Go Sally! It’s your birthday! We gonna Party like it’s your birthday!
Hi guys! Yup, today is my birthday. And I just turned 35. I’m not hiding my age anymore o. There’s no use. I’m getting old jare.
Anyhoo, I am here with an entire chapter of In The Name of Papa as a birthday gift. You guys stopped at episode 16. And just in case you haven’t gotten the memo, Love, Your Enemy is now In The Name of Papa.
The book will be released on the 21st. Excited, anybody? Well, I am. Please, enjoy this mouthwatering excerpt.
Whom the son sets freeβ¦
~John 8: 36
The media wing at the BCC headquarters before Love began to run the church, boasted of a single room which the media head, two writers and the production crew, together with their equipment, shared.
Love, upon resumption of her duties had given out her office to the team and promised an entire annex for them when the new administrative complex on the permanent site was completed. The production crew then took up space in her office, changing the entire look, but leaving a sofa for sleepovers on vigil nights.
It was on that sofa Love stretched out after she left the church service just as it began. Morning sickness came down hard on her that made her unable to sit still.
The guys in the control room didnβt think it unusual that she walked in, gave no explanation and took to the sofa. She had already built a relationship with them as she did with other units in the church. Love was the type of boss that liked to be involved with the working processes of her staff as much as she could.
The production crew consisted of a team of seven males and two females, all unmarried and young. She found them to be the most dedicated amongst the church workers. They used to be understaffed and disorganized until she came onboard. She gifted them with three interns and provided everything they needed to get their job done. This endeared them to her; they adored her with childlike fascination.
βMama, your coffee.β
She accepted a cup of instant coffee offered to her by one of them. A hearty smile filled her face. The ban on her coffee life by Leye was adversely affecting her moods. She was determined to cheat her way through it at every given opportunity. Her first pregnancy had seen her not going a day without coffee, and she had birthed a healthy baby without complications. She felt Leye was being unnecessarily caring. He had hidden her assortments of coffee beans and filled the kitchen with varieties of teas that were safe and specifically made for pregnant mothers. He also got her supportive bras, pregnancy pillows and a list of other items she didnβt need. But she wasnβt going to complain. She understood and appreciated his reasons.
βItβs time!β someone in the room announced.
Love rested her eyes on the video monitor wall which held a series of plasma televisions and computer monitors. She focused, particularly, on what was called the output monitor that had the main feed. Presently, it displayed Papa making his way to the stage after being invited up by Adonijah.
βHeβs on,β the producer announced into a headset microphone. He was a chubby fellow, the oldest and most longstanding member of the production crew. βCamera 1, youβre a little blurry. Focus.β
The view on Papa became sharper.
βCamera 3, what on earth are you doing on the choir? Your babe dey there ni?β
Loveβs eyes shifted to another screen and saw a panoramic view of the church as the camera which was held up by a crane, panned slowly over the entire hall. It was a full service. Several members from the Ikeja branch were present. Press and visitors were also attending. Everyone wanted a piece of George Omotosho.
The door to the control room opened and the editor who had written out Papaβs speech came in with a copy of said speech.
βGood morning, Mama.β
βGood morning,β Love replied, just as Papa began.
βBrothers and sisters, I greet you in the name of the Lord, this lovely Sunday morning,β Papa spoke. Absolute quiet came on.
βAs already explained by the general overseer, our regular Sunday service would be a little altered today. Please, bear with us. A very important issue needs to be addressed. And it is in that light, I come to you today with a contrite heartβ¦to respondβ¦β
He halted, staring into the teleprompter.
βWhatβs he doing?β the editor asked.
βHeβs about to abandon your speech,β Love answered.
βI had a sexual relationship with someone other than my wife twenty-four years ago,β Papa announced.
The editor groaned. βI spent all night writing two awesome pages ofβ¦β
βShh!β voices chorused.
βI was a forty-four year old man with a wife and four children,β Papa continued. βI was a pastor. I had a church under my care. I had younger ministers looking up to me. And yet, I took a young twenty-four year old lady, perverted her mind and led her into an immoral relationship with me. How did I do it β sleeping with her in hotel rooms and coming to church to lead Godβs people at the same time? I donβt know. But I did it. Like David, Godβs beloved, I strayed. I had followed my own lust and given up control of my soul to the flesh.
βAnd yes, it felt good while it was going on. If I didnβt have my regular fix of this woman, I didnβt feel complete. My marriage was dying, my wife was neglected and ill-treated, yet I kept on. I didnβt care.β
The editor sat beside Love and whispered, βThe blogs will fry him, Mama. They will pick phrases out of context and twist everything he says. What I have here, on this paper, gave no room for any of that.β
βI understand,β Love responded. βBut hold your complaints.β She fixed her concentration back on Papa.
