Tayo will not make it in life. Tayo is the owner of a successful real-estate company as we speak.‛ Teniola lamented, weeping as she called out all the relationships she had

broken because of a prophet's decree.

‚Since the prophet called all of them demons, I left the shores of Yoruba land and met Ifeanyi; mummy chased him away saying I can't marry an Igbo man and Woli added his condiment saying that his mother is a witch. Now Funsho, you're saying our destinies do not match; Mummy when will a man I bring home be right by you!‛ Teniola poured her mind

to her mother who acted like she couldn't hear a word.

‚Abebi, the bible makes us realize wisdom is profitable to direct us in

all situations, can we discuss this like adults please?‛ I pleaded with her.

‚Ronke, this same wisdom demands that I don't make the same

mistake twice. If I had met Woli earlier, maybe Folabi would not have died in that plane crash with my two girls. WO! Mi o ni ko oro Woli Danu (I will not reject the words of the Prophet), He is my representative in the realm of the spirit.‛ She snapped.

‚I understand the place of spiritual authorities but Abebi, I think

you've turned this Woli to a god over your life and that is the scary part of this whole situation. His every word has now become yes and amen, a law

you cannot live without.‛ I said to her.

‚Yes, I cannot live without him because the same bible says we should believe in his prophets and we will be successful; that's exactly

what I'm doing‛ Abebi countered.

‚Big mummy, there is no point trying to convince mummy because she won't agree with anybody. It is my fault for sharing a roof with you at this age but it looks like it is time to be on our separate levels. Mummy I will marry Funsho and if you stand in my way, I will leave this house for you.‛ Teniola said and went out of the house, her mother hot on her trail. I followed behind them, praying for insight on how to help the mother and

daughter.

‚Teniola, is it me you are talking to in that manner? Ronke, can you hear this child? Is this what that boy, Funsho or whatever he's called has taught you? So, you're going to his house or where?‛ Abebi shouted as Teniola got into her metallic grey Venza car.

‚That is exactly where I am going mummy and I am not returning anytime soon.‛ Teniola answered as she turned on the ignition. Abebi immediately instructed the gatekeeper not to open the gate for Teniola. The argument continued between mother and daughter until I tapped on the window of Teniola's car and asked her to calm down, pouring out

promises of finding a solution to the issue at hand. Teniola opened the

door of her car, tears still rolling down her face.

‚Big mummy, how long will mummy continue to allow a stranger

play games with my life like this? All my friends are married and I'm the only one that is still single without any obvious reason for my delay. I am even losing friends because their husbands don't want me visiting them since I'm yet to be married, they believe I will be a bad influence on their wives. Big mummy I want to leave, I will return in the evening.‛ Teniola cried harder as I pulled her into a hug and pacified her with her native praise. It took a while before I was able to convince her not to make any rash decisions. It was so difficult to get through to both of them; stubbornness was common between them.

‚Big mummy, it's because of you I am still here o, because mummy's wahala (problem) is too much‛ Teniola grumbled a bit but stepped out of the car.‛ I shushed her and dragged her with me into the house when she tried to respond to her mother's background nagging. I think I can get a job as a referee with my experience in separating Abebi and Teni's wild

clashes.

Trouble with Teniola

I sat on Abebi's king-sized bed with a magazine in my hand and watched her sulk as she soothes the wrinkles on her gold-coloured duvet, removing what looked to be a loose thread from the white bedsheet. One of Abebi's best qualities was her neatness and one may even say she was too neat as she couldn't stand dirt no matter how little. She would always insist that ‚cleanliness was next to godliness‛ and believed if you would seek God, you must first be very clean. Ever since a Sunday school teacher told us during our childhood that we wouldn't be able to hear God's voice in a dirty classroom, Abebi had become very intolerant of dirt; so much that she took her bath before praying to God. I watched my friend who looked like she had a lot on her mind and felt for her; it must not be easy waring against her own child. It had been three days since Teniola threatened to leave home and ever since, both mother and daughter have been on a silence war; neither of them willing to speak to the other. I

decided we had to put an end to this once and for all.

‚Ore mi, look at this picture from our secondary school days, I didn't know you even still had it.‛

‚Why won't I have it' you have glowed up now so I need a reminder that we once used to look like street kids; things have changed now.‛ Abebi said, laughing at the memories.

