Chapter 30

Unedited

Shade found Winny leaning on a pole outside the bar then she hissed. "Is this a meeting point?" "Oh please Shade, don't even start" "I haven't even started. Your father called, I told him I had no idea where you were"

Winny hugged her, "Thank you. You're the best" she replied and Shade surveyed the environment.

"Why are we meeting here?"

"I want to show you something" she answered pouting her lips then she dragged her hands into the bar. "What are we doing in a bar?"
Shade whispered as a few men present stared at them. "We're minors and it's wrong"

"We're not taking any drinks are we?" Winny took a seat and Shade sat close to her using her palm to shield her face maybe it will reduce the shame.

Winny rolled her eyes at how ridiculous her act were, "What are you doing? She asked and Shade dropped her arm.  "I have shame and a reputation to uphold. What are we doing here?"

"Think again!"

Shade's eyes squinted up at the ceiling while trying to figure her cousin out, okay ....since they're in a bar, it had to be....."Oh. This is where...."

"Yes. This is the bar I met him, where it all happened" "Oh. But why are we here, you said you don't remember ... Oh you lied...." She creased her brow, "You looked into my eyes and you.... No wonder you were stalling that day" she whispered staring aimlessly.

Suddenly she pinched Winny to express her anger.

"Stop it Shade! I'm one years older than you"

"One year older dummy, not years! I'm personally advising you to withdraw from school. Pick a trade and learn!"

Winny laughed slapping Shade's arm. "Sorry I lied, I was ashamed of myself."

"Ah, so you have shame? So who was it you had sex with?" 

Winny looked around, "His name is Kaddy and...." She sighted a guy serve a man then she quickly looked away.  "That's him, just look at him small" she whispered and
Shade gave the guy a full look. He was tall and fair looking guy who had a black top and blue jean trousers on. He looked about 26 or 27, she guessed when she felt Winny's large palm slapped her arm, "He'll notice you" she whispered looking away then he walked by placing both of his hands on the table.

"You don't have to look away Winny, I already saw you" he spoke up and Winny batted her eyes at Shade, "See, It's your fault" 

"Stop putting blames on everyone Winny, Geez! That's how you are shey? I notice you before your friend turned. So it's actually your fault" he pointed and her face moulded into a frown.

Hearing him speak brought more memories of what happened that night. Arrogant idiot!

"So you're the Kaddy?" Shade asked and he laughed. He had a charming laughter, "Kaddy? what?" He paused seductively looking at Winny, "Did... Did she tell you that?" He threw his gaze back at Shade.

"Did she add B to it, so it can sound more like Kaddy B?" He asked and Shade chuckled a bit knowing Winny had definitely gotten the wrong name.

"Winny is not the smartest person in the world"

"Hey! You're selling me short!"

"You already sold yourself short" they both argued now turning towards the guy who was staring with some much interest.

Winny cleared her throat, "I remembered clearly calling you"

"Yes you did" he moved closer to her ears then he whispered, "In bed". She pushed his head away and he laughed.

"Well, my name is Kadri Lawal but she chose to call me Kaddy"

"We're here concerning a serious matter cause if we had come with our parents, you would have been arrested"

"For what?"

"Having sex with an underaged girl"

"What?" Kadri opened his eyes in shock, "I thought you said you were 20, she looks 20"

"How can you believe that? She doesn't speak like she's eighteen. This girl is 17 years old!"

"Shit.... That explains the ...." He stalled, "You took advantage of a drunk girl" she hammered on and he shook his head in disagreement now looking into Shade's eyes,  "Hey, you look like a sensible and reasonable type. I would never had laid hands on Winny if I knew her real age. She came to me proposing sex, because she had just gotten dumped by her boyfriend"

"There was no boyfriend! She got rejected that was why!"

"Shade!"

