MARA 5

EPISODE 5

There was a knock at the door.

“Oh! Who wants to spoil the show for me o” I mumbled as I jumped towards the door.

The children watched me as I behaved weirdly.

“Who is there?” I whispered

“It’s me” I heard the whisper from outside too

Who could that be?

I opened the door slowly and peeped through the slim slit.

I saw that broad face with a great smile.

Pastor!

I opened the door as a great relief dawned on me.

“Good afternoon sir” I genuflected.

He touched my shoulder briefly as he entered.

“Thank God you are here sir.” I was saying when he covered my mouth with his curved palm.

“I had to come. I arrived this morning and God said ‘go’…and here I am” he said silently, smiling

I was so glad as if I had found a long lost treasure.

We sat down and he bowed his head, mumbling words of prayer.

I rubbed my hands together anxiously as I could read that something great was going to happen in the house.

Power will confront power and power would pass power today!

He looked up and faced the children.

“Come” he said and they moved to him obediently.

He sat them on his knees and mumbled words of prayers.

I shook my head in ‘amen’ of whatever it was that he was saying.

I was just so sure that it couldn’t be curses

I trust my pastor.

He had been tried and tested.

Afterwards, he told all of us to go on our knees and we obeyed promptly.

“Just thank God because victory is His alone. Just say it anyhow in your own words” he said and I got ready so firmly and he smiled

“Pray well…but silently!” he added and we started the war.

As much as I wanted to get the whole gist of whatever was going on in the room, I was ready to obey the leading of this man of God.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Seeing my husband again after a long time set my tummy of fire.

There were like a billion butterflies in my belly as I set my eyes on me immediately I opened the door.

I was going to react rashly to him but as I set my eyes on him, all anger and furiousness flew away.

The warmth of his hug on my tummy killed it all!

I had really missed him.

As we walked to the creaky bed, he made way to quickly pack the litters of clothes off the bed so that I could sit down.

I was impressed.

“Welcome” I said again and he smiled as he pecked my lips softly.

Blood rushed into my face.

“I am sorry for everything” he said and my eyes widened.

If I could recollect well, that would be the second time in our entire fifteen years of marriage that he would use that magical word.

…and it really worked magic!

Things were changing!

I was glad!

He went on his knees as he held my hands firmly, looking into my pained eyes with such great penetration that I flinched

As he buried his face in my palms, I felt the moist- he was crying!

“I am sorry for ever causing you pains. Forgive me my lovely wife. Ogooluwa please” he cried on and my heart ached as tears ran down my face too.
I had with no doubt forgiven him!

“I have forgiven you Adejare.” I said quietly as I raised his face so that our teary eyes would meet, his eyes caused something like an emotional earthquake on the foundation of my hart and I just wished I could be held in those varicose vein-filled arms.

“Thank you so much. Thank you.” He said again and I stood to help him up.

As he sat on the bed, he pulled him unto his laps again and gave me a very sizzling embrace

He placed his hands on my tummy and I felt a tingling in my tummy.

I grimaced

He looked into my face with all seriousness.

“Is anything the matter?” he asked and I smiled

“Touch my tummy again” I said and he did

I felt something sharper- like an electric current run through my veins.

“Anything?” he asked again

My baby kicked and I gasped

“It’s the baby. He’s probably happy that you are back home” I said and he helped me back to the bed gently

He pulled the blouse I was wearing up a bit and rubbed the smooth tummy with his coarse hand.

The tingling I felt was profound

I enjoyed it!

But the kicking in my tummy increased with every added touch.

He bent to peck my tummy and when the warm breath from his mouth came in contact with my navel, the kicking stopped abruptly.

I was dazed.

“You are controlling our baby o” I said in awe and he smiled

“Why?” he asked

“You touched me and the kicking started…you touched me more and the kicking became intense. You breathed into my navel now the kicking stopped abruptly. It’s so funny” I said, really astonished

“Even the unborn baby recognizes the father” he said

“Oh yes!” I exclaimed and we laughed over it.

