© Ayo Omolayo
“This is it!” I said and exhaled.
This is the last bus stop”, I added as I turned off the ignition.
“Are you scared?” Silas asked.
“No! But, I don’t understand my uncle. He’s one thing this minute and the next minute, he starts behaving somehow”.
My Charming started laughing which got me curious.
“What’s funny?”
“You’re worried aren’t you?”
I exhaled.
“I hate to admit, but yes! I am worried. I don’t want any sort of delay. This wedding would have happened by now if not for the arrows Satan threw at us. I just don’t want another set back”.
“So being worried about it is the best solution to the problem, right?”
“No! Just that! Yes, I mean. I just want this to work out smoothly. I don’t want any further complications”.
Silas reached for my hand and took it in his. He’s such a Charm.
“How is worry going to solve anything? Jesus told us not to worry about anything. But in everything, through prayers and supplication, make your request known to God. We have prayed and we’re trusting God to favour. So don’t entertain the spirit of fear of worry.
They are of no use to us. Their services are not needed here. So we’re going to pray one more time before we go in. And believe me, God will take charge of everything that will happen. Can we do that right now?”
“Yes please!” I said in a jiffy and bowed my head.
He held my two hands and bowed his head as well.
“Pray for us”, he requested.
“I thought you wanted to pray for us”.
“No! Your Dad! I mean, our Dad told me he wants to hear your angelic voice”, he replied.
I shook my head in a playful frustration and shut my eyes. I don’t know why I had to be the one to say the prayers, but I knew better tht to argue.
“Lord Jesus! Thank you so much for your mercies. You have been such a darling. I just wish I could kiss you so someone here would be jealous”, I said.
My Charming chuckled and squeezed my hands tightly.
“Lord! We’re about to meet my uncle to get his approval for this union. Please be our guide. Grant us favour in his sight. Let his heart be made soft towards us. Daddy you said in your word that the expectations of the righteous shall not be cut off.
Lord, do not allow our expectations to be flushed down the drain. Let them come to pass in the name of Jesus”.
“Amen”.
“Thank you in advance Lord! We know you have done it for us. And infact, we’ll be back to do our proper thanksgiving when we are back from this meeting in the name of Jesus”.
“Amen!”
“Blessed be your holy name Lord, for in Jesus mighty name I have prayed.
“Amen”.
We both opened our eyes and gave each other a smile.
“Let’s go”, Silas said as he opened the door and stepped out.
I followed and came out of the car. Taking my purse with me, I held his hand and led him to the entrance of the building.
In no time, we found ourselves sitting down on a sofa, waiting for his arrival.
“What can I offer you while you await his arrival?” The maid asked.
“Anything you would love to drink?” She said smiling.
“Who wan drink anything under this kind tension?” I asked within me.
“No thanks. We’re okay”, I replied and she left.
“We’re okay with our saliva”, I said within me.
Soon, my uncle’s foot steps could be heard. But I noticed he was not the only one coming downstairs. He was chattering and laughing with two men. They were dressed in their agbada. They had wine glasses in their hands.
“Did my uncle bring his colleagues here to mock us? Jesus have mercy! Be with us!”
“CRUS CALM DOWN NA! WHAT’S THE MEANING OF ALL THESE FEAR YOU’RE EXHIBITING?”
“I’m sorry sir! Please help me stay calm”, I replied.
Silas took my hand and gave them a gentle squeeze. I turned to him and smiled.
“ARE YOU FEELING BETTER NOW?” Came the gentle whisper.
“Wait, you mean you squeezed my hand through Silas?”
“I CAN USE ANYBODY”.
“Oh my sweet Daddy! You’re too much. I believe you have everything under control”, I said all smiles.
“YES CRIS! THERE’S NO NEED TO FEAR. EVERYTHING IS UNDER CONTROL”.
I exhaled and smiled.
“Barrister Obi, meet my niece. The CEO of Kolapo production company”, my uncle said immediately we were in sight.
I quickly went down on my knees to greet the elderly men. Silas stood up and bowed.
“Oh! You must be Olamide Christiana Kolapo. Your uncle had said much about you”, the one I presumed to be the barrister, said.
“Yes sir”, I said all smiles.
