Enemies of the church 33

Enemies of the church
Episode 33.

Alfred came out of the toilet and picked up his phone. He didn’t know his wife already saw the message. He went to a corner and reads the message. Then he picks up his bag and tells his wife to hurry and get the children ready. Then he hurriedly left the house.

Mrs Alfred was confused. She didn’t know if her husband would return home with the truck to pack just as he has said or if he would go to mummy reverend after recieving her message. She sat down and started praying.

“Dear Lord Jesus, you said in your word that a man shall leave his father and mother and cling to his wife and they shall be one. I know I am not a perfect wife nor a perfect daughter to you, but dear Lord I beg that you show me mercy. I lift up my husband unto you. I know he is not of clear mind, I know mummy reverend has a hold over him, I don’t know what but you know, please dear Lord deliver and save Alfred. Whatever he has gotten himself into, have mercy on him and spare him. For my sake and that of our children. I stand on the gap for him and I declare him free from any bondage in Jesus name. Amen”

Just as Mrs Alfred finished praying, she hears a knock on the door and she stands to go check on who it was. When she got to the door and opened it she found no one. She turned and looked around and still no one, so she locked the door and moves towards her room. Before she could enter her room she hears the door knock again. Then she turns and moved to the door, opens it and discovers there is no one. Mrs Alfred who was very sure she heard a door knock became terrified as she quickly close the door and moves far from it. Then she hears the door knock again. This time it was louder.

She quickly runs into her room and grabs her phone as she starts calling her husband. It took about 5minutes for him to pick his calls.

Mrs Alfred: Honey, honey where are you? Where are you?

Alfred: slow down, why are you painting? I told you where I was going to, what is it?

Mrs Alfred: someone is at our door.

Alfred hearts skipped as he didn’t understand his wife. He slowly parked the car he was driving.

Alfred: what do you mean? I don’t understand. Who is at our door.

Mrs Alfred: I don’t know who? But someone is there. I keep hearing someone knock the door. I rush out to see who it is but always find no one there. This is the third time and every time I open I feel like someone is watching me. Where are you? Please come home I am scared.

Alfred: Listen dear, do not open the door again, no matter how hard the person knocks, do not open that door. Get the children into our room and lock the door. I am on my way home. Do you understand?

“Yes” replied Mrs Alfred as she quickly runs to her children’s room to do exactly what her husband had asked her to do.

Alfred quickly stopped and revised his car. He knew it was Rachael that was about to hurt his family. Just then he got a text.

” You are not in your house, it’s just your wife and children in the house. So where the hell are you?”

It was from Rachael!

Just then another message entered.

“Don’t dare me”

Alfred became terrified he didn’t know if to go home or go to Rachael. He needed to make a decision fast. He does not want any harm to come to his family.

But which is the right decision that can save his family from this mess?

Episode 34.

Alfred picked up his phone and quickly typed a short message for Mrs Rachael. He needed to do something fast before she hurts his family.

“Call off your dogs, I am on my way to you ” he wrote.

He wanted to send it but then he realized that the message may annoy Rachael and right now he didn’t want her angry at him. What he needed was time to be able to achieve all of his plans. And so he quickly wiped the message and thought of something else to soothe her mind. Just as he was about typing another message came in.

“Alfred are you ignoring my messages? I said where are you? Don’t try me o”

Alfred quickly replied her text.

“Am so sorry dear, I am not at home, I left home about thirty minutes ago. I am on my way to you but had a flat tyre. And you know it’s late so am still trying to get it fixed. I will be with you shortly my love”

After sending the message, he relaxed his mind because he knew she wouldn’t act . He has been able to buy some time for himself. Rachael was a viper and he needed to be wise, very wise to be able to handle her.

He relaxed in his car for a while still trying to decide if to go to her or not. Finally he started the car and drove off to meet up with Dele the bus driver. He paid him and asked him to go to his wife and start the packing. He also whispered something into his ears and then he left his car at his bus stop and took a bike to Rachael.

Rachael was sitted outside with her big tummy, patiently waiting for Alfred. As Alfred walked in, she wore a big smile. But she was surprised that he didn’t drive.

Rachael: you didn’t drive? Where is your car?

Alfred: my love, I told you that I had a flat tyre, I couldn’t have it fixed on time. So I called one of my boy to fix it. I could not keep you waiting. When he is done fixing it he will call me and I will go pick it up.

Rachael: so you mean you will go out and leave me here again?

Alfred: Just to pick up my car. I’d just pick the car and come back here to join you.

Rachael frowned her face.

Alfred: Or would you have preferred I finished up before coming?

“Yes, I would have preferred that” Rachael replied.

Alfred: But you kept on texting and texting. You didn’t believe I was coming. It’s high time you learn to trust me. I don’t break off from a deal. I always finish whatever I start. You should know that by now.

Alfred pretended like he was angry.

“Am sorry, you know you’ve been acting strange lately and that was why I was beginning to worry if you were changing your mind on our plans. Am sorry dear” Rachael said as she was trying to pacify a pretending Alfred.

“Alfred, I said am sorry na, forgive us. Baby and I” she said rubbing her stomach with her hand.”

Alfred then forced a smile and held her hand.

Alfred: It’s alright, how are you and our beautiful baby doing? (Alfred asked pretending to care and putting his hand on her tummy, Rachael smiled as she held his hands against the stomach.)

