FOOD FOR THOUGHT

I was attending to somebody today at work and from no where the man began to preach the gospel to me. I! Child of God! I!who reads my bible everyday, pray every night (asides from my 'before I go to bed prayer'), I! who is always conscious about doing some things etc. He asked me some questions and it got me thinking. I asked myself what is the essence of my being? Why am I where I am? who are you in Christ? and I discovered that my answers were not substantial enough. His message was my coming back to basics.

...and then it hit me! 

 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.  Matthew 6:33

So I meditated...and the holy spirit repeated it to me again. Everyday, we are so engrossed in our daily life that we forget the most important thing. GOD. We are so busy that we don't even notice when we are committing sins that easily beset us. We are busy asking and asking, daydreaming and planning.(it happens to me a lot) that we forget that the whole essence of our existence is because of GOD. Along the way we drop our identity.

Now let me break down this scripture for you the way illumination came;

1.Another word for 'seeking' is 'searching'. When we search for the kingdom of God, we are invariably looking for God and in the process of searching for God, we are steadily transformed . We are transformed in our journey of seeking and consciously are changing our lives. For instance, if we want to look nice to a very important event, we take our time to patiently shop for the outfit of our choice.  If it is an order that we would have to book for, we would take our time to find it, book the order and  wait for its delivery. This is how searching for God is. We have to consciously and patiently seek him daily.

2. How do we search for God? If you are interested in someone, you get to know the person. Its the same with God. You get to know him through his word search the scripture. Joshua1:8.  As we do this daily, we shed our old nature and are renewed by his word. 'And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.' Colossians 3:10. We derive strength to become better people. We know who God is '...but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits'. Daniel 11:32b We see what he likes, what displeases him and how expects us to be.'Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee'.1Timothy;16

The key to searching for God is the willingness to forsake all that we deem important and search for him restlessly and courageously. We must hunger and thirst for the knowledge of him.  Searching for God is a never ending journey but once we muster the courage and decide to seek him, then our we embark on a journey of transformation. Searching for God cannot be alienated from also searching for his righteousness. It is inseparable that is why in our journey to finding him we shed our old nature to a new nature( the nature of God). Transformation begins when we acknowledge him, accept him, study and meditate on his word. 'Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee'.Psalm 119:11. 

Finally, you will see that in the daily walk with God, he would bless you. You would receive things that you don't even expect because you are on a walk with God. 'If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you'.   John 15;7. There will be bumps along the way but you will see that you will become stronger and more confident because you are on a walk with God and because you know him.   'They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever'. Psalms 125:1.

This message is as much for me as it is for you. I pray for you that as you walk daily with God, may you exude his aura, may you find him in the very places that you need him and may he give you the grace to walk right in the journey of life.'And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me'. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Also remember you are where you are because God wants to use you to touch someone's life. 

Jesus loves you. Mwah! 

THE ADVOCATE

                                                                                                        CHARLES






It was like a breathe of fresh air when he realized that she was the one he had bumped into even though at the moment it felt like the wind had been knocked out of his sails. The girl from the bus that morning. He didn't expect to see her so soon again but what the heck! Here she was and he was going to make the most out of it.

'Hi...wow! what a surprise!'

'Hi...yes it is a surprise. I am very sorry ...I was so preoccupied...I wasn't looking ...'

'Its okay...you don't look so good...' He had been observing her keenly and he noticed the tear marks on her face. ' Would you like a cup of coffee?'.

'I am fine...I am sure that once I get home and relax the spell would pass. Thanks for the offer...' she was searching for his name in her mind.

'You are welcome Judy...I am Charles...again, pleased to meet you'. he stretched out his hand for a hand shake

'Oh! sorry... so many things on my mind...pleased to meet you again.' she shook him and smiled up at him. Charles was momentarily taken aback in awe. She had the most beautiful pair of eyes and perfect white teeth. For what seemed to be like forever, Charles seemed to be momentarily lost just  looking at her.

'Nice to see you again. do you work around here?'

'No I don't...actually, a friend of mine is on admission here...'

'May I have your email address, if its OK by you...I'd like to keep in touch'

'Oh! its OK..'

She scribbled down her email address on a piece of paper and was soon on her way. Charles was in another world of his own filled with excitement. He couldn't get the smile off his face and even his dentist commented that he was in high spirits compared to his other visits.

He emailed her that night and it was a conversation he didn't want to stop. it was as if they had always known each other. Their flow was impeccable. Charles resumed work the next day in high spirits.

'Good morning Lucy. please cancel my appointment for one o'clock. I am going to see the dentist again.'

'OK sir but didn't you see him yesterday?'

'I did. I need to visit him again'.

"OK. I will cancel your appointment for four pm and schedule a visit with the dentist for you'. With that he walked into his office.