βYou see, as a man of God, when men begin to revere you, when they start to rely on your every word, when they do not make any decision in their lives without consulting you first, when it seems like the very ground on which you walk on is the miraculous, you start to become a god on your own terms. And that was what happened to me. I told myself that I was covered by unlimited grace. I was untouchable. I could get away with anything.β
βOh God, he should stop already.β
βAnd I did. I got away with it all until she fell pregnant. She came to me and said, βGeorge, Iβm carrying your baby.ββ
Papa went silent again.
βThis is hard for him,β Love murmured, chugging down her coffee which she had suddenly lost taste for.
βShe was happy. She was going to be a mother, carrying the child of the man she loved. It was her dream manifesting. That was her reality. But for me, it was a wakeup call. It began to dawn on me that I had totally gone off course. This woman, this young impressionable woman whose mind I had twisted into believing that we were doing the right thing was now going to be savagely dumped and abandoned by me. I began to see the enormity. I began to be disgusted over all I had done and was about to do to her. But I had to do it. I had to choose between her and my family. Between her and the churchβ¦β
Love rose to her feet up abruptly.
βAny problem?β the editor asked.
βNo.β
She hurried out and found her way to Leyeβs office, shut the door and vomited in the restroom. When she stepped out, she turned on the television and continued with Papa. But she didnβt pay much attention. She sat behind her husbandβs desk and sent out a prayer for the old man, and for Alice, whom she had heard was handling the heat of the scandal poorly.
By the time she was done praying, Papa was bringing his confession to an end.
βMy son, Pastor Omoleye, did what any good son would. He should not be given a bad name for his actions. Were there other persons involved in the so-called conspiracy to hide the son I had with Sister Phoebe from me? I will make no comments on that, since I was not privy to what had happened, and only Omoleye has come forth, admitting to being responsible. But in the end, none of that matters. And Iβll tell you why. I am no longer the person I used to be. I have dumped the old body of sin and taken on a new one, a new heart. I am forgiven. You can go ahead and call me unprintable names. I donβt care. I have been set free and who the son sets free is free indeed.β
There came applause that started quietly but spread through the hall in loud ovation.
βHe counts my iniquities no more. He has erased my past. The yoke of sin is broken and I stand here, a transformed man.β
Love watched as members of the congregation, one after the other, rose to their feet in continued applause. She smiled.
βPlease, remain seated,β Papa instructed, and like zombies, they settled down again.
βSister Phoebe and I have ironed out our differences and are happy over the fact that we have back our son whom we thought had passed away. He is an intelligent, talented, God-fearing young man. He is not here today. He wishes not to be thrown into this messy saga, and Iβll ask that you please, respect his privacyβ¦β
Still smiling, Love turned off the television and began out. She walked past the control room, out of the building and back into the cathedral. When she sat beside Leye, he took her hand.
βHow are you feeling?β
βBetter.β
βIn conclusion!β Papa took on a serious tone that matched the sudden expression on his face. βMy relationship with Pastor Alice Monoyoβ¦ It is alleged that she and I have been involved in a sexual union, and that this has been going on for three years.β He shook his head. βAll lies. Wicked lies. Pastor Alice is one of the most upstanding spinsters and pastors in this church. She is so upright sometimes, itβs scary. She has been a light, a shining example to the young people of BCC. They can testify.β
The crowd broke into a short round of applause.
βHer personal life is the mirror of that upstanding commitment. But asides being all that, Alice is a woman I deeply love. My fiancΓ©e. Yes, we are to be married soon. So, take down your lies, retract your statements, delete your libelous accusations about her from the web,β he said facing the camera pointed directly at him. βOr I will use everything I have within my legal parameters to bring you all down. Read my lips. I am not joking. This altar is the Lordβs and should not be used to issue threats; and that is why I am not threatening anyone. I am simply telling you what I would do. Leave the future Mrs. George Omotosho alone or face my wrath.
βAnd lastly, to my BCC familyβ¦β His tone went somber again. βTo every one of you here, I ask your forgiveness. I have let you down and brought ridicule to this place. I am at your mercy. What the leadership decides should be done to me will be well deserved. Thank you for listening. God bless you all.β
Love went up on her feet first, and everyone else followed as Papa made his way back to his seat. Pastor Adindu took to the stage.
βI stand with Papa,β he said into the microphone and got a resounding ovation. βMad love in the house for Pastor George Omotosho,β he added, laughing. βIn the book of Isaiah, God says βCome now, let us reason together. Let us settle the matter. Let us talk, man to manβ¦β
The church began to go wild.