"Oh great! So she lied." He scoffed then sighed. "I didn't even want to do anything with her but she was drunk to stupor! So I stayed behind with her here in this bar, there's a room behind, body no be firewood, I had needs and she couldn't get her hands off me, it was Valentine's day; do the maths. The next morning she wasn't even in bed with me.  If you think I'm lying, ask her, she's here. I'm pretty sure she wasn't all that drunk to remember it"

Shade turned her gazed at Winny who was trying to avoid eye contact with her. Kadri picked up where he stopped, "There was no exchange of phone number, I had no idea who she was or where she was coming from. What are you guys here for? To query me before you bring your parents in?"

"Well ... Winny came to...."

"To make inquiries..... My parents are worried and I haven't met my gynecologist yet"

"You can be rest assured pretty, I have no STI or HIV aids but you're free to confirm" he flashed a smile at Winny. "Any other area of concentration?" 

"None, she hasn't even finished the one in school" Shade snapped and Winny gave her a look. "Wait ... you're still in secondary School?"

"Yes, why? I'm seventeen right?" Winny sounded rude and Kadri laughed, "Babe calm down,  most people already finished at the age of fifteen. It's a new age"

"Idiot"

Kadri laughed, "That night you called me an idiot, I didn't say anything because I thought you might be 20, 21 years, call me idiot again and I might have to report to your father" he cackled while Winny fumed in anger.

It gave him joy!

"It's nice meeting you, Shade shey? So ... If you ladies don't really need me, I have work to do"  he winked at Winny before leaving.

"Why didn't you tell him?"

"Tell him what?"

"That you're expecting his ...."

"Shhh... I don't feel like it, the guy is so annoying"  "And you're more annoying" Shade hissed looking at a face that was beginning to make eye advances at her.

  "Please let's leave this place before I get more irritated"

After the kiss, Dara ran off to the only place she could go to, Portia's fashion house but she couldn't talk to her because she was busy with customers so she waited in her office. She glanced at the television screen, the so called movie on African Magic that was supposed to distract only annoyed her even more.

Why did he have to kiss me?  Why did I even kiss him back? God!

She instantly called Boma for the fourth time "Babe, where are you? Portia is here waiting my time, you're here playing around with me. What happened to you guys loyalty?" "Madam Chill" Boma walked in ending the call.

"I came as soon as you told me there was fire on the mountain" she pulled a chair close to her before sitting on it.

"What's going on?"

"Don't you dare start the story without me" Portia ran in, "I knew with Boma here, you'll start spilling so, now, what happened?" Portia asked leaning against the sewing machine in her office.

"You're supposed to be at Funsho's place shey?"

"Yes. What happened is that... everything was good great. I was laughing and the wives came" "So they acted like those bitches what's their name again CeCee and what Toyosi?" Boma asked and Dara shook her head.

"They were welcoming, they were really welcoming. They both took the kids out to have ice cream, including Kelvin. Funsho and I were left alone and i asked him why he had children intentionally from different women and he told me he paid to have them"

"So that made you angry?" Portia asked and Dara hissed, "No! Calm down, I'm breaking the story down" she fired back and Boma exhaled. The suspense was killing her! If only Dara could skip to the main gist!

"He said he's not proud of his decisions then..... He has changed and I believe it but it's who he changed for that scared me"

"Who?" Boma and Portia asked, "Jesus Christ and me"

The women stared at her completely confused.

"I don't understand" Portia confessed.

"Remember I said Funsho first met me on Easter day? That way the day he replied in love with me and he confessed it to my face. When I thought no one cared"

Boma smiled, "Why didn't he say something" "He was..... I don't want to reveal but he was dealing with some issues and he thought he could actually get better before asking me out."

"Ooooo oh Forget about the issue what happened that's getting you all gittery"

"Funsho and I..... We kissed" Dara confessed to her friends shock.
"Yes I know, I'm as shocked as you guys too. I mean he kissed me but I won't deny the fact that I kissed him too so I got angry and I left"

"That's ..... Wow, Babe, I have to say this whole story has managed to put me in awe. I'm amazed! I mean, this whole time the guy liked you" Portia stated while shaking her head, "Mehn, who says God is not good"

Dara sobbed and Boma laughed at her, "What's our dear friend doing?" "I just left a relationship and I'm kissing another guy two days after. It's wrong!"

