[STORY] BEHIND CHURCH DOORS (Episode 44)

Episode 44.

BISHOP K

When my lawyer arrives, three policemen take turns interrogating me for about four hours before they allow me to go home, promising to get back to me when they get done with investigations. Ruth practically jumps on me, hugging me tightly once I walk through the reception area where she was waiting.They only allowed the lawyer into the interrogation room so she had no option but to wait out here.

“Thank God this is done,” she says.
“It’s not done, investigations will be going on and I won’t be allowed to travel out of the country for a couple of weeks.”

“We will get through this I promise,” she kisses my forehead. “I called all our pastor friends and told them to stand with us in prayer. This is the devil’s work but we will emerge victorious,” she says.
“Thank you,” I say. Now more than ever I need her by my side to reassure me that this too shall pass like everything else has. And when this finally passes, I am done messing up with different ladies, I will stick to my wife and focus on the church.

“Let’s get out of here,” she says.
“Yes,” I nod my head.
Nothing prepares us for what’s on the other side of the door. As soon as we step out, cameras flash in our faces and reporters fire questions at me, “did you do it ?” one reporter asks. “ I didn’t do it.”
“Bishop! Can you….,”

Before that sentence is finished, Ruth ushers me into the backseat of her car. Then she gets behind the wheel and speeds off. .
The lawyer has left in his own car. He will meet us at the house later, he has other cases he needs to work on.
I have a million questions but can’t bring even one to my lips. I didn’t expect this issue to blow out of proportion in just a few hours, the detectives who interrogated me seemed tough, I am not familiar with them, I don’t know if they can accept money to brush this case aside.
“I think she called the media. This woman is up to something Kingsley and if we don’t stop her we will be doomed.”
“How then are we supposed to stop her? I tried to call her but she hasn’t been picking up any of my calls. And from what I gathered from the detectives, she has more dirt on me than we had imagined.”
“What could she possibly have on you? I always clean your mess and never leave any loose ends. She is obviously ranting without proper evidence. I am more than certain she wants money.”
“But you did offer her money and she refused.”

“I underestimated her, she is ambitious and obviously wants more than what I offered. I will get to her so I can strike a deal with her.”
“What if she still says no?”
“Then it’s her word against yours. You weren’t the only ones present in that office, Tia was there too and I walked in as well but I didn’t see anything. Tia will testify, I will too. We have many daughters and sons across the globe that are willing to stand up for you if this goes to the worst.”
“I am really scared. This will blow over social media in a few minutes with all those cameras that were flashing in our faces.”
“I will handle it. After I talk to her I will call for a press briefing and clear the air. I will use media houses that are always on our side. They will help to do some damage control.”
“Okay. I trust you.”
The rest of the drive is quiet. When we get home, there’s a mob of reporters awaiting us. I also notice that some of our spiritual daughters and sons are here to welcome us, they have posters in their hands saying, “we are with you in this Papa.”
“I will handle this,” Ruth says. She stops the car and as soon as she steps out, they rush towards her.

“My husband and I will not be taking any questions from the media yet. I will however call for a press briefing in a few hours where I will clear the air about what just happened. Thank you,” she gets back into the car ignoring their questions and drives into the yard.
As she pulls up in front of the house, I stare at her for a moment, grateful that I married a woman like her. Ruth is strong, she has held us down for the longest and not once have I seen her crumble.
“Ruth!” I say before she steps out.
“Yes?” She turns to look at me.
“What?”
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Everything.”
She smiles,” we will get through this.”
“I hope so.”
We step out of the house and enter the house where we are welcomed by the pastor’s and their spouses. They have been standing in the gap for me.
“Bishop! Thank God you are home.”
“Thank you.”
“The devil is a liar,” my wife says.
“Amen they all chorus in response.”
“Thank you so much for coming. We are glad to have this strong support system. I will go and take a bath before I join in on the prayers.”
*
PASTOR RUTH
We enter the bedroom and Kingsely heads into the bathroom, kicking off my shoes and dropping my bag to the floor. I sit down, when the silence finally takes over, I feel the tears coming and this time around I allow them to fall.

This is all too much for me to handle. I don’t even know if we will get through this as a family, Missy seems to have an agenda. I am more than certain she isn’t working alone, she could have been planted at the church to gather information about my husband and he foolishly fell for it.

I can’t give up though, my husband needs me now more than ever. I can’t fail him- he needs to see that I’m still the woman he married; strong and determined, the glue that holds our family together.
My phone rings and I pull it out of my bag.
“Hello?” I answer as I wipe my face.
“I found her address.”
“Oh great, you can send it.”
“Okay.”
“I will send you your balance soon.”
“Thank you.”
I hang up and quickly change into something comfortable, when Kingsely steps out of the bathroom, I am ready to leave.
“Going out?”
“Yes. Mbawa managed to find me her address. I will be driving there just now.”
“You need me to go with you?”
“No, I can handle this alone. You need to call Tia, explain what’s going on. She might be contacted by the police, make sure she is on our side. Don’t answer any calls from the media. When I get back I will do that.”
“Okay.”
“I will see you later.”
“Sure. Keep me updated.”
“And make sure you join the rest of the pastor’s in the living room and pray with them. They need to see you as the confident man that they know. This too shall pass I promise.”
I lean in and kiss his forehead before rushing out.
To Be Continued…. . . . .

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