Excerpts from the Christian novel LOVE ON THE PULPIT will be posted throughout this month of May!
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LOVE ON THE PULPIT – a novel
By: Pastor Taiwo Iredele Odubiyi
(Day 7 & 8)
“I had to minister in a church.” He said, and then encouraged by what she said, he added, “Look Teni, could we meet to have lunch or dinner together one of these days, whenever you’re free?”
“I’m a very busy person, Pastor …”
Moroun smiled and made faces at Teni.
“You can’t be busier than a pastor, surely.” Olamide told her.
“Maybe not but I won’t have time, I’m sorry.” Teni said without mincing words.
Could he have been mistaken about her? Her responses weren’t rude but neither were they encouraging. He was doing this only to ascertain if she was the lady for him.
“Oh Teni, don’t tell me you’re always busy, never with a free moment.”
“It’s hard to believe but I really don’t have a free time.”
“Okay, you give me the day and the time that’s convenient for you.” He pressed on.
“Let me explain better, Pastor Olamide …”
“You can cut the Pastor out for now, Olamide will do.” He told her.
“Okay, the truth is that I don’t think I’m interested.” Her voice was crisp.
“In what precisely, if I may ask?”
“In a relationship.”
“I’ve not asked you for one!” There was laughter in his voice. “You should wait to be asked.”
“But that’s what your uncle said.”
“Forget about what he said. Look Teni, I’ve seen you and I know you’re beautiful but I’ve not asked you for a relationship. I just want to meet you to get to know you better.”
“It’s just that I don’t like to waste my time.” Teni retorted in a bored voice.
“That makes two of us.”
“Fine.”
“Teni? Is it Teniola?”
“Yes.”
“Now Teniola, I’m enjoying this conversation. You can learn from me and I can learn from you. The issue is this, you don’t know me and I doubt if God has spoken to you about me but already you’re saying you’re not interested. It’s a bit … I’m sorry but it’s a bit childish and presumptuous. I know you’re being selective and spiritual but so am I. I am highly selective. Are you with me, Teniola?”
“I prefer Teni.”
“What did you say?”
“Teni.”
“Okay, fine, Teni …”
“Look, Pastor … er … Olamide, I’m entitled to my opinion and this is the way I feel. I like to be as plain as possible.”
“That’s very obvious and it’s a quality I admire, I must say.”
“I’m glad you feel so.” Teni said.
“That’s okay. Well, it’s nice talking with you. How is your family?” It’s one of those things, Olamide thought.
“We’re doing well, thanks. And yours?”
“Great. Have a nice night.”
“I will. You do the same.”
“I pray I will.” Olamide said and chuckled.
“You will.” Teni told him before ending the call.
Moroun asked her immediately, “What was he saying?”
“I am sure you were hearing my end of the conversation.”
“I still want to hear what he said.” Moroun insisted.
“Look, Mr. Dawodu’s nephew is not part of my concern.” Teni responded in a bored voice. “I have other things to do.”
As Olamide replaced the phone, he laughed to himself. She wasn’t interested; she didn’t want to waste her time. Imagine that! Who has time to waste?
She sounded narrow-minded and … a little saucy. That is one of the advantages of asking questions. He had thought she was mature and even his uncle and his wife had been singing praises of her but she had said she didn’t want to go out with him. He was still surprised at the way she talked to him. Could his uncle and his wife have been mistaken about her?
He smiled again, remembering Teni’s words – I don’t think I’m interested. No lady had ever told him that in all his thirty one years on earth. He had always been the one to turn them down and almost couldn’t believe he had been turned down by Teni. Well, it’s one of those things in life.
He looked around the rented three-bedroom apartment he had lived in for four years. It was exquisitely furnished. His parents had offered him a duplex but he had turned it down, preferring to rent an apartment while he built his own house, which he had started at VGC and should be completed within the next six months.
He took a deep breath and as he released it, he prayed, God, I got in touch to get to know her better but she’s not interested. Did You really speak to my heart about her? You know the kind of person I want. As I’ve been praying, the person must love You and love me, she must accept my calling as a pastor and be supportive. Is Teni the one for me or do I look for another? What next should I do? Lord, lead me please.
In bed, later at night, facing up, Teni thought of her discussion with Mr. and Mrs. Dawodu.
And then, she recalled Olamide’s phone call, thinking of what he said, how he said it and her reply.
