Read Episode 1 of Love, Your Enemy
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
-Matthew 6
Alice picked out the embarrassing sound of her rumbling stomach. She also felt a prickly sensation in her armpits as the atmosphere around her suddenly turned warm. Her mouth seemed to lose the bulk of its saliva as well. An instant headache hit the side of her head, causing her temporary blurriness. She clutched her iPad with both hands to get a grip on herself but her troubled stomach worsened, leaving her no choice but to hurry out of the church as the senior pastor was just about to deliver the dayβs sermon.
Dropping her iPad with her best friend, Wemimo, who was seated beside her, Alice sought the nearest exit and sped towards it. The pastorβs voice over the PA system irritated her with each step. When she hit the outside air which was hot and humid, she let out held breath.
She gunned for a smaller building that was separated from the gigantic four thousand-sitter cathedral by a metal picket fence. It was a structure that had vast space of unused land surrounding it, on which luxurious cars and buses were parked. Unlike the church structure that was set in marble, this building was of basic architectural design but was not lacking in the classiness that marked the entire berth of land that was owned by Bethel Covenant Center.
Alice burst through double doors and walked past an empty reception that had a plasma TV live-streaming the pastorβs message. Again, his voice irked her. She hurried down a corridor that was fringed by offices on both sides and ended up in one that had her name written on the door. When she burst in, she kicked off her heels and sank into a couch resting on the wall to her right. There, she buried her face in her hands and broke into tears.
Her door creaked open and a slim, fair lady walked in. βAlice?β
A shaken Alice looked up and went back to crying.
βAwww, boo. Youβre in shock,β her friend said, stepping out of the wedge sandals she had on. The length of the off-shoulder Ankara gown she wore extended to the floor as she went to Alice.
βI hate him,β Alice cried. βGod! I hate him!β
βI know. Pele.β
A third lady barged in, unannounced. She was the friend with whom Alice had left her tab.
βAre you crying?β she asked upon entry.
βWemimo, not now,β the other lady chided, passing Alice a tissue box retrieved from the office desk.
βTara, abeg. Iβm not talking to you. Iβm referring to this crybaby here. Alice, why are you doing this to yourself?β
βWhat is wrong with you nau, Wemi? Sheβs in shock here. Be nice.β
βAll of us are in shock. In fact, Iβm reeling. But you donβt see me balling my eyes out.β
βWhy are you so insensitive?β
βInsensitive how?β Wemimo spread out her hands in question and gold bangles jingled.
Tara shook her head at her, giving no response.
βNo, seriously, how am I insensitive here? Alice carried on an entire relationship in her head with Pastor Leye and he comes and announces that heβs getting married in a weekβs time and she came here to kill herself with cry. Werenβt you there when I told her over and over again that Pastor Leye felt nothing for her?β
βHow can you say that?β
βThey were just friends! At least, that was how he saw it. But in Aliceβs head, he was already her husband and father of her unborn kids. Now, look at what sheβs doing to herself. The whole church noticed that the announcement affected you, Alice. From this evening youβll be the latest gossip topic on the tongues of jobless human beings. Wehdone ma.β
βI donβt think anything can beat Pastor Leyeβs announcement, though. It will trend until the wedding day. And even after it.β
βIβm telling you.β Wemimo straightened out the sleeves of her lacy buba, tugged up the iro and hopped on Aliceβs desk. Like her two friends, she was slim, possessing the same dark skin Alice bore. They shared other identical bodily features like high cheekbones, wide hips and small shapely figures. Many people believed they were sisters. But Wemimo was Yoruba and Alice a product of a northern and south-southern marriage.
βBut I still canβt believe my ears,β Tara went on. βJust like that, he will announce his wedding from nowhere? Who is the woman sef?β
βWho cares?β Wemimo hissed. βLeye has always been annoying and overrated. I prefer Adi.β
βPastor Leye, Pastor Adi,β Tara corrected.
βWhatever. Leye is full of himself. He thinks he can carry on a secret relationship and just spring a wedding on all of us just because his father owns the church?β
βIβm sure the marriage board knows about it.β
βHow? Did you see the look on some of the pastorsβ faces when he broke the news? Why are you talking like you donβt know Leye and his arrogance? Is it today he started disrespecting the leaders of this church? So typical of him to just bring a woman from nowhere to cause kasala. Very typical. I bet you that the church wonβt allow it. Watch and see. The wedding will not hold next week Sunday.β
Aliceβs sniveling intensified.
