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Gboyega hated Church fervidly. He hated the idea of a God who existed someplace, Somewhere.  And for this reason, Sundays remained the worst days for him, as his mother was a fervent Christian.


“I’m planting the seeds in you now, one day you’d thank me” She said that to him every Sunday but Gboyega was never interested.

 
That morning, he watched as his mother moisturized his Brother’s skin with Vaseline, the pleasant scent filling his nostrils.

 
He laid lazily on his bed, yawning severally like a week old baby, trying to fathom why they had to go to church on Sundays or on weekdays or on any day at all. He was old enough to make choices at 18 for Goodness sake!

 
“Gboyega, when will you have your bath? Or you want me to drag you with your smelly body to Church ehn?” His mother asked calmly, she didn’t turn her gaze towards him.

 
He knew his mother. That calm voice was just a façade; the huge woman could bounce on him at any moment.


“But mom, I have exams tomorrow” he complained, scratching his bushy hair simultaneously.


“And you know how long they take at that church” He continued, pouting his mouth.

 
His mother turned back and shot him a poisonous look.

 
She didn’t say anything but her silence was loud enough. The silence that felt like a monster waiting to devour him.

 
Sensitive to impending doom, he picked up his phone and strolled grudgingly to the bathroom.

 
He had it all planned out in his head. He’d pretend to take his bath but spend time on social media for a while, before he took bath. His mum wouldn’t know anyways.

 
“Every time. every time, you will be forcing someone to go to church” he mumbled as he strolled lazily to the bathroom, “I’m not a baby anymore”

 
While in the bathroom, He kept lamenting to the bathtub and water closet.


“Gboyega!” His mother roared from the room, “It’s almost 8! Do you want to turn to a fish?”

 
He rushed the cool water over his body and ran out of the bathroom.

*******

At Church, Gboyega stayed glued to his phone, he wasn’t fascinated by the boring sermon.

“God is not a man!” The pastor preached.

Yen yen yen! He said inwardly. I don’t have time for all this bullshit. Who God help?


“He loves you but you need to respect him” The pastor repeated twice.


“I don’t know who this is for; But God has sent me to tell you today! Do not take him for granted!” The pastor exclaimed again.

Gboyega opened his WhatsApp.

His gee, George was online.


“Guy how far? Spendinnnng! How you dey na?” He texted in Pidgin English.


“I dey, Wetin?” George sent a straight face emoji.


“Guy, money don show?”


“Which money?”


He was about to send a reply when he heard someone clear their throat.

 
He looked up and realized it was one of the ushers- who shot him a disappointed look.


“Young man. Keep your phone aside and listen to the sermon. Respect God!” He said and walked away without waiting to see if his command was heeded.


Gboyega turned his gaze back to his phone, closed the app and decided to concentrate on the sermon again- against his will.

What he saw, when he looked up almost made him run mad. He wiped his face with his hands and looked again.

He surveyed the whole building and fear enveloped him.

The Church was empty, and was as quiet as a grave yard. The pastor was not on the pulpit again; his mom was not in sight.

No one.

It was all bizarre.

Where did everyone go in just few seconds?

His heartbeat was the loudest thing he heard at that moment.
 
For some minutes, He couldn’t speak as he gritted his teeth. A sudden sense of coldness enveloped him.

He glanced at the nearest chair to him and dropped the phone on it, when he tried to get off his seat, He found out he couldn’t move.

“Mom!” Gboyega screamed. His eyes searched the entrance and exit of the church. All were shut.


“Mummy oh!” His voice trembled.


He began to hyperventilate, as he felt paralyzed by fear.


As he struggled, the weather outside the building changed, like it was going to rain.

 
Thunder storms preceded by Lightning filled the church compound.

 
“What’s going on here! Ye!” He screamed in horror.


At the church altar, something magnificent began to foam. He couldn’t place it at first. When he looked again, he saw it was a cloud and it got bigger and bigger till it filled the whole altar.


Thunder and lightning, erupted from within the cloud.

Gboyega raised his hands to shut off his ears but he couldn’t move still.

 
“Ah! Somebody please help me” He screamed his lungs out.

 
“Is this how I will die! Ah! Mummy!”

 
He watched the cloud as something strange slipped out of the cloud little by little.

 
He deemed  his eyes to get a better view and that was when he saw it.

 
A huge feet came out slowly and gracefully from the cloud. It shone like gold mixed with emerald; he could tell it was not human feet. It was the feet of someone greater.


Suddenly, he found himself growing small as the feet grew bigger and bigger. With time, he felt like an ant before it.


The fear was gone and he felt peace now, however he knew this was God showing him a part of himself and he had to reverence him.


Just before the feet could touch down on the floor, it slipped back into the cloud and everything was gone.

Gboyega got the message already.


God is real and was not his mate at all!

 
He shut his eyes as he trembled on his seat like a jelly fish.

 
“Let’s join hands as we sing our family song” The music director announced.


That made him confused. He opened his eyes and realized he was back to reality again.