βAnd God continues, βalthough your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow! Though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool!β Second Corinthians chapter five, verse seventeen, βthe old has gone, the new is here!β Psalm one-hunded-and-three, βAs far as the east is from the westβ¦!β
The frenzy that had now taken over the entire building made it difficult for Adindu to continue. Love, still standing on her feet, observed the scene with pleasure. Things had gone better than she had anticipated. She would sleep well at night knowing a huge chunk of the debris had been cleared.
But her eyes caught Adonijahβs face on one of the huge screens as the overhead camera panned his way. Having had numerous encounters with him, more than she would have loved to, she could now read his expressions fine. If her suspicions were right, he was presently bowled over by the response and show of love Papa was getting from BCC members. It was widely known that he, Adonijah, was the man of the people, having bought their loyalty with charitable works. But what he hadnβt been able to compete with was the love the people naturally had for Papa. He was a man easy to follow and respect. He never had to break a sweat to be adored.
Love enjoyed the look of perplexity on Adonijahβs face. If he ever was going to fill Papaβs shoes, he had a long way to go.
β β β
He had come to her in the morning, just as she had emerged from a shower, wondering what church to visit. Her eyes had moistened at him before she drew him for a hug.
βAsher?β She made no show of hiding her surprise.
βEveryoneβs going to church. Dad is going to be doing his great revealβ¦ Itβs the last place I want to be. I figured you would want to hide away for some time too.β
A silent grin made its way to Phoebeβs lips. βI was actually thinking of which church to worship with today. I donβt think anyone wants to see me at my church.β She laughed. βBut since youβre here, we can just spend time together.β
He handed her a gift bag.
βWhatβs this?β
βSomething small,β he called it. βThough not enough to make up for all the birthdays I missed.β
βThis is so sweet, Ash. Thank you.β
They spent the morning together, bonding over breakfast and music. Asher did most of the singing while Phoebe sat in awe and pride, harmonizing where she could and for the remaining part, blushing at him like one falling in love for the first time. She saw him as something partly made up of magic. He used her rusty, old guitar and created heartfelt music with it. Phoebe couldnβt have been happier.
βSo I borrowed one of dadβs cars and Iβm thinking that maybe we can go and see a movie?β
βYou and I?β
βYeah, mom. When last were you on a date?β
βIβ¦β She giggled quietly. βI canβt remember. But please, letβs see the movie.β
The dress she had on was a long, flamboyant maxi dress that had blue as its base color. She stood before her mirror and pondered briefly over changing into something else. But she stuck to her decision in the end. She picked a small vial of perfume from the gift set Asher had given her, doused on some of it behind her ears and on her neck and picked her purse.
β β β
βYou will not take me to see that type of movie again, Ash.β
Arm linked in her sonβs, Phoebe enjoyed a leisurely stroll down the wide aisle of the Lekki shopping mall. It was lined with high-end stores that didnβt arrest her attention. She was more interested in the ice-cream cone in her hand, topped with chocolate ice-cream and another flavor that had some alcohol in it. Asher had chosen the combination for her, pronouncing the name of the other flavor twice over so that she would remember it, but one taste of it had her forgetting the name. She was now set to go home but Asher insisted on taking her shopping.
βThe movie was not that bad,β he said, responding to her statement.
βThere was bad language and blood and killings and sex in it. The sex particularly made me cringe. Sitting down there and watching it with you and you were not even flinching.β
βWas I supposed to flinch? Iβm not a virgin, Mom.β
βYouβve had sex?β
βYes.β
βBut youβre only twenty-two.β
βHow old were you when youβ¦?β
βYou donβt ask your mother such questions.β
βWas dad your first?β
βAll Iβm saying is that such movies shouldnβt be watched often.β
Asher laughed at the way she deflected his questions.
βThey are not good for your faith.β
βMaybe I donβt have that much faith to begin with.β
Phoebe stopped. βWhat does that mean?β
βI grew up with Imaan. I was allowed to be a Christian, but I sometimes practiced Islam. Or even nothing at all.β
βSon, you donβt practice your faith. You are your faith. You are either Christian or Muslim or something else, or nothing at all.β
βYou mean atheist?β
βYeah.β Phoebe continued walking. βThose ones donβt believe in anything.β
βWell, I think faithlessness is also some type of belief. The belief in not believing in a god.β
βThereβs no such thing.β
βThatβs what it is, Mom.β
βWhatever it is, never mention to your dad that youβre just a practicing Christian.β
βOkay.β
Asher made an abrupt stop before a cosmetic store. He pressed his nose to the glass wall like a little boy.