βCan you just shut up, Alice?β
βNo, you shut up!β Alice fired back, lifting her head up. βItβs so easy for you to judge someone! If it was you in my shoes, would I treat you like this?!β
Wemimo rolled her eyes. βFirst of all, I can never be in your shoes, pining for a man that feels nothing for me.β
βLeye bought me a car and paid my rentβ¦β
βPoint of correction β the church bought you a car as one of the youth leaders and paid your rent because you told them you were having financial difficulties.β
βI told Leye…β
βAnd he told the church and they handled the issue. Case closed.β
βWemi, Leye and I had something going onβ¦β
βNo, Alice. You had nothing going on. You were all over his father. In fact, if papa wakes up tomorrow and proposes to you, nobody will be surprised.β
βI wasnβt and Iβm not all over papa. Iβm heading the Happiness Department and itβs my job to ensure that the pastors are well-taken care of, Wemi.β
βExactly! So whatever you think you and Leye had was just you doing your duties.β
βHe takes me out for lunch. We talk all the time. He calls me to advise him on issuesβ¦β
βDid he ever kiss you?β
Alice sniffled. βNo, butβ¦β
βCase closed, aunty! He pastor-zoned you. The guy feels nothing for you and itβs time you get a grip on yourself and move the hell on!β Wemimo jumped off the table. βMe, Iβm going back to church. You can like to continue dying for him.β
She dashed to the door and opened it. βIn case you two decide to remain here for the rest of the service, you can meet me at home later. I cooked rice. Come with wine, letβs catch up on boyfriend gist. At least, for those of us who donβt have imaginary men.β
βJust leave.β Tara gestured her out. When she was gone, Tara slipped her hand into Aliceβs.
βYou just have to let go.β
βWhy doesnβt she believe me that Leye and I had something?β Alice asked, searching her friendβs eyes. βYou believe me, right? Please, tell me I didnβt imagine the vibes he was giving me for almost three years.β
βAlice, you know Pastor Leye more than anyone. You know how sweet and nice he can beβ¦β
βWe talked about so many things. He told me stuff about his life he never shared with anyone.β
βBut he never told you he liked you, did he?β
Alice was silent.
βDid he ever hold your hand?β
βOnce.β
βAlice, itβs not enough to conclude that you two had something. Maybe he was just appreciating all the care you have shown papa.β
βPapa wants me to marry into the family. He keeps on saying I would make a good Omotosho wife.β
βWell, Pastor Leye is not a child that papa can force into doing what he doesnβt want to. Heβs forty-three years old. He runs the church, both home and abroad. He makes his own decisions. And I think we should all respect him, no matter what. He is still Godβs instituted authority over us.β
βYouβre basically saying I should let go.β Alice wiped her eyes in a manner to avoid tampering with her faux lashes.
βYes, darling.β
βOh God! This hurts. And just imagine what people will be saying behind my back. Everyone thinks we have something going on. I hope they donβt come and start asking me if Iβm the one heβs getting married to.β
βI hope so too.β
Alice dabbed at the last tear with a crumpled tissue in her hand. βIβll speak to him after church.β
βJust do me a favor before you go to see him.β
βWhat?β
βGet rid of this emotional Alice and return my friend who kicks menβs asses.β
Alice gave a small laugh, crumpling the pain in her heart. She cast tired eyes down and tried not to let another episode of tears take her. There was going to be a lot of time for that later at night when her head hit her pillow. For now, she had to find a way to pretend that she was fine.
As Tara kept talking about kicking menβs asses, Alice strolled to her desk and took out a portable makeup kit from one of the drawers. Expertly, she touched on her face, bringing it back to life. The result left her with the characteristic stern expression she was known to have. She was the proud owner of a hard jawline and high cheekbones, with pink lips that always looked like they had just been kissed. This sometimes left her with a pliable appearance even though she was anything but soft. Having grown in a polygamous home, Alice was skilled in the art of deviousness and manipulation to have her way. She would tell you that Christ had transformed her but Wemimo and Tara knew she only needed the right push and she was back to her cunning ways. Nevertheless, she was loved by many in the church. Her faithfulness to the ministry and the positions bestowed upon her by the leaders had put her above her peers. Alice was highly favored.
βWhatever you do, please donβt bare your heart out on your sleeve when speaking to Pastor Leye,β Tara advised.
