*The Pastor’s Wife*
(Episode 1)
That morning, my husband David c@m£ to pick me at the airport. He was dry faced and tensed, very unusual.
Other times, David would be so excited to come pick me, he would k!ssme and hvg me pas-sionately, but now, everything bec@m£ different.
“You kept me waiting for hours in there.”
I said, gazing angrily at him.
“Don’t tell me it’s traffic honey, today is Saturday.”
“I am sorry, I had to pick the kids from summer lessons, and then rush to church to counsel a few couples.”He said soothingly.
“you now prepare the kids for school, What happened to Ifeoma? she is the kids nanny.”
“And you are the Kids mom!” He Screamed suddenly.
“you’ve been away from your family for 5months Ekom, the kids don’t even talk about you anymore.” David deliberately slowed his breathing in a bid to calm himself down.
I was silent for a while.
myl-ips quivered, but David ignored that he saw tears glistening in my eyes.
Catching his eyes as he tried to look at me, I s-en-sed a shiver of unease go throu-gh him.
He was right, I was away from my family for four months or more, I had women’s conference and hundreds of women to mentor in Houston. It was a moment I didn’t want to miss.
Then I broke the silence; “what of Ifeoma?”
David looked uncertain. “she fell ill, so I asked her to go see Doctor Dennis.”
We were both quiet until we got home.
I sat on my be-d now, I sli-pped off my sli-ppers and sank my feet into rug and decided to keep them sunk in so that my toes would feel cushioned. So that a p@rt of me would feel safe.
“mummy!” my daughter screamed, breathing de-eply.
She smuggled into my arms and I gr@bb£d her ti-ght to myself.
“where is your sister?” I whispered into her ears.
“she is slee-ping.”
Not long I heard tiny foots running along the corridor that led to my room. “mummy, mummy…” She jumped on me and k!$$£d me on my cheeks, leaving me in the sweet comfort of motherhood.
They looked so healthy and chubby.
“what has aunty Ifeoma and Daddy been feeding you with?”
“Golden morn and banana porridge!” they chorused shrilly.
“Mummy, Church people said that you are no longer daddy’s wife.” My first daughter Teye said, her eyes bec@m£ sad. de-ep and sad.
“Aunty Ifeoma Now sleeps in daddy’s room.” Mfon the youngest said.
My heart jumped, I knew at that moment, that there were stories In their eyes that I was yet to know.
Episode 2
I was still devastated with the thoughts of Ifeoma and my husband David. After I watched the kids sleep, I strolled into the kitchen to make myself a cu-p of tea.
Just after I poured the milk in a mug, I felt someone was in the kitchen too. I looked back, quic-kly surprised.
“Welcome madam.” She said, almost stuttering.
I slowly poured the h0t water from the flask into the mug, stirred it a bit and sipped.
Then I noticed a protruded stomach, she had tried to cover it with her handbag.
“Are you pregnant Ifeoma? you look it.” I asked in a soft tone.
Her expression was in earnest. “Yes madam, didn’t pastor tell you? I am pregnant for him, we are expecting a child.”
Her voice had a tremor in it, even though her face was bold and firm.
Her words were like the score of a sharpened blade across my heart. I s-en-sed the wound gape open even before she’d finished speaking.
“You were slee-ping with my husband while I was away?”
“I am sorry madam, I think pastor is in the best place to answer that question. it was an agreement.”
She said calmly and walked out of the kitchen, ma-king a fl@ppy sound with her shoes.
I stood there for moments like a mannequin, the tea cu-p in my hands, and then my eyes right at the door.
The sound of my ringing tone, brou-ght me back from the shock I had.
“Hello Ekom?”
“Yes Lizzy.” I responded with a sigh of relieve.
“Thank God I have been able to reach you, I have been dialing your American lines but not going throu-gh.” she sounded a bit terrified.
“well, I am back in Nigeria now. I c@m£ in this morning. Is everything fine?”
“Not at all, pastor brou-ght your girl for maternity scan at my clinic last weekend. What’s that her name again?”
“Ifeoma?”
“Iyaaa, Ifeoma. I was shocked to see her all over him like they were lovers. What is happening?”
Tears rolled down my eyes as Lizzy went on talking about things that went on while I was away. Something flared de-ep in my eyes, but myl-ips remained sealed.
I was stricken silent, but the thud of my heartbeat sounded like cannon fire in my ears.
Episode 3
I wanted to talk to David. When I knew he was home I decided to go to our be-droom.
“May I come in?” My expression inscrutable, I walked into the room when I noticed that someone was having a bath, without waiting for a reply.
Then I saw David on the be-d, he was almost half n-ked, p@rtly covered with the duvet.
He stared at me, slightly muzzy headed after being woken abruptly.
“We have to talk.” I said, almost whispering.