He was sweating heavily after the short encounter he just had.

 
The people who sat beside him kept staring at him like he was possessed. No one wanted to hold hands with him.


He ran his eyes through the congregation looking for his mother, he would tell her everything.


His phone beeped. George had sent another WhatsApp message.

 
“You will not put me in trouble!” He exclaimed in Yoruba and threw the phone as far as he could.


Everyone. The whole congregation, including his mother turned their gaze towards him in surprise.

 

*****

God said, “Look, here is a place right beside me. Put yourself on this rock. When my Glory passes by, I’ll put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with my hand until I’ve passed by. Then I’ll take my hand away and you’ll see my back. But you won’t see my face.”

Exodus 33:21-23 MSG

Moses saw the back of God.

 

**********

Yes! God loves us.

 

Oh! So deeply!

 

Oh! So dearly!

 

Too much.

 

But…

 

He is still God. We can’t even compare God to Satan, The devil is no match. He doesn’t even come close.

 

What’s the point of this story?

 

You see, we know God is our Loving Father but Sometimes we forget this and get too comfortable that we start to do things we’re not to do.

 

He is greater than any public figure.

 

.. greater than the president

 

..greater than your boss.

 

I hope you get the message.

 

May God help us all. Amen.


SpiritPen(f), thegospelng, TemidayoRiches(f), aved29(f), Fayodamilola(f), Faithfulwrites2(f), TheEdenPlace20(f), omeizadeborah(f), trophygracie(f), Oluwamarytalabi(f), PeculiarInspiro(f), Botapreneur(f), ASHSALT(m), Olajhidey22(m).

CONTINUATION

********


At that moment, Everything seemed to Slip away. Beatrice forgot about every other thing and every other person in attendance.

Everything faded away bits by bits.

She felt like she was alone with her Saviour in that moment.The sounds faded away.

Beatrice was aware of Him only. Her Saviour.

She felt transfixed in that beautiful moment and didn’t want it to end.

“Thank you My saviour”,She had wanted to cry but she couldn’t, she lost the ability to cry. All she could do was worship at his feet.

“Welcome home my princess, you’ve fought the good fight of faith”,He said bleaming with smiles and contentment.

After that, awareness came back again. It returned gradually until she became aware of everything and everyone again.

He sure knew how to make everyone feel special and she was sure the others would have that same private moment with him.

As the thoughts continued to play in her head, the large gate opened and a sudden and strange wave of nostalgia overwhelmed her.

Beatrice felt like she knew this place, She felt like she was born here, This place felt more like home than her former home on Earth.

She felt so much peace in this place, Her real home.

Everything seemed to welcome her, the air, the streets of Gold. Everything. she didn’t hesitate to take it in.

A tantalizing scent filled the air as she flew in again. A scent of flowers, a Scent of purity, A scent of righteousness. All perfectly blended.

She twirled around and danced with joy.

She wanted to scream so badly.

Extravagant designs bearing ‘Welcome Home saints’ decorated the whole place. Some were hanged, some floated, some twirled. Some bursted and came together again.The Fireworks didn’t stop.

Heaven was obviously prepared for them.

Beatrice wanted to laugh out loud, she couldn’t believe it, she was in Heaven at last!

Still lost in the euphoric moment, an Asian woman ran towards her to welcome her.

“Welcome Beatrice” She exclaimed, her cute eyes lighted with Joy.

“Sharon! We made it”, Beatrice ran over to hug her.

Not that she ever met her before, but this person felt so much like a sister more than her earthly sister felt like a sister.

In this place, she knew everything, she knew names without being told. After all, they were all related . Related by blood and covenant. The blood of the lamb.

“I can’t wait to meet Apostle Paul Beatrice!!” Sharon said

“Me too, I can’t wait to meet Abraham” Beatrice replied.

They giggled like teen girls gisting about their crushes.

Then Music filled the air. What was that!

Was that Igbo?!!!

The angels were singing Igbo, amongst various tongues and languages.

It was the most beautiful Igbo song she ever heard, and she knew it also stood out to Sharon in her own language too.

Nobody needed to ask questions here ,they all knew everything.

She could understand the languages without translation.

Part of the lyrics said.

“Welcome Saints!

You won the race!

You gained the crown!

Hallelujah Hallelujah!

Praise Hosanna!

Praise the Lord of host! ”

They both danced at the beautiful song. A song sang by angels in not just only Soprano,Tenor , Baritone and Alto but in other thousand parts she never knew existed.

Now she knew, Earth was just a fragment of heaven. It couldn’t even come close. There were Just little similarities. Heaven was far greater and magnificent.

No wonder it was God’s home, where his throne resides.

In that moment of Gladness, the thought of Dele dropped in her heart and impulsively, the familiar voice called out her name with Joy.

“Beatrice!!”

She knew he was the one even before she turned back. She knew everything here.

She was right, It was Dele.

He ran towards her with speed and joy as they both hugged tightly.

Whilst they held unto each other. She couldn’t help but feel so fulfilled and satisfied.