βOkay.β
βOya, come, letβs pray about it.β
βFor real, Tara?β
Alice occasionally found her friends exhausting. Between the sometimes Worldly Wemimo and Holy Tara, she didnβt know who was more annoying. Tara was as devout as the angels who saw God daily. She wasnβt as versed in the scriptures as Alice, but she took her faith and Godβs word without a pinch of salt, devotedly following her Pastorsβ instructions like she was receiving directives from God himself. Mostly, Alice was grateful to have her as a friend. Whenever she felt she was falling off the cart, Tara was there to pull her back in.
Alice let her lay a hand on her, agreeing to a prayer for guidance on how she was to handle her present situation.
βAnd Lord Jesus, please help her find her own man too. Amen.β
βAmen,β Alice murmured, opening an eye to peep at her friend.
βAnd amen.β
Alice sighed. βYouβre so extra, Tara.β
Both friends slipped into their shoes and returned to the church. Alice managed through Leyeβs sermon, ignoring Wemimo who kept sketching stickmen on a notebook and christening them as certain members of the church. Alice had mistakenly taken a glance at one of the sketches and burst out loud in laughter when she saw that it depicted the associate pastor, Adindu, with a large phallus. She forced on a frown immediately as a man seated in front of them turned.
βWhy didnβt you sit with the pastors today, Pastor Alice?β he asked, throwing her a smile laden with flirtation.
βBrother Phil, please face your front,β Wemimo responded. He gave her a playful grimace before turning back to shout an βamen!β in response to something Leye had proclaimed. Wemimo hopped to her feet as did other members of the congregation to applaud and lend her voice to continuous shouts of excitement. But Alice remained seated, face set in iciness. She fixed a stare on Leye, and just before he rounded up his short sermon, his eyes caught hers too and turned away.
She didnβt wait for the service to come to a close before she began hurrying out. Hanging around meant being dragged to different meetings and consultations. She rushed back to her office and remained there until Tara poked her head in to announce that she was heading home.
βPlease, help me take out my bras that I washed last night. Let the sun touch them small.β
βOkay. See you.β
Tara was squatting with her at the moment, having just run out of cash to renew her rent. A contract around the corner would give her the needed funds to bounce back. Working alongside Alice and Wemimo as a makeup artist in a beauty salon they had built from the scratch, she was the laziest of the three, but possessed charm neither of them had. All three ladies hailed from modest backgrounds and had had to hustle their way through several low-paying jobs before they took the plunge to become self-employed. So far, the salon was a success, with most of its clients being members of the church. The year already looked promising for them. Wemimo was working towards buying her first car and Alice was hoping to make a first trip outside the country. It was a partnership Alice hoped would last for years.
A soft rap on her office door broke her concentration from her phone. She looked up as Leyeβs personal assistant peeked in.
βPastor Leye wants to see you, ma.β
βTell him to give me a minute.β
βHeβs in a hurry. He has to catch a flight to Abuja.β
βJust go. Iβll be with you shortly.β
The lady disappeared and Alice rose up, straightening her dress. She gave her hair a toss, pushing bouncy side bangs backwards. She made her way out and to the left wing of the building which was more spacious and housed the offices of the senior and associate pastors. She knocked on Leyeβs door and when she heard his voice, she walked in.
The space, as usual, welcomed her into classiness. Leye was known to be a simple man in character but ostentatious in appearance. Everything about his office reeked of corporate sophistication. It was roomy, glassy and shaded in deep brown and blue hues. It always felt like a psychologistβs office to Alice. Many afternoons had found her resting on a long, black couch with velvety throw pillows, talking to Leye about her problems. He was a great listener. He would sit on a single chair, facing her, listening to her speak. Sometimes, the roles were reversed, and she would be the one to hear him talk about his problems. Such was the nature of their friendship.
Entering the office and immediately connecting to memories of moments shared there with him, Alice became upset all over again.
βOne minute, Pastor Alice.β Leye was behind his desk, typing away on his phone.
She waited until he was done. He lifted his head and gave her his attention. She searched for guilt in his eyes but saw nothing other than a warm smile which she had come to love over the years.
βSo, Iβd like to apologize for the shocking announcement in church earlier,β he said, unbuttoning the sleeves of his shirt. βEveryone wants to kill me, and I think it would be great if I just disappeared from the face of the earth for a few minutes. But thatβs by the way. Sit down, will you?β
Alice pulled a chair, sat and faced his desk.