Rachael: Feel it, can you feel it moving? Very soon you will get to meet her and carry her in your hands. In just eight days time. And the doctor said she might even come before then.

Alfred: eight days?

Rachael: yes eight days. You are excited right? I can’t wait to hold her, my own child.

A terrified Alfred just smiled weakly as he nodded his head in agreement.

Rachael: How I wish Leo didn’t die, he would have been so excited about this child just as I am.

Alfred: Reverend?

Rachael: of course, things wouldn’t have been like this if he didn’t die. Anyways God’s ways are different. Maybe God wanted this child to grow with her real father an that is why he allowed Leo to die.

Alfred was no longer comfortable with the discussion and just as he was showing his restlessness his phone rang.

Alfred: oh that must be Dele, I guess my car is already ready.

Rachael: so you will leave?

Alfred: Yes dear, just to pick the car up.

Rachael: Wait I am coming with you.

Alfred: no you can’t do that.

Rachael: And why can’t I?

Alfred: I’d be coming back very soon, what’s the need of stressing yourself.

Rachael: Do not worry about me, let’s just go.

Alfred: Listen we just buried your husband. People can’t begin to see you and I together. It’s too early. Besides you are acting as if I am running away and not coming back. I am just going to pick my car and come back that’s all. If I didn’t want to come here I wouldn’t have come in the first place. You are doing that thing again.

Rachael: Which thing?

Alfred: that lack of trust thing and you know I hate it.

Rachael: okay am sorry. I just have this feeling that……

Alfred held her on her shoulders and assured her that he would be back before she knows it.

Alfred: Relax and breathe. Count one to hundred and before you know it if be back. Trust me.

Rachael didn’t feel convinced that Alfred would be back. She had this feeling that he wouldn’t be coming back. But she decided to kick it away and trust him. She sits on her chair and told him to hurry and come back to her.

Alfred heaved a sigh of relief as he quickly left the building and rushed to his car. He needs to leave town fast before Rachael the viper strikes.

Episode 35.

Pastor Jim had taken over reverend Leo office and chair. He had practically changed everything in the office. An air conditioning office with CCTV cameras everywhere. He had secretly installed a CCTV camera in the treasurer’s office because he has been looking for a reason to drive him. He finally got the opportunity when he saw the treasurer taking some money from the offering box last Sunday without telling him. He then invited him to his office.

As the treasurer stepped into pastor Jim’s office, Pastor Jim wore a look that could scare a new born baby.

Treasurer: My pastor, this one you are looking like this. I hope all is well? Hope there is no problem?

Jim: Have your seat.

The treasurer took the seat that was directly opposite the pastor. Then he observed and noticed the changes that has taken place in the office.

Teausurer: Pastor you sure have a good taste for good things. See how this office has transformed just few days of your coming in. You really know how to enjoy life. Do you know if it was still our reverend that as here, he will never decorate this office like this, new chairs, AC, TV, Habba, never he will never do it, he will say they are material things and God is not interested in material things. Am glad he is gone and no one will challenge your authority. I am so glad.

Jim: Erm, listen that’s not rhe reason for which I called you.

Treasurer; Erm sorry my pastor, don’t mind my manners. What is it exactly that you want me to do.

Jim picked up the TV remote and put on the tv. Then the treasurer saw himself opening the tithe box and taking some amount of money from it. He quickly put the bunch of thousand notes in his pocket before stepping out of the office.

Treasurer: what is the meaning of this?

Jim: Exactly what you are seeing sir.

Treasurer: Are you spying on me?

Jim: is that the issue on ground? I just showed you a video of you stealing from the church box and you are here talking of spying or not spying on you.

Treasurer: stealing? Really?

Jim: Anyways I didn’t call you to batter words with you , I only called you to let you know that the position of treasurer is suspended for the now in this church until further notice.

Treasurer: oh really?

Jim: Yes , for now there is no treasurer in this church. We are still undergoing some renovations in the church and we are putting some positions on hold for the time being until when we are done.

Treasurer: We or you? Who is the we? I am asking you? Even reverend Leo who is the founder of this church never for once spied on me. And you who just took over for how long now? Few months? You just want to change everything? It will not work.

Jim: what do you mean by it will not work.

“I say it will not work, I agree I took ten thousand naira from the money because my son was not feeling well and I needed to get him some drugs. This days since you assumed your new position you have made yourself unseeable. No one can access you anymore , or you are simply avoiding me I don’t know and I don’t want to know. I would have told you about the money. But you were inaccessible, I had to do what I had to do and now you are sitting there judging me.

Listen, you can’t kick me out do you understand? You simply can’t do that? We’ve done deals together for years and you can’t just wake up one money simply because you are now in charge and you just decide to kick me out. Never, it won’t work ok? Better have a re think”

Jim smiled to himself before talking.

Jim: I knew you would bring all this up, I knew it but am not bothered. You can go ahead and do whatever you have in mind. My decision is final.

“It can’t work, it won’t work. I will go to mummy reverend and I will tell her everything. After all she is the one who is supposed to be on that chair you are sitting not you. The whole church will hear ” the treasurer’s was curious as he spoke.

Jim laughed out loud.

Jim: is that your plan? Such a weak plan, I thought you had something big for me. Anyways like I said. Go ahead with your plans ok? Am not going to try to stop you. Let’s see who the world will believe. Meanwhile for mummy reverend , please don’t bother wasting your time okay, she is not interested in church activities and voluntarily assigned and handed everything over to me but you can try if you want okay, let me not stop you.

