My pastor is Guilty (Episode 4)

My birthday is not one of those days I always look forward to. It is just like a normal day except for the calls and messages.But this year is different. I was so expectant. This is because I was hoping HE would call. At exactly 11:46pm while I was chatting with my younger sister, Ademide, my phone rang. 

“Hello, my beautiful sister. It's Tokunbo”

“Oh Good evening brother Tokunbo.” I was so happy.

“Why not just call me Tokunbo. We are friends so no need for formalities.”

“Alright sir”, I answered.

“Why the SIR. Just Tokunbo without the Sir”

“Alright Tokunbo”.

“Birthday girl, its few minutes to your birthday. So, should we sing or pray or just gist till 12:00am?”

 “Anyone you want.”

“Oya let’s talk. What do you want as your birthday gift?” 

“Well, maybe a cake and a laptop”, I said.

“Are you serious?”

“Don’t mind me jare. I’m just joking.” 

“Happy birthday beautiful, it’s your birthday”, Tokunbo said.

Oh its 12am already. He is the first to wish me happy birthday!! I have never felt this emotional before as I have always form hard guy.

He sang birthday songs and prayed for me. I felt on top of the world. I felt so loved and wanted. 

While I was still on call with Tokunbo,my phone kept beeping notifying me of a call waiting. To my utmost surprise it was Bro Gideon. I refuse to allow anyone that does not matter at this time to spoil my mood, I thought. After the call with Tokunbo, I went to the living room for my family ceremonial birthday prayers. My heart was filled with so much joy.

I woke up quite early to so many missed calls,WhatsApp and text messages from family, friends and colleagues. But one message stood out:

“I bless the first day I set my eyes on you. You struck a chord in my heart . Your smile is enchanting. Your eyes speaks volume about how amazing you are. You are fun to be with and I can say I am favored of God to have a wonderful person close to me. Thank you for brightening up my day with your smile. Happy Birthday to You. You shall flourish now and forever (Amen).”

 The message swept me off my feet and I was grinning from ear to ear. But I did not have the contact of the person who sent the message. I was so curious to know who the sender was and as I about to put a call through to the number, brother Gideon message came in

“My dear sister Adura. You’re a testimony and I know God will use you in this generation. The fire on your altar shall never go out. You will burn the world with the fire of God in Jesus name.”

“What is wrong with this brother sef. He can’t even send a proper message. Which one is fire! On my birthday!” I said and hissed. I dialled the unknown number who sent me that sweet message.

“Good morning.”

“Hello ma”, the caller said.

The voice sounded so familiar. 

“Please this number sent me a message this morning and I realised I do not have the contact on my phone so I decided to call to find out who it is.”

“Adura, it’s me Tokunbo.”

“Oh, Tokunbo, Good afternoon.”

“This is my second contact. How’s your day going?”

“Just there oo, answering calls and replying messages.”

“Alright dear. So, do you have any plans for today?”

“No, I don’t”

While still on the call with Tokunbo, my younger sister rushed into the room we both shared.

“Sister Adura! Sister Adura!! Please come out and see something outside oo”

Very curious about what she was shouting about, I apologized to Tokunbo and promised to call him afterwards.

“What is it?” I said as I walked into the sitting room. Then I stood fixed.

“Who sent these things?” I asked, still shocked.

A brand new HP Laptop, a beautiful cake with beautiful Red flowers.

“I think there is a card inside the flower. Let’s see who it’s from.” It was a hand-written birthday card.

“Today will forever be one of my special day because it’s your birthday. Happy Birthday, Sunshine.                                      Tokunbo (Tokks).” Ademide read.

“Tokunbo sent all these?”

“Who is Tokunbo?” my daddy asked inquisitively, staring at me.

“He is that new guy in the Building Committee that came from one of our new branches in Isolo.”

“Are you guys dating?”

I knew my mum was going to ask me this question. She has been on my neck about bringing a man home as I was already in my final year.

“No mum, we are just friends. There is nothing more to it.”

“Is it not your friend you will marry before? abi you want to marry your enemy? Better hold him tight” my mum said.

So typical of her. I thought

“Hold what? She said they are just friends.” my dad said to her. “My dear daughter, take your time. You are not under any pressure, neither are you competing with anyone.”

“Thank you dad”, I said hugging my dad.

“Shebi I am the witch here. Well-done Father and daughter.”

“No mum. You are the best mum in the whole world”, I said hugging and kissing my mum’s face. This is her love language. 

Afterward, I had a group WhatsApp call with my and I gisted them about everything that happened.

“It seems this brother Tokunbo likes you oo”, said Sope. 

“It seems so oo but babe do not assume anything UNTIL AND UNLESS he declares his intentions to you”, Chiamaka advised. 

“Babes, we are not dating ooo. We are just friends. Just friends!”

“Adura, you can pretend for others but we know you have always had feeling for this guy since we met him during State Youth Conference.”

“Yes I like him! Has it become a crime to like someone?”, I asked defensively.

“I didn’t say it is wrong to like someone. It is part of our emotional package as human beings but guide your heart. Don’t make any hasty decision on the basis of your emotions alone but seek instruction from the Holy Ghost.”

“Yes mama.”

Even after four broken engagements, Chiamaka is very optimistic that God is preparing someone. Her slogan is “God is not a sly”.

As I was about to retire to bed at night, my phone rang.

“Hey beautiful.”

“Hey Tokunbo.”

“That sounds berra’. Hope you enjoyed your day?”

“Yes I did. All thanks to God and also to you. I am so sorry I have not called you since I received the birthday gifts. I had a flat battery. Our generator refuse to start and NEPA refuse to give us light until few minutes ago. Thank you so much for the gift. I was not expecting it at all.”

“It’s fine. You deserve so much more. I am glad you enjoyed your day.”

“Yes I did.”

“I just wanted to hear your voice before going to bed.”

“Ohh that’s so sweet”, I said, “Thank you for today. You really made my day.”

“Good night Sunshine.”

“Good night Tokunbo.”

O Lord, if this is a dream, I don’t want to wake up.I thought. I slept off and I had a dream seeing myself in a wedding dress. So much smile on my face. What a day!

(To be continued)