βI want to apologize for not letting you know about my fiancΓ©e and I. The relationship has gone on for more than a year and due to certain circumstances, we felt it best to keep it a secret.β
βWhatβs her name? Who is she?β
An apologetic expression fell on his face. βI canβt say anything about her right now.β
βWhatβs with the secrecy, Leye? Arenβt we friends anymore?β
βWe areβ¦ Alice, youβll get to know and fall in love with her as I have when you meet her. Iβm deeply sorry that I kept it all away from you.β
βItβs fine.β Alice released a weak smile. βAs long as youβre happy with her.β
Leye relaxed, leaning backwards in his chair with a grin as he folded his unbuttoned sleeves. βI am. She makes me happy. Sheβs not Diane. In fact, sheβs very different from her, but I know Diane would have approved.β
βWell, what can I say? Congratulations in advance.β
βThank you. Iβll be off to Abuja in a bit. Our traditional and court weddings hold there. Weβll be in Lagos on Saturday.β
Alice felt literal pain in her chest, in addition to the annoying tummy ache that wonβt go away.
βYouβre flying with Papa?β
Leye made a face, akin to a little boy showing displeasure at the mention of a least favorite parent. He and Papa had never gotten along. From the day Papa suffered a major heart attack and was forced to take a break off the ministry by his doctors, Alice noticed that he had been at loggerheads with Leye who had immediately taken his place. But she suspected the beef had started long before then.
βThe old man doesnβt approve of the wedding. He doesnβt like her.β
Alice straightened up. βWhy is that?β
βI donβt know his reasons but really, who cares? He didnβt like Diane at first as well.β
βBut you told me he warned you about marrying Diane, that she wasnβt blessed with long life.β
βHe just made that up. A drunk driver killed Diane. Not some prophecy by an old manβ¦β
βPastor Leye?β Alice chided gently.
βIβm sorry. Iβm just tired of him and his grumpiness. I wish he would just get married to some young chick and leave me alone. Or just go and bug his other children. Heβs so fixated on me.β
βBecause you are his only son and the one in whom he entrusted his legacy. You canβt afford to make mistakes, Leye, especially with a life partner.β
Leye flashed a smile Alice didnβt recognize. βShe is not a mistake. Sheβs the best thing to ever happen to me.β
Aliceβs tummy rumbled. Leye laughed. βYouβre hungry. You better go home and eat.β He stared down at his ringing phone. βWill there ever be rest for me in this life? Please, let me take this.β He lifted the phone to his ear. βBig Mommy!β
As he launched into Yoruba with his elder sister, Alice rose to her feet. He stopped her with a finger, stood up and ambled up to her.
βThereβs a special VIP wedding party at the house on Sunday,β he whispered, lips away from the phone. βStrictly on invitation. Come with a βheβ.β
Alice nodded. He tapped her back and held open the door for her.
Stepping out, Alice bumped into a couple of church leaders who were heading into the office. She engaged in a brief conversation with them before hurrying away to her office. Picking her purse, tab and a few other things, she left the office complex to where her car was parked. She drove home and had a quick shower before hopping into her car again to head for the Omotosho residence. She hadnβt seen Papa in a week. She wondered how the old soul was faring. He had already sent a text to ask why she hadnβt visited. She replied, promising to drop by briefly.
Along the way, she made a quick stop to purchase fruits and Papaβs favorite bottle of wine. When she arrived at the house, she found the old man hosting his grandchildren β two exhausting boys who were sons of his lastborn. Their parents had dropped them off for the afternoon and were yet to come for them.
βIβm sure theyβve forgotten,β Papa said to Alice tiredly after receiving a hug from her. He stood tall, towering her with an impressive posture that was too sturdy for a man who was sixty-seven.
βYou werenβt at church today,β Alice mentioned as she set the fruits in a basket that rested on the kitchen table.
βI visited a friendβs church for his daughterβs thanksgiving. She just came out of a three-month coma.β
βAnd sheβs doing okay?β
βAwesome.β
Alice leaned on the counter by the kitchen sink and watched Papa attend to the pancakes he was preparing for his grandsons. Like Leye, he was comfortable in the kitchen. They both enjoyed making their meals and in some rare moments, they would cook together. On such occasions, father and son would do away with issues that divided them and enjoy each otherβs presence in the large, black and white kitchen.
Alice was in love with the kitchen, and had many times, seen herself as a permanent fixture in it. Unlike Wemimo, she loved to cook, and the space was not only inspiring, it had a ready supply of everything one needed. On days when she visited Papa and neither of them was cooking, they would throw open the wide double doors that led outside and sit in, sipping wine and talking politics, which was Papaβs favorite topic.
