Must Read: Saints, Sinners And Stag (18 )

7 years ago

Must Read: Saints, Sinners And Stag (18 )

Pastor Derin Hughes looked at his reflection in the mirror and knew that he looked good. If there was anything he had learnt in his years at Unilag, it was how to package oneself. He was sure that his appearance would convey the aura of a very successful Man of God to the Fellowship he was to speak to in VGC. He hoped that he could make an impression because this could guarantee him entry into the world of the very very rich. It was important to have these big spenders in one’s Fellowship because their tithes alone would make a world of difference in his ministry. He could see Segilola’s reflection in the mirror as she watched him silently.
’S.H how does your husband look baby? he asked as he did a slow 360 for her.
‘You look good as always Derin’ she answered.
‘What’s wrong? You look down’ he asked
‘Yes. I’m worried about us. How are we going to pay this rent? It is due in two month’s time? When will we have children? Will I ever get another job? Why don’t you put you ceevee out and get a regular job. You can have a full time job and still be a Pastor u know?’ she asked in a rush, putting all her worries into words.
‘Shhhh, my love’ I have it all sorted out. See, once God expands this ministry, you will be amazed’ he said
‘Derin, are you sure you know what you are doing? Do you really think you are a Pastor?’ she asked him. This was a question she had asked over and over again.

‘Segiiiii! We’ve gone over this many times! I have warned you about this thing. I WAS CALLED!!!!’ he answered with flashing eyes, showing a glimpse of the crazy Derin he had worked so hard to suppress in the last six months
‘I’m sorry. It just that you were convinced the about the printing business, the party rentals, the writing, the life coach, and now this.’ she said as softly as she could, naming a few of the hare-brained schemes he had wasted their money on. Money that was no longer coming in since she lost her bank job.

‘See, God was preparing me for this my darling and I am still a life coach. Don’t worry baby. I’m sure God’s Hand is in this’ he said, back to his positive mood.
‘Okay’ she said as she went back to sit at the top of the bed, already littered with many jackets and fake designer belts. As usual, he had la!d out the contents of his wardrobe and drawers, just to decide on today’s outfit.
‘I told you I’m fellowshipping with the VGC Women’s Fellowship, didn’t I?’ he asked
‘Yes, you did.’ said Segi
‘Did I tell you that the fellowship would hold at the Roberts’ Residence?’ he asked, as he told his wife the good news
‘The same Chief Roberts?’ asked Segi, intrigued and impressed.

‘The one and the same, my love. If I can convert a few of them to begin to fellowship with us, we might be on our way’ he said, finally giving off the reason for his excitement
‘Deeeerin, did you not say you were called? Is this the kind of thinking you should be havin?’ asked Segi
‘I was called! Will God come down from heaven himself? Look Segi, God has given me the gift of speech, I will use it to his glory and God will bless me for it’ he said, obviously irritated
‘Don’t be angry’ she said as she got up to adjust his necktie. She looked down at him, for he was slightly shorter than she and hugged him tight. For all it was worth, she knew she loved her husband deeply
‘I wish you well today, baby. Go well’ she said
‘Thanks. Don’t worry, the Spirit will visit you, open your eyes and give you discernment’ he said. She chuckled because she still found it hard to identify with her husband when he began his Pastor lingua as she often called it.
‘Okay or Amen’ she responded ‘Don’t worry, I gat your back on this’ she said as she winked at him when she noticed he was about to frown.

‘I know. I just need you to believe’ he grumbled.
‘I do. I will, I shall. Is there anything you need me to cover while you are away?’ she asked
‘Oh yes! Can you go to the office for me? I’m interviewing someone for PA role’ he said
‘PA? Can we afford one now?’ she asked
‘Don’t worry about that’ brushing off her concerns ‘I’ve already spoken with the guy and he sounds like a cool, young man. I just need your intuition on this, you know much I trust your intuition shey?’ he asked
‘Okay. What time should I get there?’ she asked
’11.30 / 12.00 should be fine’ he responded, already rushing out.

Segi peeked at the clock and knew that her husband had rushed out on purpose. It was already 10.30a.m. and she had not yet had her bath. She shook her head for she knew her Derin was the King of short notice.

***************

Segilola got to ‘the office’ at 11.30 on the dot, irritated by the fact that the air conditioner in her car had developed a fault and more annoyed by the sight that she met when she opened the door.

The office was a space they rented from their friend who owned the complex, however, Derin had talked Leye into giving him the space almost rent free, so Leye felt he could come in there and mess it up at will. Considering the fact that they had no cleaners, it was she, Segi, who was always left to clean the mess Leye and Derin constantly created. Today’s mess was very annoying because as usual, it could have been avoided. The guys had left the cracked shell of boiled groundnuts everywhere – from the desk to the floor.

Segi knew there was no need to complain as she quickly tidied up and went to throw the mess out at the back of the complex. When she came back, she met the door slightly ajar and wondered if anyone had been there for she was certain she had shut it. She did not bother for a long time as she had to work on updating CV, she could not continue to live like this. Let Derin go ahead and do what he liked, she needed a real source of income.
‘Hallo’ said a male voice.

She startled and looked up to see a young man peeking into the office. She had not heard him walk down the corridor. This man looked familiar although she was certain she had never met him before as she was exceptional with remembering faces. He was tall with a strong athletic build, he wore a cream coloured polo t-shirt, tucked into a pair of dark navy blue jeans, his outfit did a good job of emphasising his well sculpted body.

‘Hi. How may I help you?’ she asked
‘Uh, I’m here to see Mrs Hughes…’ he said, sounding unsure
‘Oh, I’ve been expecting you’ she responded
‘Sorry, are you Mrs. Hughes?’ he asked
‘Yes. Come in, sit down’ she responded
‘Ah, okay ma’ there was a perceptible change in the way he addressed her and Segi smiled because this happened all the time.

She watched as he came in with a grace that most people with his height and body frame did not possess. She looked at him and knew that in anther time and another place, this would have been her kind of guy.

She set out to put him at ease as she asked ‘Are you surprised that I am the Mrs Hughes?’
‘I must say I am’ he answered honestly ‘I had expected someone older’ he said
‘Dn’t worry, I get that all the time. I often tease my husband that Hughes is such an old name. Most people expect to meet a quaint old woman instead of me. Well, I’m Segilola Hughes and you are?’ she asked with a smile
‘My name is Keppy Ekanem’ he responded, with a corresponding smile of his.

As soon as she heard his name, the smile died on her lips. She knew where she had seen this guy! She now knew. But, wait was it possible, that someone she had never seen, who often appeared in her dreams could come to her in real life? Her mind quickly went to yesterday night’s dreams, she could feel a tingling right now, between her leg.

Could this be what Derin meant by saying he had been called? Had he too seen something in his dreams that had manifested into real life? Had she, Segilola, called Keppy to be, had she received the gift of discernment or had the Spirits finally visited her? More importantly, should she hire him as her husband’s PA? Wouldn’t it be too close for comfort? Segi was confounded and speechless…