"Please who brought out such rule book?" Boma snapped her fingers then she hissed. "Well, pardon us mother Theresa but this is completely normal, see it as God answering your prayers. Babe, you like this guy"

"And I also liked the kiss. It felt so good, gosh! The feelings that just ran through me, I don't even know how to explain it. I just had to run off even when he wanted us to talk about it. I couldn't, it only made the whole thing weird! I even left Kelvin there" she hissed and her friends laughed staring at each other.

"Stop laughing now. It's not funny"

"Wait, I don't understand oh. Was your body reaction from the kiss like grrrrh or gbish gbish or...." Boma trailed off staring at Dara who glared at her then she blushed.

"Awwwn. What about Ugo?"

"Lemme jare"

Pamilerin, Ade and Kelvin jumped into the house, all yelling, "Aunty Dara! Aunty Dara!". They all had different stories to tell but they met Funsho alone in the sitting room.
Hannah, Adetoun and Mimi walked in afterwards.

"Good afternoon Sir" Kelvin greeted first scattering his eyes for his Aunt. "Daddy good afternoon, where's Aunty Dara?" Pamilerin asked and he shrugged, "Um...."

They all ran up the stairs, "She's not there" he answered and they all ran towards the kitchen. "She's not there either" "Dad, you're being indecisive, where is she?" Pamilerin asked and he laughed nervously.

"She left"

"Why?" They all answered now looking at him and Funsho babbled some inaudible words. "Dad?" Ade called out and he chuckled.

"Something happened that I can't explain but she left and..... I'm sorry" he apologized turning towards Kelvin. "I'll have Okon drop you off whenever you feel like leaving okay?"

"Daddy what did you do?" Ade asked and Funsho exhaled, "Not now dear, Daddy loves you but I can't really talk now okay?" He replied climbing up the stairs while Adetoun and Mimi followed him.

"Aunty Dara left me alone, it must be serious" Kelvin answered and Ade exhaled, "Let's put our heads together, what do you think must have happened? Brother Pamilerin, you're the oldest, what do you think must have happened?"

"I'll go check out my drone camera, the one I hang in Daddy's room" Pamilerin replied leaving and Ade smiled, "You don't have one"

"That's the point I'm trying to create. I don't know, but it has to be bad like Kelvin said"

"Maybe.... Maybe daddy kissed her and she like it" Ade guessed and Pamilerin shrugged. "We shouldn't have left!"

Funsho slammed his door after entering leaving Mimi and Adetoun outside. He was pretty much angry he took their advice. "Oooh he's angry" Mimi muttered, "Maybe something happened, an argument"

"Maybe he kissed Dara and she didn't like it, maybe she even slapped him" Mimi busted out laughing and Adetoun poked her. "Let's go in on the count of three, 1,2,3" she counted pulling down the door knob then they both walked in to find him laying in bed with his arm up and head leaning against it while and fiddling with his phone with the other hand.  

"What happened between you and Dara?" Adetoun asked sitting on the bed. "I took you guys stupid advice and I shot my shot. That was what happened"

"So you left my son there?" Brenda snapped, she was about to like an over protective mother. "Oh now you remember he's your son?" Stella who was seated beside Dara retorted back and Brenda gasped, "Kelvin has always been my son and I've always acknowledged him except that one time, that one time!"

"Funsho said Okon will drop him off at the house"

"Who's Okon? Is he our relative?" Brenda asked, "Funsho's driver, Mom likes him" "Someone should not go and use my son for rituals oh, I haven't even apologized enough to him. I hope this Okon can be trusted"

"He is! He's a nice person!" Dara assured, "That's the last thing on my mind right now Brenda. Kelvin in is good hands." She added then she leaned against her sister.

"Ehya. Just imagine you being married for real to Funsho Duncan?" Stella assumed and Dara raised her brow.

"Why?"