“I remember the good old times.” He said

“Hmmmm” I could only say as I nodded with appreciation to God.

I remembered my bare pregnancy when things were a little bit better although it was still hot.

He would play with my bare tummy for hours, rubbing, pecking, and playing with it and even checking for the movements of the babies

“I wonder what went wrong” he said as he held my hands

“Hmmmm…I just feel that this isn’t real” I said and he looked startled

“That’s how you feel?” He asked, looking very grim

I nodded, still smiling.

He reached into a polythene bag and brought out an apple.

“Take this” he said and I collected it

That was the first time in how many years that this husband of mine would get me a gift and I was happy.

Though it was just an apple

“Eat the apple” he said hurriedly and I looked into his face

“What is the matter?” I asked when I saw the anxiety in his face.

His face loosened and he smiled

“Nothing. I just remembered that I bought you the apple. I hope it isn’t spoilt yet” he said and shook my head as I bit into the fruit.

Apples don’t get bad that easily…he must have forgotten.

If not, why was he looking that serious and anxious?

Just because he didn’t want me to eat bad apples?

Just that?

He smiled at me again as I chewed.

I felt special!

>>>>>>>>>
“For in Jesus’ name have we giving thanks to the Father” Pastor said quietly

“Amen” we all responded

“Let’s come together please” he said as he stretched his hands towards on.

Still on our knees, we held hands with the pastor.

…and waited for the next line of action.

“We really need to pray. What did I say?” he asked, gently

“We really need to pray” we responded in a chorus.

I was greatly charged that if I possibly saw the devil at that point, I would have given him a lethal back-hand!

“The next thing to do now is to start pleading for the blood of Jesus. We overcame him by the blood of the lamb and by the word of our testimony. Cover every nooks and crannies of this house with the blood of Jesus. Let us pray” he said and we started in our own little way

I opened my eyes halfway and saw the children praying in their own funny little ways, nodding like agama lizards and some looking up to the ceiling as if that was where the blood of Jesus was.

I looked at the pastor and although he was praying silently with his mouth moving in silent whispers, his clothes were soaked in perspiration.

He must have seen something

He must have smelt a rat!

I closed my eyes too and started pleading for the precious blood that alone could atone for us.

I looked into his face and I loved him the more.

He came close again and I could smell it- the sweat!

…The sweat of laboring under the sun for hours- I couldn’t but feel it and I was moved as my heart hankered for him the more.

I placed my head on his shoulders and he rubbed the side of my face.

“Sorry about the loss of our daughter” he said and I nodded

I hadn’t gotten over the death of my first born twin and I had wept and wept to no avail.

I knew when the doctor with some men came inside to wheel her away.

I watched everything through the small key hole the day before and I had cried crazily.

I refused to go out to bath or anything though!

His coming at this time was definitely consoling…I must confess!

“I heard the news and I knew how bad it must have felt for you the mother when I was even thoroughly shaken” he said and I nodded still

I didn’t want to talk about it at all!

“It is well” I said and he rubbed the side of his face against mine.

“Of course it is” he said.

He touched my tummy again

“Is our baby a boy or a girl?” he asked

I smiled

“Or twins again” I said playfully and he shook his head

“Nooooo” he exclaimed and we laughed

“I don’t know the sex yet.” I said and he looked into my face

“Why?” he asked and I faced him squarely.

“Maigida, ba kudi fa” I said in Hausa for emphasis and he smiled.

“You will do it. I will give you the money” he said and looked into his face, very astonished

“Are you for real?” I asked to be sure

“Sure dearie. Things are changing… the better times are here”

I believed so well that my heart got swollen within me.

“I went to a church on Sunday” he said and I opened my mouth in amazement

That was like the biggest lie I had ever heard

“Church? You?” I asked to be sure

He smiled

“There is nothing God cannot do. He can change the vilest offender who could only believe.” He said smoothly

My mouth curved into a broad smile

“I can’t believe you” I said and he squeezed my hands

“But it’s true” he said again
How could I possibly believe that my very weird alcoholic womanizing husband would turn a new leaf and go to church to the extent that he had changed this much?

