ADESEWA THE CHURCH GIRL PT1

My name is Adesewa. I was raised by God-fearing parents who were blessed with six girls. My parents were deacon and deaconess in a pentecostal church. I happened to be their third daughter, with three younger ones. I had my HND at Yaba college of technology and was posted to Kwara state for my youth service.

 I had given my life to Christ since my secondary school days, and I used to sing a lot, sometimes I even composed my own song. I joined the church choir when i was just nine years old.

After the 3 weeks orientation programme of d NYSC, I was posted to a secondary school at Oyan for the one year service. I was given a room in the school compound at the Corp members? quarters.

On getting to Oyan, I started looking for a Pentecostal church where i could be worshipping, and soon I was able to find one. Shortly after I started worshipping in the church, I joined the choir. Fortunately, it was at the time when the choir leader just left the church and there was nobody to coordinate the members. Before I knew it, I was made the choir leader after being interviewed by the pastor, Pastor Williams. I was loved by everybody in the church, especially the choristers, because of my unique voice. Whenever I sang or led a song, the whole congregation had a way of murmuring ?Huuuuunnnnn!? with a sigh of satisfaction when they heard my voice.

Most of the choir members were younger than I was, so they called me ?Aunty? or ?Sister Sewa?. One of them was Bode, who used to play keyboard for us in the church. He was so gifted when it comes to instruments, there was no instrument he couldn’t play. I always felt d presence of God whenever he was on keyboard.

 Back to my background, I was named Adesewa after my late grandmother, who passed away shortly before i was born. My dad loved his mum so much and hence transferred the love to me, believing that his late mother was the one who came back, more so, according to him, I was the mama’s carbon copy. It was after he became saved, that he knew he was wrong.

My second name was Yetunde. My dad saw me as perfect. Anything i did or said was right, even when I myself knew I was wrong. In a nutshell, I was his favourite.

When my mum noticed that daddy was treating me like the apple of his eyes, she wasn’t taking things easy with me at all. She spank me at every slight mistake I made, mostly when my dad wasn’t at home. Sometimes she would lament..?You this spoilt brat!. Your father has

spoilt you. See, I will make sure I deal with you before maggots start coming out of your body?.?

My two elder sisters too, also made life miserable for me, especially, the first born, sister Temi. She would never tolerate any nonsense from me, she took after mummy, but her own was just too much.

By the time I was serving, sister Temi and sister Tiwa had got married, but I have been tamed already. So what happened to me???

Bode was the closest to me among all the choir members. I could see in him, a younger brother I never had. My school was not so far to the church, so sometimes after service or singing practise, he would say ?Aunty Sewa, I’m coming to your place to eat o?. I would tell him to come, since I really didn’t know how to prepare one man meal, I was always having leftover.

He was only 20yrs old then, while I was 24. He was a 200 level student of College of Education, Okene, and a native of Oyan where I was serving.

When I first got to the church, his school was on break. Before we could really get to know each other, his break was over, so he went back to school.

About a month after he left, I saw him in church one Sunday morning.

*And then the story of my life changed..*

I asked him why he came home so soon, he told me he had not paid his school fees and that his parents were not able to give him the money.

I got to know that his dad was an old farmer, and his mum, a petty trader at Oyan market.

Money was never my problem, because besides the allowance I was receiving from NYSC, my dad was always sending money into my account without my sisters? knowledge. He would say he didn’t want me to suffer since I was far from home. So, I asked him the amount he needed. He told me, and I told him to come and meet me in school the next day, so we could go to bank together to withdraw the money. I withdrew almost everything I had in my account, gave him his school fees, transport fare and a token as pocket money, and he was very happy. His mum came later to show her appreciation on behalf of the family and that was what really brought us closer.

Whenever he was away in school, he would be sending text messages to me, thanking me for helping him. Sometimes, he would send me message that he went to bed the previous night with an empty stomach, and out of compassion, I would quickly send him any amount I could afford to buy foodstuff, and as usual, he would appreciate me.

Soon, we were on Christmas break. I didn’t want to travel, but my dad insisted I should come to Lagos. After the break, I was supposed to return to Oyan in January. Daddy couldn’t give me enough money as he had spent a lot during the festive season. He expected me to still have some money in my bank account. He was taken aback when he asked me how much I had with me and I answered, Nothing sir?.

You don’t mean it!. What are you using money for? Are you feeding more than your mouth? What did you do with the money I sent to your account last month?.Hun?.Tell me!.?

Mummy and Sis Temi heard him as he was talking to me in annoyance.

Sis Temi came with her husband and daughter to visit our parents. She was busy chatting with mum, when they heard daddy raising his voice.

The moment she heard that dad was sending money to me, she said? Da-dd-y!.So you’ve been sending money to Sewa every month!!..I am the first person to go on national service in this house and I remember if I didn’t ask you for money, you wouldn’t give me and I would have to give you the details of what I needed the money for, before you would give it.?

And you, (turning to me) what are you spending money on?.Have u bought a plot of land?. Oh! You want to build a house in Oyan right?.Is that not so??

My compassion for Bode resulted into spending all my money on him almost led into a fight in my family that fateful day. But then, what was I not doing right?........

Daddy did not give me money that day. He was so pissed with me, it was mommy that gave me transport fare and a stipend which I managed till January allowance was paid.

Thank God for the foodstuff I took with me from home, I would have learnt a wonderful lesson from hunger.

On getting back to Oyan, Bode was still around because there was no money for him to return to school. I told him what I went through because of him, and even then, I wasn't sure if my dad would send me money again as usual, so i couldn't give him money.

