SARÉ by Olowojesiku Deborah Iyanu
Episode 8
After the program, I asked my mom about the young pastor and she didn’t hesitate to tell me about him, that would be the first time I would be talking about a man after my issue with Papa. My mom went on to tell me that he was transferred to their church recently and since he came into the church, there had been record of signs and wonders. She went on to explain that his messages had been power-packed and in the end, there would be miracles. She made me realize that the membership of her church doubled after his arrival. I was wowed by the good things I heard about him, my mom ended her words with the fact that he was very respectful and humble despite all the Lord was using him to do. I later got to know that his name was Gbenga.
My mom and I ended our conversation without me giving my mom a clue that something had been stirred up in me but then, the woman was quick to know what was happening. In the long run, she made me worship in her church and even took me to the young pastor to pray for me after introducing me to him. Well, I was enjoying my mom’s stylish matchmaking because it saved me the stress of having to make myself visible to Pastor Gbenga.
I was in my office one afternoon taking a look at a customer’s order, her daughter’s fifth birthday was one week away so, she decided to bake a gigantic cake for her. While I was still looking at the cake, I received a call from a strange number. At first, I didn’t want to pick but the thought that it might be a client made me do so only to realize that Pastor Gbenga was the caller.
Pastor Gbenga: Good afternoon, beautiful Sister Bimpe, how are you doing today?
Me: Ohh, good afternoon, Pastor. I am doing well and you?
Pastor Gbenga: God is strengthening us.
That was the beginning of something beautiful between Pastor Gbenga and me, can I call what we share beautiful? Maybe what we shared before our marriage can be likened to something beautiful. From that day, Pastor Gbenga would call, give me advice and then, pray for me. He was always asking God to bless my business and in all honesty, I experienced a positive shift in my business, the number of my customers tripled and I had to employ two other caterers to work with me.
From advice and prayers, we graduated into late-night calls, we would gist and play deep into the night. Three months later, Pastor Gbenga proposed to me and when I informed my parent, they were so happy for me. They were happy that I was able to find a good man despite all that happened in the past. Before this time, Papa had gotten married to a fair lady and Oreoluwa lived with them. The last time I spoke to Ore was on her seventh birthday and it was obvious she was doing well.
Six months later, Gbenga and I tied the knot, Papa came with Ore to my wedding but I warned them them that they shouldn’t come near Gbenga or make him suspect anything, that day I was glad Ore and I didn’t share a strong resemblance.
The wedding was a big one, money was spent to make the event a success. That day, I felt really special, I was able to show those who felt I couldn’t become what I wanted to because of my teenage pregnancy. Oh, my mom was so happy, my parent was indeed proud of me which created satisfaction in me.
After the ceremony, my husband and I were driven to our new house which the church gave us as a gift. My parent also gifted us a car. I can tell that I felt fulfilled.
Getting into our bedroom, Gbenga was all over me, I wouldn’t blame him, we had a sex-free relationship. There was no kissing, hugging, or unnecessary touching. We prayed for a few minutes and then went into the bathroom to have a cool bath and right in the bathroom, our emotions got a better part of us. From the bathroom, we moved back to the room, seriously, none of us can explain how we got back there. We had a beautiful moment together but it was cut short by Gbenga’s question.
Gbenga: You never told me you were no longer a virgin.
Me: Huh?
Gbenga: You heard me, I thought you were still intact.
Me: We never discussed it.
Gbenga: But you should have told me so that I won’t raise my hopes high.
Me: I am sorry I never did.
Gbenga: So, tell me about your past. How many times have you had sex? How many boyfriends?
Me: We never dated, it was just one-time sex which I wished never happened. I was naive that I mistook lust for love.
Gbenga: Wow!
Me: I wished I was wiser. Well, he is happily married and the child from the pregnancy stays with him.
Gbenga: what? You mean you have a child and you never mentioned it to me.
Me: I am sorry, you didn’t ask about my past. We were always carried away while making calls.
Gbenga: You deceived me into marrying you. You did this on purpose, right?
Me: I didn’t deceive you. You didn’t ask.
Gbenga: How would I know if you didn’t tell me?
Me: Look, I am very sorry for not telling you but you never told me about your past.
Gbenga: That’s because my past isn’t as dirty as yours. I only had a girlfriend and we never had sex because we were going to wait till we got married. Yes, we kissed and smooched but we never got down there. Gosh, I am so disappointed in you.
Me: I am sorry.
Gbenga: What have I gotten myself into? I got married to a filth.
Me: I am not filthy, it was just a mistake.
Gbenga: Don’t push me into doing what I don’t want to.
Me: I hope you are not thinking of beating me. You said you love me, you said a whole lot of things, please, accept my past.
Gbenga: I can’t deal with your past. I promised myself that I was going to marry a virgin, that is what my ministry needs. How will I face my youth? How will I face other young pastors? I should have gone for Sister Kike.
Me: What? Are you going to tell them that I am not a virgin?
Gbenga: Can you just shut up? You know what? I don’t think this marriage can work, I won’t divorce you but we would be living as roommates till I come up with a reasonable solution.
With that, Gbenga put on his clothes and left the house. I couldn’t utter a word where I sat, I was dazed. I couldn’t believe that this was Pastor Gbenga who preached the word of God with so much passion.
To be continued.
