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 13)
“I understand how you are feeling. I know what it feels like to be in a bad situation.” Richard said and smiled. “Let me tell you something about myself that you don’t know.”
He sat back on his chair and rested his head. He was silent for some seconds before he spoke. “I’ve also made my share of mistakes. That was why I said that I know what it feels like to make a mistake and be in a bad situation. As I told you earlier, Tammy and I got married about nine years ago. We were both Christians, virgins and we loved each other. We were certain there was no mountain we could not move. We started well … the foundation was right but along the line in our marriage, challenges came and we became distracted.”
As he talked, he had a faraway look in his eyes. “The first challenge was that Tammy could not conceive. That was a big shock to us. It never crossed our mind that it could happen. With time, that began to affect our relationship. She became very emotional, always weeping and I became very impatient with her, always snapping. Without realising it, I was moving away from her and getting closer to a female member of my church.”
His revelation got Grace’s full attention.
“One evening, I lost my senses and made the greatest mistake of my life. I became intimate with the lady and the next thing I knew, she was pregnant and everyone knew about my mistake, including my wife who had been trying to get pregnant.”
Grace was surprised by what she was hearing. Richard didn’t seem like the kind of person who could make such a mistake.
Richard continued. “Well, to cut the long story short, my senior pastor suspended me for some months, my wife moved out of our matrimonial home and my life was turned upside down.”
He smiled in a sad way. “That was a terrible time in my life. I messed up in a big way! But I held on to God. I knew He would help me because I wasn’t seeing the lady anymore, I had asked God for forgiveness and I wasn’t trying to run away from the consequences.”
He cleared his throat and continued. “And God did help me … in a way I did not expect. Tammy forgave me and returned to our house. Shortly after, she became pregnant. She’s four months along now.”
Grace’s phone began to ring. “Oh, I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.”
She quickly took the handset and checked.
“You can pick it if you have to.” He told her.
“No, it’s not important. I will just put it on silence.” She did and put the phone down. She looked at Richard to let him know he could continue.
“Well, the lady lost the pregnancy and left the church. I told you about this, not because I’m proud of my indiscretion – no, I’m not. As Christians, we shouldn’t do things that would drag the name of God in the mud. But I told you to let you know that if for some reasons we mess up and make mistakes, we should run toward God, not away from Him. Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
“My wife and I will support you in any way we can.” He assured her. “You should let Albert know of your decision to keep the baby.”
She shook her head and said, “No.”
“He has a right to know.”
“No.”
“Tell him, let him know. You are a lawyer and you know it’s his right. Even if he doesn’t do anything about it, it will be on his conscience.”
She took a deep breath and spoke again. “This will upset my mother when she gets to know.”
“Will you like my wife and me to be there when you tell her?”
She shook her head. “No, that’s not necessary. I will handle it myself. I will tell her.”
“Fine.”
Grace didn’t get up immediately as she tried to compose herself. Eventually she said, “Thank you very much sir. Er, as I don’t have any appointment this afternoon, can I close early? I – I’m feeling really upset and have a headache.”
“Well, er … fine. Are you okay though?”
“Yes … I’ll be fine.” She said. Then, managing a weak smile, she added, “Thank you sir.”
Though she felt a little better and knew Richard would support her, she still felt very much alone and afraid of what was in store for her.
“Er, Grace, I’d like you to permit me to discuss with Albert as well.”
She frowned. “About this?”
“Yes. Allow me to, please.”
“What will you tell him?”
“I just want to talk to him man-to-man, and as a pastor. From the little I know about him, I think I should be able to talk some sense into him. I will know how to handle him, don’t worry.”
His intercom buzzed. “Yes?”
His secretary informed him of the presence of a client.
“Please give me a few minutes before you send him in.” Richard said.
When he put the phone down, Grace spoke. “Albert may think that I planned it all and got you involved for some reasons.”
“Don’t worry yourself.”
She shrugged. “When do you intend to see him?”
“Er, I’m not sure yet but it will be this week, Thursday or Friday, I guess. I’m supposed to see his boss over some business. I could just take advantage of that.”
As she walked out of his office, her legs were barely able to hold her up.
About thirty minutes after, she was in her official car, about to drive out of the office compound. She took her cell phone and turned it off. She didn’t want to talk to anyone yet, including Albert. She had to think and know what to do. Richard had upset their plan.
On the way home, she was still thinking about all the things Richard told her. She totally agreed with him but … it was easier said than done. How could she keep the baby? But if she should get rid of it, Richard would be greatly disappointed, which might affect their working relationship eventually. Besides, how would she ever be able to look him in the eye and claim to still be a Christian if she should do it?
She asked herself what her main concern was and why she didn’t want to keep the baby she would have really loved to have. She knew it was fear. She was afraid of the things that would follow, the shame and the consequences.
Her mind suddenly went to her mother and she realised all the things she must have endured by keeping her alive. Not only did she keep her alive, she took good care of her and gave her sound education.
Grace realised she had not been a very good daughter to Ibie. There were times she snapped at her and disobeyed her rules. She sometimes felt that her mother was too harsh and hard on her but she must have been doing what she thought she needed to do to protect her and make her have a good life. How would she feel if the child in her womb grew up and began to behave that way toward her, after going through shame, troubles, and the suspension that she would likely get in her church because of the child? She definitely would not like it.
She decided to be a better daughter.
At home, as her mother had not come, she headed to the kitchen. She had no appetite but she knew she had to eat for strength. She quickly prepared something. After eating, she went into her room to lie down and continued thinking.
She eventually decided to keep the pregnancy. She knew it would not be easy and there would be a lot of challenges on the road but she decided she would walk it. Knowing she had made the right decision, she felt some peace in her heart. Now all she needed to do was pray and make plans. She would have to find a way to inform her mother.
She would also have to inform her friends, Jennifer and Ayoade. Ayoade lived in Lagos but Jennifer lived in Benin. She would try and go to Ayoade’s house on Saturday.
Grace and Jennifer became friends in High School. Jennifer was the Assistant School Prefect while Grace was the class captain. Jennifer was a strong Christian and a good influence on Grace. Grace met Ayoade in Law School and through Grace, Ayoade became Jennifer’s friend.
While still thinking, she slept off.
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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