She knew, they both knew. They had fulfilled their great assignment on Earth.

That assignment as man and wife for a specific period. She was glad she had served him as a helpmeet. She had submitted even when it was terribly hard. He had served her too, He had loved her Like Christ in his best capacity.

They had both maximized the season of marriage and have now moved to a greater and higher glory. To a greater relationship, this one filled with greater love.

“Dele we made it!!” Beatrice was almost screaming as she still held his hands.

“Yes Beatrice, we made it!!!”

“Did you see Jesus?!”, She asked him, her eyes bulging out.

“Of course I saw him and I hugged him, I even wanted to cry”

They both laughed heartily.

“Brother!! You know you can’t cry here, pain and sorrow doesn’t exist here” Sharon added.

They all burst into pure laughter again.

They both talked like little kids that finally had time to play together.

Dele went over to Sharon as they hugged tightly.

“We made it Sharon”

“Yes Dele, We made it”

They both grinned at each other.

As they hugged, Beatrice looked at them with so much Joy in her heart.

“Dele, the angels are singing in yoruba” Beatrice pointed out.

“Yes oh!” He started to dance to the beats.

While still dancing, a little girl ran to them.

Beatrice recognized her immediately.

Nobody told her,Nobody needed to.

It was the Child she had aborted on Earth.

It was a girl and she was so stunning, her beauty had no boundaries.

Beatrice realized that Even as she thought about Earth, it felt like a dream she tried to remember.

“Welcome!” The girl said smiling as she hugged Beatrice. “I’ve been waiting for you” Her Eyes bleamed with so much Love.

Beatrice lifted her off the ground and hugged her tightly.

It was a day of hugs. A day of Joy and Gladness.

She wasn’t filled with regret as she hugged the girl, her heart filled with so great a joy.

A girl looked so beautiful. Her name was Gloria. This was now her little sister. Thank God there were cute Children to play with in heaven.

She was so full of wishes. She wished she had allowed the child live. She wished she didn’t terminate her destiny. All that was past now.

She looked around and felt so Happy, all her brothers and sisters still greeting and rejoicing. The angels band played endlessly and people danced and sang along.

Another thought dropped in her heart.

‘Grandma‘

A young lady ran with joy towards her.

“Jesubeatrice” She called out and laughed as she called out to Beatrice. It was a familiar voice and It was Grandma.

She didn’t look old and frail anymore, she was beautiful and glowed with so much light. Her eyes glowed with so much life.

“We made it” They both chorused as they hugged each other tightly. It was the most beautiful moment. Dele, Sharon and Gloria watched them with Joy.

Grandma later went to Sharon, Dele and Gloria and hugged them tightly as they all said their “welcomes and congratulations you made it too”

They were all brothers and sisters in Heaven- their home, JESUS the first born of all. They were one big happy family.

At that moment, Grandma started to dance to the praise music, they all joined her, as the angels sang in many tongues with every Instrument.

And contrary to what was said on Earth, Beatrice got to realise it was not boring at all.

Far from it. In this place she felt more alive, she felt at home with her brothers and sisters and she felt enveloped by the love of her father.

She had more than Five senses here,she could see so many things even when they were not in front of her.

Images of sceneries in heaven flashed.

The streets of pure Gold, The mansions, The concert halls, The glorious temple of God, The Gardens, The Buffet, The crowning ceremony, The fun activities, The many uncountable colors, The many fruits that were not on Earth and many more.

And she knew at that moment,that where she was, with Dele, Sharon, Gloria and Grandma was just a slice of Heaven. A tip of the iceberg, they were just getting started and they had eternity to enjoy.

A place of no hunger, no sorrow, no tears, no pain, no hurt. A perfect place.

After dancing for a few minutes with her siblings, they all held hands and gazed upon the throne of God, Jesus was now in front of everyone clothed in the finest Raiment of Gold, glowing with so much light.

Her heart erupted with so much Joy and triumph. Home at last with her saviour.

Now she knew. Everything she had gone through for the gospel on Earth was Worth it.

The pain, the ridicule, the hate, the tears.

Everything was worth it.

And then, It was time. Nobody had to tell her, she just knew..They all knew.

She looked down at her body and saw herself,it was mysterious, she didn’t need a mirror, she could see herself, Clothed in the most beautiful wedding gown ever.

Her earthly wedding gown couldn’t come close.

No earthly wedding gown could actually come close. Diamonds and rubies, pearls and gems adorned the gown, it glowed with light. It was spotless and pure white.

She turned and saw that all her siblings were also clothed in magnificent wears too. This time around the name of Jesus written on everyone’s forehead.

In their millions and billions, from every tongue and tribe, everyone held hands. And it all looked like a grid.

It was time for Jesus to present his pure bride to His Father, the King of kings and LORD of Lords.

Everyone bowed as the Glory of God was revealed. They all saw God in all his Glory.

As Beatrice bowed, Joy and pure unadulterated Love enveloped her.

She thought about the souls attributed to her account,she knew their number by heart.