“We shall see” the treasurer said as he storms out of the office with pastor Jim laughing non stop.

Episode 36.

It’s been more than four hours since Alfred left and Rachael had begin to suspect that something was wrong, she has been calling and calling him but he wasn’t picking. She has sent several text messages and eventually the phone had gone off. Rachael was furious as she stormed into the house and got her car keys.

Rachael:(to herself) enough is enough, who the hell does Alfred think he is. Tonight his wife and everyone will know the truth I don’t care. He thinks he can just bluff me off like that. No way. Alfred wait for me I am coming to your house.

She zooms off without even locking her gate.

Meanwhile Alfred and his wife were busy trying to carry thier loads into the truck. Mrs Alfred saw from the look on her husband’s face that he was scared. She understood that mummy Reverend is behind this fear, she wished her husband could open up and tell her what was wrong.

Mrs Alfred:Honey you are acting strange, you are in so much hurry to pack, you are acting as if you are being chased by the devil. You have practically broken so many things simply because you just cannot calm down and do things gently. Honey please calm down nobody is chasing us. Let’s talk our time to do things please.

Alfred: Woman get out of my way, If you won’t help me pack then don’t distract me please.

Mrs Alfred: But honey……..

Alfred: don’t honey me, time is of the essence, time is what we don’t have. So it’s either you help and join me in packing or you get off my way.

Mrs Alfred kept quiet and silently joined her husband in the packing. In few minutes they were finally through with everything. Alfred took another look at the empty house and he smiled as he urged his children and wife to get into the truck.

They quickly climbed and entered the truck. As they entered and tried to leave the driver started the engine but it refused to start. He tried and tried but it refused to start. And so he asked everyone to get down so he can check to see what was wrong. Just then a text message entered Alfred’s phone.

“So you now you with me, you went home to be with your wife and kept me in the cold. Well wait for me as I come to you. Tonight you will know that nobody messes with Rachael”

Alfred almost collapsed when he saw the message, he started pacing up and down and screaming at the driver.

Alfred: what is wrong with your truck. I kept asking you over and over if it’s in good shape and you kept assuring me that it is the strongest. What is this? What is this?

“I really don’t understand this, this truck was in good shape and condition and I honestly can’t explain now why this is happening. I don’t even know what I wrong?

Alfred: oh my God, what is this?

Alfred runs to the road to see if Rachael’s car was close by.

The driver went under the truck and did some check up and then came back to start car, but still it won’t come up. He came down again to check. Mrs Alfred saw fear all I’ve her husband. She has never seen her husband that terrified and seeing him like this scared her.

He shouted at them to climb into the truck and remain there and not come down or look our no matter what. He kept on begging the driver to hurry. For he knew that if Rachael should meet him trying to escape with his family then he was definitely doomed.

Episode 37.

Rachael was furious and filled with anger. He almost slapped the man who was standing before her and explaining to her.

Rachael: What nonsense are you saying? I don’t understand one bit of what you are saying.

“Madam I nor speak big English o, na very simple matter, i say your motor gasket don burn and you nor go fit drive commot here until you change am…

Rachael: Is that how gasket just get burnt anyhow? This car was in order before I left the house and suddenly the car just went off

“Madam, you nor check your motor before you drive commot for house. Normally you suppose check your motor engine, oil and everything even tyre. If to say you check am you for see say water don dry commot for your motor. And if to say you take note you for know say your motor don day do over heat. When motor don too hot with no water to cool am down jar box go burn after which engine go knock. You even get luck say nor be your engine naim knock”

Rachael was irritated and angry at what the mechanic was saying.

Rachael: please tell me the way forward instead of all this your plenty talk. I have somewhere to be at right this minute. Tell me what to do with the car .

Mechanic: Madam life nor be rush rush. There is no hurry in life. You get Belle, and so you nor need any form of stress at all. This na time for you to say rest plenty plenty, make your blood nor day rush you hear? The way forward be say you go give me money I go buy new gasket and change am for you. That’s all.

Rachael: And do you think I have all the time in this world?

Mechanic: ah madam, the decision na your hand e day o. Na your choice weather you won do this car or not.

Rachael: oh oh oh God! What kind of thing is this. How long will it take to buy and fix this thing I have somewhere I need to be.

Mechanic: madam give me money make I but this thing and under one hour this thing go ready.

Rachael opened her purse and gave the man some money as she took the sit closest to her. The man quickly took a bike and dashed off. Rachael brought out her phone and tried to call Alfred once again but the number was still switched off. And so she sent him a text.

“Alfred am giving you 15minutes to read this text and call me immediately because if you don’t then something will happen. Something really bad. Something that will make one of us hurt badly and trust me when I say that person will not be me.

Rachael sat and waited for the 15minutes and then she tried to reach Alfred again , she called and called but there was no answer. And then she called someone.

“Hello I have an assignment for you. I want you to go to that place I sent you earlier to. This time I want you to show yourself but make sure you are wearing a mask. You and your guys should hold the man and his wife hostage until I get there. Do you understand?”

She ended the call with a very scary look. It is time to deal with Alfred and remove that obstacle he calls a wife once and for all. She turned and looked around for the mechanic if he was back.

Episode 38.