How on earth would I believe that?

But it must be true!

The born again relationship between us now is the proof!

“Praise the Lord” I said loud and clear

“Halleluyah” he replied

“I think its high time I retraced my steps back to my God too then” I said and he nodded

He didn’t say anything but smiled in a very weird way.

“The pastor told me that our unborn baby is so glorious” he said

“You told him I was pregnant?”

“Yes I did. He told me that you aborting the pregnancy would have been the greatest mistake anyone would make as the glory of the baby is just too great” he explained on and on as he fumbled with his hands.

I was just so happy deep down.

My husband had met the redeemer for real!

“Glory to God” I said again.

>>>>>>>
“Amen” the pastor said again.

“Amen” we chorused.

“Shall we open our eyes please?” he said and we did.

Four of the children were already asleep and Taiwo was already dozing too.

“Girl, lie down beside your siblings and sleep” he said and Taiwo gladly did as if that was all she had been waiting for ever since.

“Sister Flora, we have to rise up now. we are on the battle ground and we have to put on the whole armor of God” he said

Shaking my head, my hands and all my body in totality, I nodded continuously

“Oh yes” I said

“I wish God could open your eyes of understanding and that you would see what I am seeing right now” he said again

“Hmmm…my God!” I exclaimed, my eyes fixed on him solely.

“Oh Lord! Please clothe and equip us with your whole armor as we can not fight by our own might. Please, help us Lord” he prayed

“Amen” I replied

“Let’s move towards the door so that you would get a glimpse of what is going on” he said again

He led the way as if he had been living in that house for a long time.

He knelt at the entrance of the room and I did too.

I tried to hear but I couldn’t hear

“I can’t hear anything” I said and for real, I could hear nothing at all

“Listen with a fixed concentration. You will” he said and I closed my eyes, fixing my ears.

I heard some voices!
>>>>>>>>
“These are the clothes I bought for you. They are maternity gowns for you.” He said and I was alarmed

Nightgowns for me!

“You are shocked?” he asked and I nodded so vigorously.

He smiled

“That was how it was meant to be before the devil came, planted the tares among the wheat and went on his way” he said again and I was awestruck

With the little I knew about the bible, I knew that that was quoted from the Word of God and I was really awestruck

That change was so fast.

As he brought the clothes out, I looked on and observed

“But why are they all white?” I asked

He looked dumbfounded

“Because the baby is holy of course” he stammered

I smiled

I thought deep down that I was making him uncomfortable with my questions and comments

“Thanks so much dear” I said as I stretched my hands to collect the clothes with my right hand

He shook his hand

“Use your left hand” he insisted

I looked into his face and he widened his eyes

A cold shiver ran down my spine.

I obeyed

The material was cotton and despite how poor I was then, I really did struggle to buy silk as I react often time to cotton.

He knew this well and why he would buy this material when he knew my condition got me a bit angry.

“That was what I could afford. I am sorry. I know you don’t wear cotton” he said and I nodded

“Thanks” I said as I put the clothes down.

“Wear them” he said and I looked at him strangely

He nodded again and I picked up the clothes

“All of them?” I asked and he nodded

“Why?” I asked and he looked at me sternly.

“You ask too many questions. Its all for your good” he said, almost angrily

“I am sorry if what I said made you angry. Forgive me” I said and he smiled

“Wear them first” he insisted, raising his voice a bit

“ok” I said and I wore the three white gowns

I didn’t want to make him angry

I felt that it was absurd but I obeyed him anyway

…as if I was being controlled.

“Good girl!” he said, smiling and patting my back

I smiled sheepishly too.