"Come on, your wedding invitation will be hot cake! Your wedding venue nko?"

"We're talking the VVIP's of the VVIPs" Brenda answered, "The inner caucus of rich people in Lagos, politicians, celebrities, musicians, name it! I never thought Dara would be the one having such a cool wedding. I've always thought it'll be Stella" Brenda confessed sitting with her sister while leaning against Dara.

"What?" Stella asked, "What if you marry Chris Holland, come on imagine the wedding"

Brenda heaved a sigh, "The guy is too angry to pick up my calls. I don't think I even have a chance with him again" "You're changing Brenda, all you have to do is pray harder. There's nothing prayer cannot do"

"Prayer is your field sis. That's why although it has taken time, God has finally given ears to your prayers" "What prayers?"

"Funsho! He took that Efe away and he brought a more better replacement. His children loves you, what more can you ask for. I'm jealous sis, God loves you"

"Yes, he loves me and he made me get caught!" Brenda rolled her eyes and her sisters laughed. "Na God send you?" Dara asked, "Abeg help me ask am!"

"Have you two figured how to tell Mom and Dara yet?"

"Stella and I are moving back to our parents house" Brenda opened up laughing to herself. "I can't picture Dad's angry face already. At least I'm happy, I'll have my big sister to plead for me"

"Pleasing Oshi! Pleasing wo? I'll be in church rehearsals." She rubbed her fingers across her face. "Ndo, pe (Sorry)" she replied laughing and Stella chuckled.

"I'm ashamed. What will Aunty Rejoice think of me?" Stella asked, "She's around oh, she came this morning?"

"To do what?"

"What else? To embarrass my life in the morning now" Dara replied and Brenda shook her head. "God will punish Andy wherever he is"

"Enough curses, when last has it been since we prayed together as sisters?" Dara asked, "Let's put whatever situation we have into God's hands and just watch him take the wheel" she grabbed her sisters hands and they chuckled.

"God we're seriously blessed to have you" Stella kissed Dara on the head while she pulled her hand bag close to remove her bible.

"What about your Daddy?" Ade asked Kelvin and he shrugged, "I don't know where he is?" "Did he travel?" "No. No one knows who he is, even grandma and grandpa doesn't know"

Mrs Igwe walked into the sitting room in the evening while Mr Igwe watched news on television. "I just talked to Kelvin through Okon, that man from my village." She sat close to him. "He's okay, he's playing and the children does not want him to leave yet" she laughed to herself.

"As long as he's alright. What about Dara?"

"Rehearsals? Although i don't understand why she left earlier. She didn't sound so okay when I called her though"

"Is she okay? I hope she isn't sick?" "I'm sure she's fine, maybe it's the break up that's getting to her" she shrugged. "Have you heard from your sister?"

Mr Igwe chuckled, "She was complaining about wasting her transport. I still don't understand why she's complaining, it's not like she's coming from Umuahia"

They were interrupted by a knock on the door and she exhaled opening it up to find Brenda and Stella with their luggages. "Good evening Mummy" they both greeted and she smiled at them walking back in.

They didn't know what she meant by that but they followed her in anyways.

Brenda's heart thumped on seeing her father.

"Daddy good evening" They both greeted and Mr Igwe raised his brow in surprise then he turned off the television.  "What's going on here?" "What's going on is......" Stella stalled then she poked Brenda, "Take it over from here"

"No way! You're the big one"

Stella rolled her eyes, "Daddy," she exhaled, "I broke up with Andy, we're no longer together" she added. "What happened?" "He.... Turns out he wasn't the right one, he beat Lanre up and then he transferred all my money from my account after I broke up with him. I can't stay in that house any longer, it reminds me of him."

Mr Igwe raised his head looking at Brenda, "And you?" 

Brenda suddenly knelt down crying, "I have come to admit that I'm a chronic liar and I know I've made you angry and ashamed a lot of times and I'm sorry for it. I promise never to do it again, Mom, Dad, I'm undergoing therapy, I know I'm not going to change over night but I'm making that promise to put an effort to change. To make you guys proud" she moved closer to him now placing her hands on his knees.