Composed and written by Excelrhymez
Aka Mummy E

It’s been one hour since Rachael ordered her boys to go over to Alfred and she hasn’t gotten any reply from them. She has looked at her phone countless times waiting for thier calls but she got nothing. Finally her car was fixed.

She hurriedly paid the mechanic and zoomed off. She was so filled with anger that she started shaking her legs non stop. She saw a truck carrying people who were obviously parking out of thier house drive past her but she didn’t take note of who they might be. She drove straight into the compound and packed her car.

She came down and went straight to Alfred’s house. The door was locked. She started hitting hard on the door and screaming at the top of her voice. “Alfred, Alfred”

It took some minutes for her to realize that there was no one in the house and the house was actually empty. Rachael didn’t believe her eyes as she went round and round the house looking as if to confirm if the house was truly empty.

“When I Alfred? Did Alfred run away from his house? Did he run away with his family? So he abandoned her? So he chose his wife and children? So he ran away? No, no, it can’t be.”

These were the thoughts that filled Rachael’s heart. And then she remember the truck that she saw when she was driving into the compound. Could that be Alfred?

Rachael quickly ran to her car and reversed the car. She drove out and tried to pursue the truck. At first she didnt know the direction to take. But she decided to take the first turn. She was so furious and filled with anger. She started talking to herself.

Rachael: oh Alfred, you do not know what you have done. You think you can lie to me decieve me and run away from me. You do not know with whom you are messing with. Pray I don’t catch you today. And then she saw some men sitting at a beer parlour. She slowed her car down and talked with them.

“Good evening sirs. Please did you guys by chance see any truck of people packing pass through this route?”

Madam which time? E don tay?

Rachael: No o, about ten minutes ago. It’s not even up to ten minutes.

“Madam no truck pass here o, maybe na the other road e pass. I never see any motor when we day here so. And we din day this place for more than two hours now.

Rachael: oh, okay sir, thank you.

Rachael quickly reversed her car and drove straight to the junction. It was a three road Junction. She has confirmed that Alfred did not enter one on the roads. So she decided to confirm before going into another street. She saw a shop nearby and decided to ask the lady.

Rachael: Madam good evening, please did you see any truck carrying people that are packing please? Do you by chance know the direction it took?

The woman took a suspicious look at Rachael before answering.

” Madam na who you be and why you day find the truck?”

Rachael knew by this question that the woman probably had an idea where the truck had gone and so she didn’t want to spoil her chances of finding Alfred so she decided to be very smart.

“Oh my sister nothing o. It’s just that the man na my senior brother and I just come for village and they tell me say he just day pack so. Na him i decide to pursue them weather I go see them.

The woman looked at Rachael suspiciously again and ask.

“You say the man’. Na your brother ba!

“Yes ma” Rachael answered.

“Why you nor con call am. Call am na”

Rachael: I don try o, he number day switched off. Abeg if u see where d truck pass, you fit tell me abeg weather I go fit pursue them catch abeg.

The woman looked at Rachael again, and then pointed to the direction of the truck. Rachael was so happy as she greeted the woman and zooms off.

Episode 39.

Rachael after driving for about 20 minutes saw the truck. She was excited and furious at the same time. She quickly picked her phone and tried to call her boys once again. But the numbers was switched off.

Rachael: I can do this. I can do it myself. To hell with you guys. Useless idiots.

She threw her phone down as she increased her speed.

Rachael: Alfred I will deal with you. You and your useless wife. So this has been your plan all along. You chose your foolish wife over me. You think you can abandon me and our child right? You that I am ready to give everything. Am ready to sacrifice everything for you. But you chose to be with your stupid wife.

I will deal with you today. Stupid man.

Rachael kept talking to herself.

Alfred who has been terribly scared from the moment he left Rachael’s house has not stopped looking back to see if he was been followed. He saw when Rachael drive past them into the compound. He also saw when she drove into the wrong lane and he was happy that she missed them.

But just as he was beginning to relax that she has lost them, he saw her car coming after them. Alfred almost fainted our of fear. He kept on screaming and shouting at the driver to increase his speed.

Mrs Alfred who understood everything that was happening even though her husband had not mwntio d anything to her just bowed down her head as she began to pray silently.

“He who dwells in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, you are my refuge and my strength, my God in whom I trust,

A thousand shall fall by my right, ten thousand by my left but non shall come near me, only with my eyes will I see The reward of the wicked. ”

Mrs Alfred kept on quoting the scripture with her head bowed. Alfred watched as Rachael’s car kept getting closer. There was no escaping from the viper.

Alfred held his wife by her hand and opened up to her. He confessed everything from the start and how it’ all happened to his wife. How the greed for money pushed him into this mess. As Mrs Alfred listened to her husband she cried.

Alfred: I do not want to lose you my wife because I love you. I agreed to what Rachael wanted because we needed the money and i felt she will keep her part of the deal but she didn’t. Instead she wants to kill you and our kids and have me to herself. Right now she is chasing after us, I am very sure she has a gun with her.i thought we would get away before she comes but she ia right behind us, and I don’t know what she would do to us if she catches with us. I don’t want any harm to come to you or the kids.

Mrs Alfred: Are you that afraid of her? Why are you so scared of her. Apart from the blackmail she has against you, does she have something else?

Alfred: Honey you don’t understand. I am scared of that woman because I don’t trust her. The way our Reverend died, I suspect she has a hand in his death. That woman is a snake and she can do anything. I am scared of her. And you should too.