“I know.” he said.
“Who is in the bathroom?”
“oh, it’s Ifeoma.”
“Ifeoma now uses our bathroom?” I looked at David and suddenly wished the look in his eyes meant guilt and shame.
“Yes. She is having my baby.”
“I am aware David. But why have you taken yourself so down?”
“I am a human being Ekom!” He said huskily, raising his voice.
“So I am what? Am I not a human being too? I went to America with the church’s name, with the family name. I went there to make a name for us! To get Hills of grace ministries a br@nch in Houston takes so many churches years, but I used my charisma, and did that in few months…..”
“What I mean is…..” He faltered. But my heart was going wild.
“let me finish!” I screamed!
Just after a pause, Ifeoma c@m£ out of the bathroom, she had my towel tied around her.
“Who gave you my towel?” I asked meanly.
“I did.” David replied.
“Ifeoma, why were you slee-ping with my husband while I was away? You were paid to take care of the kids, and clean the house.” The look I gave, and my voice tone practically froze the blood in her veins.
I walked steps by steps towards her, dragged the towel off her b©dy, leaving her n-ked.
“Aunty plea-se….” she whimpered.
“Did you remember all the good things I did for you and your family while you were having S-x with my husband! did you?” I held her n£¢k f0rç£fully while David ran and held me backward.
They both s-en-sed the tension in the room and ran out.
Slowly I let out the breath I was holding.
leaning back on the luxurious upholstery, I let a smile steal myl-ips like the sun peeping from behind the cloud. God was watching, and I nee-ded to talk to him.
.
Episode 4
My mother inlaw visited.
I didn’t know why she c@m£ home that evening, but I had a feeling David might have told her that I was back from America.
After my father inlaw died some years ago, she took over the twelve br@nches of Hills of grace ministries. She accused every pastor In each br@nch for killing her husband, and arrested everyone of them.
Hills of grace ministry used to be Church of Jesus ministries, but she and her only son David (my husband) had the church changed with new pastors and members.
Georgina being a boss lady wanted everything to be done in her own way at all times.
The church members referred to her as the queen mother. She was bossy, overruling, and very authoritative.
“I heard you were back Ekom.” Her voice sounded slightly rou-gh as though some unexpected emotions had p@rtially locked her throat.
“Yes mom.” I replied softly.
“I c@m£ here for a lot of reasons. Number one; the congregation of Hills ministries is tired of you. I am tired of you, my son is tired of you!” She said meanly in British accent.
“My husband never said that.”
“Does he nee-d to say it? I am telling my son’s mind. He has been married to you for 12 years without a child of your own! we do not nee-d adopted strange kids to come inherit my late husband’s sweat! He nee-ds children, I nee-d grandchildren. My son is not Abr@ham in the bible! He is David Okoye, he is my son. not the son of Terah!”
Her stern Visage ha-rd ly invited my confidence, but I was used to that.
“Those kids are my adopted kids, those girls you see? my husband and i agreed to adopt them together. they are our children. ”
“Go born yours! it’s either you gave birth to them or you didn’t! you are barren!
leave Ifeoma to have my grand child in this house, in peace! After that I will join them together in holy matrimony after she has put to birth.”
My heartbeat slowed inside my che-st. As I turned to David who was momentarily stuck dumb.
“I am still married to my husband. we married in church. He is a man of God.”
“David in the bible was a man of God, Solomon was a man of God. All these men were married to countless women. A man is entitled to as many wives as he wants. If you don’t agree, you can sign this.” She handed a paper to me, I knew what it was. But I didn’t t©uçh it, I didn’t get it from her.
“I won’t sign for a divorce!” I said angrily as tears moistened my eyes.
“When you’re tired Ekom, you will sign and leave my son’s life!”
“it’s okay mom.” David said soothingly.
“She is my wife. She has the right to counter this. I know what I want. the church shouldn’t hear about this yet .” he said and stood to walk away.
Georgina flew from her seat and started to shout, her voice was unsteady.
“You know nothing! I warned you against marrying a Calaber woman, but you didn’t listen. you must do as I say! marry ifeoma and let go of this demon!”
“Don’t talk to Ekom that way mom, she is still my wife!” David screamed!
The kids ran and hvgged me so ti-ght, they were so scared.
It was after Georgina left that I felt chilled by fear. it was the worse moment of my life.
That night I prayed that God should change things around for my good. That night, David c@m£ to my be-d, while the kids were asleep.
Episode 5
He sneaked into the children’s be-droom while I was about to pray. The imagery of how he sneaked into Ifeoma’s room was now clear, but it didn’t hurt me anymore.
“Baby…..plea-se can I see you?” He said as his voice trailed off.
I stood up gently and followed him to the sitting room. I found myself holding my breath, I folded my hands in my l@p and waited.