βWhat are we doing here?β
βI said weβd go shopping. Well, I lied. Youβre getting a makeover, Mom.β
βA make-what? Abeg, no o. Thank you. I do my makeup fine.β
She patted her hair, looking at her refection on the glass door leading into the store. There was a lady inside already smiling at her.
βMom, I canβt have you looking like youβre from the seventies. Go in there and let them glam you up.β
βAsher, this is an expensive shopβ¦β
βAnd I have the money.β
βNow, youβre sounding like your dad.β
βMom, I will spend everything I have in my account on you.β
Phoebe was touched by his words.
βI appreciate that, baby but I donβt think itβs a good idea spending so much on me.β
βMom, itβs just a makeover. And after that, weβll buy you an entire box of makeup that works best for you. It wonβt cost much. I promise.β
Asher pushed the door and together they went in. He was given a divan to sit on while Phoebe got attended to. He ignored the pile of magazines in a rack beside him and entertained himself with his phone. He didnβt know how long he waited, but soon, the makeup artist in the store was calling his attention. He lowered his phone and looked up. Phoebe swiveled around to face him. He showed approval and amazement.
βHow do I look?β she asked, chuckling.
βAwesome sauce.β
βIβll take it that I look dashing?β
He winked. Phoebe and the makeup artist laughed. He went over to them and took several selfies with Phoebe. They stayed a bit longer as the store attendants assembled a box of makeup and cosmetics for Phoebe.
βThis is too much, Ash,β Phoebe complained. He ignored her, paid the bill and guided her out of the store. And just as they stepped out, Asherβs eyes strayed upon the form of a person from his past. His chest tightened as he looked away. There was sudden urgency to leave the mall.
βAsher?β the person called. She was a girl about his age.
βIs there anything you want to pick for the house?β Asher asked Phoebe, pretending not to have heard the girl.
βI think that girl just called you.β Phoebe nodded in her direction.
βAsher?β His name was called a second time. Asher forced his head in her direction, and the moment their eyes met, he was attacked by memories from his second year as a student in the United States. His mouth went dry at the sight of her. Large, round eyes stared back at him. Skin with a shade of almond brown, glowing but not-so-spotless, reminded him of mornings his eyes did nothing but worship her in all her chocolate delectableness. He recalled how she would smile back like she thought the world of him. And she certainly did. He was her sun, moon and star and everything else in-between. But he had used her solely for pleasure, cheating on her unapologetically and leaving her with a broken heart.
βHi,β he greeted.
βHi.β
For lack of what to say next, he introduced Phoebe to her.
βGood afternoon, ma.β
βGood afternoon, dear.β
βMom, this is Barbara. We were in school together.β
βNice. Lovely to meet you, dear.β
βSame here, ma.β
There was a moment of awkward standing and staring.
βWeβre in a hurry. We should go.β Asher linked his arm with Phoebeβs.
βCan I get your number?β Barbara requested.
βMy numberβ¦ Umβ¦ Okay.β Asher called out his phone number and she gave it a dial. His phone rang.
βThatβs mine. Iβll call you later?β
βOkay. Cool.β
βBye, Ash. Bye, maβam.β
βBye, dear.β
Asher began to walk away even before Barbara disappeared.
βSheβs so beautiful,β Phoebe said.
βYeah.β
βAnd she likes you.β
βSheβs my ex,β Asher revealed and regretted it immediately. Phoebe began to ask questions about Barbara. He lied in most of his responses, giving nothing away about the relationship.
βYou should give her a call.β
βWhat for?β
βTo see if the spark I just felt between you two can grow into something bigger.β
βMom?β
βJust saying.β
Asher frowned at her lightheartedly. βChill, ma.β
On their way home, they listened to the radio. There was a request show on air; a collection of random songs was played at the behest of listeners who called in. For a while, Phoebe was taken by her thoughts, until a song came on that brought her attention back into the car.
βWhoβs this?β she asked. βWhoβs singing?β
βMiley Cyrus.β
βNever heard of her.β
βYouβve probably never heard of a lot of people, Mom.β
βI love her voice and the song,β she stated, head bopping to the music. Soon she was humming along, and because she caught on to songs so easily, she was able to mouth some of the lines in the chorus. When the song came to an end, she asked for an encore. Asher tethered his phone to her carβs stereo and in seconds he was streaming Miley Cyrusβ We Canβt Stop for her entertainment. The song put Phoebe on a high she couldnβt explain. Asher didnβt join in her excitement, but he was entertained by her all through the journey until he pulled up outside her home.