“There is something I need to intimate you about now.” he said seriously

“What?” I asked seriously too

“I made a pledge to the Lord when I became born again and we have to fulfill the pledge because then and then only would our glorious dreams come true” he said and I watched on

“Ok. What pledge?” I asked and he interlocked his fingers

“I promised to give the placenta of our baby to the Lord” he said and my eyes widened

“Placenta?” I asked

I was alarmed.

“Yes…the pastor asked for it” he said

Something was not right!

I just felt something fishy!

Exactly what was wrong?

Why couldn’t I think of my own volition again?

Was I being manipulated or something?

There was a battle within me and there and then I looked at him and gave a warm smile

“If it’s a pledge to the Lord, then, so be it! The Lord gives and he takes” I said and he smiled

Just then, there was a bang at the door.

“Noooo…that’s a lie! Never give your consent to such” I heard the voice of my doctor outside the door.

She had been eavesdropping?

Why was she screaming that way?

What was so bad about giving to the Lord?

Didn’t she know about pledges and redemption of pledges?
>>>>>>>

I didn’t know when I screamed but the pastor was not surprised when I did.

…at least he didn’t look surprised

“Pastor, is this woman under a spell?” I asked loudly.

I didn’t care anymore about anything

Was it a movie or something?

What was wrong?

I had only heard about it happening in the imaginary life but in reality, relaying in my very ears?

It felt really bizarre!

I kept on banging the door and the pastor shook his head as he watched on.

“The door is locked” he said and my eyes widened

“What!” I exclaimed

He nodded

“And you just endangered her life” he said and I held my chest in numbness

“How?” I asked, panting heavily for breath.

He smiled painfully

“The battle line is drawn.” He said and I looked on as the pastor placed his ears close to the door.

I did likewise
>>>>>>>>>>
As I stood up to go to the door, Adejare pulled me back onto the bed.

“Who is that mad woman?” he asked and I looked at him surprised

Was he not supposed to be born again?

What was that foul language from then?

“That voice is my doctor’s” I said and he looked at me with eyes scorching in danger.

“You are going nowhere” He said firmly and I sat down and fixed my eyes on him

“Why?” I asked awkwardly again

“Because I said so. Ohun taa ba wi fun ogbo lo’gbo a gbo…” he said whispering some words and I became calm.

“Tell the mad woman at the door that everything os alright here and that she should go away” he said

“It’s a lie…nothing is going on well oh…nothing at all. Open this door” My doctor’s voice came with so much conviction that I remained glued to the bed.

“Tell her” he pestered on and I stood up.

“Doctor, all is well here.” I said

“No. that’s a lie from the pit of hell! Don’t swallow that lie. All isn’t well. You are in danger” she cried out the more

Why is her voice with such authority?

“But there isn’t any danger here. My husband has become a Christian. He is born again. He is quoting the scriptures.”

“That’s a lie Madam. Even the devil can transform itself as an angel of light. Its all deception. Please don’t accept that at all” she cried out the more

I looked back at Adejare who was looking so frustrated.

“Come here” he signaled at me and I obeyed.

He pulled me into the bed and checked the polythene bag.

He brought out a small glassy bottle that had liquid inside.

“What’s this?” I asked

“This is holy water for the protection of the baby.” He said and I looked at his lips as they danced

“Protection?” I asked

“Yes. The pastor said that the baby is in a breech position. This would make it alright and easy for delivery.” He said

I collected it.

“Ok. Thanks. But that should be for a later time right? Especially when I am due for childbirth. Right?” I asked and he shook his head

“Now. Take it now” he whispered, opening it for me

“But I am just in my second trimester. The pastor can’t be sure that it is a breech birth yet.” I argued

I was getting my voice again

I wondered where it went before.

“Don’t take in whatever he wants you to take in o” the doctor’s voice became louder.

“The woman outside, shut your mouth up or I shut it up for you. Shut up!” he screamed as he jumped and punched the door.

“You should shut up man!” a masculine voice sounded from outside

I became edgy

What was wrong exactly?

He rushed back to me and collected the bottle from me.

