“Thank you,” Lara remarked as she handed a cab driver several naira notes.
She inhaled deeply and looked around her.
The gorgeous church was in front of her. She'd presented her case to God. She questioned whether God would ever listen to her again. She last attended church when her father was alive, when she was ten years old...
“Good morning, sir,” she said to a security guard.
“Is the Resident Pastor available?”
“Yes, please inform him that you wish to see him.” Before speaking into a phone, the security guard replied.
“He suggested you should come in,” says the security guard.
“Thank you, sir!” says the speaker. Lara remarked this as she walked down to the basement of the church.
Before knocking, she whispered a silent prayer.
From within, pastor Wilson said, "Come in."
She flexed her knee and said, "Good morning, Pastor Wilson."
“Good morning, sister...
Please have a seat!”
Lara sat in a chair facing him, her handbag clutched in her hands.
“You came to see me?” says the narrator. Pastor Wilson had enquired.
“My name is Omolara Popoola, pastor...” Lara got the ball rolling.
“Omolara Popoola?” says the narrator. “Do you mean Lara, the late Deacon Popoola's daughter?” Pastor Wilson was taken aback and inquired.
“Yes, sir,” I replied. Lara grinned.
“Wow…
How are you doing? “How are you doing?” He appeared to be happy.
“All right, sir...”
“God is awesome!” “Are you married now?” He made a motion toward her wedding band.
“Yes, sir...
That's why I've come...”
“Is there something wrong?” Pastor Wilson realized something was wrong.
Lara broke down in tears as she told him about her problems. His eyes welled up as he listened to her story.
He told her, "It's all right, God is with you."
He gave her some Bible scriptures to read after praying with her and then asked her to fast for one day.
“If you must fast, Sister Lara, your trust in God will determine how you respond.” He informed her.
“I believe in you, Pastor.” He was reassured by Lara.
“Not only from the mouth, but also from the heart...
He reminded her, "And mind you, you must return to your matrimonial home!"
“No…
But…” She smirked.
“You have to go back there!” he exclaimed emphatically.
“All right, thank you...” She didn't appear to be in a good mood.
He waved her off, saying, "Take care Lara, God is with you."
::::::::******::::::
When Lara entered her house, she was worried as she entered the sitting room.
“I assumed you weren't going to return.” Sophia made a sneering remark.
“I'm back!” exclaims the narrator. Before entering her room, Lara said.
She doesn't have time to start arguing with Sophia right now; her fast is about to end.
When she heard a bustle in the sitting room, she was kneeling and wrapping up her prayers. She took an unintentional pause to listen... Sophia was arguing with someone...possibly Tony.
She hurriedly finished her prayer and exited her room on tiptoe.
Her jaw dropped when she saw what she saw.
“You have no right to inquire about the person I'm looking for!” Sophia was shot by Amara, Tony's mother.
“You can't just stroll in like that!” “This isn't your house!” exclaims the narrator. Sophia retaliated.
Amara suddenly became aware of Lara's presence.
“Lara?”
“Welcome ma,” says the narrator. She was greeted by Lara.
“Who is this illiterate woman?” “Do you have a maid?” She made a motion towards Sophia.
“Err...” began Lara.
“Sophia, please meet...err...mother, Tony's and err mm, ma, please meet, Sophia- Tony's err mm...” Lara was stuttering.
“Is that correct?” Amara was ecstatic.
Tony returned from wherever he had gone at that precise moment.
“Mum? “How did you end up here?” He inquired, his suitcase falling on the ground.
“What am I doing here?” says the narrator. Is what I've heard true?
Is it true that you've been abusing Lara? That you even invited your mistress into your matrimonial residence?” Amara let out a shriek.
Tony bowed his head, knowing he was in serious trouble.
“So this is who you've become?” “Is it a dog?” Amara screamed.
“I know what I'm going to do...
I'm dialing your father's number right now!” She made a threat of picking up her phone.
“No... Please don't do that, mother... If you called Dad, I'd be in big trouble... Sophia is boarding a plane right now... I'm going to start over...” Tony pleaded with her by holding her hand.
He came into the guest room, Sophia's suitcase in his arms.
“Sophia, get out of here!” He pushed the befuddled Sophia out the door.
“You, too, go get your suitcase because you're coming with me!” Lara, who had been mute, was informed by Amara.
“But…ma…” Lara's pupils dilated.
“I say go get your suitcase because I can't leave you here with this beast! What if he assassinates you?”
Amara let out a shriek.
“Mum. Please don't remove her.” Tony pleaded his case.
“Try to stop me!” says the narrator. She locked her gaze on him, her brow furrowed.
Lara is out of the house and carrying her suitcase.