Oh how she wished she had done much more. She knew the number of stars on her crown. She knew her reward was here.

She knew once again that that was just the beginning, just a tiny bit, a little slice of heaven. She was just getting started.

THE END

********



Inspired by the Holy-Spirit through Jaymikes song: HEAVEN

Dear Reader, What has been your perception or thoughts about Heaven?

Do you know the devil has almost succeeded in painting a terrible picture about Heaven?

Do you also know that your perception about Heaven affects your preparation here on Earth?

Our time on Earth is nothing compared to Eternity!

May we all receive the grace to run this race and receive the crown of glory at last. Amen.

Copyright © [url]Hispeculiarpeople.com[/url]


This is a work of Fiction.


When rapture happened, Beatrice was at Grandma’s house. They were all at Grandma’s house.

Grandma had expressed how much she missed her grandchildren via a phone call the previous week. Dele then suggested they all spend the weekend with her, just to make her happy.

The title ‘Grandma‘ had stuck with Beatrice a few years back, after they had Tosin and Olamiposi.

And because the boys joyfully used the title, Beatrice had picked it up sub- consciously, but on Dele’s part, he still maintained ‘Maami‘- His way of lovingly referring to his Mother.

Beatrice had grown to love her mother-in-law over the years, ever since Dele officially introduced her.

That day, Years back, as soon as Grandma sighted Beatrice at the gate’s entrance, she ran with her delicate legs to go welcome her.

“Welcome my daughter”, she announced repeatedly until they were settled in the living room.

Although Dele had talked about how jovial his mother could be, Beatrice didn’t expect such sweet reception, maybe because she was Igbo and they were Yoruba.

To make things even better, Grandma gave Beatrice new names that day to seal the union.

She was then called ‘Oluwabeatrice’ or ‘Jesubeatrice‘. That day, Beatrice couldn’t stop her giggles, She felt accepted.

Grandma did not only accept her as Her Igbo daughter in-law. She also accepted her past. The same past she tenaciously insisted Dele told Grandma-his only surviving family or else she wouldn’t marry him, she was afraid her past will creep up in the future and destroy her bliss.

As promised, Dele told His mother a week before he brought Beatrice to her. Everything that happened astounded Beatrice.

This sweet Elderly woman accepted her past and also encouraged her when she talked about her longing to have a girl.

Beatrice had terminated the growing foetus in her womb during her teenage years, those gullible years she had lived without Christ. To make things worse,the doctors told her chances of conceiving were really slim.

Ironically, Beatrice conceived few weeks after her wedding and had Oluwatosin nine months later, Two years after that, Olamiposi came along. She was grateful to God.

In the morning of that ‘pivotal’ day, Dele held her hands as they had their brief couples devotion, the one they did in the early hours of the morning, just before the general one with the whole family.

They worshipped for a few minutes and Dele raised two prayers, as if he had a clue that day was not an ordinary one, talk about a man led by the Spirit.

“Oh Lord, search my heart and see if there’s any wicked way in me and lead me in the everlasting way” and “Help me Lord to Run this heavenly race” were the prayer points he raised amongst others for their marriage, children and ministry. They both prayed Passionately.

After the General morning devotion with the whole family, they all had breakfast and settled under the huge mango tree in the compound.

The tall wide tree acted as a huge shade from the sun even as the cool breeze blew. The tree kept on shedding it’s green leaves ,almost every minute.

The elderly ones sat on the bench, while the kids played on the mat.

Grandma kept complaining with concern smeared across her facial features- how tiring it was for her to pile up leaves everyday.

“Maami what about that bimpe girl I hired to help you sweep the compound, Has she not been coming?”, Dele asked her.

“Ah! That one? She got married last month and has left”, Grandma seemed surprised at the question, like he should have known.

“Grandma, Don’t bother yourself, I’d do the sweeping for now, Dele would arrange for someone else”, Beatrice contributed, as she faced Dele for approval and he Nodded.

Grandma face lighted with Joy and they talked about many other things.

“Posi stop playing with sand!”, Beatrice warned posi, her youngest child.

Posi was sitting on the mat Grandma had laid on the floor with his brother, but now it seemed he had gotten really fascinated by the tiny uncountable brown particles that adorned the ground.

He was about to put it into his mouth when Beatrice turned and noticed him. He had gotten it all over his shirt.

She rushed over to him and held him up, Posi kept stretching his sandy hands towards the ground even as Beatrice carried him inside to clean him up.

“Posi darling”, Beatrice said after the cleaning.

“Hmmm”, Posi answered in his childlike manner.

“Go and meet Daddy and Grandma, and don’t play with sand again, you hear? I’m coming now now” , She persuaded him as she lead him outside.

she needed to use the convenience.

“Okay Mammy“, Posi replied as he ran out with his tiny little legs.

She breathed deeply as she savored the moment, a smile lightened up her face, she never got tired of watching her Children.

She rushed back to take a pee, and that was when it happened.

Just at the entrance of the bathroom. without warning.

She heard the sound- Loud enough but not deafening. The sound of a trumpet.