His secretary eyed him suspiciously as she picked up the office phone. Her boss seemed to be in such high spirits today.

Charles settled down for the business of the day but his attention was always on the wall clock. Judy had mentioned that she would be in the hospital to visit her friend again by four. They didn't plan to see that day but he couldn't wait to see her again.He would bump into her again and this time invite her to have a cup of coffee with him. He didn't want to scare her off by telling her that he wanted to see her so soon after their meeting but he just wanted to see her again

Charles ran his own construction  company. It was a company that his father started and now was in his leadership. He was wealthy by all standards but very modest in his ways. he had been in relationships in the past but all of them never worked out. He just needed to be appreciated for himself and not the wealth that came along with his name because that seemed to be what was his most attractive feature to the opposite sex. He had fairly good looks and the built of an athlete. He was surprised that Judy didn't recognize him and he was glad for it. that way, He would have the chance to get to know her better and her him without the shimmering background of his wealth. He would tell her in the long run but for now he would withhold that aspect of his life.

Four o'clock came with Charles dashing out of the office like a whirlwind. He couldn't wait to get to the hospital. He was there by four thirty pm and within minutes he was done with his dentist appointment, so he decided to wait at the reception. At about five thirty pm, he saw Judy walking out of the ER, so he stood up and walked over to the vending machine. The vending machine was in her line of vision so there was no way she wasn't going to see him and that she did.

'Hey you! what a nice surprise!'

'Hi. good to see you again. I was just on my way out.. i just wanted to get a bar of chocolate before i leave. so how are you.'

'I am fine and you?'

'Fine too. So who did you come to visit?

'A friend of mine is here..she had a bout of asthma attack.'

'Hope she is doing well now?'

'Yes she is better than when I brought her in at least'

'That's good. Do you pray for her?'

'Yes I do.' She answered laughingly

'So where are you going from here?...I was wondering if you wouldn't mind having a cup of coffee with me'

'OK.'

They choose a coffee shop not so far from the hospital.they talked past time and then decided to visit the theater two days later. Charles decided hat he would tell her how he felt about her then and hope for the best. The had the time of their lives. Charles discovered that they had similar interests and best of all she loved football. After the movie in a diner across the theater, he told her of  his feelings and who he was.

'I knew there was something oddly familiar about you but I just couldn't place my finger on it.'

'I didn't want to tell you because... well...you are different and I really find you very attractive and would like to get to know you better.' he said watching for her reaction.

'OK. we could start from there...We should start from there.' she replied looking directly at him. 'but why did you take the bus the day I met you? have you been stalking me?' she teased.

'He laughed and told her when and where he first saw her. 'so as you can see, I am your biggest fan. Stalker sounds kind of harsh don't you think?' they both laughed

'Next time Charles, come clean. As you have discovered I don't bite.'

Just then Judy's phone rang. It was the hospital. Gwen was missing again!

'

TWENTY JUICY FACTS ABOUT ME JUST FOR YOU!

I have been reneged with messages on Facebook from people asking to know more about me on my blog. Some say that my blog is too silent! So, I have decided spice up things and tell my valuable readers Twenty juicy facts about myself . Get ready because the list below contains the good, the bad, the best, the ugly e.t.c. cheers!

1.I love God.

2. I am a hopeless romantic! I love happily ever afters. :-)

3.I am a sucker for tears!  If dem dey cry for film, me sef  go follow cry too.
(bet if na correct bobo I dey watch the film with and I won form tush babe, I go use all my power  lock up the tears till the film finish).

4. My dreams are so big sometimes I chide myself. If I tell you ehnn you sef go fear fear, so watch out for me.

5. I love my family three much.

6. I love watching Food Network. My favorite shows are Iron chef America, Chopped, any show Guy Fierri is hosting, Siba's Table and Amazing Wedding cakes

7. I love my job.

8. My favorite relatives live in Ojota.

9. I love going to the movies, the beach and any kind of village setting. ( I am a village girl at heart.
There is something about the village air that just fascinates me. I'm just a nature lover.)

10. One of the best times of my life was during my NYSC in Owerri, Imo state. The friends I made were indeed friends for life!

11. I like money but in the good way ( before somebody would start thinking far!).

12 . My love for pictures was brought to light by best friend. She owns Mineyorlah Jewelries.

13. I love to write ( obviously.)

14. I love my Church.

15.  I love BURGERS! ( I can like to do comfort eating ehnn! Its bad o! but I indulge once in a while.) #coveringface#

16. I would love to visit the Opera one day.

17. I love Paris. ( at least the Paris that I have  read about sha).

18. I love traveling too. Hmm...touring France wont be a bad idea.  ;-)

19. I am beautifully made.

20. I love silent achievers.

So guys these are twenty wonderful facts about me that makes me unique, royal and a beautiful person.