"Daddy I'm sorry"

"What about your boyfriend?"

"He found out about me and he's angry. I've apologized but he's still hurting"

Mr Igwe shook his head, "Brenda! You've seen that lies doesn't lead anywhere." "Sometimes, lies help to ...." She trailed off meeting her father's angry face. "You're right Daddy, you're always right. Please forgive me, I've missed my parents"

Mrs Igwe smiled, "I'm most especially happy about the turn out of events. I'll have to confess" she laughed and Mr Igwe joined her. "All I've ever wanted in my life is each and everyone of you living happily in your respective Christian homes. Building a strong family with a strong Christian faith when Stella came in with that man, I instantly sniffed that he wasn't the right one, Brenda may have brought the right one but ended up losing her because of her lying lips"

Brenda clasped her hands, "I'll change Daddy" "It gladdens my heart to see life bring the two of you in particular brought down to earth" he smiled and Mrs Igwe stretched her hands out so Stella hugged her in tears.

"Sorry dear. Someone better is out there, you'll find him"

"Does that mean I'm forgiven and I can come back?" Brenda asked and her father gave a gentle nod and she hugged him. "On one condition" "What condition?"

"You two will have to be compulsory workers in church where Brenda will be working with the Prayer band group" he answered and Stella laughed.

Brenda gasped pulling away from her father, "But Daddy" "Obey before complain" "Okay Sir"

Ruby walked in dressed in a gown and all eyes became fixed on her while she wondered what her two sisters were doing back at the house with their luggages. A closer observation made her realized it was a reconciliation so she smiled.

"So are you ready to tell us who Kelvin's father is?" Mrs Igwe asked and Brenda nodded. "His name is Thomas Balogun met him at the one of the convocation in school in second year, he was supporting his cousin or so."

"Thomas Balogun?" Ruby asked, "Like Dr. Thomas Balogun, my boss at the hospital?" She added and Brenda nodded.

"Yes"

2013

21 years old Brenda noticed Thomas looking around as though lost then she rolled her eyes walking towards the man. "Good afternoon Sir, not like you asked but can I help you out with anything?"  She asked and his lips curled up.

"Good afternoon dear, uh..... The weather is hot and I'm parched and I was wondering where the next market where I can get bottled water"

"What happened to satchet water? Same content and cheaper too" she answered and they both laughed. "It's purer" Thomas argued and She rolled her eyes.

"I believe in this part of the continent, it's pure water"

"Ah! Pure water indeed" Thomas laughed and she whistled out to a lady selling water in a white transparent pail. "I'll take one water please, do you have change?" she  asked handing twenty naira change to them now looking at Thomas, "Do you want?" She asked and Thomas laughed.

"Madam, please give me one, 'pure' water" he emphasized on the pure and they both laughed receiving the satchet water from the woman and she left.

Thomas tore the nylon gulping every drop of the water while Brenda watched him. "Water is water as long as it quenches thirst" she noted and he shook his head. "Until it gives you cholera and  dysentery. And I counter that notion as a medical practitioner"

"Wait.... You're a doctor?"

"I'm proud to be one. You're a student right?"

"Theater art 200 level"

Thomas scoffed, "Why theater arts?" "Well someone said I look like an actress and I would really be a good one." "You're pretty, I'll have to hand that to you"

"Thank you" she smiled and he chuckled, "Where did you study medicine?" "Here in Unilag" he answered and Brenda patted his arm playfully, "I thought you were one of those people who don't know their way"

"I wanted to have the pleasure of walking with a beautiful woman. I actually came for a cousin's convocation. Take a few picture, give gifts, she loves her cheques qirh lots of zero's in it" he blurted out and Brenda laughed.

"Uncle Thomas!" She heard a girl scream and wave then she pointed at her. "I think your cousin is waiting for you, Dr Thomas"

"Call me Thomas, and what's your beautiful name?"