He felt sorry for me, and told me he would source for money elsewhere. I didn't know how he did it,but he went back to school the following week.

Soon there was a rumour among the choir members that something was going on between Bode and me. Before I knew it, it had become viral among church members.

One Sunday morning, Pastor Mrs Williams sent somebody to tell me she would like to see me after service. I wasn't myself throughout the service. I kept thinking "what did i do? Why does she want to see me?"....Anyway, I said to myself, "if it's because of

Bode, there's nothing between us, and that is just what i will tell her....Period!." I didn't hear anything in church that day, I was already devastated by the rumour going on, and this?....

Finally, the service was over. I found myself sitting next to Pastor Mrs Williams on a three-seater sofa inside the pastor's office.

"Good afternoon ma"

"How are u my dear?."

"I'm fine ma."

"I know you would be wondering why I wanted to see you.".said Mrs Williams".

"Yes ma". I answered.

She continued...".It's about a rumour going on in the church. Can you please shed more light on the relationship between you and Bode?".

"Ma, Bode is like a younger brother to me, nothing more. Believe me ma. I only render assistance to him whenever he's in need and that has even stopped now." I told her.

Anyways, I've denied it on your behalf. I only wanted to confirm from you, because the very first day I set my eyes on you, I knew you came from a Christian home, and I have no doubt in my spirit that you are well trained..but then, *I want you to be very careful because there is power in tongues.* *Don't give the devil any chance at all, and don't trust yourself* If you see or hear a child of God saying " I trust myself, I can never commit sin"..then, you have heard or seen someone at the verge of falling.

So, please, be very careful and the Lord shall help you In Jesus Name.

I said "Thank u ma", and left the office.

As I was going home, I was telling myself "Now, I really need to be very careful....though there was nothing between us really, but how could anybody think I could be dating a boy about the same age with Oyindamola..our second to the last born? not even the one next to me!..Well, I just need to be careful!"

It was 1st of April, my birthday. Bisi and some of the sisters of National Service crew came to my house to help in the cooking. The birthday was fixed for 12pm, since we would be having choir practice by 5pm.

We ate, drank and made merry. In fact, it was indeed a memorable occasion. I really enjoyed myself. Pastor Mrs Williams gave a short exhortation. She titled the message *Unique Grace*, citing practical examples from her own life experiences.

We were all blessed.

Despite the short notice, I was so surprised to see that some people still came with gifts. The most surprising one was the one sent to me from Bode’s mum. When Bode gave me the gift, I asked him how she knew because I remembered I didn’t tell her when I saw her in the market the previous day. He said he was the one that told her, and she said no wonder she came to buy many ingredients yesterday!..She then rushed inside her room and came out with a pack of 4 glass cups. Help me to wrap this and give it to her, tell her I wish her long life and prosperity?.

On hearing this, I automatically fell in love with the woman. I collected it from him with thanks and after the birthday, we went to church for the choir practice.

We ended the practice around 7pm. Everybody left for their houses. Bode was discussing with one of the brothers when I left the church.

I got to my room around 7.15pm, the sisters who cleaned the plates and utensils we used for the birthday did a thorough job. They tidied up everywhere, including my room, and set everything in place. I undressed, almost naked, laid on my bed, closed my eyes, thanking God for the day and everyone He used to make the day a lovely one. I heard a knock on the door.

Who is that??. I asked as I quickly came out of my thought. I opened the door,  to my utmost surprise,

It?s Bode o?????

Who is that??. I asked as I quickly came out of my thought. I opened the door,  to my utmost surprise

It?s Bode o?????Of course, I could recognise his voice. I quickly strapped myself in my night gown.

Come in, the door is not locked? I answered.

Before he could enter, I sat on the bed, I adjusted my dress and brushed my hair backwards with my right hand. I wondered why he came back, after all he had been in my house since morning.

When he entered, he sat down on a plastic chair in the room. He said his mum told him I came to buy ingredients from her the previous day, and that she loved my simplicity, and all those stuff. He said some other things, and upon all, I could get that he really didn’t have anything important to discuss with me, he only wanted to see my face again.

When the time was moving to few minutes before 9pm, I told him to go, as it was getting too late, more so, his mum had been calling.

Finally, he got up and said Ok, Sis Sewa, good night?.

He came over to where I was, and gave me a very tight and warm hug. I could sense a feeling from that hug, but I ignored it. Anyways, he left that night. I was so shocked that I even refused to see him off. But what was his plan? Is this little young boy having any ulterior motive? I will be a big fool to fall for his schemes if he has any.

Who is that??. I asked as I quickly came out of my thought. I opened the door,  to my utmost surprise

?It?s Bode o?????Of course, I could recognise his voice. I quickly strapped myself in my night gown.

Come in, the door is not locked? I answered.

Before he could enter, I sat on the bed, I adjusted

my dress and brushed my hair backwards with my right hand. I wondered why he came back, after all he had been in my house since morning.

When he entered, he sat down on a plastic chair in the room. He said his mum told him I came to buy ingredients from her the previous day, and that she loved my simplicity, and all those stuff. He said some other things, and upon all, I could get that he really didn?t have anything important to discuss with me, he only wanted to see my face again.

When the time was moving to few minutes before 9pm, I told him to go, as it was getting too late, more so, his mum had been calling.

Finally, he got up and said ?Ok, Sis Sewa, good night?.

He came over to where I was, and gave me a very tight and warm hug. I could sense a feeling from that hug, but I ignored it. Anyways, he left that night. I was so shocked that I even refused to see him off. But what was his plan? Is this little young boy having any ulterior motive? I will be a big fool to fall for his schemes if he has any.

WATCH OUT FOR NEXT EPISODE