βIβm done with these,β Papa announced, turning off the cooker. βCan you get me those little buggers in here?β
Alice hurried out to the living room where she found the boys fighting over a control pad and who would play a certain computer game. She sighed when she noticed that they had brought out the entire collection of Papaβs games and strewn them on the floor. The old man was going to be mad if he walked in and saw the mess. He was particular about his games and often devoted quality time for them.
βSolely for the stimulation of the mind,β he once told her.
He also played chess and scrabble, went swimming every Saturday, played golf once every month with his friends and jogged around the estate they lived in every other day. Before his heart attack, he had not given care to his health or any form of pleasurable pastime. It had been all about the ministry and nothing else. Now, he enjoyed the simple pleasures of taking trips around the world, speaking at religious meetings and spending time with family. He was still largely involved in the management of the church but Leye always saw that his influence was curtailed.
βAunty Alice, tell Tito to give me the control pad!β one of the boys shouted. Alice walked over to them and demanded for the device. Without hesitation the boy in possession of it handed it to her.
βGrandpa made you pancakes. Oya, go and eat.β
Both boys abandoned the game and dashed to the kitchen. Alice bent over to fix the mess they had created. Halfway, she felt a presence in the room and turned to find Papa watching her. His weak eyes seem fixated on her but after a second stare she realized he was actually in thought.
βLeye told you he is getting married this week?β he asked.
βHe announced it in the church. He didnβt tell me before that.β
βDid he tell you I disapprove of his choice of wife?β
βYes.β Alice straightened up. βWhy?β
Papa walked into the living room. He sat on a chair and crossed legs that were clad in jeans. If anyone ever wondered where Leye got his fashion taste from, they didnβt need to look far. Papa, from his youthful days, had been a man of style. Tall and reedy, he stood out wherever he went, always marked by an enviable fashion ensemble. Wemimo had, on several occasions, admitted to having a crush on him; even confessed to seducing him. But he wasnβt given into romance or women. The closest female companion he ever had was his late wife. He would often say that his three daughters were enough for him. And then there was Alice who loved him like a daughter as well. He was content with the women in his life.
βI have had the privilege of knowing the lady,β Papa spoke, replying to Aliceβs question about Leyeβs fiancΓ©e. βHer background is dark, and it seems this darkness follows her everywhere she goes. But Omoleye doesnβt see that. I honestly donβt know what he likes about her.β
βIs she beautiful?β
βShe is, actually. But in an understated way. She has striking curves, though. But sheβs not as beautiful as you are.β
Alice smiled. βIs that a compliment?β
βYou are beautiful, Alice. You know that. Why didnβt you ever consider modeling?β
Alice let out a shy smile. βWellβ¦ I was too poor to even consider having any kind of life asides hawking stuff on the street.β
βAnd unlucky youβ¦you didnβt happen to hawk your way into a photo shoot.β
Alice laughed freely. Papa was referring to famous Olajumoke, the bread-seller, who had become known when she happened upon a celebrity photo shoot that turned her into a model overnight and changed her fortune.
βBut youβre doing well for yourself now,β he said to Alice.
βWe thank God.β
Alice was not quite done with her questions about Leyeβs woman but she could tell that the topic upset Papa, thus she let it be. They sat in the luxurious living room, sipping wine. It was the only room that wasnβt inspired by the general theme of black and white used everywhere else in the house. Leye had spent big, decorating the place. To him, it was the first thing people saw about him; and it was to reflect his status as an accomplished man. Heavy drapes of rich brown and gold trimmings hung by the windows. A black marbled floor reflected a white coffered ceiling above. Furniture pieces came in subtle colors, ranging from bluish-grey to coffee brown. Two large marine-inspired paintings usually rested on the east and west walls. One of them faced the entrance; it was the first thing anyone saw upon entering the living room. But this evening, Alice noticed it was missing. Some years ago, it had been Dianeβs framed photo that adorned that wall. Leye had taken it down and replaced it with the painting. Alice suspected he was going to swap it with his new wifeβs photo soon.
βOh God, itβs almost nine!β Alice exclaimed as she picked her ringing phone from beside her. βAnd Wemi has been calling.β
βYouβre still friends with that seductress?β Papa asked with humor in his eyes.