Almost immediately, With a speed even more faster than laser beams, Her body transformed and glowed Great Light.

Subsequently, an unexplainable force lifted her off the ground and she was flying.

She felt Light, like a bird. The urge to pee vanished and no one needed to inform her, she knew at that moment that the rapture had happened.

As she infiltrated the impermeable ceiling of the building with ease, she couldn’t control her joy, she was really flying.

The force continued to carry her higher and higher into the sky. Out of the earth.

Beatrice felt light as a feather as she flew up as a dove with other saints.

They all Continued to fly out of the earth and Beatrice thought they’d burst out into space but that didn’t happen.

They appeared in front of a very large pearly Gate.

And she knew. She just knew.

That was the gate of Heaven.

She had been wrong about space all her life and about the location of heaven.

God was not contained in space. Space was contained in God, he created space and cannot be contained by it. Heaven was a spiritual place and that was why they wouldn’t keep flying to get to a specific hidden destination.

She was now at the entrance of heaven, ready to meet her Saviour, the thoughts that filled her heart at that moment was the thoughts of Jesus.

She couldn’t wait to hold him, to hug him, to thank him, to worship him, to be his bride.

Everything within her yearned for Jesus.

And just that was about to happen, because he was waiting at the gate to welcome everyone of them.

In all his glory, with the angels in the sky but not in space, Jesus was waiting for his bride.

Beatrice noticed she was not really flying anymore, they were all walking now towards the gate. It was a staircase.

She looked down at the staircase, it was glassy, as clear as Crystal, well polished and transparent. Lined beautifully Underneath were pebbles, gems and rubies.

It was too amazing to behold. Too much to accumulate.

She felt so drunk with happiness, had she ever been happier in her life?

Beatrice ran with all her might and hugged Jesus tightly. She was so grateful. She had so many things she wanted to tell him. She blessed the day he saved her soul.

**This was Inspired by the Holy-Spirit through Jaymikee’s Song: HEAVEN




Following (22):
SpiritPen(f),TemidayoRiches(f), aved29(f), Fayodamilola(f), Faithfulwrites2(f), TheEdenPlace20(f), treasuretaiwo(m), omeizadeborah(f), trophygracie(f), Oluwamarytalabi(f), PeculiarInspiro(f), Botapreneur(f), ASHSALT(m), Olajhidey22(m)

A lot of people know Jesus as their saviour and while that is true He is our Lord too.

It’s high time we move from just having a knowledge of him to actually knowing him personally. For ourselves.

You may find it hard to give him all of you but just ask him to help you and you’d be surprised.

That loneliness overwhelming you could be Jesus calling out to you.

The materials of the world cannot fill that emptiness, Money cannot. Fame cannot. Social media cannot. Sex cannot. Only Jesus can make you whole.

I know you’ve heard it time and again that Jesus loves you.

But I bring it to you again today.

He loves you.

Yes, he really does.

He cares for you deeply.

Speak to him today, Invite him back if you’re far away.

Renew your relationship with him.

And if you know nothing about him.

I’d give you a summary.

See. This world is temporary, it’s so obvious we need a savior and it’s also sad that the world would only get worse.

Who then can save us?

Can money save us? Oh! Maybe our presidents can? What about the goodies of this world? our wealth? Or our families?

You know the answer, of course these things can’t save us?

However you and I know we need a saviour, we have everything but something seems to be missing?

You may feel you have all you need already and do not need Jesus.

But are you at peace? Are you joyful? Are you guaranteed of eternal life? Don’t pretend there’s no void.

You know deep down that something is missing.

How can we have a guarantee of this eternal life that our soul longs for?

Jesus is our savior.

More than 2000 years ago. He came to die on the Cross for our sins

Of course you know we’re sinners right?

You’re fed up with your sins and you long for a savior.

Jesus the son of a perfect God who created us left his throne and came to earth to deliver us from ourselves.

Now we have assurance of eternal life.

Hallelujah!

Say this prayer:

LORD JESUS I BELIEVE YOU DIED ON THE CROSS FOR MY SINS. TODAY I SURRENDER MY LIFE TO YOU TOTALLY. COME AND BE MY LORD AND SAVIOUR, I ACCEPT THE ETERNAL LIFE YOU GIVE ME. GIVE ME GRACE TO LIVE FOR YOU NOW AND FOREVERMORE. THANK YOU JESUS, AMEN.



CONGRATULATIONS!!!! YOU’VE BEEN ADOPTED OFFICIALLY INTO THE FAMILY OF GOD, NOW YOU CAN HAVE A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CREATOR OF THIS WORLD.

A SPECIAL NIGHT


CONTINUATION

“Date Night?”, Shade stopped and peered at him intently, a quizzed expression clouded her face.

Maybe it was all a joke.

“Yes, my dear”, a wide smile remained plastered on his face. It was quite obvious he could hardly contain his delight.

Still puzzled, she cleared her throat. She needed to ask the right questions.

“Can I know who you are please?”