She believed she did the right thing as she wouldn’t want to be hurt again. She had to tread carefully and be sure. She wouldn’t want to marry a pastor anyway, and as such, she didn’t need to get involved at all or start a relationship. That was her belief. But he had a great voice, deep and confident, she must admit.
Then she prayed, God help me. I can’t run away forever, I need to forget the past and settle down but sometimes it’s so hard! Help me.
Two days later, Dave found himself still thinking about Teni. Why should he still be thinking about her since that Sunday evening when she had – in a funny but firm way, turned him down. Even though he found the way she talked irritating, yet something about her pulled him.
At home in the evening, he decided to send a text message to her cell phone. He should be able to send a word of encouragement to her.
Teni was cooking in the kitchen when her handset gave a tone. A text message! She took the phone from her pocket. Light glowed on the handset’s screen and she pressed okay to read the message.
(To be continued.)
In this novel, you will realise the importance of being led by the Spirit of God.
WhatsApp +234-8023000773
LOVE ON THE PULPIT – a novel
By: Pastor Taiwo Iredele Odubiyi
(Day 8)
Two days later, Dave found himself still thinking about Teni. Why should he still be thinking about her since that Sunday evening when she had – in a funny but firm way, turned him down. Even though he found the way she talked irritating, yet something about her pulled him.
At home in the evening, he decided to send a text message to her cell phone. He should be able to send a word of encouragement to her, he guessed. He had received a text message from one of his friends in the morning, and he forwarded it to Teni.
Teni was cooking in the kitchen when her handset gave a tone. A text message! She took the phone from her pocket. Light glowed on the handset’s screen and she pressed okay to read the message.
This is to wish you 12 months of God’s presence, 52 weeks of joy, 365 days of peace, 8,760 hours of His favour, 525,600 minutes of His love and 31,536,000 seconds of His grace, in Jesus name. Olamide
Teni smiled. She opened the pot of stew on the fire, stirred it and covered it back. The kitchen was medium-sized. A gas cooker stood on a side while a refrigerator was on the other. There were white cabinets and a marble-surfaced table.
Resting her back against the wall, she punched in her reply to Olamide.
Thanks Pastor. I wish you the same and much more. You deserve it all. Remain blessed. Teni
She sent the reply and decided to save his number in her phone, just in case she would need it in future.
At home on Friday evening, Olamide relaxed on the sofa with the Bible in his hand but he realised his mind was racing around. Teni was still on his mind. Was God saying something? Would God want him to get in touch with her again? Deep down in his heart, he knew the desire to get in touch was from his heart. He moved to where the house phone was and dialled her house number. He needed to hear her voice again.
Teni was setting dinner on the table with her sister when the phone in the living room began to ring. She turned and saw Lekan going to pick it.
Soon Lekan called her. “It’s for you. Olamide.”
Again?
“Moroun, please complete the work for me. I have a call.” Teni said as she hurriedly wiped her hands.
She picked the phone. “Yes? Pastor Olamide. Good evening.”
“Good evening, Teni. How was work today?”
“Oh, good. Thanks for the text message. I was blessed by it.”
They exchanged pleasantries some more before Olamide told her, “So, busy Teni, when can you take some time off?”
“I thought I made myself clear to you the other time we spoke and besides, maybe I should also let you know … there’s someone.” Jesus. Teni smiled to herself. She knew that would give him a wrong impression but it should put him off permanently.
“Oh really? That’s good. Is the someone in your church?”
“Yes.” Jesus is in my Church and in my life, so I have not lied, she thought, trying to justify herself.
“Ah, I’m happy for you.” Olamide said nicely, even though his heart was thudding. He was surprised. What he got in his spirit was different, and obviously his uncle was not aware she was already hooked.
After some more exchanges, he said goodnight and hung up the phone. That chapter was closed.
On Monday, as Olamide was driving toward Mr. Dawodu’s house to deliver his parents’ message, he thought of the possibility of meeting Teni there.
How should he respond if they should meet? Well, he would have to be nice to her and greet her. Even though a part of him felt irritated, he knew he must exhibit maturity. She might not be back from the office anyway.
He didn’t understand why thoughts of her should still disturb him, and he felt annoyed with himself. Several times, he had tried to push thoughts of her from his mind, having other more important things to consider, but her face kept creeping back into his mind. He should stop thinking about her, he advised himself.
(To be continued.)
In this novel, you will realise the importance of being led by the Spirit of God.
WhatsApp +234-8023000773
Available in bookshops in Nigeria,
And online on Okadabooks & Amazon
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