The Candle In The Wind – episode 12

The Candle In The Wind

Episode 12

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The gate opened and mummy pastor moved to the window to peep.

“Its him” she said and turned back to the bed.

She picked the divorce form, put it in,side a large brown envelope and moved to the door.

“Mummy, please don’t do this to us. Please” I cried out loud and she looked back at me.

“Just watch! Shush your mouth! ” She exclaimed and I became mum, still crying.

She opened the door and we followed, tiptoeing.

As she desended down the stairs, we hid behind the balcony and watched from up the stairs.

“Dearie, what was that call about? Exactly what?” He asked as he dropped his briefcase.

Mummy pointed the brown envelope into his face.

“Exactly this” she said.

Pastor collected it, checked and went down on his knees.

“Don’t do this to my ministry please. Please don’t!” He raised his hands towards her and she pushed them away.

“That’s it! The real you! You are very selfish! As selfish as anything! His ministry first. His wife could die for all he cared but his ministry shouldn’t” she was almost scre-ming

“But would you love the ministry to die? Why are you talking like this? Why?”

“Your ministry was long dead dearie!” Mummy shouted loudly

“What!” He exclaimed loudly too, charging at her defensively.

“You want to beat me? Please talk to me Kelvin! You really wanted to?” She asked in a shaky voice.

“God forbids that I do that. I can never lay my hands on you. I can never beat you”

“Is this the first time you would beat me? You have beaten me on several occasions hon. You have” her voice shook

“You’re talking strangely. First, you said my ministry had long failed. Then, you said I had beaten you. What is it?”

“Your ministry failed when your marriage failed Kelvin! You ministry failed when Gem and Ruby started smoking, drinking and clubbing. Your ministry failed when Rose, your only daughter started delving into pr-stitution as if it was her profession. Your ministry had long long failed Kelvin!”

She started crying as Pastor stood up from his kneeling posture.

“What are you saying?” He said again as he sat down.

“You have beaten me several times. You beat me when you moved out of this house and rented another apartment outside.”

“That was to give you privacy”

“What stupid privacy is that? I ask again. Talk! What stupid privacy is needed between a husband and a wife? What?”

Pastor looked shocked

“Did you just say stupid? Did you just say so?” He asked

“Yes I did… Because I am mad! I did because I no longer use my brain. You sent all children abroad against my wish.wasn’t that a huge slap?”

“I only wanted the best for them”

“And who says the best is only abroad? Since we didn’t agree and you just took laws into your hands, treating my opinion as trash, it was a slap”

“I will change dear. Just tear this form. Tear it. God hates divorce!”

“Yes he does! But the separation for how many years now would be called what? When last did we meet as husband and wife? When last did you say you love me? When? Exactly when?”

Pastor’s head was bowed low.

“You’re simply a wicked, insensitive pretentious, bad hypocrite!” She exclaimed again.

“I have been a good wife to you. I had obeyed and submitted to you all day long. What have I gotten in return? Heartache, hate, bitterness, sickness and death!”

She fell on the cushion and cried to stupor!

Pastor knelt beside her and they both wept.

“Dear, I didn’t know you were hurting. I felt that I was the only one that felt that our marriage was in shambles. I knew something was wrong but I couldn’t place it” he cried.

“You tried prayers too?” She asked defiantly.

“Yes I did but I gave up when it seemed like I was failing and all seemed worst. I will change dear. Give me another chance” he cried.

“Sign the paper” she cried on

“Dear, no! I still love you” the pastor said.

She held his shoulders and shook him.

“Sign it!” Her voice rose the more.

“No love! I will make it work again! I will rock you in my arms like a baby and carry you upstairs when you fall asleep. I will go back to the way we started before. I will sing for you, bring back our children, we will have a very large and lasting reunion. Just trust me again dear. Please”

“Empty promises!” She exclaimed.

He shook his head vigorously.

“Not empty this time around. I am serious. Ok, any goal without a deadline is as good as dead. Give me a week. All would be new again” he said, going on his knees again.

“And I wouldn’t be dead by then? She asked

“Dead? God forbid!” He exclaimed hurriedly

“Put it in writing” she said

“That?…” He asked looking at her intently

“All these promises you have made. Write them down because after a week, it would be all over if there is still no change”

He unzipped his bag, picked a paper and a pen and scribbled something down. He gave it to her.

She nodded affirmatively

“Sign here” she said again and he obliged.

“All because of your ministry shae?” She asked again and he shook his head.

“Not totally… Because of both my family and our ministry” he said, standing up and straightening up.

“Where are you going to?” She asked, looking up at her

“To pack my load from that house. I am coming back home” he said, moving to the door.

Mummy pastor smiled.

He looked back at her.

“Would you love to go with me?” He asked and mummy smiled

“To prove to me that my husband has changed?”

“Wifey, I promise to be a better man, husband and father. I really do mean it” he said and as he looked at her, he picked up the divorce paper and tore it to pieces.

“We wouldn’t be needing this.” He said and I said a bug amen! in my mind.

I loved the style everything took.

It was cool!

As pastor pulled her close to himself, his arm round her neck, mummy looked back at us and smiled.

Then, I saw the tears!

Oh my God!

What expression was that?

Sadness?

Happiness?

What was running through her mind?

That it was too late to mend?

Was she going to die now that we can see silver lining overshadowing the dark clouds?

God please intervene again!

Nothing is impossible for you!

And thanks for this sudden turnaround.

I was happy.

I stood up from the stooping position from which I had watched the drama from upstairs and I met Tony’s open smile.

I felt butterflies in my belly.

The space between us was narrow and I inhaled his scenting shaving cream.

I took a closer look at the face of the man of my dreams- all the contours and all.

From his full eyebrows, to his very white eyeballs, the fleshy nose… I could see the nostrils… His l-ips.. Oh my!

“Hmmmm… Flee all youthful lust o!” He exclaimed, still in that position

I came back to my senses.

This guy is too blunt!

I summoned courage

“Why were you standing so close?” I asked

“Why were you looking into my face intently. You wanted to commit sin?” He asked again and blood rushed into my ears.

This guy wouldnt kill me with this outrageous level of his bluntness o!

As I turned to go, I noticed the smile on his face.

It was somehow.

“What is it again!? Why are you gazing so deeply!?” I asked too.

The smile was still on.

“Precious” he called out and I looked on

“What?” I almost shouted

“If it’s not the candlelight and balloons, what style do you love since you hate surprises” He asked, the contemptuous smile still on his face.

… and I died!

Simply died!

My ears, heart, mind, soul, spirit, all stopped!

>>It continues<<<<

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