He turned back at the front door, leaving her with a hug. When she got in, Phoebe sat on her bed going through photos of Asher, from his infancy to the present. He had placed them in an envelope, put together with a toilette set in the gift bag he had presented them to her. She went through each photo with a different kind of smile. Sometimes she stopped and sobbed, feeling pain over the fact that she had missed huge milestones in his life, angry at all the people who conspired to take them away from her. Other times, her simple smile stretched into laughter.
Her phone dinged. She peeped at it. A message had dropped in that made her smile vanish. She returned the pictures into their envelope and got off her bed.
In a short while, she was outside her house, flagging down a taxi. A yellow one came from across the street. She read out the address of a house in Ikeja from her phone. The cab driver haggled over the fare with her and begrudgingly, she gave in to his bargain. She was in a good mood. Normally, she would pay half the charge to the same distance.
Phoebe rested her head and stretched her legs in the backseat of the cab, coasting deeper into the past, to the moments etched in her mind forever, when she had felt Papaβs kisses and had been held by him. Those had been the best moments of her life, but she was coming to a place of honesty with herself. She was ready to let go. Nonetheless, she mused over them one last time and continued to do so until she arrived at her destination.
She reluctantly paid her fare and walked into a large compound in which expensive cars were parked. She walked pass them to the front door of a duplex that towered over her. Taking in a heavy breath, Phoebe pressed her finger on the doorbell that stood an inch below her head level.
The door opened, and out came the smiling face of Blessing Kanayo.
βSister Phoebe,β she greeted. In her hand was a glass of wine.
Phoebe let herself get hugged by the woman who was clothed in her usual manner of being sensuous. Her dress stopped a little above her knees, and on her chest was some cleavage.
βHow are you, dear?β Phoebe asserted her elderliness in a deep tone. Blessing caught on.
βI am good, ma. Please, come in. Everyone is here. We thought you wouldnβt make it.β
βI was spending time with my son,β Phoebe said with some motherly pride, walking in.
βOh. We all watched Papaβs broadcast this morning. It streamed live during the service.β
Phoebe curtly ended the conversation by continuing into the house, even though it was her first time there. She found the living room, drawn in by the voices of people within. Upon peeping in, she was met with familiar faces. She counted those present and they came to an impressive number of twelve. Four of the men were once members of the dissolved board of directors, each of them moneybags in their own standing. When it came to cash donations in Bethel Christian Center, they could easily be counted amongst the top ten that gave regularly β and bountifully.
Last week, Blessing had invited Phoebe for dinner in some unknown restaurant and those particular men were also present. After each of them introduced themselves to her, she was asked to go public with the story on Papa.
βWeβll give you anything you want,β said the one called Cyril. A thorough-looking man in his sixties with cold, dark eyes and an imposing personality.
βAll I want is my son.β
βWe donβt know anything about this son you speak of. But we will give you everything else you desire. Just grant an interview to one of the huge media houses.β
βTo what aim?β
βYouβll know soon.β
And that had ended Phoebeβs conversation with them because she had left their presence in annoyance. Afterwards, she made a call to Blessing and threw hostile words at her.
βYouβve changed so much from the sweet, kind Blessing I used to know.β
βI was a little girl back then, Aunty Phoebe.β
βYour mother would be turning in her grave right now over this betrayal of yours. She was a dedicated member of BCC. She loved Papa and believed in him.β
βMaybe not as much as you love him. Look, Auntyβ¦ em, Sister Phoebe. Donβt try to pin any type of moral card on me. There are no saints here. We all do what we have to do to get by.β
βBy pulling down a man of God? What if someone is doing this same thing to your husband?β
βCan we talk about this in length some other time, maybe over dinner or lunch? You seem very angry right now, and I apologize…β
Phoebe hung up. She ignored Blessingβs subsequent phone calls β even after she went public with her story. She had only decided to give ear to her and her cohorts when Cyril himself called her earlier that morning. Something commanding and ruthless in the manβs tone had always left her intrigued.
Curiosity, also, had dragged her to the Kanayos. And as she stood at the entrance of their living room, she noted that Obi was absent.
βGo in.β Blessing came up behind her. Phoebe held her position at the door.
βYou have to tell me whatβs going on here, Blessing, or Iβll turn around and leave.β
βBut you came all the way.β
Phoebe presented a firm stare.
βWell, these people you see here today, and others that are yet to join us, theyβ¦we all are about to break away from BCC.β
Phoebe gave the people in the living room a glance and returned her eyes to Blessing who was sipping her wine. She threw a dirty look at her that went from the top of her head to her feet.