MWAH!!!

THE ADVOCATE

JUDY

Judy had walked out of her office surprised to see that Gwen was gone. She asked her secretary where her visitor went .

'she just left a couple of minutes ago'

Dashing to the elevator, she wondered what would have made Gwen leave. The elevator seemed to be taking forever to get to the ground floor. She didn't know why, but she just felt this urgency to look for Gwen. The security guy downstairs told her that Gwen had walked out of the building in quite a hurry. Soon she was standing in the streets looking as confused as a lost puppy. She didn't know whether to go left or right. Her mind told her go left so she went left.

Fortunately that part of the street wasn't  so busy so people would have seen Gwen. So she began asking questions and for about quarter of an hour she still hadn't found Gwen. She decided to keep asking until a junkie lying on a street bench told her that he saw a mousy looking girl walking down the street talking to herself. She hadn't even finished getting directions from the junkie when out of the corner of her eye, she saw someone clutching her chest on the ground.

It was Gwen! She ran over to her side... it looked like she was having another asthma attack. Fortunately, there was a cab parked across the street. the cab man helped her put Gwen in the cab and in minutes they were on their way to the emergency. The hospital they went to was just five minutes away and immediately they got to the ER the nurses there started to revive Gwen because she had passed out in the cab. Once Gwen was stable, Judy called her office and asked her secretary to cancel all her appointments for that day and ask the office assistant to bring her coat along with her hand bag to the hospital at lunch-break.

Sitting by Gwen's bed, she said a prayer of thanks. She didn't know why, but from the first day she had met Gwen, she felt a connection to her. Like they shared something... Now she was by her bed side and didn't understand why she cared so much.

'Where am I?'

'Ssh. You are in the hospital. You had one of your asthma attacks and you passed out. You'll be fine . just try to relax.'

'How come you are here with me?' she looked around frantically trying to sit up.

'Gwen, just lie down you will be just fine. You are in the hospital because you had a bout of asthma attack. Don't try to sit up, you need to lie down because of your drip.'

' I'm fine.' she lay back on her bed looking at the ceiling as she spoke her next words. 'Why did you come looking for me? Thank you for coming to my rescue but at that moment, I just wanted to let go and just be at peace.'

'You came to my office to see me and then all of a sudden you disappeared. I really can't explain it but I just felt this urgent need to look for you. I just followed my instincts and thank God I found you just in time. How are you Gwen? I mean how are you inside?'

She placed her hand on Gwen's chest as she spoke. She looked at her face and saw the tears as they fell silently. She moved to wipe the tears but Gwen pushed her hand away so she held on to her hand instead.

'He can take your tears away. He can give you a new life. He loves you.'

'Judy, I need a cigarette. I want one now like my life depends on it, so if you really need to do me a favor, get me one!'

''Gwen, I am here for you. I will not get you the cigarettes but until you get back on your feet, I am here for you. Do you need me to call any of your family member ?'

'Why are you being so nice?' she removed her hand from Judy s'. You don't know me! Whats in it for you? Did he send you to me? Did he ask you to come and soften me up so that he can keep using me? I don't know why you are here but all I want is a box of cigarettes and for you to leave afterwards!'

'I don't know what you are talking about...who are you talking about?'

'Never mind. I just want to be left alone.'

'OK. I understand.  I need to go back to the office to sort out some things, then I'll be back first thing in the morning to see you.'

' I don't care about where you are going , all I need is a box of cigarettes!'. she shouted back . Suddenly she started to remove her drip and her face mask.' I am leaving this place. I am going home'

'Gwen stop! you'll harm yourself. ' Judy was trying to restrain her now.

'Leave me alone!'

They were struggling now. Judy yelled for a nurse, when the nurse saw the scene, she rushed out to get a doctor and soon Gwen was sedated. Seeing that all was settled for the time being, Judy left the hospital feeling emotionally drained.


Her whole life hadn't been rosy too. When she was eighteen, her parents had told her that she was adopted. She remembered that when they told her she was not their biological daughter, she felt naked. It was as if she had no identity and for a while, she was angry. She wasn't angry with her foster parents but she was angry because all her life she had been living with a sense of who she thought she was. The thought that her mother had given her away at birth always brought angry tears to her eyes.  Six years after, she decided to look for the woman who had given her away. She made it just in time for her funeral. At her grave side that day, She wept like she had known the stranger in the coffin all her life. She wept because she had wasted six years being angry with her mother. Time went by in a haze that day. She left the grave side heart broken  and with no answers.

She was so engrossed in her recollection that she bumped headlong  into someone in front of her.

'I'm so sorry. '

'Its OK. are you alright?' the person asked.

