Mended Wings episode 5 – 6
Mended Wings
Episode 5
Ella stood from the sofa as the knock on the door became
louder. Not now, when she was enjoying her time alone watching her favourite program, would she expect anyone to intrude. Couldn’t people stay in their own homes on weekends? she thought.
“Who is it?” she said with a frown. It had better not be Mama
Dee, her aunt’s friend, who frequented the house as though hers were flooded, or she would get a bit of her…
“It’s me, Kunle,” the man at the door said, interrupting her
thought.
“Uh.” She gave a soft sigh and rolled her eyes. “I’m on my way.” She opened the door and stood behind it, glowering.
Kunle Adedoyin entered, a broad smile livening his oblong face.
“Hello, Princess.”
“Good afternoon. You didn’t tell me you’ll be here,” she said,
holding the door open as though expecting him to change his mind and leave.
“I’m sorry about that, dear. I was in the neighbourhood and I
decided to check on you. Besides, it’s been a while we spent time together.”
“But you could have informed me still. I could be out of the
house, you know.”
“Well, thank God you’re in.”
She shut the door and walked to the living room. “That doesn’t
mean you’re welcome,” she muttered.
“You said what?”
“Never mind. Please have your seat.” She pointed her hand to the chair opposite hers.
“Thank you.” He sat in the chair. “How’re you?”
“I’m fine.”
“What’s happening? It’s been a while. You seldom pick my calls,
and when you do, you’re always eager to end the call. What have I done wrong?”
She shot him a piercing stare. Her eyes captured it all—the illironed grey suit he wore with a pair of black shoes thirsting for polish,
the boil on his eyelid, which exaggerated the size of his eye, and the scar on his forehead like lightening on a cold night. Irritation welled up her
throat. “I’ve been very busy at work. The little time I have off work, I give to church and my bed. You know how hectic my work is, don’t you?”
“I know. It’s just that I feel something is wrong. We haven’t been communicating as we used to.”
“I said nothing is wrong. The time is just not enough.”
“Hmm. Okay.” He nodded. “I’ve been thinking and praying. I
think it’s high time we solemnized our relationsh¡p before God and men. It’s been over a year we started courting. We aren’t getting any
younger. And I strongly believe God wants us to take the bold step and marry. When we’re together, we’ll be able to manage our time better.”
He looked at Ella, who was staring blankly into space. “Treasure, you’re Elizabeth: the beauty with which God has complemented me. You’re the special gift of God to me. And I intend to treasure you all my days and to love you as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her. Let’s get
married.”
All his statements sounded like woe story in her ears. “Thank you.
I understand your point but I’m not ready to take that step. I’ve not heard God concerning that.”
“Treasure! But you heard God before the courtsh¡p. He hasn’t
changed His mind about us.”
“You’re not God to determine that. It’s true that He gave a goahead before we started seeing each other, but that was for courtsh¡p.”
“He has told me you’re the right person for my life. I’ve prayed
about marriage and I have peace in my heart. I believe it’s time.”
“I need to pray about it also. At least, I’m also a party in this relationsh¡p. If God told you it’s time, He’ll tell me too.”
“Alright. I don’t mean to pressurize you. Take time and pray about it. When should I be expecting a response?”
“I don’t know. I’ll let you know when I hear anything. Until then, please give me some space. I don’t want anything clouding my vision.”
“Space as in?”
“As in you should stop calling and reaching me incessantly until I receive an answer from heaven. I don’t want to hear from my thoughts or feelings.”
“But it’s not as if we’re just starting a relationsh¡p, why should it be that serious? We were prayed into this courtsh¡p in the first place, so why do you need to…”
To pray?” she interrupted and shook her head. “Courtsh¡p is not marriage. Marriage is a covenant. If I say I want to confirm what I heard
before, should it be a crime?”
“No. You’re getting me wrong. I’m just saying we don’t need to
cut communication just because you want to pray about an issue. I don’t even know how many days that will take.”
“As many months as I need, I’ll take. And I expect you to display understanding by not calling or tailing me around.”
He sighed. He knew something wasn’t right. Not that Ella had
been excited about him from the start, but she had been getting along very well after a few months of cold treatment. His thought had always been that she’d change for better as time went by and she had, until
lately that the tide turned against him. He fell on his knees and clasped his hands.
“Treasure, please, forgive me if I’ve wronged you in any way. I’ll desist from doing anything that will annoy you. Just forgive me this one time.” His eyes searched hers.
“Please sit. You’ve done nothing wrong. I only need some time to
pray and put my thoughts together. Marriage is a journey of a lifetime, no break, no divorce. I must have a strong word from God before
entering.”
He rose up reluctantly. “I love you very much, Ella. I want you to keep that in mind. Go and pray about it. I’m confident you’ll get a go ahead.”
“Well, let’s hope so.”
“So, what’s on your mind?”
Nothing, I just need to rest. I’ve been up since very early this morning.”
“Please try to rest more. May God continue to…”
The door handle turned and the creaking sound interrupted him.
Mrs Evelyn Olawoye entered the house, her husband, and her two
children following closely behind.
“Hello,” Evelyn said, smiling, as she walked into the living room.
“Good afternoon, ma. You’re welcome, sir,” Kunle said, having risen to his feet.
“You’re welcome. Tim, come and hug me,” Ella said and smiled.
Tim, the younger of her aunt’s children rushed toward her. He was her favourite. She carried him in her arms and k-ssed his forehead, tickling
him thereafter.
