“Thank you” Lara said giving some naira notes to a cab driver. She
took a deep breathe, and glanced around her. The magnificent church
was standing before her. She had brought her case to God. She
wondered if God would listen to her again. The last time she came to
church was when her father was alive, she was ten years then…
“Good morning sir” she greeted a man in security uniform. “Please is
the Resident Pastor around?” “Yes, let me tell him you want to see
him.” the security man replied before speaking into a telecom. “he said
you should come in.” “Thank you sir!” Lara said before walking towards
the church basement. She muttered a silent prayer before knocking.
“Come in.” pastor Wilson said from within “Good morning Pastor
Wilson.” she flexed her knee. “Morning sister…please sit!” Lara sat on a
chair facing him, clutching at her hand bag. “You came to see me?”
Pastor Wilson asked. “Yes pastor, My name is Omolara Popoola..” Lara
began. “Omolara Popoola? You mean Lara the daughter of late Deacon
Popoola?” Pastor Wilson asked in surprise. “Yes sir.” Lara smiled.
“Wow…how are you? How have you been?” he looked pleased. “Fine
sir…” “God is great! You’re married now?” he gestured at her wedding
band. “Yes sir,…that’s why I came…” “Is anything the matter?”
Pastor Wilson sensed all is not well. Lara told him about her troubles,
shedding tears in the process. He looked touched by her story. “Its
well, God is with you.” he told her. After praying with her, he gave
her some Bible verses to read, before asking her to fast for just a
day. “Sister Lara, If you must fast; your faith in God would determine
how your answer will be.” he told her. “I have faith Pastor.” Lara
assured him. “Not just in the mouth but from the heart…and mind
you, you must go back to your matrimonial home!” he told her. “No…
But…” she frowned. “You must go back there!” he said firmly. “Okay,
thank you…” she didn’t look happy. “Take care Lara, God is with you.”
he waved her off. ... Lara walked into her home, she felt nervous
when she walked into the sitting room. “I thought you ain't gonna
come back.” Sophia sneered. “I’m back!” Lara said, before walking into
her room. She’s got no time to start quarrelling with Sophia now, its
almost time for her to break her fast. She was in a kneeling position,
rounding up her prayers when she heard a commotion in the sitting
room. She paused absent mindedly to listen…Sophia was quarrelling
with somebody… perhaps Tony. She ended her prayer in a hurry and
tiptoed out of her room. What she saw made her jaw drop. “You have
no right to ask me who i’m looking for!” Amara- Tony’s mother shot at
Sophia. “You can’t walk in like that! This isn’t your home!” Sophia fired
back. Just then Amara noticed Lara’s presence. “Lara?” “Welcome
ma.” Lara greeted her. “Who’s this uncultured woman? Your maid?”
she gestured towards Sophia. “Errrm..”Lara began. “Sophia, meet …
ermm..Tony's mother, and errmmm, ma please meet, Sophia- Tony’s
errmm…” Lara stuttered. “So it is true?!” Amara exclaimed. Just then
Tony came back from wherever he went. “Mum? What are you doing
here?” he asked surprised letting his briefcase drop. “What am I doing
here? So what I heard is true? So its true that you’ve been
maltreating Lara? That you even brought your mistress into your
matrimonial home?” Amara shrieked. Tony bent his head, he knew he
was in trouble. “So this is what you’ve turned into? A Dog?” Amara
yelled. “I know what to do…I’m calling your father right away!” She
threatened picking her phone. “No no no..please mum, don’t do that…
I’d be in trouble if you call dad…Sophia is leaving right away..I’l turn
a new leaf…” Tony held her hand pleadingly. He walked into the guest
room, appeared carrying Sophia’s bag. “Sophia, leave now!” he shoved
the dumbfounded Sophia towards the exit. “You too, go and bring your
bag, you’re coming with me!” Amara told Lara who was silent. “But…
ma…” Lara’s eyes widened. “I say go and bring your bag, I can’t
leave you here with this beast! What if he murders you!” Amara
shrieked. “Mum..please don’t take her away.” Tony pleaded. “Try to
stop me!” she glared at him, dragging Lara out of the house; with her
bag and all...
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