Gathering herself together with another apology on her lips, she looked up into the face of whom she had bumped into. He looked so familiar. She could see that he was just as surprised too. Recognition came like a shock! It was the guy she met on the bus from early that morning.












































zx

THE ADVOCATE

GWEN

She was glad Judy hadn’t asked her to leave her office rather she had invited her into her office and asked her to wait for her. Sitting in the lobby of Judy’s office, Gwen could see her reflection clearly and it wasn’t pleasing to the eye. The mirror opposite her on the wall didn't lie. She saw the ravaged look in her eyes and her worn out overcoat just hung on her like a sack. She could see the questioning look on people’s faces as they passed her by and for a moment she wondered what her life would have been if she wasn’t smoking but then again smoking was her comfort. She blamed HIM for giving her this kind of life. When she needed love and badly wanted to be rescued, He just sat high up there and allowed it all to happen to her. The memory of the assault was still fresh.

She remembered the first time it happened to her. She was just about to take a shower that evening when he came into her room and told her how beautiful she was.  He told her that no one else would appreciate her beauty the way he did. He told her to take off her towel that he wanted to show her what he meant. He was standing in front of her, caressing her collar bone all the while as he spoke. She was skeptical so she hesitated. She saw the hungry look in his eyes.  It didn’t feel right. That night she was violated. Her father had broken her seal of innocence. He tortured her whenever she ddidn'tlet him have his way and told her that no one would believe her if she said anything. He took her to school and was there waiting for her when she closed. She had no hiding place. He wanted her to caress him , touch him there, kiss him all over and put her tongue in unimaginative places. He gave her first cigarette when she was sixteen. She had fought him so many times and he won every time. He told her vagina was rightfully his and that no one else was to have it. He told her never to reveal their secret to anyone else he would kill her.

Her mother was never always around. She was always somewhere in the world being the bread winner of the family leaving her at home with her father. Whenever her mother was around from one of her trips, there was always a quarrel or the other with her father. Sometimes her mother ended up in the hospital. Everything was so wrong. She had nobody to talk to. She felt like the odd one out everywhere she went so she kept to herself most of the time. She just wanted to be rescued. 

One day, he called her and asked her to sit on his lap. He was watching porn. He put his hand inside her shirt and began to stroke her roughly when he was hard enough he threw her on the hard floor and began to ram himself inside of her. Roughly and painfully.  Her mind went numb. Over the years,  she had  learnt how to lay still and just allow him have his way. She willed herself to go somewhere far away in her mind every time. The characters in the porn video began to do a new style and her father decided that he wanted to join the fun. He removed himself from her vagina and entered into her anus so fiercely that she thought her lungs would fail her before she screamed. He slapped the back of her head and covered her mouth with one hand. He was enjoying himself so much that he didn't hear the front door open. He didn't see her walk in. In a split second, their eyes met. One filled with utter shock and the other filled with fear and pain. The last thing she remembered seeing was her mother on the ground as the darkness in her mind consumed her.

When she opened her eyes, she saw him. She wanted to run away but she was tied to her bed with her legs wide open. He was standing in front of her with a towel. He spoke to her gently. He told her that he just wanted to clean her up. When he had finished, he gave her some pain killers and some sleeping pills. She woke up the next morning feeling numb all over and right there, she wished that she had died in her sleep. That morning, they went to see mother.  They drove in icy silence to the hospital. Her mother had been admitted in the intensive care unit wing in the hospital. As she stood by her mother’s bed, she reached out to touch her and almost immediately her mother opened her eyes. At first she couldn't recognize her and then when she did, her eyes were filled with horror and all of a sudden she was struggling to breathe. Somewhere in the background her father was calling for a nurse. She was still holding her mother’s hand when she died. When she saw the life drain out of her eyes, she placed the hand on her mother’s chest and walked out of all the commotion in a trance. She never went back home again until the day of her mother’s burial.

The memory of her mother’s  burial brought back the cold numbness in her heart she experienced that day as the  undertakers were putting her mother’s coffin in the ground. After the burial, she walked out of the graveyard and into the open arms of the streets of London where her only comfort and escape were found in her packs of cigarettes. And since then she never gave home a backward glance. She had suffered too much for nine years.

She snapped out of her reverie when she felt the tears on her face and like an automated robot she stood up and walked out of the lobby. She started to walk briskly, then she started running like her life depended on it. She ran hoping that the distance would put the memories behind her. She just wanted to forget. She ran until she got was out of breath and then she settled to walking aimlessly till she was hungry for cigarettes. She bought some and sated herself sitting on a street bench. She didn't know why she thought Judy would be able to help her. The streets were always there for her, never judging or asking questions. It was a place for survivors and she would survive no matter what. 