βDoes your husband know about this?β
βHe does.β
βYou and all those people inside there, you have all lost your minds. And I donβt want to be involved in this nonsense. I canβt believe I wasted money on a taxi, coming all the way here to be told this rubbish.β
She hissed and began towards the front door.
βIf you join us, you wonβt have to get into taxis again,β Blessing said casually. βYouβll have your own luxurious car, your own house, and youβll be one of the founders of a new ministry that will shake the foundation of BCC. And this means youβll be a shareholder.β
Phoebe spun around. βYou people think you can just get up like that and start a ministry by dirty means? You think Godβs work is a business or some money-making type of venture?β
βMadam, look at this house. See how big it is? You know how much it costs? No, you have no idea, but my husband bought it. Not with money gotten from some outside business. No. It was with money from the church. People freely donated to him to buy it. We didnβt spend a dime. DΓ©cor, furniture, all gotten for free from church members. Youβve seen how many cars we have. Each one of them bought by someone who was moved to bless their daddy and mommy in the Lord. Now, while that is sinking in, think about the Omotoshos and all the wealth they have. And even BCC itself that is now buying companies and building complexes all over the Island. Does anybody need to tell you that Godβs business is the most profitable business in the world?β
βThe Lord have mercy on your souls! Donβt ever drag me into this nonsense again!β
Phoebe turned back to the door. She made to grab the handle but the door burst open and Adonijah stepped in. He was as surprised to see her as she was to see him.
βPhoebe?β he greeted.
βGo to hell!β
She stomped out of the house in anger. Her phone rang. It was Asher calling.
βBaby boy?β She forced on calm to her tone.
βJust letting you know that I got home safely.β
Phoebe smiled. βSleep tight, baby.β
βYeah, Mom. Goodnight.β
She hung up, gave the Kanayo resident a glance and then continued out, grumbling as she went.
β β β
Adonijah spent his morning in silence. His breakfast was left untouched and so were the sermon notes he had brought out to the dining area to work on. He sat staring emptily into space, not responding to anything around him. Maggie had walked by a couple of times and had now returned to gawk at him in typical dramatic fashion, swinging her head this way and that as she waved a hand in his face.
βI can see you,β he mumbled before taking her eyes in his. βWhat do you want?β
βWhat is going on? Why are you sitting like this as if youβve had a vision?β
βCanβt a man sit in silent meditation in his own home again?β
βSilent meditation? Are you fasting?β
βMust I be fasting before I meditate?β
βI am just asking nau. No need to chop my head off.β
βCarry your asking and be going.β
Maggie straightened her posture and crossed her arms. βI hope this isnβt about the slap on the wrist that Papa got yesterday after his confession.β
βWhat slap on the wrist?β
βDonβt pretend that you didnβt see the way the church reacted. As if he had told them he was giving each person a million naira. And not to talk of how the blogs and media have now changed mouth. I heard the children talking about it late last night. Most of the blogs that published things about Alice have retracted them all. Hmmmβ¦people really fear Papa o.β
βSo what?β
βI do hope that is not what is worrying you, oga. You are still the General Overseer. Your name is still very much respectedβ¦β
βMy name counts for nothing,β Adonijah spat.
Maggieβs arms uncrossed themselves and rested on her waist. βAloy. Aloy!β she called in warning. βDonβt start this your nonsense o! You badly wanted general overseer and God gave it to you. Now, youβre here, being ungrateful, trying to rub shoulders with the man who has made you everything you are todayββ
βDonβt you ever say that again! No man made me! I made myself. What I am today is my sheer hard work. And I can be bigger and better because I am still working hard to get to the place of my dreams.β
βWhat dreams again? You want to go and open your own church before youβll know that you have gotten to the top?β
Adonijah gave her a look that brought fear to her face.
βHmmm, Aloy. Aloy. Aloy o! Whatever is running around that head of yours should better stop it o.!If it needs to be cast out, come to me and I will cast it out, but please, try and cage it first. Where you are and what you have is more than good enough. Thank God for it and live out your days enjoying yourself. I have warned you.β
βAbeg, carry yourself and go. Mrs. Global Warning.β
Maggie left him and he freewheeled back into his thoughts. The meeting at the Kanayos the day before was the reason for his strange behavior. In a hushed session that dragged well into the night, Adonijah was reeled in slowly into the plan to break away from BCC and start a new ministry. They explained that they wanted him to be General Overseer. He had laughed at their idea at first and told them it was going to fall apart as soon as it started. But when they laid out the plan, and how they were going to cause a major falling away of the members of BCC, just to bring them into the new ministry, Adonijahβs interest was arrested.