“Please have your seats”, he said and we both sat down.
The three men also sat down and took a few seconds to look at us.
“Is she the one who suffers mental challenge?” The other man asked.
I looked up and couldn’t hide the shock on my face.
“Yes, she’s the one Chief”, my uncle answered.
“Wow! She’s really trying her best. Leading a production company despite her mental health challenge. Takes a brave woman to do that”, he said and patted my shoulder.
“And who is this man?” Barrister asked.
“Her gateman”, my uncle answered for me, when all I wanted to say was my fiancee.
“Oh! Is your gateman your P.A. or something?” The Chief asked.
“No! She brought her gateman here because she wants to marry her gateman”, my uncle answered for me.
Chai! Uncle why na? This is humiliating! I have rehearsed the lines. What to say and what not to say in front of him. All the words that needed to be put in place, so we can create the right impression. I never knew my uncle planned something bigger. What kind of thing was this?
“Gabriel ooo!” The barrister called my uncle.
“How is her health now? Does she still experience partial madness?” He asked.
“I think so!” There have been records of psychiatric doctors visiting her often”.
I opened my mouth and wanted to say he was wrong. But Silas noticed and tapped me to stop.
“I have to say the truth”, I whispered.
“Keep quiet”, he replied.
“But they’re lying against me”.
“Let them lie. Your job is to respect the elderly by keeping silent when they are talking”, he replied.
I had to keep quiet for my Charming’s sake. It was a bit painful sha, but I had to endure it.
“What’s the challenge? Did you give up all hope on her? Or is the money that is the problem?” Barrister asked.
“She’s right there in front of you. You can ask her whatever question you have for her”, he said.
The barrister turned to me and gave me an awkward look.
“Sometimes, her mental illness comes and goes”, my uncle added.
“Madam, how old are you?” He asked.
“I’m 33 years old”, I answered.
“No wonder! You must be feeling you’re running out of time. Although, women of your kaliba, can have a man at the snap of their fingers. Hooking you up with men that matters is not an issue.
Please send the gateman away, let’s talk. Return him back to his duty post. I want to talk with people that matter”, he said.
“Gateman”, he said to Silas.
“Please excuse us”.
I was like, ‘What’s the meaning of all this? Look at how they looked down on Silas?’
“Daddy, I have something to say before I leave”, Silas said, holding up a finger.
“Whatever you have to say, you can say it to the gate. Leave my honourable presence”.
“Jesus! What humiliation!” Anger welled up inside me.
“It’s about my fiancee’s mental health”, Silas said as though he never heard a single insult.
He looked interested now. My uncle and the other guy, gave him their full attention.
“What about it?” Barrister asked.
“She’s not mentally ill as you presumed her to be. What you’re actually seeing here, is love”, he said.
The three men burst into laughter. This is so humiliating. Jesus please help us!
“Gateman! Please leave us”, he said and pointed at the door.
“Okay sir!” Silas said and stood up.
I expected God was going to put something to say in his mouth. Something that would make these men softened towards us. Now Silas was leaving. I was already struggling with anger. Silas had squeezed my hand several times to calm my nerves.
Now they had sent him out like a piece of trash.
“I’ll be praying for you”, he whispered before he left.
“God please help me not to bring you shame again. Help me! You know how weak I am. You know I can be dramatic sometimes. Please don’t allow me ruin everything. Please put the right words in my mouth. Take away this anger in my heart and give me a meek and quiet spirit”, I prayed inwardly.
“Olamide! You are better than this! First, if what your gateman says is true, then there must still be something wrong with you”, Barrister said.
“Daddy my fiancee is correct”.
“Correction, your gateman”,
“Sir, he’s my fiancee”, I said as my eyes got more blurred with tears.
“My gateman! Say it before this conversation can continue”, he said, giving me a cold stare.
“Sir, I cannot disrespect the love of my life. I can’t call him that. He’s my fiancee”, I said and my tears dropped.
“Love of your life”, the Chief repeated and laughter filled the room.
“This girl used to be a smart girl ooo!” My uncle began.
“She became a CEO at the age of 21 abi 22. What age was that sef? Nevermind! I thought she was going to kill herself. As a good mentor and uncle, I coached her and gave her the tips. She’s my girl oo! A very smart business minded girl. If you know how I made this girl wealthy through my mentorship and training, you won’t believe it.
