From where I stopped in the last article, "The Best Man"...
Being a preacher's kid comes with so much disadvantages as well as advantages. Well,
rationally speaking, the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. This has been my opinion
though, and that's because a lot of us out there take the ills that come with it and
magnify it. I have decided to see only the positivity in it, for my sanity sake.
My parents founded the place where I worship and have been worshipping from birth. I
heard the church started from a shop, then to a rented apartment where we had
services only on Fridays and now the five thousand (5000) seater auditorium we have.
The day the building was to be dedicated, unfortunately, my parents died in a plane
crash that fateful morning. These are events I try not to think or talk about.
Since then, my younger brother and I live with the presiding pastor of the church who
happens to be my father's younger brother.
Since the tragic incident, he (my uncle) and his wife have become both my parents and
pastor. I heard according to my father's will or let's say ‘God's will’ my uncle would
oversee the church till the one whom the LORD is preparing (as stated in the will, 'whom
I have no idea of') is ready. I sometimes feel that was unnecessary as my Uncle was
spiritual and worded and has successfully maintained the church's standard. But who
am I to question what the LORD has destined?
Living in a pastor's house, it has been a custom not to attend wedding receptions. I
know how many times I have questioned the act, proposing that Jesus attended a wedding reception and even turned water into wine. Left for me alone it wasn't too
much of an issue, but the rest of the house would not yield, especially my aunt who
would buy the asó ebi and still stay at home. My uncle argued that they won't want to
get polluted with the kinds of songs, jokes and activities that go on there. I know he
heard that from my father and had no option than to carry on with the religion.
One good thing is, as we go home, the reception goes home with us. We always return
with stock of goodies that we certainly don't finish in one day. Aunty Idara's wedding
was not an exception at all.
Chisom our 'divine help' started serving food. My aunt said he was not to be referred to
as our house help/boy because the word was for unbelievers who maltreated people's
children. Hence, his title ‘divine help’.
It was rumoured that she chose a boy to help in the house because she didn't want
anyone to seduce her husband. 'People though'.
The dining was set. My Aunt appointed me to pray for the food and just as I was about
doing that my phone rang. It was an unknown number but 'truecaller' revealed the
name of the person, it still was unfamiliar.
"Will you pray!", my aunt barked.
I quickly silenced the phone and said a short prayer, took my phone and left the dining
room.
It was quite unusual for me to leave food for a call. But there's always a first time, right?
I raced to the room, shut the door and just as I was about dialling the number, the call
came in again.
"Hello..." I started, unusually eager to know who it was.
"Good afternoon, dear." the caller responded, which got me annoyed. I'm not fond of
endearing words from strangers. It could be someone I knew, so I mellowed.
"Who is this please?" I asked being a calm Christian.
"It is Xavier. The guy at the church, the best man remember?"
On hearing this, my phone dropped off my hand and bounced on the mattress. I
wondered how he got my number. So many means came to mind. Truth is, getting my
number was not something too difficult. Questioning myself on who gave him my
number didn't matter. I could still hear him speaking on the phone.
"Hello! Hello! Are you there? I just called to know if you looked at the content I
dropped in your pocket... Hello!"
I didn't respond, so he hung up.
Straight to my suit, I went, looked for the paper and behold what I saw, a ticket to see
one of the most anticipated Christian Stage drama, 'Imole dé'.
It was even a VIP ticket. It was something, and the last thing on my mind was declining.
Sales of ticket had closed.
The guy was toxic and looked like an appearance of evil already, but I had to remind
myself that it was just to see a drama. "He can't kiss you at the theatre na..." I said to my
self.
I picked my phone and sent him a text stating that I'd attend; with him.
In no time he replied my text, then I sent another, another followed and so before we
would spell Jesus, we entered WhatsApp. Then Voice calls and Video calls. The Xavier
man was a whole Vibe entirely, quite an interesting person to chat and talk with.
I was still having a video call when my best friend, Simon badged into the room.
I hung up the call quickly and faced the seemingly furious Simon standing by the door
with hands on his waist akimbo.
"What's wrong with you?" he fumed. Astonished as I was, I got up.
"I don't understand..." I replied.
"Mum has been calling you. She said you haven't eaten. You missed God's Hour with
Pastor Dunsin and your line is busy... only to meet you smiling at your phonelike...what
I don't know ..."
I didn't know what made me laugh. Maybe it was the fact that my friend who seldomly
gets angry was standing in front of me acting like a daddy or the fact that he said I was
smiling at my phone.
"I am fine, man. Calm down! Oya, let's go and eat...did you go for the reception ?"
"That's your business. I have eaten and you missed the programme. ntor"
Hearing that I missed God's Hour, I should have been sad and bothered but that
afternoon it didn't seem much of a problem to me. I had quite an eventful hour with
Xavier, and the joy of seeing the drama live was enough satisfaction. Carnal! Right?
"Rehearsal is in a few hours, I hope you know. Now that you're picking your food and
smiling at your phone like you are chatting with the woman with the issue of blood..."
Simon said with his eyes fixed on me. I laughed it off, then it occurred to me that he said
rehearsal and it was a Saturday.
"I won't be attending today's rehearsal o..." I replied. I told him I was going to the
theatre to see 'Imole Dé' with this friend. First he laughed it off; entries had closed and
we allowed it slide intentionally.
I had to explain how I got the ticket and he kept digging out more reasons why I had to
be in church. He reminded me that I was to take the word at the youth church and we
needed to pray together in preparation.
"That's true oh..." I cried. It was my first official appearance and I needed to be sure of
what to give God's people.
"Never mind, I would be back before rehearsal dismisses. Even if I don't get back I'd pray
at home, we would Skype it" I explained trying to convince him.
Deep down, I knew making it for rehearsal was slim, but the prayers was definite to
work.
I could see the worry in Simon's eye, even though he said nothing.
I was going anyways. There was no negotiation. My sermon was ready, all I needed to
do was deliver it.
"I would be expecting your call this evening...Enjoy your movie" He replied, quite coldly.
He had every right to feel bad. Both of us had planned attending the show together. But
due to our tight schedule we opted to just watch the video on YouTube. Now I was
going, not with him, but with this my new and unknown friend.
To be continued...