βImagine not having to answer to Papa anymore,β Pastor Blessing said in her weird accent, dark brown eyes dreaming into the air. βNot having to live in his shadows. Not having to do all the hard work and end up watching someone else take all the glory. Imagine all that, sir. Wouldnβt you want to grab it with both hands?β
Adonijah had stayed silent, giving permission to her words to make a residence in his mind. And she went on, until she worked her magic completely into him.
βBut why me?β He looked into the faces of the men and women before him one after the other.
βBecause you are untainted,β Cyril answered. βNo scandal. No mistresses. No illegitimate children. Your wife also has a clean record. Your children are model kids. The members of BCC adore you because you have been generous to them.β
βI did it in the name of the church.β
βAnd that is why youβre perfect for the new ministry.β
He had laughed. βPerfect? You donβt even know what that means, Cyril.β
Feeling a little disrespected, Cyril stuck out his chest. βI beg your pardon?β
βI bought the adoration of the people. Just like you bought your way to status in BCC. Thatβs the same thing my money did. The people of God donβt love me because they love me. I bought their loveβ¦β
βAnd that is why we need you. No one understands church politics like you do. We need your vast experience. In BCC, you are drowning in a sea of Papa-centric adulation. But when you begin to run your own show, it will be all about you, Bishop Aloysius Adonijah.β
And the words sank in, upon which he mulled all night and all morning. The defectors, whom he had named The Other BCC, had a solid plan. He had been let in on their blueprint and it seemed marvelous. Only on paper. For it to come to reality, the plan needed him. He was to cause the major falling away from BCC. It all rested on his shoulders.
And this was why breakfast was the least important thing on his mind this morning.
Happy birthday mama, long life and prosperity. Have a beautiful birthday. God bless you.
Happy birthday Sally.. wishing you the very best of the best.. May you life be studded with goodness and grace extraordinary..
Thanks for the gift also… Have a boon day ahead
Happy birthday Ms Sally. Do have a more fruitful, fulfilled and fun filled years ahead. Wishing you more of God’s blessings and favor in good health and wealth. Ameen. Best wishes and warm regards. Much thanks for this long episode. ? can’t wait to get my copy of “in the name of Papa”
Happy Birthday MA. Long life and prosperity. God bless ur new age………….. The story is getting more interesting.
happy Birthday Sally. God Bless…………………. Can’t wait for the book.
Happy born day Sally! Keep blowing our minds away with awesome lines always. More Grace in ur quest
Happy birthday Mami. Compliments of the day. Love the except. Can’t wait to buy the full book. Much love for You.
Happy birthday beautiful Sally. God bless you with many more happy years.
Congratulations on the launch. I can wait…impatiently.
Happy birthday beautiful. With long life will God satisfy you and show you How Salvation. I can’t wait for this book to be out!
Happy birthday Sally, you are amazing. Wishing you many more wonderful years, you shall continue to grow from strength to strength. Stay blessed, stay beautiful ………….now let me go back to enjoy this birthday gift
Happy birthday Sally!! Thank you for bringing so much pleasure especially my ‘ Saturday’s,
May the new year see your heart desires and that of the good lord for you granted.
Happy birthday mentor. Many more years in good health, wisdom and ink to your pen. The story is only just beginning with this episode.
Happy birthday Sally!
May God, in His infinite goodness, bless and uplift everything about you.
Happy birthday Sally! Thanks for this beautiful episode!
Happy Birthday Sally Mama, God bless you greatly. HA, the way i have been visiting this site everyday hoping there’s a new story, you’ll think im waiting for a proposal. Thanks so much for sharing Sally Mama. Counting down to 21st
Happy Birthday Sally! God bless you immensely. Welcome to your best year yet.
Absolutely loving this series, I cannot wait for the 21st. More power to your elbow.
Thanks for this wonderful surprise, we should be giving you birthday gifts rather you gave us this! Happy Birthday to you dear Sally, may your days be prosperous. Have fun on this day of yours! ? ? ?
Happy birthday Sally, may the good Lord bless you. Glad to read from you after a long time.
Happy birthday Sally, may the good Lord bless you. Good reading from you after a long time
Happy birthday Sally, God bless you always. May each new day bring greater success for you. We anticipate the 21st.
My dearest Sally, it’s great to know we have some things in common… Here’s wishing you a happy birthday. May all things become new for you, God will daze you beyond your imagination. Thank you for the excerpt… Can’t wait for the book to be out.
Happy Birthday to You. Greater Heights in Jesus Name
thanks, Sally, and happy birthday!
Happy Birthday to you, LLNP. Thanks for this I really enjoy.