‚I agree that things have really changed. These pictures remind me of how in our days, we almost couldn't breathe the same air our parents did, talk less of being in the same room with them or arguing.‛ I started as I put

down the photo album I was going through.

‚I'm telling you, it's like the children of nowadays were created with a special brand of stubbornness; it takes God to even understand what is going on in their minds most of the times. I mean look at Teni that grew up right under my nose telling me she is going to go and live with a man she's not yet married to; where is that done?‛ Abebi ranted, turning her words in

the exact direction I wanted.

‚You know she would never do that; she was just trying to get you worked up. Teniola has very firm principles as to certain things; at most, she would have gone out to calm down and return later in the day. Teniola

doesn't admit it but she hates to fight with you.‛ I said.

‚Indeed. Because of an ordinary man, she has sealed her mouth for days now like it is affecting me; tell her that she can leave if she wants to leave but she should do it quickly so I can rent out her room please. I cannot have empty space in my house and not make money from it.‛ Abebi said making me laugh; my friend still has not changed, everything was a potential source of income for her.

‚Iyalaje of Africa! Ore mi, should I tell you the truth, that Funsho boy is not actually a bad choice o. Kama paro (To be honest); I think you should get to know him without bias first. I am not saying you should throw your prophet's words away; all I am saying is that you should confirm for yourself. Your daughter is born-again and has been prioritizing God's will in her decisions so can't we trust that she knows what she's doing and prayerfully consider the man she has brought? I lobbied and Abebi sighed. ‚Ronke, it is easy to throw your eggs when they are many in the basket but when you have only one, you cannot afford to play games. Maybe if I had known and consulted Woli when the twins were going for that Richard Ladejo University exam in Abuja, he would have warned us about the tragedy that was about to befall us. I blame myself every day for not being sensitive; Teni was sick and in the hospital so even after the crash, I still didn't know anything until much later. I don't want to experience anything like that again.‛ Abebi said, her eyes brimming with tears at the memory. I was not ignorant of my friend's struggles because I watched her wallow in pain and anguish all those years and almost had to check her into a psychiatric home. I sighed wondering how the lord was

going to bring clarity to this issue.

‚Ronke, do you think a whole prophet of God can be mistaken? Teniola may not understand now but she will appreciate it in future, she just has to be patient. In fact, I just sent Woli some money this morning to kill an atonement goat so that cursed men will stop approaching her.''

Abebi said and my head immediately started to ring.

‚Abebi!‛ I exclaimed.

‚This is too much! Why then did Christ die if you are still killing goat in this century? I'm certain; this Woli will kill the goat, boil it, fry it and use it to drink garri. Abebi, we are educated people so how can you allow this

man extort you like this.‛

‚Ronke, it is not extortion if it is for Teni's benefit; just be watching, the stars will soon turn in Teni's favour.‛ Abebi said packing out the dirty laundry. I stared at my friend in disbelief of how she has allowed fear to cloud and cripple her mindset. I felt a stirring in my spirit and sighed loudly; if my peace remains unaffected in the troubled time, there was

nothing to be worried about.

‚Speaking of Teni, I have not seen her all morning and it is almost

past 3pm, did she go out?‛ I asked but Abebi just shrugged.

‚The two of you are the partners in crime so how will I know where she is? She will most likely be in her room.‛ Abebi said and I got down from the bed deciding to check up on Teni and also get something to drink. I stopped by the fridge in the kitchen and grabbed something to drink before proceeding upstairs to see Teni. On my way up, thoughts of my little woman filled my mind as I smiled like a proud mother. Teni beat all my expectations as a growing child and even up till today, she continues to surprise me.

Teniola is every woman's dream daughter; apart from beauty she is smart, caring and highly intelligent. Teniola is a lawyer who held a double firstclass degree; the Jinx breaker of her faculty they called her. She had

different honorary awards and was even awarded a law school

scholarship. She proceeded to have her LLM, and is currently on her PhD, lecturing at Hill Top University, and practicing intellectual property and litigation. I hardly see women who are so disciplined, confident and filled with charm and character such as Teniola; it was easy to wish she was my own daughter. I entered Teniola's room but could not seem to find her anywhere so I returned to the living room but she was nowhere to be

found.

‚Teniola!‛ I called multiple times but it was Abebi who came out of

her room instead.