“i have missed you, despite all of these. I am sorry for the way mom talked to you, she is only acting of concern for me. I am her only child.”
“So you are going to marry Ifeoma after she puts to birth?” I asked in a low tone. There were sadness in my eyes.
He pu-ll-ed me close and began to k!ssme softly.
“I feel like we are doing this for the very first time.” I admitted softly. My voice a broken whisper as I gave him my whole b©dy.
Now my lim-bs entwined with his, it was a joy unparalleled to have the freedom to slide my hands down that strong, lean back with its taut, well developed muscles and silky skin, to feel the amazing well defined mouth of his l!ptaste. It looked as if I was the husband snatcher, sneaking to make love to my madam’s husband in her comfort zone.
k!ss!ngmy tears away, David drove ha-rd into my b©dy and finally fell against me, his breathing harsh and his forehead lightly sheened with sweat. As the £r0ticscents from our skin mingled, it was time to go to back to reality.
I was reminded again that my home was in a mess.
“Goodnight.” David whispered and left me in the warmness of the sitting room.
***
The next morning which was Sunday, the morning winds were swift. It began to drizzle. David and Ifeoma had left quite early. I drove the kids quietly to church that Morning.
“Mummy, is Aunty Ifeoma going to be our new mummy?” my youngest daughter Mfon asked girlishly.
“No darling. Jesus won’t let it happen. Whatever you don’t want in your life, ask Jesus to take it away .”
“mummy, will Jesus take Aunty Ifeoma away from our house?” Teye asked.
“Yes Baby, Jesus will.” We were all basked in the feeling of calmness that over took us.
After I dropped the kids at the children’s church, I stepped into the church auditorium. Everything changed, including my seat which was right beside my husband’s seat on the podium. My heart trembled, as I saw Ifeoma rightly seated on my space.
My legs began to shake in between with the choir’s ministration.
I shook my head like a crazy woman, my bo-ttoml!pquivering, I was trying not to cry anymore.
It was obvious that I was about to push off Ifeoma from my seat, and give her the beatings of her life. But the ushers held me.
“maama calm down.” they whispered in chorus.
My distress was genuine and heartfelt.
Episode 6
The cool air felt heavy against my ba-re arms, as if they were holding onto raindrops that were reluctant to fall. It was a cold Sunday evening, I sat comfortably un-der the comfort of my children’s duvet, while I watched them sleep. Then I heard familiar voices in the sitting room. David and Ifeoma were back from church.
“Don’t worry, she won’t do anything to you. Take off your jacket, let’s go inside.”
David Instructed, serious faced as they entered the sitting room. Ifeoma sat quietly on the couch. Her heart skipped a bit when she saw me appear in the sitting room, immediately she s-en-sed my watchful eyes, she bec@m£ bold and confident.
“You should let me be plea-se madam Ekom. it is not my fault that pastor wants me.” she said in a shaky tone.
“Get prepared for where God will be taking you to Ifeoma. Very soon, you will be so ashamed of yourself, God has revealed to me how such a day will be.”
“And I hope he also revealed to you that I have finally agreed to divorce you Ekom. You and your adopted kids should start packing.” David said, he didn’t look directly at my face.
I flew on the center table firmly and sl@pped him twice on the Face.
” You and your Adulterous lover will leave this house of my sweat for me and my Children. I toiled with you! prayed that we grow together. I carried the sands of this house on my head, which led to my first and last miscarriage!
go to hell with your divorce paper, I am God’s own woman, I detest divorce. I will be patient. Go to hell with your church! with your lover! shame on you two! ” I snapped at them, I was throwing curses at them. Tears rolled down my cheeks, I made choking sounds as I walked angrily into the Room. A film of sweat coated my entire b©dy like a second skin.
The silence was broken only by the whir of the ceiling fan as it sliced throu-gh the still air.
David sat down and slowly lowered his head into his hands.
****
“Ekom, unbelievable. You mean David said these words to you?”
Pastor Felix asked. He has been David’s childhood friend since the days of theological school. He founded a big church and had a large congregation too. Pastor Felix was a mature looking man, who had grey hairs and wore round spectacles at all times. He was a learned man of God who was highly respected. He was also the president of Pastors Forum.
“How can a church as big as Hills ministries condone such sinful act from their pastor? I am so disappointed to hear this. What did Lady Georgina say about this?” He asked in a baritone voice.
My eyes were heavy, and I was trying so ha-rd to control tears from running out again.
“it’s okay Ekom. I am really sorry. I nee-d you to pray seriously now. You are a strong woman.” he said as he patted my back softly.
“I am holding a pastor’s meeting for this reason by tomorrow.” He said authoritatively.
My nerves bit with frustration and tension. I was so ashamed that my marriage was going to be discussed the next day at pastor’s forum
Episode 7
Abigail stared at me right in the face, as I narrated all that has been happening to me.