‘how dare you wish for a good life? What got into you? This is the best you will ever be and you have to be grateful for it. Did you see yourself in the mirror? Did you see how ugly you looked? You can never be more.’

‘ I know! You remind me everyday! I am hopeless, used and am lucky to even have some comforts.

 Is it bad that I hoped and wondered how my life would have been if……he didn’t touch me?

By now she was screaming in tears.

‘why me? Why me? I just want to die! But I don’t have the courage to kill myself. I just want to be in peace. He gave me this life! He was there when he defiled me and He did absolutely nothing! I hate that man! I hate them both! I hate them!’

She was on her knees now weeping. ‘ I just want to die!’

‘even death would be too good for you! ‘

She was weeping  silently now, curled up in a ball on the street bench. Suddenly, she coughed and then she was gasping for breath. She couldn't breath.

‘help me….’ She was desperate for air now. She was looking around frantically for help.The street was not a busy street. The few people around were in their shops.

‘help….’ She breathed…. |almost immediately, she fell on the floor clutching her chest. it seemed as if her life force was draining fast.

She felt the touch and heard her yell at someone to stop a cab. Then. all she could think of was how badly she needed to breathe. She desperately wanted to live. She was in a cab now with the owner of the voice.

‘you will be fine Gwen, just breathe… we are almost there’

All she could do was raise her hand to answer.

‘Gwen, take deep breaths, you will be just fine…Lord please breathe into Gwen. Amen.’

She was weak and tired…very tired…she saw herself falling into a black hole. Somewhere in her mind Judy was holding her hand and calling her name.

HER CINDERELLA STORY

She remembered it just like yesterday, when roses seemed redder and violets seemed more violet. With her head in the clouds, she gave her heart away to just a single smile and the sound of his voice. It was love at first sight!  His deep baritone voice was so captivating, she didn't realize then that she had been staring at him. He introduced himself as Richard. Richard Da silver, The billionaire whose account she would be handling. She had heard of him but she was thrown off balance when she met him in person. He was very young, too young to be in his kind of business. He had a telecommunications empire. She was on an official assignment to handle the final documentation of the transactions he had with her bank. She had made sure she dressed to the ninnies. She was glad she did because after they said their introductions that fateful day and with just a handshake,  thus began their whirlwind romance.

That was then but now; she was basking in the sun in Miami. Lying on a beach chair with her legs stretched out before her. Sunshades on and a fab body in a skimpy bikini, what more could she ask for? She had quit her job in the second month of their relationship and she had no regrets! Her bank account was a testimony to that. Richard spared no expenses to make her feel and look like a queen. She honed her thoughts back to the present. It was time to prepare for her dinner date with Richard. He was supposed to pick her up from the hotel where they were staying.

After two hours of primping and prepping she was ready. She looked absolutely divine in her Vera Wang burgundy dress and she knew it.  She was hoping that he would propose this night even though they have been dating for six months. Her phone was ringing.

‘hi boo’

‘Mon Cherie’

‘Are you ready?’

‘Yes love’

‘I am downstairs in the lobby’

‘Kay boo. See you in a bit’

She sighted Richard immediately she walked into the lobby. Tall, dark and handsome .when he saw her his eyes lighted up. He approached he and kissed her unexpectedly then handed the bouquet of roses he had been hiding behind his back. Tonight is definitely the night she thought as she took his outstretched arm.

‘You look divine Cherie’

‘Thank you boo. The roses are beautiful So where are we going?’

 ‘But not as beautiful as you. where we are going is  a surprise to mark our last night together in Miami’

They went to a five star restaurant and their table for two was fabulous. Everything smelled romance and surprises. He did propose that night. He went down on one knee in the middle of their dinner and asked to marry him. And she all but screamed yes with tears in her eyes.  The rock on her engagement ring was an attention grabber. They took the next flight home the next day.

They arrived mid-morning in Abuja. A chauffeur was already waiting to take them home. He dropped her off first at her apartment before making his way home. She lived with her best friend somewhere in Maitama . Bunmi was excited to see her of course. She showed Bunmi her ring.

‘wow! that is a rock! omo this guy means business o!'

'yesso! this ring na die!'

'so re-gist me babes. Hearing the gist face to face is better than phone calls. How did he propose to you? What did you wear?  In fact lets open your box let me see the Vera Wang Dress'.

‘Bunmi slow down joor! I need to rest before we start opening any box. I know you are using style to make sure you get your own share first before any other person comes’

‘caught in the act! I surrender!’ She playfully raises her hands up to emphasize the gesture

‘good’

‘But still tell me how he did it. Who would have thought that Richard Da Silver would be my best-friend in-law? They both laughed.

They sorted through the things in her box amidst ‘ooos’, ‘aaahs’, ‘O mys’ and ‘it’s beautiful’.  Bunmi got her share of the goodies and ‘the proposal gist’ as they sipped wine admist giggles, tears and talking about their past relationships.