‚Can't she hear you calling her or has she also added deafness to her muteness?‛ Abebi said going out of the house through the back door. She

called Teni's name to confirm if she was outside or not.

‚Sulaimon! Sulaimon! Did Teniola leave this house sometime today?‛ Abebi asked the gate keeper who confirmed she had not left the house and just like a raging bull set free, Abebi began to panic!

‚God protect us from evil, where is my phone; this girl will not put me into trouble.‛ Abebi said and put a call through to Teni but was

automatically directed to voicemail as her line was unreachable.

‚Ha! Ronke are you just looking at me? Teniola... where is Teniola, where is my daughter for God's sake. Ah! What if something happened to her, what if someone came into the house without Sulaimon's knowledge

and took my daughter away! Ronke do something!‛

‚Abebi, calm down, don't raise your blood pressure because of

something so small. Teniola isn't a child, I'm certain she will come back to this house if she left at all. Let's keep trying her number whilst we wait.‛ I said but of course, Abebi had to check outside once more and even confirm

with the security again.

‚Aunty Teni, I never leave for this gate at all; you are telling me!‛ Sulaimon had reassured her with his messed-up grammar. No matter how serious the situation, it was always funny how he confidently yet ignorantly interchanged 'I' for 'You' or 'she/he whenever he spoke.' I managed to get Abebi to return into the house and wait there. After some

minutes, she turned to face me.

‚Ronke oda (alright), I know I overreacted but where is my daughter, she is the reason I'm still living on earth. Ti e na ni mo de se.'' (I'm after her

good). At this point, Abebi had begun to shed tears and even I was beginning to wonder what was going on when Teni came into the living room from the kitchen. Abebi quickly grabbed her, roaming her hands all

over her face, asking if she was alright.

‚Aunty Ronke, ki lo sele (what happened)? What happened to Mummy?‛ Teni managed to say.

‚Teni so you were in this house and you put us through all this trouble looking for you!‛ I said, not being able to understand why she didn't answer our calls

‚Big mummy no o, I stepped out to buy airtime and decided to walk

to the bakery and pick up some loaves of bread.‛ Teni explained

‚How come Sulaimon has been saying you did not come out at all

today?‛ Abebi asked, voicing out my exact thoughts.

‚I have told you to sack that inefficient sluggard. I woke him up from sleep to lock the gate and he was still asking me how I left the house when I returned. That boy is capable of opening the gate for thieves once he starts

sleeping.‛ Teni hissed as Abebi visibly calmed down.

‚Your mum was really worried about you and so was I. Please let us

know when you are leaving the house next time.‛ I said to her.

‚Big mummy, mummy is not worried about me o; she was only

looking for me because Woli must have told her that I will get missing soon.‛ Teniola said sarcastically. The look Abebi shot her daughter would

have made me laugh on any other day but I ignored it today.

‚Anyways, sit down; I want to talk to you and your mum.'' I said and Teni took the liberty of making sure she sat at a considerable distance from her mother, obviously to avoid her. Abebi noticed but she said

nothing.

‚Abebi oremi, (my friend) you have been a good mother to Teni and I pray that you will reap the fruit of your labour over this child in Jesus'

name‛ I started, moving forward in my chair.

‚I don't like the mood we have all been in for the past three days and that is why I have decided that we address it. Abebi, if you did not trust my judgement, you would not have invited me into your home at all. I know you love your daughter and you are protective of her but Abebi, your over-protectiveness is indirectly limiting her from attaining certain heights in life''. I said to Abebi who didn't respond and only continued to

stare at the mother-child art work that sat beautifully on the wall.

‚Abebi...‛ I called but my friend conveniently ignored me and I

smiled; she was at least listening to me.

‚Aunty Ronke, she won't change her mind so let me just move on

with my life‛ Teni said, arising from her chair.

‚My friend will you return to your seat? Do we look like the students

you lecture? If your mother has honoured my presence and remained

seated, how can you walk away; are you not the reason we are doing all of this? Don't let me be crossed with you o.‛ I reprimanded Teni for the first time in a long time; I understood her frustrations well but I also cannot pretend to support her fully as I can also relate to her mother's pain and worries. Teni reluctantly grumbled an apology and returned to her seated

position.

It was quiet in the room for a few minutes before I decided by the prompting of the Spirit to journey with them through the days of my youth.