"Brenda Igwe"

Now

"He told me he wasn't married and he has been searching for a wife and he has the sweetest mouth ever. I was completely swoon off my feet, he got me a new phone, a new laptop. I was living in a self contain, I was living large. My eyes got opened after I got pregnant, I proposed for him to come in for a proper introduction but he didn't. He told me he wasn't ready yet, he was acting suspicious so I started major ground breaking investigation and I found out he was married and he already had a child. My pregnancy had gone really far, I got angry and I started threatening him, I realized to the whole world he was a very noble man without faults so I employed threats to get whatever I want"

"What couldn't we have gotten for you? Why do you still need such a man?" 

Brenda cried, "I wanted a better place for my son in this world, in the future and Thomas promised that. I've been trailing the idiot because of it! I've stupid, I've been really stupid!"

Funsho knocked on the Igwe's gate and Mrs Igwe opened up. "Grandma good evening" "Good evening dear" "Good evening Ma. I'm sorry for bringing him this late"

"It's okay. As long as he's alright"

"Is Dara home?"

"She's on her way from church"

"Damn it!" He muttered, "Do you want to drop any information?" "No need Ma." He replied rubbing his palm on Kelvin's head.

"Good night champ"

"I had fun. Thank you Sir" "You're welcome dear"

"I'll help you to beg Aunty Dara for you, you hear?" he promised and Funsho chuckled. "Thank you!"

Thomas phone rang in the darkness where he sat in the sitting room waiting for his daughter to arrive. It was a call from Dunni so he picked it up, maybe Winny was with her. "Hey Thomas, thank you for answering the call"

"What do you want to say?".

"How's Winny? She's not picking up my call"

"I thought you already reconciled"

"Well..." Dunni stammered, "You screwed up as usual right?" He asked then he snickered. "Oh Dunni Duncan, why do you have to be such a screw up?" He continued laughing till her sighed.

"Did you get the abortion done?"

"No we didn't"

Dunni sighed in relief, "Thank God, she's alright" "Thank God?" Thomas asked, "Dunni, le nu e (from your lips) Thank God? What kind of parent are you?" He asked and tears trickled down her eyes.

"I'm not ready for this Thomas, please good night" she snapped ending the call and he scoffed. "This woman......" He shook his head then he heard the door knob open and Winny snuck into the the dark sitting room. Thomas rose up turning on the light. "Who were you planning on doing that sneaking in trick for? Do you have any idea how long I've been calling?"

"Daddy I was fine!"

"Why didn't you pick up my calls then?"

"You weren't with Shade, Funsho or your Mom. I didn't even want to involve your grandmother" "I wasn't with her"

"What's is with your Mom? I thought you two reconciled"

"Mom is dating someone younger enough to be her little brother, a friend of mine. I couldn't stand for it"

Thomas laughed, "See how low your Mom has fallen? Not like I expected more" he moved close to her pressing his hands against her cheeks.

"But I expect much more from you my Winner. Where were you? Daddy was worried"

" I was out, I needed to hear myself think!"

"We had an appointment today"

"Well I wanted to take time to think of what I want"

Thomas scoffed, "Do you know what pregnancy does to teenagers? It makes them go crazy, you stop your education half way too. The baby comes without people to take care of the it, everything becomes about the baby. Especially when you're as little as you are Winny. Who's going to help you take care of the child? Your drunk of a mother that couldn't even take care of you"

Winny folded her hands, "I might sound harsh but it's the truth and you know it. This is the best decision for that baby, for you and for everyone. We'll still keep quiet about it take it out on Monday, how about that for a plan?"

"Sure"

"Open up the damn gate for me!" CeCee barked from outside the gate and Okon sighed worriedly. "Madam, I said Oga no dey house as I speak so."

"Where is he?"

"I don't know"

"You're lying! Open the damn door, I'll like to get in now"  "But Oga no dey house now"

"Will this be the first time of me entering into the house without his knowledge? You know how we do this thing!"

"I no fit let you in?"

