The pastor's wife

Episode 6

The cool air felt heavy against my bare arms, as if they were holding onto raindrops that were reluctant to fall. It was a cold Sunday evening, I sat comfortably under the comfort of my children’s duvet, while I watched them sleep. Then I heard familiar voices in the sitting room. David and Ifeoma were back from church.

“Don’t worry, she won’t do anything to you. Take off your jacket, let’s go inside.”

David Instructed, serious faced as they entered the sitting room. Ifeoma sat quietly on the couch. Her heart skipped a bit when she saw me appear in the sitting room, immediately she sensed my watchful eyes, she became bold and confident.

“You should let me be please madam Ekom. it is not my fault that pastor wants me.” she said in a shaky tone.

“Get prepared for where God will be taking you to Ifeoma. Very soon, you will be so ashamed of yourself, God has revealed to me how such a day will be.”

“And I hope he also revealed to you that I have finally agreed to divorce you Ekom. You and your adopted kids should start packing.”  David said, he didn’t look directly at my face.

I flew on the center table firmly and slapped him twice on the Face.

” You and your Adulterous lover will leave this house of my sweat for me and my Children. I toiled with you! prayed that we grow together. I carried the sands of this house on my head, which led to my first and last miscarriage!

go to hell with your divorce paper, I am  God’s own woman, I detest divorce. I will be patient. Go to hell with your church! with your lover! shame on you two! ” I snapped at them, I was throwing curses at them. Tears rolled down my cheeks, I made choking sounds as I walked angrily into the Room. A film of sweat coated my entire body like a second skin.

The silence was broken only by the whir of the ceiling fan as it sliced through the still air.

David sat down and slowly lowered his head into his hands.

****

“Ekom, unbelievable. You mean David said these words to you?”

Pastor Felix asked. He has been David’s childhood friend since the days of theological school. He founded a big church and had a large congregation too. Pastor Felix was a mature looking man, who had grey hairs and wore round spectacles at all times. He was a learned man of God who was highly respected. He was also the president of Pastors Forum.

“How can a church as big as Hills ministries condone such sinful act from their pastor? I am so disappointed to hear this. What did Lady Georgina say about this?” He asked in a baritone voice.

My eyes were heavy, and I was trying so hard to control tears from running out again.

“it’s okay Ekom. I am really sorry. I need you to pray seriously now. You are a strong woman.” he said as he patted my back softly.

“I am holding a pastor’s meeting for this reason by tomorrow.” He said authoritatively.

My nerves bit with frustration and tension. I was so ashamed that my marriage  was going to be discussed the next day at pastor’s forum

To be continued...

The pastor's wife

Episode 20

When Lizzy hung up the call, I became afraid as my heart fluttered. I felt like my problems got bigger by the day.

“mummy, what did you do to my daddy?”

Teye asked, as she gave me a leveled gaze.

“Don’t ask me silly questions!” I yelled.

I was feeling so down and unhappy, nothing could calm me at that moment. There was heaviness in my heart. A combination of sadness, worries and regret.

I wished I had a time machine where I could turn back to the time where this conflict all started.

From when I left for America, to when I went to report David to the police.

“mummy stop, we are home!” Mfon said shrilly.

I sighed and took a reverse immediately.

My mind had gone far in thoughts.

****

That night, sleep ran away from my eyes. when I closed my eyes, all I saw was David brutally beaten by the rude police men.

My thoughts were interrupted by my phone, and my sister Abigail was the caller.

“Ayeneka, abadie?” I asked in a low tone.

“Sister, I just got a message from Georgina now, what have you done? she said her son has been hospitalized because of you.”

“Oh that…..her son was harassing me, I reported him to the police….”

“What? why? I mean what happens to the woman of God in you? why would you report your husband to the police? ”

“he is not my husband!” I yelled angrily and cut the call. Suddenly, I heard a loud knock on the door.

I walked hastily towards the door and opened it immediately without checking who it was, my heart tremble at the horrible sight of Georgina, there were police men behind her, and then Lizzy whose eyes were already filled with unreleased tears.

“What do you want?” I Asked with a furious stare.

But before I could say any other word she gave me a loud slap on my face.

“No madam! You don’t slap a pregnant woman that way, can’t you see she is heavy? Heartless Georgina!” Lizzy yelled, as she struggled out of the hands of the police officers and pushed Georgina down.

“Bishop my foot! stay off her!”

The police men held Lizzy with all their might. I stood at one corner with my hands on my cheek, watching Georgina in tears.

” She said you are pregnant?” She laughed a disgustful laugh and clapped her hands back at me.

“Who are you Deceiving Ekom? You ate to your fill, your stomach is filled with food, there is no single foetus in there.” She said, her mocking voice squeaked as she laughed sadistically.

“You are not God! shame on you devil!”

She wanted to put another slap on my face, when I held her hands tight.

“Get out of my house!”

“Arrest this barren woman, poor, wretched idiot, who got lucky to marry my son.”

The police men pushed Lizzy aside and grabbed my hands firmly.

All I heard was Lizzy’s voice, she was talking on the phone, I couldn’t see her clearly anymore.

“hello? Pastor David there is a problem. Your mother is here to arrest your wife..

Yes….we are at Bode Thomas surulere.”

Lizzy Said in a shaky tone as she attempted dialing another number, Georgina took the phone from her hands.

“mummy, mummy” the kids cried out.

The police men took me into a black maria.

Before I finally lose consciousness, a calm voice whispered something to me, “I will fight this battle for you.”

To be continued

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