Mrs Alfred looked at her husband who seemed to be confused and terrified. She held him in her hands and they prayed together. They were still praying when they heard the sound.

Alfred jumped up and shouted.

Alfred: Driver what is it? What happened.

Driver: Oga one Moto don day follow us since, I don day look her for my side mirror since. Just now d Moto one overtake me, I just use side push am naim she run enter bush go hit tree so.

Mr/Mrs Alfred: What?

Driver: I nor know why all this small motor go day won drag road with big Moto.

Alfred: stop the truck, stop the truck right this moment.

Driver: oga I nor understand you o, just now you say make I fast now you say make I stop.byoi know weather the Moto na kidnapper day inside?

Mrs Alfred: stop this truck now.

The driver slowly pulled over. As mr and Mrs Alfred rushed to the tree that Rachael had hit. She had fallen off the car and was bleeding seriously. She looked at them slowly before passing out.

Mrs Alfred: We have to get her to the hospital.

Mr Alfred: no oooo, leave her, leave her there let’s just go. This is God that is fighting for us. Leave her let’s go.

Mrs Alfred: you don’t know what you are saying. How can you leave her here? What about the innocent baby she is carrying? Come on help me carry her let’s go.

Mr Alfred: Honey please leave this woman to die. If you were in her shoes she will let you die. She will still want you dead even if you save her now. So.please just leave her now let’s go.please .

Mrs Alfred: Dear we cannot leave her to die. Please let’s help her please. Let’s get hwr to the hospital at least after which we can leave.

Mr Alfred: we leave as soon as we drop her right?

Mrs Alfred: yes.

Alfred then agrees, and together they lifted her into the truck as they searched for any nearby hospital.

Episode 40.

Pastor Jim had turned the office into something else. The place was well furnished and equiped that you would mistake it for one of those presidential hotel rooms. In less than four months since he assumed the position of general overseer of the church, the church purse had drastically reduced.

He had drawn w budget of 1.3 million naira for the funituring of his office in the church, but he had spent more than 4million naira and things he could not even account for. He had also stopped talking with the treasurer who was already furious and mad at him. He has kept to himself and does things all by himself.

On this cool afternoon as he sat in the office enjoying the coolness of the air condition, the office door flung open and Mr treasurer walked in obviously angry

Pastor Jim: how dare you? How dare you barge into my office like that? Are you stupid?

Treasurer: oh oh , it has come to that, it has come to the extent you a so called man of God now call me stupid right? After everything we’ve been through together

Pastor Jim: just shut up and keep that thing you call a mouth silent. What have we been through together uhn? I am asking you, what have we been through together. You just barge into my office unannounced, without proper introduction, not even that we have an appointment together, you just barge into my office and you are saying after everything, after what?

Treasurer: unannounced? I should announce or book an appointment of meeting before I meet you? Shoo see oh! Oh oh oh so you think because you have ordained yourself as the new fake pastor of this church you can now treat and talk to me as you please abi?

Jim: My friend will you keep silent? You don’t talk to the servant of God like that.

Treasurer: servant of God my foot. What servant of God? Anyways I have come to ask you what you did with over 2.5million naira?

Jim: And what sort of stupid question is that?

Treasurer: Jim, Jim, Jim, how many times do I call you? Do not tempt God o. This one you are stealing without thinking twice. God is seeing you o.

Jim: And who is telling me about God, you? My co thief? Please , please leave my office I want to rest.

Treasurer: see ehn, I have realized my mistakes o and I have repented of my sins. But I want you to know I will confess openly and clear my conscience once and for all.

Jim: since when have you repented? Since I blocked every chance for you to steal money from the church office? My friend go and sit down where you belong. You are only hungry and it is what is confusing your brain.

Treasurer: No problems. On Sunday we shall see about that?

Jim: Are you threatening me or what?

Treasurer: I am not threatening you. Ma only making ammends for my sins.

He turned and tries to walk away but Jim stopped him.

Jim: I know why you are angry. I understand very well. You see my friend, let’s forget the past. You do t have to confess anything. See eh this is our money bag. Church business is a lucrative business and there is so much money in it. Listen eh, am sorry for pushing you too hard. If you were in my shoes you will do the same. I was only scared that you would betray me that’s why. However it’s alright. Have your seat my friend let’s talk business.

He led the treasurer to his chair and they both sat down.

Jim: see eh, there is so much money here. And I want to compensate you. I will give you the sum of 1million naira okay? You dont have to confess anything. I will give you from time to time okay? How about that.?

Treasurer: one million? Pastor, have you even tried to check the account balance? The church account is going down and down by the day. What took reverend Leo 9years to build you are squandering them in months. The church account was almost 18million when you assumed this position. But in less than four months since you entered, the account has reduced to less than five million naira. When will you stop? Must the account go down completely before you stop?

Jim: (a bit angry) what is your problem? What is your business with the account balance? I just said I will give you 1million naira and you are talking and saying something else. What do you want.

The treasurer stands up and walked to the door .

Jim: oh Kay stop, just stop. I understand you. I will make it 1.5million, or rather 2million I will give you 2million on a monthly basis. How about that?

Treasurer: it’s like you don’t get it. I said I have changed, I have repented, I don’t need any money from you , even if it’s the entire five million. I don’t want.