She is my immediate younger Sister, who is a stunt feminist and very independent.
“Sis, Why did you tell him that you will be patient? you should have granted the divorce and become free.” Abigail clucked and sighed loudly.
“I am people’s mentor and role model. A lot of young women in the church look up to me. I have to live a life worth emulating. what will people say if I get divorce and still stand on the church podium to preach marriage and love?” I asked looking at her like I demanded a pity.
“This is what you women always say. last week in Ibadan, a lady called Modupe was brutally beaten by her husband, she died.” Her voice got a bit emotional as she continued.
“she didn’t tell anyone of what she was going throu-gh. She thought things were going to change. she thought that one day Jesus was gonna come down and rescue her, or st©p her husband from beating her. ”
“David has never beaten me.” I cut in.
“what difference does it make? it’s same story. Instead of filing for a divorce you think he is going to leave that girl and come back to you, while he is still un-der the manipulations of that witch called his mother! give me one reason why you think things will change positively?”
“because I have a God who is bigger than all my problems. He will sort this out. I don’t know how he is gonna do it, but he will.”
“For how long? Don’t forget that you are my only sister. Since mama and papa died, I haven’t recovered. plea-se walk away sis. I don’t want to lose you.”
For just a moment, I saw such an unfettered emotions in my sister’s eyes, she was almost at the verge of tears and then immediately gets back to herself when she heard the kids scream her name.
“Aunty Abigail!” The both of them jumped on her like puppies as she pegged them on their foreheads excitedly.
“Aunty Abigail, mommy and daddy are fighting.” Mfon said shrilly.
“Daddy has a new mummy. and Grandma said we are adopted children.” Teye said Innocently.
Perhaps it was then that I began to feel submerged in hazy nostalgia. A feeling that never left me.
“Aunty Abigail, what is adoption?”
“Adoption means to be given birth to my darling. ” Abigail replied in a shaky tone. Her countenance changed as she cu-mddled the kids gradually.
Moments later, David stormed the house with few of the choir boys and young pastors in church, none of them greeted my sister nor I.
We watched them re-move boxes and shoes from the be-droom, while David held Ifeoma’s luggage in his arms like a baby.
My che-st grew ti-ght with trepidation.
Episode 8
I remembered our vows,
I remembered the way he held my hands and said to me that ours will be for better for worse.
I remembered the way he preached, the way he talked about God, the way I stood and nodded in support of my husband.
I remembered the last time we made love.
I remembered his cold dark eyes, how he glanced at me, and k!$$£d me so pas-sionately.
For twelve years, I loved him wholeheartedly, prayed with him, and prayed for him.
I remembered my sweat, the evangelism, how I convinced people to join the church so we could make a large congregation.
These thoughts made a shiver run down my spine. I bec@m£ sick instantly, as Abigail, the kids and I watched him break our wedding frame. He ordered the boys to burn them into ashes.
“David you are a bastard! man of God my foot! years back, you almost died when my sister refused to marry you. Now look, the devil has knocked your head again!” Abigail screamed.
But David acted like non of us existed. His eyes were ha-rd ened. The cool breeze that k!$$£d my soft skin brou-ght me back to reality.
“My lawyer is going to bring p@rt of the money in our family account to you. I am no more interested in this marriage.” David said huskily as he tried to wipe the sweat on his forehead, he said these words so lightly like it meant nothing.
“You will regret this! you will suffer! my God will punish you!” Abigail’s comment instigated a train of thought that instantly perturbe-d him.
“I am a man of God.” he retorted.
“You are a man of doom! Your greedy mother made you a pastor so that her husband’s ministry won’t be controlled by strangers. You should have been a Monkey!” Abigail’s voice raised, as the kids laughed in unison.
He stared sternly at me and the kids for another ten seconds, sighed and walked away.
“Mummy, where is Daddy going?”
“To hell! he won’t ever come back. ” Abigail replied with a frowned face.
“Where is hell aunty Abigail?” Teye asked.
But Abigail didn’t respond. She walked gently and sat right beside me. cudd-ling me like a baby.
“all will be well adiaha eka.” she said, almost whispering.
***
Five months pas-sed, and all I did was fast and pray that God turns things around for my good.
Bitter res£ntment crawled inside of me, ma-king my anger boil as it seemed as if God wasn’t listening.
The next day was a program in church organized by International pastors wives the themed was tagged “when women pray.”
“You should go mummy. I will take care of Teye” my first daughter Said as if she was a grown woman alre-ady.
I tickled her armpit in a funny way and she laughed, a hearty girlish laugh that showed her gap tooth.
“Mummy do me too.” Teye said, lifting her two small hands up.
I stared at the two of them excitedly in amazement.
To be continued..