He chuckled, “Shade, you asked me for help and I’m here to help you” he explained calmly.

“Help me? how? ” she shot her questions at him immediately.

But then. In a few seconds,the memory poured in and she got her answer.

Just before she slept, she had asked JESUS to help her.

Wait. Wait a minute. JESUS!!!

SHE ASKED JESUS TO HELP HER!!

She looked up at the man again.. and did a quick inspection. Her eyes widened.

He smiled like he knew what was running through her mind.

She gazed at the floor like she needed an explanation from it.

But. This was not the Jesus expertly drawn on her Sunday school Bible book, the one she was so fond of while growing up.

This was not the Jesus she imagined in her mind while singing about him in church.

The man chuckled again and Shade looked away from the floor. She stared at him, waiting for an explanation.

“Come and eat and drink Shade. I can come to you in any dimension”, he didn’t give her the well detailed explanation she needed but she’d roll with it.

She couldn’t take it all in.

She stood up and tried to straighten the creases on her wrinkled dress.

He held out his hand to hold her, He made sure to hold her firmly but lovingly as he led her to the seat.

Shade sat down and he sat down after her.

“He seems like the perfect gentleman” she thought.

She’d just cooperate and watch how things unfold for the night.

As he started to serve her, she took that moment to really notice the surroundings.

Her eyes scanned the room. It looked bigger and wider and it was still dark outside. Her eyes caught the lightbulbs, the lights were off, she looked at the scented candles she brought recently. They weren’t lit.

She looked through the windows again. The moon wasn’t out.

She searched the room to find the source of the room’s illumination and found nothing. Her heart skipped a second.

She turned her gaze back to the dinning table, the table and chairs were made of well polished mahogany. Beautiful roses well arranged in a glass vase decorated the table. The cutleries spoke elegance.

She watched him delicately pour wine into her glass.

She wanted to look at him and study his features but she couldn’t, she didn’t want to do that.

“How do you feel now?” his question halted her thoughts

“How do you mean?” she inquired.

“The breakup” He looked into her eyes.

“You know about the breakup?” Her eyes bulged with surprise.

“Yes my dear. I know.”

She sighed. “I can’t describe it,but I really don’t feel pain. I’m just numb”.

He reached out his hand and wiped a visible tear on her right eye.

She didn’t know she had gotten that emotional.

“It’s okay to express how you feel, I listen all the time.”

She broke into tears and placed her head on the table.

He patted her back lovingly.

“I honestly get so sad when I see you cry,it hurts me deeply” He said.

“Really?”

“You don’t seem too convinced but I mean it”

“But why did Jide break up with me,he was all I had”

“Hmmm.. All you had?” He quizzed her.

She realized too late..

“No.. I meant.. we were to get married” She paused a bit and continued, “We were meant for each other”.

“Hmmm.. you seem so sure about it”

“Yes of course.. I’m a prayer coordinator, he’s an usher at our Church.. what else?” it sounded stupid after she said it but that was what came to her mind.

“How come I was never involved in the relationship?”

“Uhn.. you…” She stammered.

“You didn’t tell me about it.. for two whole years.”

“I didn’t?.. I thought..”

” I’d show you something, then you’d tell me what you think about it,okay?”

“Okay”

He clicked on the blank air and a 3D hologram flared up. Shade gasped at the sight and realized light erupted from him to give illumination to the projector.

Now she knew how come the room was illuminated. He was the light!!!!!!!!!!!

Images started to form on the projector and within seconds she could make sense of it.

A middle aged woman in her late 50s, sitted on the bare floor In a place that looked like a bathroom,her hands her cupped her knees,she was crying.

A man stormed in screaming, “where is that goat?” He looked like he was also in his late 50s.. maybe 58years old thereabout.

When the man saw the woman, he charged at her and beat her up.

“I regret the day I married you!” Those were the last words Shade heard before the Hologram folded up and disappeared into thin air.

That voice rang in her ears. It sounded familiar in a way she couldn’t explain.

She looked up at her host for clarification.

“That’s the future Shade, Exactly 30 years to come, that’s you and Jide”

Shade gasped and covered her mouth in horror. Emotions welled up in her and she badly wanted to cry but she was too embarrassed.

“How could that be?” She asked him.

“It’s all over now my dear” He was smiling widely like he just won a trophy. A calm and genuine smile.

“Thank you” she meant it with all her heart.

She returned her gaze to the food quickly, she wasn’t the one to be shy but she couldn’t grasp the idea of her saviour having a date with her.

Her of all people?

At that moment, she scrutinized herself.

Yes! She attended church, was a prayer coordinator but all that ended at church.

At home, at work and at any other place apart from church, she was a different person.

She had accepted Jesus as her Saviour but at that moment she realized now that She only wanted him as a saviour, she never really allowed him to be Lord over her Life.

She felt open and vulnerable in his sight.

Like she was dirt and he was pure.

“I love you shade. More than your human mind could ever comprehend”

“But I’ve not been good enough, I’ve been a hypocrite” She explained.