Jim: (confused) since when na? Since when did you change this change?

Treasurer: since the day God used you to drive me away from this sinful act and open my eyes to see that I am headed for doom. I must say I thank you for doing all you did. Pastor Jim, from now on you are alone. I am not part of your deals. I have decided to turn a new leaf. I nor longer wanna be a co thief with you. Good day.

He turned and walked out of the office with an angry Jim staring at him.

Episode 41.

Rachael rolled from one end of the bed to the other. Her head and left hand was bandaged , she had a big cut on her lips, her entire face was swollen and she whirled in pains as she gradually opened her eyes slowly.

She let out a loud scream that got the doctors and nurses running to her room. When they got there she had already passed out. The doctor was surprised as he couldn’t understand why she fainted. He sent for his stethoscope and the nurses hurried away to get them. He checked on Rachael and her vitals. Then he asked a nurse to stay with her in the room.

It was about thirty minutes later that Rachael re opened her eyes, she sat up in fear.

Nurse: Madam please calm down before you hurt yourself.
.
Rachael: Where is he? Where is he? (She asked in fear)

Nurse: Madam calm down. Where is who? You are in the hospital and we are taking good care of you.

Rachael: Hospital? (Slowly she remembered the chase of Alfred and his family, and then she remembered the accident, she remembered being carried by Alfred and his wife and one other man, and then she remembered her pregnancy. She looked at her stomach an it was gone. She screamed so loud that the doctor and other nurses came running in again.)

Rachael: My baby, my baby, where is my baby? What happened to my baby? Where is my baby?

Nurse: madam please calm down before you end up hurting yourself.

Rachael: Don’t tell me to calm down. Where is my baby, I want to see my baby right now.

Doctor: (to the nurse) it’s alright Nurse, let me take it from here. (To Rachael) Erm madam, my name is doctor Clement, you were involved in an accident and you were brought to our clinic .

Rachael: Yes I know this, but I was pregnant before the accident and now I am not seeing my baby neither am I pregnant. What is going on? What happened? Where is my baby? What happened to my baby?

Doctor : madam please calm down. You were critically injured during the accident and you are lucky to have survived it. However there was severe damage on your baby, we had to do everything possible to save him. That was why we quickly had a CS done on you.

Rachael: And?

Doctor: Unfortunately your baby was too weak when he was brought out, and despite all we did to save him we still lost him. We are so sorry madam but we tried our best.

Rachael: What nonsense are you speaking from your mouth. Lost who? (Laughs sarcastically) I believe you are telling a huge joke doctor, please kindly go out there and bring my baby for me please.

Doctor: Am so sorry madam, But God gives and He takes. We are only Messengers that try. He does the saving and the healing.

Rachael: (screaming) what nonsense is this? (Crying) what rubbish are you talking about? Where is my baby, go and get me my baby right now.

The door opens and he walks in. When Rachael saw him she almost fainted again. She raised her hand and starts screaming….

Rachael: Ghost! Ghost! Ghost!

Episode 42.

Reverend Leo was leaning onto the walking stick. He was looking healthy and strong even though he was still leaping and meaning on a walking stick after so many months. He was looking handsome and smart in his white polo and blue jean trousers.

He walked up to Rachael’s bed and sits by the edge. A terrified and scared Rachael was screaming at the top of her voice and using her hand to cover her battered face.

Rachael: No no no don’t come bear me, you are dead, you are a ghost, stay away from me. Jesus, Jesus, blood of Jesus I cover myself with the blood of Jesus, someone help me, someone take this dead man from here.

Doctor: Madam can you please calm down, you are hurting yourself and your blood pressure can go up if you continue like this.

Rachael: Doctor get this man from here please. He is a a ghost. He is dead and has been buried already please please get him away from here.

A smiling Leo, raised his head and looked at her, he shakes his head in pity and then spoke for the first time since he entered the room.

Leo: Rachael, can you just have pity on yourself and calm down?

Rachael: The ghost talks, the ghost talks o.

Rachael jumps from the bed and straight out of the hospital room. The nurses tried to hold her down but just like a flash of light she dashed passed them to the waiting room and them into the streets.

Reverend Leo , the nurses and doctors ran after her trying to hold her and calm her down, but she was much stronger and smarter as she pushed everyone out of her way. She ran into the street screaming “the ghost talks, he is talking, the ghost is talking.”

All efforts to catch her proved abortive. The doctors and nurses finally gave up on their pursuit as they all turned and returned back to the clinic one after the other leaving reverend leo to chase after his wife.

Rachael kept on running and screaming in the streets, turning to look back at intervals , and once she sees leo coming she increases her speed and shouts the more, falling and trampling on goods and people.

She didn’t look at her front and so she didn’t see the car that was coming her way. Before reverend Leo could shout and draw her attention to the vehicle coming with high speed, Rachael already ran into it. The car hit her hard and she fell to the ground.

Leo got to where she was and lifted her up and took her back to the hospital where she just ran away from.

Episode 43.

As Leo looked at his wife on the bed battling to survive, tears fell from his eyes. He knows everything she has been doing all this while. He knew how lost she’s become he felt pained in his heart and wished she hadn’t fallen from her faith. He remembered the event that took place in the last six months.

That evening as he left the office and went home. He remembered getting to his house gate. He noticed the men in Black following him and he increased his pace and tried to rich into his compound but he was blocked by those men who shot at him countless times. He fell to the ground and watched in pains as life was slowly draining out of him.