Happy birthday Sally. ..21st loading
Happy Birthday, Ma Sally.
Let me get my hands ready to grab the book
Happy Birthday Sally, LLNP.
Happy belated birthday to u Mami Sally wish u more yrs to come in gud health & in abundant blessings. His Grace ova ur life all this yrs will not dry. More ink of success fall on you
Kip on Existing Ma Sally ????
Oya lemme go & read now ???
Happy birthday beautiful Sally.. Hope you had an amazing day celebrating. Thanks sharing your extraordinary talent with us.
Happy birthday to you, happy birthday . This episode feels like party pack, thanks Sal
Happy birthday Sally, 35 has never looked better.
I’m so looking forward to “In the Name of Papa”. Been keeping tabs on Magnus about the release date?. I would ordinarily say i can’t wait for it’s release, but i have decided to wait because, reading and savouring every word of it is the gift i promised myself this month, as i believe it would be well worth the wait. My fingers are itching to refill my okadabooks account.
Have i said you are awesome sally? Because you are??
Happy Birthday to u Sally llnp God bless u.
Happy birthday Sally! God bless your new age!
Happy Birthday Sally!!!
Happy birthday in arrears! I wish you many more fulfilling years in abundant grace, joy and wealth. This is an amazing read. Can’t wait for the book. Keep up the good work. God bless you more and more in Jesus name. Amen
Happy birthday Sally. More beautiful years ahead. 35 looks so good on you. Thank you for blessing us with your incredible writings. God bless your new age
Happy belated birthday Sally, God bless you… I’m eagerly waiting for this.
Happy super duper birthday Sal, many more blessed years dear. Lots of love from me to you.
Happy birthday in arrears ma,long life and prosperity. Hope u had a great day and more awesome years ahead.
Happy birthday sally. God bless you
Your work brings me comfort always. Thousands of times you’ve made me smile no matter the mood I may be in, be it good or bad. May you always have reasons to smile. May God’s favour, grace, love, power, strength and mercy speak for you now and always. Live long, flourish and prosper ma’am. Sending you loads of kisses and hugs from this side. Happy Birthday in arrears ma’am.
Thanks for this special episode, v bin refreshing the site for weeks now. You made my weekendβ€counting down to 21st ?
Your work brings me comfort always. Thousands of times you’ve made me smile no matter the mood I may be in, be it good or bad. May you always have reasons to smile. May God’s favour, grace, love, power, strength and mercy speak for you now and always. Live long, flourish and prosper ma’am. Sending you loads of kisses and hugs from this side. Happy Birthday in arrears ma’am.
Thanks for this special episode, v bin refreshing the site for weeks now. You made my weekendβ€counting down to 21st ?
Happy birthday Sally . Wishing you the very best in this new year..
Happy Birthday Sally!
Happy birthday Sally. …God bless you and ur family always…cant wait for the release of the book*whoop whoop*
Happy birthday Sally,
I wish you a graceful and blessed life.
Happy Belated Birthday Sally… May good ideas never run out of you..And may God continue to bless you.
Happy Birthday to you! I wish u joy upon joy
Happy birthday Sally, wishing you the very best in life, my the Lord in his infinite mercies continually, guide, bless and keep you, may all your dreams become a reality bigger than you ever imagined. Have fun and God bless you always.
Can’t wait for the 21st to buy the book.
Happy Belated Birthday Sally…
More of God’s Grace and Blessings..
Cheers to a memorable year
Happy belated birthday to you Sally! Many happy returns of the 13yh of October.
Thank you for the book, in advance. Sooooo can’t wait to read the whole book ???
Happy Belated Birthday Sally!!!
Wishing you all round joy and happiness.
Thanks a lot for the episode.
Can’t wait for 21th
First time commenter. Yay!
You ma’am Sally, has won a place in my heart. You’re one of the writers that captivates me…sometimes if not all the time I marvel at your rare gift. I hope one day I’ll get to read all of your works.
Well done ma’am
And happy belated birthday to you…October children rock
Happy birthday Aunt Sally
I pray God perfect all that cncerneth you and new exploits in the new age
Happy belated birthday Sally, more wisdom, knowledge, understanding, money, blessing, good health and all other good things of life. May God preserve you. Thanks for your birthday gift to us. You know you’re sweeter than chocolate, muaahh
Happy belated birthday Sally, Your cup shall never run dry in Jesus name amen!!
Happy birthday my love! I hope you had a great time. May this year bring you joy ??
Happy belated birthday Sally, God’s blessing in the new year. Wow, Aloy Aloy Aloy be not deceived o.
Happy belated birthday SALLY!!!!! Welcome back also