“It’s not about you being good enough Shade, it’s about me being good enough”

“I don’t deserve you” she said again.

“All I want is your heart..the whole of it” he said.

She looked at her chest region,what she saw surprised her.

She could see through but there was a large space. Emptiness… she reached to touch it.

“I can fill that emptiness, Shade” he reassured her.

She looked up at him with tears. she felt so undeserving.

“Okay.” She surrendered.

He reached out to her heart

And placed his hands gently.

She felt a surge of electricity pass through her boby. It felt overwhelming and pleasant at the same time.

He took off his hands and when she looked at her heart,she saw a pure heart, pumping, red and full of life.

The sight gave her so much Joy, she looked up and hugged him over the table.

Her phone started to ring, she was familiar with that tone. It was an alarm.

She looked at him to gain his approval. He nodded.

She stood up and picked up her bag, the bag she had flunged away in anger.

Without warning,As she was about to stop the alarm, a great marvelous light flooded the room almost blinding her, she covered her eyes, looked back to behold him in all his glory.

“MY JESUS!!” She gasped in adoration.

Shade fell at his feet and couldn’t look up to behold him. The light was too great.

She felt his hands on her shoulder as she broke into diverse tongues.

****************************************

The alarm kept ringing as Shade woke up. She was still praying in the spirit.

Her head was still laid on her bed whilst in the kneeling position.

The whole encounter had been a dream.

She couldn’t explain the force that kept her tongue going but she knew she was a bit paralysed by joy to even get up to put off the alarm.

It had been a dream that felt so real and she had met with her savior.

She still felt his presence and his scent still filled the room.

THE END.





*************************************

Copyright © 2021 @[url]Hispeculiarpeople.com[/url]

N.b: This is a work of Fiction



He broke up their 2-year relationship on a Saturday. The day before Valentine’s day.

That fateful day, She sat down at The Food factory- a restaurant at Ikeja, waiting for him.

He had called earlier that day to set a date. And they both decided on The food factory.

She wore her special dress, the red one he bought for her in their first year together. He said he had been smitten by it, so he got it for her.

This was the first time she’d wait this long for him,he was always the one waiting for her.

Just a glance at her watch and she realized she’s be waiting for close to an hour. Because she sat close to the window,She watched the ongoing activities outside the restaurant.

She turned her gaze back to the restaurant as Lovers trooped into the restaurant in their pairs, it seemed they wanted to celebrate early. She watched them stroll in and She smiled, her own lover will be here soon.

Picking up her phone from her bag, she placed a call to him, smiling sheepishly at the bold caller ID ‘My crown’ on her phone’s screen- the name she fondly called him. She mouthed the words ‘My crown’ as she waited for the call to go through.

Line busy.

After three failed attempt to reach him, She gave up.

Something was definitely up.

Was he planning a surprise? Or wait.. Maybe it’s a surprise marriage proposal?

The thought of that made her very happy. It’ll be a dream come true.

Being Jide’s wife will be bliss, they’d live at ikoyi with their four kids and enjoy life like no man’s business.

“Good afternoon shade,” Jide’s familiar voice jolted her out of her thoughts.

She had been so lost in her euphoric thoughts that she didn’t realize he had walked in, although she backed the entrance.

His familiar scent filled the air, that Manly scent that felt like tangible strength enveloping her.

And then the realization hit her. Jide just called her ‘Shade’ in a not-so-romantic tone.

Shade?!

Really? What Happened to Darl? Or Vanilla? Or my queen?

The only times he called her by her actual names were times he introduced her to formal persons, like his boss or his colleagues , but he’d always use words like, “Meet my love, Shade Adeniyi or meet my Queen Shade Adeniyi”. Either ways he maintained that masculine sweetness.

Shade looked up at him as he sat down. Oddly, He looked like someone who just ran a marathon race.

“Welcome my crown, You don’t look well”, She reached out her hand to inspect him but he avoided her touch and her gaze.

Still avoiding her questioning looks, Jide turned his face and stared at the adjacent window.

She turned to follow his gaze, just to see what caught his full attention asides her.

There was nothing of fancy, just individuals at the other side of the restaurant’s window transiting to their various locations.

“My crown,what’s wrong?” She was concerned. Maybe he was ill.

“Shade I want us to separate” he blurted out , looking directly into her eyes now.

Those words sounded like gibberish to her.

It had to be a prank. But she knew Jide, he doesn’t even know how to prank.

“Co…com…come,again?” She stammered, blinking her eyes.

“I’m not convinced about us anymore Shade,” He paused a little. “I’m not sure we have a future together and I feel it’s best we part ways for good”. He continued, He was frowning now as he spoke those piercing words.

Her hands which had been on the table dropped to her sides – a wave of diaphoresis hit her instantly. She blew at herself with her hands.

Then the tears came, she knew she was weeping because she felt it in the way her body shook and in the way her voice shook.

“Just like that jide? Just like that?!… Why?! What did I do?,” She asked him gently and firmly, her voice a combination of fear and confusion.