“Kunle, I’m glad to see you. It’s been so long since you came here.
I hope you’re fine.”
Kunle nodded. “Yes ma, I am. I…”
Ella shot him a pregnant glance. And he immediately understood
what she meant.
“Uh, I’ve been busy,” he said.
“I see,” Evelyn said.
“I hope you’ve entertained your guest,” Mr Olawoye said, as he
left for his room.
Ella smiled. “He was just leaving before you came in. It’s been a while he came.”
Really. Thank God, we arrived on time. I’d have missed you.
Thanks for visiting. I appreciate and do want to see you more often,”
Evelyn said.
“Alright, I’ll try my best. Thanks for your hospitality.”
Ella sat Tim on the chair and faced Kunle. “Let me walk you to
the door.”
“Okay, thanks.”
She walked him to the door, said her goodbye, and shut the door.
Mended wings
Episode 6
Oceania Eatery was posh. It was the type that warded off the
poor by its mere appearance. The reception had people seated in groupsof two and more, here and there. And many came in, placed orders, got their requests, paid, and left. Joel and Ella sat on the left side facing eachother.
Joel dabbed his l-ips with a serviette and smiled. “Look at you. Do you think the widow wasn’t wise to have obeyed Elijah and made him a meal from her last? She trusted in divinity. An average person of today asks how offering is spent. Definitely, one could have asked Elijah why he must be the first one to eat,” he said.
“You’re right. Another person could have insisted on eating the quantity left and dying thereafter or could have told the prophet to multiply the flour before she made his meal. People believe more in what they see now, even the so-called Christians,” Ella said.“You can’t be less right. What a paradigm shift.”
Ella drank from her cup. “We’ve been talking scripture since we
came and I’ve enjoyed every bit of it. I never could have thought it was possible to do Bible study in a place like this. Thanks for sharing your time with me. A beautiful time, it has been. Thank you.”
“You made it beautiful, dear. Something like this is common in the UK. We used to go on a date like this often, even with total strangers,and teach the word over meals. Glory to God. Many souls have been won.”
“Hallelujah. You’re doing well, sir. I can’t pray less of more grace upon you.” She smiled and supported her chin with her hands, her elbow resting on the table. “What do you do when you’re not teaching the word or ministering in songs? Do you have something else in Nigeria?” He smiled and glanced at the half-eaten pie on his plate. “I’ve told you earlier that my parents are based in Nigeria. They have a business and my siblings and I are on the payroll. The church supports with a definite stipend monthly. And I also have a business here in Lagos, which someone is managing for me. When I’m not doing the kingdom work, I dash into my business and sometimes I check on the family business. Before I travelled to the UK, I was fully involved in my parents’ business, although I served God as well. But since I came back, I’ve been busy, speaking engagement here and there, ministrations unending. But it’s good. I’m doing all for a bedazzled crown in heaven.”
He burst into laughter and she joined.
“I’m happy for you. I’m sure you’d be in God’s gold list, if there were something like that.”He smiled. “Meaning?”
“Never mind.”
“Okay.”
“But you could have stayed in the UK. Why come home?”
“I need to settle, get married and raise kids, and so on. I prayed about it and I heard Nigeria. That was when I made up my mind to return to Nigeria. I discussed my plan with the senior pastor. And my church in the United Kingdom gave me a transfer to the parish here.”“Hmm. That’s good. So, what are you doing about your plan, which brought you here?”
“I’ve been praying about it but I’m yet to get a name.”
Ella smiled. Her eyes betrayed her and disclosed her joy about his confession. “Well, praying is important, especially for someone like you.
You need a woman who is like-minded and spiritually sound, who will support your ministry in every way possible. Not the one who will become a future burden like many ladies we have around now.”He laughed and searched her eyes. “You’re not a part of them, are you?”
“God forbid. That’s why I’ve also been taking my time to pray for the right partner. I don’t want any man bringing me down either. I want someone who will charge me, who will be the pastor, priest, prophet,and head of my home. A man we can grow together. The Bible says iron
sharpens iron. You know, someone souled out to Christ that I will submit to and love for the rest of my days.”
He watched her with heightened interest as she spoke and
gesticulated with her hands.
“That’s a good goal. But beautiful women like you have a flock of men swarming around them. If care is not taken, it might be…”“That is why I’m not letting down my guard. Holiness is priority. I won’t give in to any man until he’s endorsed by the heavens. Why do you think I’m not already married?” She interrupted. I’ve not thought about it actually. But I think I have an idea from all you’ve said. You’re waiting for the right man.”
“Exactly.”
“You don’t look that old to me, anyway, although physical
appearance could be deceptive.”
She smiled. “I’m not old. I was twenty-seven on the 10th of July.”
“Really. You look even younger than that. Your beauty is fresh
and unique.”
“Thank you,” she said and giggled.
“You’re welcome.” He glanced at his wristwatch. “Oh! I have to
go now. I have a meeting with the choir this evening.”
“Alright. Thanks for everything.”
“All thanks to God. Would you allow me drop you home since
you didn’t bring your car?”
She laughed. “Of course. A beggar has no choice.”
“You’re not a beggar, my dear. You’re a god with small g. That’s how The Bible describes you. Never talk less of yourself.”
“Hmm. Thank you.” She smiled. Every of his word was pleasant in her ears. How could he speak so well? She discarded her thought, rose up, and followed him to his car.