Alice chuckled. βYou know sheβs harmless.β
βIβm very worried about her corrupting you, Alice. Do be careful of her.β
βI will.β Alice stood up. βGoodnight, Papa.β
She gave him a hug, noting the tiredness in his eyes. βWould you want me to drop the boys off at home?β
βNo. Let them be. Their parents are probably cuddled up in some hotel bed. Lord knows those two need that. Let them enjoy jare.β
She saw lonesomeness in his eyes. She had always desired to ask him how he had coped without intimacy in his life since his wife passed, but her respect for him would not let her broach the topic.
βGoodnight, Alice.β
She left the house, tired. When she arrived at Wemimoβs, she was glad to find food waiting. Tara was also there, trying out some new mascara she had just bought.
βWhatever Wemi advises you, please ignore,β she said when Alice stepped out of the kitchen with a plate of rice.
βWhereβs the Wemi sef?β
βIn the toilet. Please, ignore anything she tells you.β
βWhat does she want to tell me?β
βSome absurd idea that came to her mind,β Tara answered. She had held out a mascara brush in one hand as if she wanted to say more but she shrugged and set the brush to her lashes.
βSo did you have the talk with Pastor Leye?β she asked.
βI did and I donβt want to talk about it.β
βAre you still crying?β
βNo. Iβve moved on.β
And this was the truth. Alice knew how to get over situations quite fast. What she didnβt know how to do was to forgive as fast.
βI donβt think you really had any feelings for him.β
βNo, I didnβt,β Alice lied. βPurely infatuation.β
Tara gave break to her eyelashes and smiled at her friend. βI love you because youβre always such a good liar.β
βI know how to apply mascara better than you.β
Wemimo burst in from a door on which a towel hung. She was nude, save for an exercise bra. Perfectly-toned abs Alice always envied seemed bloated this evening. βJesus! My ass is on fire! Beware of that stew, Pastor Alice!β
βIβm too hungry to care,β Alice replied.
βI made the stew last night, ate it with spaghetti and now, Iβm bloated and purging at the same time. Arghh! I wan die!β
She dashed into her kitchen and returned with a glass of freezing water. She sank into the space beside Tara on a three-sitter, causing some of her makeup items to spill to the floor.
βWhy are you like this nau? And please, go and wear pant.β
Wemimo ignored her. βSo where are you coming from, madam?β she questioned Alice.
βI went to see Papa.β
Tara gave Wemimo a look that didnβt go unnoticed by Alice.
βWhat was that?β she asked.
βWhat?β Wemimo threw back.
βThe way two of you looked at each other.β
They shared the look again.
βThat. You just repeated it.β
βWemi, donβt,β Tara uttered.
βDonβt what?β Alice probed.
Wemimo put her glass of water aside, hiked up her hair in a bun and faced Alice. βAlice, I was thinking that after all the shame you faced with Leye today, you should get over it by dating Papa.β
Aliceβs jaw dropped, along with some grains of rice that hit the floor.
βHear me out,β Wemimo continued. βThereβs more. You need a man in your life. I have a boyfriend. Tara is engagedβ¦β
βShe doesnβt need a man.β
βTara, donβt talk until Iβm done.β
Tara hissed. βYouβre useless.β
βI know. Thank you. As I was saying, Alice, you need an Omotosho in your life.β
βWhere is all this coming from?β
Wemimo smiled like she was about to reveal the secret of life. βRemember when you started having feelings for Leye? Remember the reasons you told me? How you dreamt of taking Pastor Dianeβs place and becoming the respected mama? Remember you told me how you felt it was your calling to lead the church as an Omotosho?β
Alice shifted her eyes from a questioning stare coming from Tara.
βAlice?β Tara called. βIs this true?β
βI was selfish then. I-I didnβt mean it.β
βOh, youβre going to deny now?β Wemimo shook her head. βYou went on and on about it for months! You wanted so badly to be mother and queen of the entire church!β
βI was selfish, Wemi.β
βYouβre still that same person, and Iβm not judging you. Iβm simply telling you to act on your desires. Papa has been without a woman for years. Dude is lonely and you can fit in perfectly into his life without any one lifting a brow. And letβs not forget that heβs a fine old man.β
Alice lost her appetite. βPapa is the father I never had. I feel disgusted that you would suggest such a thing, Wemimo.β
βImagine you having as much power as Leyeβs new wife, and all that money. Because letβs face it, you were after Leye for what he could offer. Not only for love.β
Alice put her meal away and sprang up. βIβm going home, abeg. Tara, letβs go.β
βNa wa o. Somebody cannot even play with you again.β
βWemi, if you know what is good for you, never ever bring up this topic again. Never!β
βWhatever.β
βTara, letβs be going.β
βAliceβ¦β Wemi stood.