He remembered seeing her rush out and speaking and shouting to the men in Black. “Did you have to kill him? I only said deal with him not kill him” and then he remembered the response from one of the men. “madam which one be deal with am but nor kill am, I don’t understand you o. Abeg the man don die e don die. Come give us our money make we get out of here”

Though he was completely shut out but he heard the sound of thier car as it drove away. And then just before he blacked out completely, he remembers seeing her like a shadow, running up and down and screaming for help. Then he passed out.

He woke up 2days later to a bunch of dead n@ked men and women. He knew he had died because he saw himself standing face to face with an angel of God, who had told him that he would go back and fulfill his calling. He stood up and walked out of the room filled with dead naked people. It was a quiet night and so nobody saw him. He moved straight to the doctor’s office and sat on one of the chairs until morning when the man came to work. The terrified doctor almost ran out mad when he saw him sitting at his office. But somehow the holy ghost was able to make him bold and he stood and listened to the reverend.

Then they planned together to keep his being alive a secret so that they can trace the persons who had tried to kill him. The doctor was sure that if the killers knew he was alive they would come back for him. There was only one person he could trust and that was the person that brought him to the hospital in the first place. And so he had the doctor call her.

Grace was terrified when she saw the reverend alive because the news had gone round that the reverend was dead. After running away from chief Ike who tore all her clothes she had waited till night before leaving so that people won’t see her n@ked on the street like a mad woman. She was going home and thinking of her life when she saw the reverend in the pool of his own blood. She had hit on the gate calling and crying for help but no one answered from inside. She had by herself dragged the reverend to the hospital, and when the doctor told her that the reverend was dead she quickly ran back home to her house and decided to remain silent as she didn’t want to be a witness to any case.

She was surprised when the doctor called her that morning to come to the hospital. Anc was even more surprised when she saw reverend Leo alive. She was told of the decision that has been reached by the Reverend and the doctor and she stood by it and has been the one taking care of the Reverend since then. With the help of the doctor, a dummy had been arranged and buried in place of the reverend.

From afar, reverend Leo had watched how his wife messed around with Alfred and how pastor Jim had turned the church into his personal money making center. The holy spirit had revealed to him that it was time to come out from hiding and that he should go to the hospital. He had obeyed and came here today only to find out that his wife was involved in an accident.

He was there all through the operation, he saw and held the dead baby in his hands before it was taken away. He wept seriously for Rachael his wife because bit was for this baby that she had turned her back in God and became a viper and a snake. Now the baby was gone.

Rachael was moaning in pains as she gently opened her eyes. When she saw Leo, she wanted to run again but couldn’t because her whole body was bandaged from head to toe. She managed to talk in pains.

Rachael: please don’t hurt me, don’t kill me please. Don’t take me with you please, I beg you Leo please.

Leo: Relax Rachael, I am not a ghost. I am very alive all glory be to God.

Then he went ahead and narrated everything to Rachael. He watched as she cried and he felt sorry for her.

Leo: Rachael you were so impatient and wanted to do God’s work for Him. Now where has that gotten you? The baby you so much agitated for, where is it? You almost dragged me out of faith because of your quest for a child, where is that child today?

The door opened and Grace came inside with her son. She greeted the reverends wife and stood with her son at one corner in the room.

Leo: God used Grace to save my life. God kept her late in the night just so she can help me when I was shot. You Rachael, you wanted me to die, so that you can have all your time with Alfred and your baby. What do you have now? Alfred is gone with his wife. You are lucky he was kind enough to bring you to the hospital, but he still chose his wife. Family comes first you know? But you toyed with your family and threw it away simply because you were desperate.

Rachael: Believe me Leo, I didn’t plan to kill you, yes a part of me was happy you were gone but a part of me was also very sad. I am so sorry my husband please forgive me. But it wasn’t me, I didn’t plan to kill you.

Leo: I know Rachael, I knew it wasn’t you. I saw the woman who planned it and it wasn’t you.

Rachael: who was it? Was it Mrs Alfred? Who?

Leo smiled.

Leo: Alfred’s wife is a good woman. Despite knowing about you and her husband she didn’t do anything. She didn’t fight you or her husband or exposed you. Rather she cried to the only person you can fight her battles. God! And she was patient. She was patient and that is why God has defended her. No Rachael, she isn’t the one.

Rachael: she knew? You mean she knew all along? If she didn’t plan to kill you then who?

Leo: Tina, it was Tina. Tina was jealous of you and wanted me to chose her over you, she came to my office to seduce me but I pushed her away. I guess it angered her to the point she wanted me dead. The police are on thief way to pick her right now. Meanwhile you who had me didn’t appreciate my love for you.

Rachael whirled in pains as she kept on crying.

Episode 44.
Season Finale!

It was a Sunday morning and the day that Leo had decided to show himself in church. The past few days had been really tough for him.

Chief Ike had died on top of a prostitute and the news had spread round the town. His wives have all scrambled his money and properties and fled from his home even though his body was still in the morgue. The news came to reverend leo and he shook his head in pity for the chief. He had already warned chief on this his unending thirst for young women. He felt bad that the chief died the way he did. Also, Revealing himself to Rachael in the hospital was tough for him. He wished things didn’t go the way they did. For he truly loved that woman. Rachael has begged him for Mercy and from his heart he forgave her. He had prayed for her and asked God to show her mercy just before she drew her last breath.