"Why?" She asked when Adetoun and Mimi got out. "Look who we have here" Mimi folded her hands and CeCee scoffed holding on the the iron bar of the gates.

"What are you two doing here?"

"You do realize you just asked the most stupid question in the world" Adetoun asked and Mimi laughed. "I'm here to see Funsho, I don't have any business with you guys so Okon, let me in"

"Okon can't let you in when we're here."

CeCee scoffed, "Who are you and what right do you have?" "We have full right as the mothers of Funsho's children. Can't you get a life CeCee? Aren't you tired of bothering Funsho? You're not the right woman for him and you certainly can't be!"

"And who else is right for him Adetoun? Please tell me? Who else is fit for Funsho except me? I'm the only person that can handle him. No one else!"

"Well listen up CeCee, there's a new woman in Funsho's life and we both support her and he's clearly in love with her so..... I guess time will tell who can handle who"

CeCee scoffed, Dara was becoming popular and it made her worried. "Do you think I'm bothered about that broom stick? That shapeless thing looking like a bitch got divided into two" she sneered, "Oh please, I've got rules dear, bitches like that don't scare me one bit!"

"Well we're rooting for her so it's the two of us against you" Adetoun sounded and CeCee laughed, "Like you're that jobless. You have a job in Abuja"

"And I have a mission in Lagos and I swear on my life and everything I own, you won't get to be Mrs Duncan and take care of my children. Over my dead body!"

"We'll see then. Okon, let me in before I get angry!"

"Let her get angry all she wants" Mimi fired back, "We're sleeping over tonight and we don't feel like sleeping with snakes, no offense CeCee" she raised her fingers, "I'm sure you have your own house and it's not too late to go back so... Good night baby" she waved her hands and they both returned back into the house.

CeCee gritted her teeth in anger then she exhaled in anger. "Okon, if you don't let me in this instant, I swear, when I become Funsho's wife. I'll see to your dismissal but if you let me in in, I'll see to it that you're promoted. In fact wait, " she counted wads of five hundred notes then she stretched it out to him. "Keep this for yourself"

"Mma mbok, ku yat esit, ututu ke me mma do a yat esit, afo kap yat (Don't be offended, I'd rather see you angry than those two women inside.)"

"What the fuck are you saying?"

"In order words, madam, good night"

Kelvin entered into his mother's room smiling. "I heard you're back" "Yes" she answered in bed stretching her hands and he hugged her. "How are you? How have you been? How is studies?" She asked running her fingers across his face.

"It hasn't been long since you saw me"

Brenda sighed, "Feels like forever, I missed you" "I missed you too" he confessed. "I heard you went out, how was it?" "It was fun! I played with toys, Ade and Pamilerin gave me their toys, it's in aunty Ruby's room. We had ice cream too! I met Ade and Pamilerin's Mom and Sewa's mom. They're really cool, I don't know if grandma will allow me go next time"

Brenda smiled, Kelvin was overjoyed. "That's sweet, that's very sweet. Why did you guys come late?" She asked and he closed his nose. "I didn't want to ask oh but, did you eat afang soup?" He asked, "Yes, why?"

"It's smelling" he confessed and Brenda blew air on his face and he laughed. "Mommy stop it's smelling" he pulled back and she pulled him in blowing more on his face.

"Mommy!" He laughed as though being tickled.

"Is it that bad?" She asked and he nodded. "Very bad" he answered climbing on the bed and she sighed. "I'm sorry"

"Go and brush your teeth"

"I'm not apologizing for that, I'm apologizing for everything. For being a bad mother, I'm undergoing therapy now" "What's therapy?" "It's.... Something, it's like a place you go to when you want to change your bad ways?"

"What happened to the church?"

"Church is different, this one, for every lie i lie, I get to slap myself. I need to change for you, for our future. I don't want you to copy me or be like me"

"I don't want to be like you too" Kelvin confessed and Brenda cried, "Look at what bad parenting has caused, I'm sorry" she sobbed and Kelvin hugged her. "Don't cry. What about Uncle Chris?"