βDonβt talk to me right now.β
βMy dear, donβt dull yourself. I donβt expect that youβd think that ending up as a hair stylist is the best thing life has to offer you. Youβve worked so hard in the church and have gotten this far. Thereβs more you can have. Donβt let another young girl take Papa from you. All that daughter nonsense youβre doing with him will just clear from your eyes when heβs snatched, and youβll hate yourself for losing out on both ends. Use your sense well, Pastor Alice.β
Alice left the house in annoyance. She waited in her car for Tara, listening to gospel music on the radio. She was fighting hard not to let Wemimoβs words settle in.
When Tara entered the car, they shared a moment of quiet before Alice brought the engine to life.
βIn hindsight,β Tara spoke up, βI donβt think it may be a bad ideaβ¦β
Alice stopped her. βDonβt talk.β
βYou should pray about it but please, donβt seduce him. If itβs Godβs will, it will happen naturally.β
βDonβt talk about it again.β
Tara raised her hands. βIβm sorry.β
That night, Alice sat alone in her living room with the lights off. Moon rays filtered in through a fissure between twin drapes, casting light on a standing lamp Papa had gifted her during Christmas the year before. She thought of all the other gifts she had received from him β keepsakes any father would give a daughter. He loved her as one of his own. Why would she want to destroy the beautiful relationship they shared?
Alice sighed.
But Wemimo was right about her being ambitious. Her grand dreams wanted her to be more than she currently was. They were the reason she wanted Leye. Was she to let go of being great just because she couldnβt have him? Or was she to pursue them at all cost?
As a child, growing up in a polygamous home, she had felt like she was just a little grain of sand amongst other grains by a seashore. Nobody cared about her. Nobody even noticed her. But a prophet had picked her out from a crowd of hundreds of people at a church event forced on her by her stepmother. She was called to the stage, lifted up by the strong arms of the prophet and placed on his shoulder, and then told that she was going to be great.
βYou will be a mother to many!β he had proclaimed. βYou will lead thousands with the word of God!β
That incident had not left her memory. His words had stayed with her all her life. Leye was supposed to be fulfillment of the prophecy. But as it were, she was a million miles away from seeing it come to pass.
She knew the only way to get guidance was to ask for Godβs direction, but she was too weary to pray. Her heart still broken from Leyeβs abandonment.
She sat in quietness, listening to sounds of a sleeping neighborhood as her mind traveled back and forth on the issue.
Her phone rang. She saw that it was Wemimo calling. She didnβt feel like taking the call but knowing Wemimo wouldnβt stop until she ran her out of battery, she answered.
βWhat?β
βI didnβt finish my pitch to you because you were forming vex and that Holy Tara wonβt let me rest.β
βShey I said you should not bring the topic up again?β
βListen to me nau. Youβll like this.β
βYou have one minute.β
βSo, you know when I was all over Papaβ¦β
βWait, what exactly happened between you two? You never told meβ¦β
βThatβs because he made me cry and think about my life.β
Alice smiled. Papa was blessed with the gift of shaking peopleβs consciences.
βWhat happened?β
βYou know I was going to the house a lot, cooking for him, cleaning up after him and all that. It was after his second surgery when you traveled to Abuja for that job.β
βYeah, I remember.β
βAnd so, one dayβ¦I boldly took things a step further and unbuttoned the shirt dress I was wearing and offered the twins to him.β
βGood Lord! Wemi!β
βI know. Stupid, stupid me. But you know what he did? Papa sat me down, with my dress still unbuttoned and half of my boobs exposed, and gave me the preaching of my life. I wept like a mother who just lost her child. And I didnβt end there; I confessed all my sins to him.β
Alice laughed.
βAnyway, that is not what I called to tell you. When he was talking to me that day, he told me that he sees me as a daughter and heβs not in the least bit attracted to me, and that if there was anyone he would ever have feelings for, it would be you.β
βMe? He said that?β
βHe said it really fast and never repeated it but I havenβt forgotten.β
βHe really said that?β
βYes. Your darling Papa may not be seeing you as a daughter after all.β
Alice recalled the moment earlier when she had caught him staring at her as she was bent over. It caused a shiver down her spine. βYikes.β
βSweet, holy yikes. Go for your sugar daddy, Alice. God knows me I cannot have any rich man in this world. I just have to hustle to make it. But you, you are favored. Youβve worked so hard for God, that I think he should bless you with an Omo-toh-sure.β
βYouβre an idiot.β
βYouβre welcome. P.S: Iβve seen Papaβs junk.β
βAbba father! Wemi?!β
βThere was a day the nurse wasnβt there to bathe him. He insisted on doing it himself but almost fell on his way to the bathroom and his towel slipped to the ground andβ¦oops!β
βWe are so not having this conversation. Bye, girlfriend.β
Alice heard a naughty giggle as she ended the call. She noticed there was a Whatsapp message waiting. She clicked on it and saw that it was from Papa.