He brought out a knife to my throat.

My heart jumped to my mouth.

“Either take this now or I kill you here” he said and his eyes burned with fire.

“But…” I was saying when he slapped my face with the flat side of the knife.

My heart broke in pieces.

“I command you to take this now…..” he said again and his lips moved fastly as he whispered something.

My heart was in disarray!

“Who saith and it comes to pass when the Lord commandeth it not? I otherwise command that you Mrs. Olowo should not take anything given you by Mr. Olowo , your husband.” The masculine voice said with strong affirmation

“I command…” he started again when the man outside replied again

“The Lord disappoints the devices of the crafty so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise…I command that all your devices be frustrated and disappointed now in Jesus’ name.”

“Amen!” my doctor answered

My heart was being released.

I felt some loosening- as if my mind had been in knots and that the thread being used had lost its hold

“Take it” he brought the bottle to my mouth and I tightened my jaws

“No…no…no” I said repeatedly

“I am not going to harm you. It’s not going to kill you. It’s for our own good. Take it…this is the last opportunity that we have to be great. Take it…please” he pleaded and my heart wept.

If he wanted me to take it then I should

His pleading was to earnest.

I stretched my hand to collect it

“Don’t take it. Please don’t” the doctor cried more.

“Don’t be ignorant of the device of the enemy please” the pastor cried out strongly

“Take” he stretched at me and I shook my head

“The Lord frustrateth the tokens of the liars and maketh diviners mad. He turneth wise men backwards and maketh their knowledge foolish. All your tokens are brought to nought Mr. Olowo.” The man prayed again

“Amen in Jesus’ name oooo” the doctor cried out the more

Adejare ran like a mad man to the door and banged at the door with a loud cry

The bottle in his hands broke into pieces as the liquid inside splashed to his face.

He screamed loudly.

He came to the corner where I had gone to hide myself and pulled me with a great vigor to the door.

He pushed me to the ground and held my head bowed.

I winced in serious pains as I panted hard

“Lick it” he screamed as he pressed my head towards licking the spilt liquid on the floor.

“No don’t do it” the doctor said.

I was so weak!

“Call the name of Jesus Mrs. Olowo” The doctor said anxiously

“Oh yes say it madam because the Bible says the name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous runs into it and he’s safe. Call his name.”

“Oh yes! And wherefore, God has highly exalted him and has given unto him a name that is above every other name that at the name of Jesus…” the man was saying when Adejare left me alone abruptly, ran to the door, banged it twice, came towards me, kicked me twice on my back before opening the door and running out.

I was so shocked that I remained in the uncomfortable posture.

It felt as if my backbone had been shifted and that I might not be able to walk again.

“Oh my God!” my doctor exclaimed as she ran inside with a man.

That pastor!

They helped me to the bed with a great difficulty.

I was seeing double.

My head ached with great noise exuding from it.

My temperature had risen so greatly.

“Please, let’s put these clothes off right now. They are very demonic. Lets take them off” the pastor said again and my doctor started taking them off my body.

“In the name of Jesus” she chanted as she threw the clothes to the floor.

“Sorry madam. I hope you are okay” the pastor asked and I shook my head.

Many questions ran through my small head and I couldn’t just reason straight anymore.

The door opened again suddenly and we all turned to look at the direction

It was Adejare

His head was decorated with dirt and his neck had a chain made of leaves hanging down it.

“Glory, it was for our good…” He said and beat the door rhythmically as he danced.

I watched on in great amazement.

“Are you mad already?” I asked gently and he burst into laughter.

“Mad ke! Its all of you o… You are crazy. Just to make money and make life easy for us all, you cannot give just one baby… Out of teh many children you have o… Just one of then… You are mad” he started crying as he scurried out of the house again.

I didn’t seem to understand what had transpired?

Could someone with a better understanding explain please?

The pastor and my doctor look too astounded to say a word.

Somebody help!
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Watch out for the last episode!

Thanks for staying tuned