The next two months were a flurry of fun and activities. He took her to meet his parents. They didn't say much because they didn't stay long. They were nice enough. When she took him home, Everybody was impressed. They said they were a match made in heaven maybe because his generosity had left them speechless. She really didn't care. She was marrying the man of her dreams and that was all that mattered.  Her father was another kettle of fish entirely. What did he know anyways?  That night after they returned from their parents’ house that night, she couldn't help but recall what her father had asked her. He wanted to know if she was sure she knew what she was doing? Had she prayed about it? How much did she know about his background? Etc. She pushed all these thoughts out her mind after all love mattered the most in marriage.

One week to her wedding, she still felt that she had a lot of things that needed to be done. She was sorting out the final details with her make-up artist over the phone when her door- bell rang.

‘who is it?’

‘Its me Ginika’

Only one person still used that name. she hung up immediately and opened the door. It was her Father.

‘Dad… what a pleasant surprise! Welcome.’ she ushered him in as she collected the nylon bag that he was holding. ‘

‘I stopped over at shop-rite to buy your favorite chocolate bar. I know with all this your weight watching you still like them.’ 

‘Daddy! Don’t you want me to fit into my wedding dress?’ she said un-wrapping a bar as they settled opposite each other on the sofa in her living room.

‘Ahem…Ginika my visit here today is not just a casual visit but I need to tell you a few things.’

‘Daddy, what’s  the matter?’

‘ I know that ever since you met this Top shot guy of yours it has been hard to get through to you.  My daughter, I am a bit uncomfortable with a few things about this marriage. You quit your job just because he asked you to. What happens to your future as a woman? And there is the issue of the wife whose appearance or disappearance still remains cloudy. My daughter, I am not comfortable with it at all. ‘

‘Dad. Richard has assured me that his divorce would finally come through on the day of our wedding so the issue of a wife somewhere is already a sorted matter.’

‘ my daughter, the issue is not sorted. What caused their break up? Why couldn’t he work it out with her? My dear marriage is a big deal and you really need to think this through?  Marriages don’t just break up for flimsy reasons. If he said his wife cheated on him, did they try to work it out? Did he just throw her out just like that? You need to ask because what he did in the previous marriage may define what this present one would be like. I know you would make excuses for him which shouldn’t be so. Already, the foundation of this whole matter is not solid. I feel you should take a step back and ask Richard some questions.’

‘Daddy, I can take care of myself! Richard has explained all that needs to be explained and I believe him. I trust the man that I am getting married to.’ she was already getting heated up.

‘I will not walk you down the isle dear,  I know my opinion at this point means noting to you. Think about it again. I think its time I take my leave. ‘ He was out of her apartment

After he father left, she decided to call Richard for her peace of mind. She loved her father dearly  and she didn’t want anything to come in between them.

‘Hello’

‘hi Cherie’

‘Boo, how are you?’

'am gud Cherie. How was your day?'

'Sweetheart, there’s something we need to talk about’

‘Okay, go ahead’

‘After you found out that Sophie was cheating on you, did you try to work things out with her before you resorted to divorcing her?’

‘Baby, where is this question coming from? I thought I explained what happened to you.’

‘Yes I know, I just need to know whether you tried to sort it out with her.’

‘Cherie, what should be important is that I am getting married to you. I am ever grateful that the fates brought you my way. You know what caught my attention   most? It was your smile. I don’t want to see anything take away that smile from you.  Every time I remember what she did to me after all I did for her, it grieves me. Baby, I have forgiven her and I have moved on that’s what’s important. Don’t allow this to come between us. It’s not an issue’

‘ I just needed that to get off my mind. I love you so much.’

‘ Don’t worry Cherie, it would be fine. I can understand what you are going through now. Hang on in there we will get to the D-day. I just know our life together would be fabulous’

‘Ok boo. ‘ She chimed.

‘Cherie, I have to go now, talk later?’

‘yeah…love you’

‘love you too’

Naomi was relieved. Richard always had a way of relaxing her. She assured herself for the umpteenth time that she was on the right track with him. She would handle Daddy. She knew he was just worried about her.

Finally, the day arrived when her name would be Mrs. Naomi Ginika Da Silver. Everything was perfect! Her bridesmaid in their halter-neck gold dresses looked beautiful and she in her exquisite Vera-Wang dress looked breathe taking!  Everything turned out beautifully except that Richard was no where to be found and the wedding was three hours behind schedule. She was panicking. She was in the officiating minister’s office with Bunmi. She didn't want to bear the piteous looks of people so she locked the door.

