WITH THIS RING – a novel – will be posted all through this month
By: Pastor Taiwo Iredele Odubiyi
Read and be blessed.
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(Day 10)
“You prayed? To get a wife for me? Very interesting. Well, I’ll have you know that I have found someone.” Femi revealed.
“That’s good, but still, I’d like you to meet this person and pray about it.” She insisted. “She’s just perfect for you.”
Femi laughed. He tried again to get out of the plan. “I said I have found my own person.”
“I know but … Pastor Femi … just meet this person, that’s all. Besides, you have nothing to lose by coming, you will eat.”
“And who is this wonderful person you are talking about? How well do you know her?”
“I know her very well. She’s my cousin.”
Femi laughed again. “This is becoming more interesting. Your cousin? Are you serious?”
“Yeah. What’s bad in that? The fact that she’s my cousin doesn’t mean a thing if -”
“Can I talk to your husband?”
“No, not yet. Promise me you’ll come. Pleeeease?”
“Alright, I’ll come but I haven’t promised anything. I will say hello to your cousin, eat your food and leave. And please, don’t say anything to the woman about me. Is that okay?”
“Okay.”
“Can I talk to your husband now?”
“Yes.”
When Jaye came on the line, Femi asked him, “What part of ‘I have found my own woman’ does your wife not understand?”
“Look Femi, please just come or she won’t let me rest.”
“I’ve told her I will be there.”
The next day in the afternoon, as Grace left the courtroom, she used a pink coloured fingernail to turn on her cell phone and a text message entered immediately. She checked, it was a bank alert of a money transfer from Albert. He obviously couldn’t wait for her to have the abortion done, she thought with a sad smile.
She got inside her official car, fastened her seatbelt, and as she drove in the direction of her workplace, she thought about the conversation her mother had with her last night after Albert left.
Ibie had expressed her opinion about Grace’s relationship with Albert, adding that she wanted a good life for Grace.
Grace could still remember her exact words: “Don’t think I’m being harsh or unreasonable. I’m saying all these because I want your future happiness. I want to see you married and enjoying your marriage. But if you get married to someone who does not love God, having a good marriage is not going to happen.”
Grace sighed. She knew that her mother was right, of course.
She reached the building which was the last one on the street. There, she parked the car, took her briefcase and got out. She entered the building. The elevator had just arrived and she waited for the two men inside it to step out, then she went in and rode to the third floor. Two companies shared the floor with the law firm: Lawal & Adesola Chambers.
As she walked down the hallway, her black court shoes with stiletto heels made clicking sounds on the tiled floor till she reached the door that had the name plate of the firm. She opened it and stepped into the spacious carpeted reception area.
The receptionist, a plump and pleasant looking woman was there, seated behind a fine polished wood dais that showed the firm’s name in gold letters. The office was filled with elegant furniture. A man was seated in the glass-walled area reserved for visitors, reading a newspaper.
Grace greeted the receptionist who told her that Richard and Bayo, the senior partners in the law firm had not returned. Passing by her, Grace went into her office which she shared with two people. A full file tray was on her table while a black file cabinet stood in a corner of the room. A two-door book shelf was between the tables of her colleagues.
She sat down and put her briefcase on her table. Opening it, she took out a file, closed the briefcase and set it aside.
She had just opened the file when her cell phone began to ring. It was Albert. Taking a deep breath, she picked it. “Hello.”
“Grace, how are you?”
“Okay.”
Just then, one of her colleagues entered and she waved a hand in greeting.
“Have you received the alert?” Albert asked her.
Lowering her voice, she said, “Yes. I can see that you want me to get it done immediately without any consideration for me.”
“What are you talking about? You’re the one I’m considering in all this. That was why I sent it immediately although you have not asked for a particular amount. I know it can’t cost much but I put twenty thousand naira in your account! Besides, terminating it is the only way we can move forward.”
“Albert, hold on.” She told him.
Leaving the room, she went through the reception and left the office. She stood on a side by the staircase, with her back to the stairs so she could talk freely. People walked past.
“Hello.” She spoke into the phone.
“Yes, I’m here.” Albert responded.
Sighing she said, “I don’t know. I’m just feeling upset.”
“I know. Don’t let it upset you so much though. It happens all the time. If you had handled yourself, you would not have gotten pregnant.”
“And if you had handled yourself, I would not have become pregnant.”
“I can’t recall holding a gun to your head.”
“Oh, just shut up.”
“We were both trying to have a good time, not a family.”
“You’re so annoying, Albert.” Well, she had only herself to blame.
He laughed. “Relax Grace, everything is under control. I’ve done my part, it remains for you to do your part.”
“I’m just wondering … is abortion the only option?”
“It is.” He answered. “Look Grace, it’s just some tissues at this time. It’s not yet a baby.”
“Albert, it is a baby.” She corrected him. “What you call tissues is the beginning of life; that is how you and I came to being.”
“Look Grace,” He said, dismissing her theory. “What we should be talking about now is where you will go to have it done. Should I arrange for you to see one of my friends who is a doctor?”
“One of your friends?”
“Yes. That’s if you want.”
She snorted. “I don’t want one of your friends.”
“Why not?”
“One of your friends? I don’t want an inexperienced young person who might perforate my womb.”
“I beg your pardon? My friend might be young but he is qualified and experienced.”
“Like you would say, I don’t give a flip if he is qualified and experienced, he is still young.”
He laughed. “Well, it’s just a suggestion. It doesn’t have to be him. Do you have a particular clinic in mind?”
She asked him, “When would you like to get married?”
“Marriage?” He was obviously surprised at the change of subject.
“I’m wondering aloud.” She pointed out.
“That is not relevant.”
“I think it is. I’m carrying your baby and we are thinking of what we should do – have an abortion or what?”
“We have decided on what you should do.” He said clearly raising his voice on the ‘you’.
She was about to respond when she heard a movement from behind her. Someone was near her. As she looked back, she heard Richard’s voice, “Grace.”
Richard Lawal was the senior partner in Lawal & Adesola.
Surprised to see him, she said, “Oh, good afternoon sir.” She hoped he hadn’t heard her conversation with Albert.
“How are you?” Richard asked. The tall and dark-complexioned man was in his thirties.
“I’m fine.”
“I hope I didn’t startle you. I wanted you to look at someone but the person has left.” Richard explained then walked away.
“Look Albert, I’ll talk to you later.” Grace quickly told him.
“When are you getting it done?” He wanted to know.
“Maybe tomorrow.”
“Not maybe. It has to be tomorrow, alright?” He told her firmly. “Tomorrow is Wednesday.”
To be continued.
You will learn about the mercy of God and that there is hope for you, in this novel.
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