Jide seemed to be more concerned about the people in the restaurant who were now stealing questioning glances at them, than her questions.

He bent closer to her and whispered, “I’m so sorry shade.”

Then he did the most outrageous thing, he stood up, placed his left hand on her right shoulder, looked into her eyes and continued.

“I didn’t intend to break it to you this way”, he said, then he walked out of the restaurant without looking back.

Shade watched him go, too dumbfounded to speak. or beg. Or scream.

Many thoughts invaded her mind space.

Like nothing happened, She picked up her purse and stormed out of the restaurant, feeling like a ghost.



****************************


The first person Shade met at home was Gbemi. Certainly Gbemi. Who else would she meet anyways? Gbemi was her roommate and they both shared the rent payment of a three bedroom flat at ikeja.

As usual, Gbemi stayed glued to her personal computer, skimming through the keypads like an expert that she was.

“Yeye web developer,” Shade thought in irritation for the first time ever.

Gbemi noticed Shade’s entry and raised up her head, she flashed her signature smile at Shade.

“Welcome Oh,How did it go? miss lover girl!”Gbemi greeted.

Shade didn’t look at her and she badly wanted to hiss at Gbemi’s cliché compliment ‘miss lover girl’.

Shade ignored her and walked to her room, she was not in the mood to pay any courtesy. At least not now.

In her room, She bolted the door as she entered and right at the door, her back facing the door, she slides down slowly. Her eyes glued shut with tears. She threw her bag to a corner in the room.

As her butt hit the ground. She let the wails out without reservations.

The same wails She have locked in as she transited in the uber that brought her home, Even as the driver chatted away, oblivious to her moodiness and Short paced ‘hmms’ to his outrageous questions.

Gbemi was at the door now. knocking endlessly.

“Shade! please open the door. Please! , Don’t hurt yourself,” Gbemi pleaded from the other side.

All her pleas remained ignored.

Gbemi didn’t relent, She continued.

Shade didn’t know where the energy came from but She yelled at Gbemi with all her strength.

“Leave me alone!!!!”

The knockings stopped.. and then it continued and after a while it decreased until it stopped finally.

“I’d be in my room if you need me, Just don’t hurt yourself, Please,” Shade heard Gbemi say from the other side, noting the way she prolonged the ‘Please’

After a minute Shade heard footsteps. Gbemi had left the door.

“Whatever”, She muttered in response to Gbemi’s last sentence.

How could he? How could Jide drop her?

Was she not woman enough?
Her? Shade? This beautiful Lady with prospects of a bright future!

The Prayer coordinator of their youth province.

This promising Chartered accountant.

Does he know how many suitors she declined because of him?

Oh! What shame! What a great loss to him!

She stood up,walked weakly to her bed and knelt down.

She intended to pray, she wanted to pray.

On impulse, she looked up at the wall clock.

It was precisely 9’o Clock.

She returned her gaze to her bed and resumed her thoughts.

On no other day but Valentine’s eve. Was he punishing her for something?

Such a beast he is!

She longed to pray now, but the words couldn’t form.

All she could mutter in tears were, “Help me Jesus, Please help me.”

A throbbing ache caressed her forehead and tears blurred her vision.

She laid her head on the bed, still in the kneeling position, as she succumbed to the gentle hands of Sleep.

******************************

An unfamiliar but pleasant scent filled her nostrils as she woke up.

It smelt like freshly prepared food.

She opened her eyes for a start and felt a presence in the room.

She wiped off the drool on her mouth with the back of her left hand. The drool Happened everytime she didn’t sleep in an appropriate position.

Someone was there for sure, but who?

She had bolted the door before she fell asleep.

Why will anyone come into her room uninvited?

Anger rose up in her but slowly and strangely it faded away, As quickly as it came. Within seconds.

What was happening…?

Could it be Gbemi? Did she break in while she slept?

The thing was, this presence brought so much unexplainable peace, so she wasn’t afraid whoever it was was out to hurt her.

She raised up her head from the bed and her eyes caught the wall clock.

9pm on the dot.

How come? She fell asleep around that same time.

The clock was probably faulty.

Her eyes still hurt from all the crying but the headache was gone now.

“Its not too late for a date night, is it?” The stranger spoke with the calmest voice ever.

There was something about that voice. It sounded like pleasant music in her ears. Like music she’d pay millions to buy. Like music she’d store in her archives of fantasies to think about later.

She turned her head and before she noticed the man, she noticed a table and two opposite chairs in the middle of her room. The man sat on one of the chairs.

Wait.. Who was this and how did he get into her room in the first place?

She didn’t know it was going to be a special night for her.

….........

SpiritPen(f),
TemidayoRiches(f)
aved29(f)
Fayodamilola(f)
Faithfulwrites2(f)
TheEdenPlace20(f)
treasuretaiwo(m)
omeizadeborah(f)
trophygracie(f)
Oluwamarytalabi(f),
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PeculiarInspiro:
--------------

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Story Source: www.peculiarinspiro.com

Inspiring ��