‘This is unlike Richard. He is never late and he always calls whenever he had any other plans. God please, I don’t want to be a bride that was jilted on her wedding day. Or could it be that he had an accident. Has anyone been able to reach any of the grooms men? She was pacing the office already in tears.

‘Naomi stop crying, am sure Richard has an explanation for his lateness’ Bunmi tried to console her

‘Bunmi, what could have happened? Did I do something? His phone is ringing but he is not picking!’  her tears where flowing unabashedly now. She heard someone call his name. Then she heard her name and a subtle knock on the door.

‘Naomi, please open the door, its Richrard.’

 She rushed to open the door welcoming him with a hot slap. he didnt even flinch she noted annoyingly.

‘where have you been? Why did you do this to me?’ she was hysterical now

‘Bunmi, please could you give us a minute?’

“I am not leaving you son of a bitch! How dare you just walk in here by this time? How dare you do this to her? What did she do? I am not leaving here, you hear me? ‘ She was standing beside her friend now.

“Naomi, we need to talk alone I beg you. I know everything looks bad but it will all go away in a minute. Please just let me explain.’

‘Explain what Richard? How you have disgraced me on the most important day of my life? Tell me Richie, how you want to get past this now. What could possibly have gone wrong?’ she was shouting on top of her voice.

‘I need us to talk alone, Please…’

‘Anything you have to say, say it now and it better be good’

‘Bunmi, its fine. Please…’

‘Are you sure babes? You don’t look too good…’

‘Am ok. Will call you when I need you.’

‘Ok.’ Bunmi squeeze her friends hand before she leaves.

‘ Say what you have to say then go!’

‘please can we sit down?’

‘Are you daft? Say what you have to say! You have five minutes!’

‘hmmm….Remember that afternoon you called me to ask about my wife? ‘

‘haha! I am the fool of the century! Don’t tell me you brought your sorry self here to tell me that you decided to get back together with her Richard?’ she screamed!

‘Actually, Naomi, you opened my eyes with your question that afternoon. I realized that I hadn't tried to work things out with her before judging our marriage as over and somehow in the past few days I realize that I still love her very much… I am so sorry it came to this…' he was on his knees now.

‘Richard, get out of this place now before I murder you with my bare hands!’ she spoke with a calmness she never thought she could muster at this point. He just confirmed her worst fear.

‘Naomi please…’

She walked over to the door and threw it open.

‘Naomi….’ He walked over to her

‘Save it!’

She watched him go. When she was sure he was nowhere in her range of vision, she fainted!

‘Naomi, Naomi! Can you hear me?’ somebody bring water and be fast!’

Some here in her sub-conscious, she heard her mother fire out instructions. She felt tired  even before she opened her eyes.

‘Mum, I am fine. No need for the water. Just take me home.’

Two months after, she was still nursing a broken heart. News of his reunion with his wife was all over the papers. Sitting on the balcony in her apartment, her mind went back to that day. She suddenly remembered that he wasn't even wearing his wedding tuxedo when he came to break the news to her that fateful wedding day.  All through her the time he spent with her, he never acknowledged his wife as his ex-wife. He still addressed her as his wife and she was so in love she never noticed. She weeped silently curling herself up more in her chair.

 She remembered it just like yesterday. The day when roses seemed redder and Violets seemed more Violet. The day she put her head in the clouds and allowed herself to be swept away by looks charm and a smile. She remembered it very well and she would never forget but she would not allow herself to wallow in misery any longer. She made up her mind then that hence forth the custodian of her Alabaster box would be HIM who she never acknowledged in the first place.

Fin

  

THE ADVOCATE Part 2

Hi guys, just so you don't get confused in the reading journey for 'The Advocate', I might need to explain a few things. Judy is part of the characters in the series. As the series continues, you will see each character and their roles synchronize to eventually produce an interesting reading experience.  Hope you like it! ENJOY!


JUDY

She wakes up with a start. Her alarm clock was ringing and it was annoying. She needed more sleep! It was 5.00 AM in the morning. She groaned and turned on her side continued to sleep not even bothering to put off the alarm clock. After two minutes, she gets out of bed with a lazy groan then she kneels down to pray but not after she had put off her annoying alarm clock.  Her devotional devoured and her routine work out executed, she was ready for work in one hour and thirty minutes.  The bus stop was just a few minutes away from home but if she didn't get there on time, she was sure of a very long line of queue. It was foggy and as usual very cold.

 She walked briskly to the bus-stop hugging herself to keep warm despite her thick tweed jacket. Later on the temperature would drop but for now it was freezing. At the bus stop, people stood in clusters waiting for the 7.00 AM bus to arrive. Today, thankfully the queue wasn't very long. She sighted a woman at the beginning of the line handing out a paper to passengers. When it got to her turn, the woman smiled at her and told her that Jesus loved her and wished her a wonderful day ahead as she handed her the tract. She accepted it and told her thank you.