-Sorry, this is coming really late but I know youβre awake
-I know I said I wasnβt going for Leyeβs wedding but I donβt want to be seen as the pouty old father who wonβt let his children progress
-However, I know Iβll pout if Iβm there alone without any other form of distraction. And no, my grandkids donβt count
Alice snickered.
-Would you like to accompany me to Abuja and stop me from being grumpy?
-You can answer this when the sun comes up. No pressure
Alice typed a reply.
-Yes, Papa. Weβll talk tomorrow. Goodnight
-Goodnight
She turned off her data, recalling a sermon she delivered to the single sisters the week before about being wary of men who texted late at night.
βDonβt pretend that you donβt know that such a man wants to be more than just friends with you,β she had told them. βYou know what he wants.β
Alice rubbed tired eyes and turned off her phone entirely.
βJesus, help me.β
She lay flat on the couch.
On nights like this, she had fantasized about Leye endlessly. Her thoughts had been precise and focused only on him, but tonight, confusing contemplations filled her head. She tried to shut them out but nothing worked. The only thing that was certain was that she knew she wasnβt going to accompany Papa to Abuja. She just couldnβt bring herself to be his plus one. She was still nursing a broken heart. She needed time to heal.
And certainly a good nightβs rest to clear her head from the nonsense Wemimo had filled it with.
Β©Sally@moskedapages
Oops. ..got me glued to my fone
Hmmmm *sigh* Just finished readin #1 and #2….
I’m speechless…
hmmm…Alice Alice, be carefulness. Thanks Sally..xoxo
hmmm…Alice Alice, be careful… Thanks Sally..xoxo
Omo mehn…. Sally this is gonna be a powerful story
Forgot to wish you happy women’s day earlier. I’m really enjoying this series. I can’t wait for Alice and Love to butt heads. Interesting read Sally! Lots of love……..β€?
Usually I can pick who I like and who I don’t by the first episode, but this one, na lie. I don’t even know who is who. Nice one @Sally. The Pastor’s Child in me can relate to the plenty church drama.
I am wowed to the core. This story is going to be good. Thanks a lovely read.
Sally don diddit again! This is a beautiful, captivating, riveting tale. Can’t wait for the next episode.
Lovely story. Cant wait for the next
Wow really loving this? think I love wemimo already ?
one can’t just get enough of you
its a ghen ghen sumting. luving it.
Awwnn.. This so so interesting… More ink to ur pen sally
I have been managing this episode, reading as slow as I can. Hmmmn pastor Alice! My fingers are crossed. Really interesting characters. This is going to be another wonderful read.
Shu! Shuperu! Alice someone cannot play with you? Sally pls don’t moskeda-zone me like sombody pastor-zoned somebody o. Nice one sis. Long enough to engage me from Sango tollgate to Ikeja Along. Sweet like tomatoes.
Sally ooooooo! You have done it again. Grandpa should park for BRT lane joor.
Our plans sometimes differ from God’s plan, I hope Alice and her fixations on the wrong things doesn’t ruin her. Pastor Love, this new church is just as crazy as your old church, but may we dey look.
Sally, na you biko oooo, you too much
Wow! Wow! Wow! I get the feeling that Noka and Wemimo are cut from same fabric. Thumbs up Sally!
Ghen ghen is the right word.
Thanks a lot Sugar Sally, you always bring it!
I’m glued to this already, and can’t wait to see Love and Alice cross swords.
Nice , really nice am really enjoying this.
Loving this Wemimo character and would so love for Alice and Papa to get together. Tenkiu Sally
Man I don’t even understand anymore. Lol is Alice really going to hook up with a 60 year old man all in the name of power and money? Disgusting. If she does it, I’m totally never going to like her character, ever!! Damn! On to the next episode!!!
Ooo Sally. You know how to get the hook in and just keep reeling.
Wow, this is getting interesting. Thanks.