Leo cried for his wife, he cried because a little patience would have made her story different but because of her quest to be like other women she had forgotten her calling. That same day he called her family members and narrated everything that has happened the last few months to them. They were very shocked to hear that the pregnancy didn’t belong to Leo. They said it was an abomination that thier daughter had committed and so she was buried quietly the same day she died. They couldn’t bear the shame of having others hear of the great atrocity that thier daughter had committed.

Leo looked at himself in the mirror once again. He was dressed in black. But he was extremely handsome. He picked up his walking stick and came out and set for church. He had moved out of his former house because he called it a soiled house. He didn’t wish to remain in the house that Rachael had soiled. All he took was the car he bought for Rachael.

He stepped into the car and drove out. Grace was already waiting for him outside with her son. He picked them and together they drove off.

Grace: You will really tell the church everything today?

Leo: Yes I will.

Grace: Even all that happened between mummy Reverend and Mr Alfred?

Leo: Yes I will tell them everything.

Grace: And what do you intend to do with Alfred and his family?

Leo: Nothing dear, they’ve left , let them go. I have nothing against Alfred. His case and judgement is with God not me. He will give to every man thier judgement according to how they’ve lived thier lives.

Then he picks up his phone and he called the policemen that he was already on his way and they should meet him up in church.

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

Pastor Jim , had finished his sermon and was trying to raise a charity fund. He requested that those who could give a hundred thousand to support the work of God should stand up. Reverend Leo who was sitting in the congregation wearing a dark shade stood up and began to walk to the alter.

Pastor Jim could not tell if he was seeing right or it was actually Leo, he started cleaning his eyes to be sure of the person walking towards him. Some of the members who had recognised him started stepping out of the church. But some who didn’t know who he was sat in total confusion. Reverend Leo removed his shade for Jim to see him clearly. He almost fainted but he didn’t want the church to see he was scared and so he grabbed his bible and anointing oil and started praying while shifting back gradually.

Jim: Blood of Jesus, I bind you, every unclean spirit, every spirit of the dead, I return you back to the grave where you belong. I bind you.

A smiling Leo, turned face the church as some members took to thier heels. The police men stepped in and reverend Leo pointed at Jim to them. They quickly handcuffed him and informed him that he was under arrest, for stealing of church funds. A confused Jim was trying to understand what was going on when the treasurer walked in with another set of policemen. He didn’t notice reverend Leo but pointed to Jim.

Treasurer: officers that’s him, please arrest him. This is the man that sent those boys to assassinate my wife and I. (To Jim) so you wanted to have me killed simply because I told you I am not doing again. Well I’m glad to announce to you that the boys you sent failed and are now cooling off in jail. Arrest him officers.

And then he saw reverend Leo, he wanted to run away but the policemen held him.

Leo: officers please arrest him too, they are both together. Stealing and eating church money and doing many atrocities in the church.

Treasurer: Reverend Leo, is that you? You are alive? Our God is good. Am so glad that you are alive. (To the police) yes arrest me, I am a thief, I connived with pastor Jim here and together weve been stealing money from the church. Please arrest me I am ready to pay for my crimes. It is because I told Jim I have changed and will no longer be party to stealing that is why he wanted to have me killed. Arrest me.

The policemen put a handcuff on him and together they were dragged out of the church.

Reverend Leo picked up the mic and addressed the church narrating to them how Tina seduced him at his office and how he refused her which got her angry and she decided to kill him but God had used sister Grace to save his life. The whole church was surprised. Some of the members who ran away were already coming back. While the likes of Stella, Helen and Vic were busy updating thier Facebook’s and Instagrams with videos of what was going on in the church.

Reverend Leo then told the church all that happened between his wife Rachael and Alfred and how the mummy of the church died and is now buried. This came as a shock to the whole church as some shook thier heads in pity for mummy Reverend. Some were nodding mad saying they had always suspected. Reverend Leo then announced to them that he will be taking Grace as his wife , though not now but after the period of mourning his late wife. The church clapped for him and some excited members who had come to the realization that it was truly him went out boldly to have a handshake with him.

The reverend assured the church that God will always be God and no matter what a man does in secret one day it will be brought to light. He told them that there will always be enemies in the church. And that he knows that even now enemies are still inside the church but God who separates day and night will always preserve His own and pick those enemies out of the church one after the other.

Leo: In the house of God, are you an enemy or a friend. Let what you do judge you.

Stella, Vic and Helen on hearing this took a look at themselves and then quickly deleted thier post on Facebook and kept thier phones quietly in thier bags.

Stella: Posting information in the church on Facebook, does that make me an enemy of the church?

Vic: who are you asking?

Stella: Answer me na

Helen: do I know for you? Abeg am leaving. The drama in this church is too much.

Stella: Abeg wait for me, before they will give me name that is not my own.

Vic: Let’s all leave together, but the truth is nobody mentioned our names, it’s just our conscience that is judging us.

Stella: Meaning?

Vic: Meaning before you do anything inside the church, if within your hearts of hearts you know that thing will not tell well of the church and will not bring glory to the body of Christ then don’t do it because if you do it makes you an ENEMY OF THE CHURCH.

The girls with thier gloomy faces picked thier bags and stepped out of the church as everyone gradually settled down for the service to continue.

The End!