"We're.... We broke up, he found out"

"About me?"

"Everything"

Kelvin's face fell, "Is it because of me?" "No! It's because of my lies" "Did my father leave you because of you like lying?" "No!" Brenda answered.

"Who is he then? Ade and Pamilerin asked me today"

Brenda rubbed her head, "You don't have to worry about him, he doesn't deserve you." "What if I want to see him? Is he alive?" He asked and she wondered where all this was coming from. "Um ...." She cleared her throat, "He is. You'll see him someday Kelvin, not now"

Mrs Bimbo gasped from a nightmare then she immediately puts a call through to Dunni. "Are you pregnant?" She asked and Dunni shook her head. "Rara Ma, Good morning Ma"

"What about Winny? Is she pregnant?"

"Mom?"

"Answer the question, she is right? When were you planning on telling me?"

"Funsho's said"

"Funsho?" She scoffed, "Oda naa, where's she?" "With her father" "I saw someone doing abortion and the person died, whatever she does ehn, don't let her go for any abortion. I'll talk to Thomas personally but I'll like to see you all in church"

"Church?" Dunni groaned.

"Your father has a major announcement, you can invite your boyfriend too"

Dunni scratched her head, "We broke up Mom. Winny found out about us and i ended it" "Did you think it through?" "Mom, Winny doesn't want it?" "But what do you want? Have you sat to consider that?"

"Mom?"

"Be in church, I'll like to see you"

Amazing Grace Ministry (AGM)

"I want to testify to the Goodness of God in the Duncan's family. When I began life, I didn't know Christ like that, I never had encounter with him being a busy doctor even on Sundays; but the day I walked into this church I had that encounter" Chief Duncan testified in front of the whole church and everyone busted into a round of applause.
"At first It was for charitable reasons but I instantly fell in love with the church. Especially when that sister, Sister Dara Igwe sang." He paused and Dara blushed at the choir box where she sat.

"It was like God speaking directly to me. I have come to love this church and the preaching for the wonderful Pastors and the likes, in that vein, I am dedicating myself to this wonderful church and I hereby stand to say from today oh, I and my family will worship in this church"

The whole church busted into another round of applause.

"He didn't even ask for our permission" Tise whispered to Dunni who laughed, "Cheer up sis" she whispered afterwards then she held her hands.

Brenda turned towards Dunni then she turned back to see Thomas walk into the church with Winny by his side then she rolled her eyes. She tilted close to whisper to Stella. "Thomas just walked in"

"What? How's that possible?"

"Same question I asked myself just now! I don't even want to imagine how service will look like afterwards"

The choir mounted up the the altar where a young man held the microphone to lead the a choir song, God is good, Jonathan McReynolds.

🎶May your struggles keep you near the cross
And may your troubles show that you need God
And may your battles end the way they should
And may your bad days prove that God is good
And may your whole life prove that God is good🎶

The Reverend stepped out afterwards commending on the ministration. "Sometimes we need to be reminded that Good is good inspite of all circumstances we face. Most of us have forgotten that single fact because of the issues we experience in life. Prov 4: 23, Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. Another version says, guard your heart and how do you guard it? You do your part and let God take over the rest. You don't play, you.... can't play God, no man is permitted to play the part of the man up stairs, he knows what he's doing. He's not a man that he should lie or the son of man that he should snsk. Let him take the wheel in your life and see things become good. Thank you holy Spirit" he groaned,  "God is set to mend broken hearts this morning. I heard it loud and clear. I don't know who that person is but I heard God telling me he's set to change someone's story. Look at your neighbor and tell him or her, "Don't cry" he a paused waiting for the congregation to do it.

"It doesn't matter how long it has taken, or how long you've waited but God is set to change things this week. Say this week."

"This week!"

"If I have a believer let me hear a loud amen!"

"Amen!!!!!"

What do you think about today's update?😄

I'm feeling better now, thanks to those who reached out through their prayers.

God bless you all!😘

Love you guys😍😍😍

What will happen after service bayii??

See you guys in the next episode!