After investing so much on this girl. She wants to handover everything I laboured on her to a company gateman. Can you imagine?”
Wait oooo! Did I hear my uncle correctly? My uncle that did everything in his power to make sure I failed as a CEO. My uncle that we barely spoke to each other, claiming he mentored me. Ha! This is wickedness! I need to expose this man and tell them all the truth.
“WILL YOU KEEP QUIET?”
“Daddy! How will you expect me to keep quiet when someone is lying against me? Everyone here would believe his false reports. At least, let me clear all the wrong impressions he had created about me”.
“Matthew 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Verse 12. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you”, was the scripture that confronted me.
“But Daddy, this is not kingdom business na”.
“THIS IS KINGDOM MARRIAGE. TAKE NOTE OF THE WORD. THEY SHALL SAY ALL MANNER OF EVIL AGAINST YOU, HOW?”
“Falsely!”
“ARE THEIR ACCUSATIONS THE TRUTH?”
“No!”
“WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?”
“Rejoice and be glad for I have a great reward in heaven”.
“THAT DOESN’T MEAN IF THEY GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK, YOU SHOULD NOT DEFEND YOURSELF. BUT THIS IS A SITUATION WHERE YOU HAVE TO RESPECT YOUR UNCLE BY NOT PAINTING HIM A LIAR BEFORE HIS TRUSTED FRIENDS”,
“Jesus Christ! Respect and submission is as deep as that?”
“MORE DEEPER THAN THIS! YOU’LL LEARN MORE ABOUT IT. YOU HAVE TO RESPECT YOUR UNCLE BY NOT STAINING HIS REPUTATION. ALLOW GOD HANDLE THE JOB”.
“Thank you Daddy”,
“YOU’RE WELCOME MY PRETTY EBONY”.
“Olamide, I said call him gateman or this conversation will be closed”, barrister threatened.
“Daddy, I’m not disrespecting you. Forgive me if that is how you see it. I will always respect you as a father you are to me. But to disrespect my husband is not possible for me. Please I’m sorry! I cannot do that to the man I want to marry. I love him and will respect him”, I replied and went down on my knees.
“Then get out of this place!” He shouted.
“Daddy please!” I said admist tears.
“Get out!” He shouted.
Slowly, I rose up and lowered my knees slightly in respect and took my purse.
“Thank you Daddy, for making outside my time to see us both. Once again, I apologize for all the wrong I did. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to do what you said. Please find a place in your heart to forgive me”,
“Shut up!” My uncle shouted.
“You are a disgrace! I don’t want to ever see you and this man in my house. Do you hear me?” He said furiously.
I turned and hurried out of the sitting room. My tears refused to stop as I met Silas at the spot where my car was parked.
To be continued……..
Please all intercessors in the house. Start praying for Cris oooo.
I have been trying to console her since morning, but she’s still crying.
Which kind wahala be this? Chief Akinyele Gabriel went to get his gang of friends to humiliate our baby.
Cris stop crying Ehn! It is well.
But I really admire her level of respect for her fiancee and even her uncle sef. If it’s some girls, they would have started shouting at the men.
No! You don’t raise your voice on an elderly person. That’s disrespect. Even anger is not an excuse for raising your voice at an elderly person.
Even when it’s obvious the elderly person is wrong, don’t disrespect him. It’s not stupidity. It’s obedience to that scripture which says, do not pay evil for evil, but pay evil with good.
There’s this mindset in the world that says, respect is reciprocal. You must respect others before you can earn respect. You must deserve respect, before you would be respected.
I’m here to tell you that, that is the wisdom of the world.
We don’t respect people because they deserve our respect. We respect them because it is first of all a command from God. We don’t respect people based on how they treat us. We respect them because we have no choice than to obey God’s word.
Hmmm! Looks difficult. Especially when the person is so wicked and don’t want to understand us.
My advice is, obey God’s word and see if he will not fight for you. Stop those heated argument with your husband and raising your voice at him. Stop raising your voice on your parents. All you have to do is to obey God’s word and watch him do the rest.
Please don’t be a Ghost reader. Come out and console our baby girl.