‘I hardly ever read these’ the man in front of her half turned to inform her in a conspirational whisper.

‘They always end stuffed up in my coat pockets. I feel so guilty when I collect them because I know they would end up as trash later. By the way, I’m Charles’. He stretched out his hand for a hand shake.

‘I’m Judy. Pleased to meet you’ she accepts his handshake. 'well , one day, you’ll get to read them and then the message that you are meant to receive from them would be revealed to you. In the meantime, don’t throw them away, give them to someone else. It might just contain what that person needs at that time’ she replied with a smile.

‘You know, I have never thought of it that way. You sound like one of the ministers at my church.’ He replied with a laugh.

‘Oh well! We have to be minstrels at some point in our lives. The bus should be here by now’ she said glancing quickly at her watch.

‘Yes, it should be. It’s already five minutes till seven. ‘

Just then they see the bus coming from down the streets with it headlights in full blast separating the fog.

‘It’s about time!’ she exclaimed and he nodded in agreement.

All aboard, they were soon on their way to Bath Central. Judy loved to sit by the window every morning on her forty five minutes bus ride to work. She loved to see the world from behind the glass of a metro bus. But today it was foggy, so she settled to listen to some music on her phone and maybe doze off since her stop would be the last one the bus would make.

She couldn't sleep and the music was far from relaxing. Her mind was on different things.

‘Would you mind if I sit beside you? ‘

‘Oh! I didn't see you coming…of course….’ She replied a bit startled.

‘Sorry if I frightened you’ he said noting the look on her face.

‘it’s alright. I am perfectly alright now’ she replied wondering what he wanted. She needed to find a way to sleep for just thirty minutes but obviously, this guy just wanted to talk and she wasn't much interested.

‘Trying to sleep right?’ He asked and she nodded.

‘Let me tell you what I do, whenever I am trying to get that 30 minutes sleep on my way to work, all I just do is imagine one of the favorite place I love to be and then I use it to lull myself to sleep’. He explained

‘Really? ’ She asked. Mentally, she took note of his appearance. He was good looking, well -built and he smelled like something familiar. Something she would like to snuggle up to. She liked him already.

‘Yes, it works, trust me.  I am a nature lover so I imagine myself lying down in a vast green meadow with plenty of sunshine and cool breeze and then I chant in my head words like relax, serenity, peace till I eventually fall asleep.’ he concluded with a mysterious grin on his face.

‘Are you a psycho-therapist? ‘Cos that’s the kind of advice they would give? She asked jokingly more alert now than sleepy. He sounded like an interesting and fun fellow.

‘No. I am not. I just read that somewhere. I am a civil engineer. What do you do?’ he asked , happy that he had her full attention now. He had been meaning to talk to her for a while now but he just didn't know how to go about it. She didn't know it but the first time he saw her. He had just parked his car in front of the coffee shop across from the soup kitchen where she served. She had come out of the shop to see someone off and that was when she caught his attention. She was a sight to behold. She had kind eyes and a very beautiful smile. Since then, He couldn't get her out of his mind. His delight knew no bounds when he saw her at the bus stop one morning waiting to board the same bus he wanted to get on and now, here they were.

‘Well… I am a Human Resource personnel in my company.’ She answered shortly. She wasn't going to give further details than that

‘Interesting... Do you like your job?’

‘Yes... do you like your job?’

‘I enjoy my job and…’ just then the bus came to a stop and they both looked up to the lead screen in front of them displaying the name of the bus stop.

‘This is my stop Judy. It was a pleasure talking to you. Remember to practice what I taught you…do have a pleasant day ahead’ he reminded her on his way out of the bus.

‘Thank you Charles, I will. Have a nice too. Bye.’ She answered smiling.

She watched him disappear in the crowd of people as the bus moved. ‘Interesting fellow’ she wondered.   

Now that the stranger had managed to keep her awake, she had many things on her mind. So she rummaged through her bag for her daily planner. Done setting up her day, she decides to try what the stranger had taught her. She closed her eyes visualizing the sea, calm, beautiful and refreshing. She was sitting on the shores of the beach and she started to chant the word serenity, taking in relaxing breaths till she fell asleep. She woke up to the ringing sound of the conductor’s bell. Obviously, the bus had reached her stop. Groggily, she took the stairs down the bus one at a time. Work was just two blocks away and it was really cold so she walked fast with the throng of people on the street not because she was late but because she needed to wake herself up.

 As she approached the building where she worked, something caught her attention, a familiar figure she knew too well, talking animatedly to the security guard at the entrance. She stopped in her tracks. ‘How did she know where I worked?’ Taking a deep breath, she proceeded to find out what Gwen was doing outside her office building.