WHEN HE SPEAKS: EPISODE TWO

“How was work today?” Timothy asked his wife as they returned from church. She was looking overused.

“It went well, thankfully, the open day was canceled because some parents couldn’t make it. She rolled her eyes at a careless driver, who almost bumped into them. “At least I was able to rest after the morning troubles. How about yours? Hope your presentation went well?”

“Sure! The only thing that made me sad was that I had to eat another woman’s food.” He made a funny face which made Rebecca laugh.

“I’m sorry sweet. Don’t worry I’ll make your favorite tomorrow to see to compensate you. I’m glad it’s Saturday. I need all the rest I can get this weekend.”

“I hope you ate something too, not those junks you love digging into whenever you get the opportunity.”

“Your guess is right. I just settled for some snacks, now I’m really famished. I don’t even know what we’ll have for dinner.”

“I bought food from a restaurant for us. It’s together with the items you requested.” Timothy replied.

“Thank you so much baby. What would I ever do without you?” Rebecca answered.

“Absolutely nothing!” Timothy responded laughing.

“I invited one of my students to church on Sunday, I hope she comes with her parents.” Rebecca started as she made their bed.

“That’s beautiful. I hope all is well with them?” Timothy asked.

“All will be well. Isabel’s parents are having some issues because they don’t have a son. You know these family issues with male children, now they want to send her mother away.”

“That’s ridiculous! How are they certain he will have a son if he marries ten women? I thought these kinds of traditions existed in ancient centuries. I feel pity for that woman.” Timothy concluded.

“Some people go through a lot in marriage. I just want us to lift them in prayers and ask God to intervene so their family wouldn’t be divided. Isabel was really sad at school today. She even did badly at her test and she’s one of my bright students.”

“God will show up for them. So sad how parental issues affect children mentally and emotionally.” Timothy added.

“I feel sleepy already. Let’s pray before I doze off please.”

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Faithful souls’ mission was at their praise session when Isabel and her mother joined the service that Sunday. Afterwards, Rebecca led the prayers before the sermon and Timothy, her husband, took the sermon. He was the resident pastor of the church.

He presided over the church after the demise of his father who was the general overseer. His mother, Pastor Mrs. Bukola Barnabas Deola, was an elder in the church alongside a few other men and women.

They had a large congregation as they were quite popular in the state. They were yet to have other branches of the ministry in other locations.

After the service, Pastor Timothy and his wife Rebecca had a brief prayer meeting with Isabel and her mother and promised to uphold their family in prayers as they all trusted God for a miracle.

“Who was that woman and her daughter at church today?” Timothy’s mother asked as they had lunch at her house.

“It’s my student mommy. I invited her family to worship with us.” Rebecca answered amidst the fried rice in her mouth.

“I wasn’t asking you.” Mrs. Bukola shot at her, she sounded irritated. “I was asking my son.” She paused.

Timothy cleared his throat a bit and looked at Rebecca giving her a “Please-calm-down.” Stare.

“Just like Becca said mom, The girl is her student.”

“Why were they in church? I noticed you had a meeting with them after service.”

“To worship God of course.” He burped slightly.

“Everyone comes to church to worship God; you know that’s not my question. Don’t be diplomatic young man.” His mother persisted.

“It’s private mom.” Timothy responded hastily.

“I don’t remember your father hiding anything that happened in the church from me. It won’t start with you.” She stared at Rebecca disdainfully. The latter avoided eye contact with her with all her might.

“Just lift them in prayers mommy. Their family needs God’s intervention for a male child.”

“Is that the big deal you were trying to hide? All these young children in ministry. Well, I know God will do it for them. At least they already have a daughter, so a son wouldn’t be an issue. Unlike someone here who doesn’t have any and has refused to pray fervently.

“Please let’s just eat mom.” Timothy spoke coughing loudly to prevent his mother from continuing her speech.

“Drink water sweetie.” Rebecca said as she passed water to Timothy and rubbed his back gently even though she knew he was pretending to choke.

“I know how I disturbed heaven until God gave you to me. You cannot receive from God with a lazy attitude to fervent prayers.” Mrs. Bukola continued. “This was why I wanted you to marry a lioness like me, but you chose to marry a snail.” She shot another sly look at Rebecca.

“Mommy please let’s observe table manners.” Timothy interrupted.

He hated what his mother was doing to his wife.

“We will be on our way soon; we are expecting some visitors from my office this afternoon.” He added.

Rebecca heaved a sigh of relief as she had already lost her appetite.

“It’s fine. I know your wife has already told you not to stay with me for long. I wish I had other children so I wouldn’t feel your absence.”

“I didn’t tell him anything mommy.” Rebecca forced herself to speak in her defense. She had swallowed enough disrespect.

“We’ll definitely come again next Sunday. Just cook Efo riro and white rice. I miss your special meal in particular.” Timothy said to his mother in a bid to pacify her.

“It’s alright. Anything for my son. I hope one day I’ll cook for my grandchildren too. If you had married Kemi, I would have been a proud grandma by now, nursing my grandchildren. Instead, you married another man.”

“Sweetie, let me use the restroom please. I feel nauseous.” Rebecca left the table quickly and headed upstairs where the restroom was. She fought back her tears as she didn’t want to break down in front of her husband and mother-in-law. She heard Mrs. Bukola’s giggles behind her and Timothy’s hushed tone rebukes.

“I’m sorry about what happened at mommy’s place.” Timothy apologized as he cuddled Rebecca when they arrived home.

“Why does your mom utilize every opportunity to spite me, Timmy? Honestly, I’m fed up.” Rebecca wailed.

“I’m sorry, please forgive me. I should be able to stand up to your defense.”

“It’s fine. I don’t want you to fight with her because of me. God will take care of everything in His time. I just trust Him even though I’m losing it already.”

“I love you, Becca, please don’t mind what anyone says or does, this includes my mother. Our union was ordained by God, and nothing can come between us. Never forget it.” Timothy said as he stroked her hair softly. His words reassured her of his love, and they shared moments of intense passion shortly.