[STORY] DEADLY DESIRE (Episode 48)

Episode 48.

Nicole told Ehis to stay home for that day. After preparing breakfast, she went to the bank then drove to Daniel’s home. Daniel’s mum was happy. She welcomed Nicole in.

Without wasting time, Nicole gave her the money she promised.

“I will come check on you from time to time”

“Thank you!”

“Is Daniel not going to school?”

“No ma. I can’t afford the fees”

“Don’t worry. Take your husband to the hospital first”

She bade the woman and her son goodbye then went to the market to get some clothes for Ehis before returning home.

The first time Nicole entered Daniel’s house, she noticed the sitting room was leaking. She knew this because the floor was wet and buckets were placed in different places where water was dropping. Nicole ensured the leaking roof was fixed, then registered Daniel in a good school. She also set up a good business for Daniel’s mother. She told her not to bother about the boy’s school fees henceforth for she is responsible.

Nicole was pleased with what God used her to accomplish in the life of the family. She didn’t relent in prayers, and Ehinmwenma began to emulate her. When she prays in the night, the girl would join and pray along with her. This gladdened Nicole’s heart.

When Eghosa returned, he knew something happened to his daughter. The little girl was always praying, with or without her father. This gladdens his heart. He told Nicole the maid left with all her belongings. He was sad that the maid left without doing the right thing. What if something bad had happened to Ehis.

Eghosa soon got a new maid to take care of his daughter.

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Three months have passed and Nosa’s goods have not landed. He kept calling Obiwale, but his line was always switched off. Nosa would sit in his office and weep. He could not tell anyone he had been duped.

Itohan was not on talking terms with him and he was sad. When he returns home, he would meet food on the table, but his wife would refuse to come out and greet him. They barely have contact. They avoided each other.

Nosa apologized severally but Itohan was not listening.

“I will never forgive you Nosa”

By this time, Itohan was finding it difficult to pray. Whenever she decides to pray, sadness takes over. The thought that her husband committed adultery and stole her money depressed her. Itohan was very angry and there was no peace in her heart.

The day was Tuesday, Nosa sat in his shop watching people moving about. He had not made any sale. Nothing was moving for him. Sometimes, he would return home without making any sale for the day and it worries him.

On this particular day, he remembered how Itohan used to wake in the night to pray for him and everything that pertains to him. He had told her that even the devil is afraid of her. On many occasions, situations have changed for good when Itohan prays. Now Itohan doesn’t pray and all was because she is sad and bitter, and he is the cause.

He also remembered one night that he woke up and met her in the sitting room praying, sensing his presence, Itohan stopped the prayer, went inside and locked the room door. Since then, she stopped both morning devotion and night prayers.

“How do I appease her?” He asked rhetorically looking so sad and lost. “I am so sorry for my foolish and stupidity. I took her for granted and I have lost her”

Nosa stood up, closed the shop early. He took a bike and straight to Itohan’s shop he went. The shop was locked and he was surprised. Why did she not open the shop? Did anything go wrong after he left home? Quickly he flagged down another bike. When he got home, he met her absence. Worried, he brought out his phone and dialled her number. The phone rang severally before she answered.

“Don’t worry about me. I dey fine” She said and cut the call.

He dialled it again but Itohan refused to answer. Nosa sat on a chair worrying about her.

“I missed my way Father, like the prodigal son. I have come before your throne to ask for mercy. Forgive me. Show me mercy. Restore my marriage. Help my wife to forgive me. Soften her heart” He prayed.

It was late before Itohan got to Lagos. She had gone to see Iya Folake. The only reasonable person she thought she could confide in was Iya. She can’t forget in a hurry all the advices Iya gave to her and it helped her stand firm.

Iya was surprised to see Itohan. She embraced her so tight. Itohan was just like a daughter to her. They exchanged pleasantries and gisted into the night. Even though they talked about so many things, Iya did not fail to recognize the sadness that engulfed Itohan. She didn’t ask her anything that night. She waited till morning.

In the morning after they have had breakfast and still in the dinning room, Iya spoke to her.

“My daughter, tell me what is eating you. It has eaten you so deep”

Itohan opened her mouth to talk, instead tears flowed from her eyes. Iya allowed her to cry. When she dried her tears she was ready to talk.

“My husband cheated with Nicole, you said I should forgive him and I did”

“Yes I did say so”

“Well he cheated again with the sales girl. I caught them having sex in his office”

Iya sighed deeply.

Itohan narrated how he withdrew her money without her consent.

“Hmm!, Is he remorseful?”

“I don’t care. He betrayed me the first time and second time and I won’t allow him betray me the third time. I wont ever forgive him”

Iya looked at her and smiled.

“I understand your pain”

Iya began to counsel her. For hours she spoke to Itohan and Itohan cried.

“You came because you want me to help you”

Itohan nodded in tears.

“I didn’t even tell him i was travelling”

“Aaah!”

“I wanted to be far from him”

“If you follow my advice, all will be well”

Iya prayed for her and encouraged her to go back to her prayer altar.

Itohan thanked her and left Lagos two days later. When she got home, she apologized to her husband for leaving Port Harcourt without his consent.

She returned to her prayer altar as adviced. She went back to doing those things she stopped. When she prays, she also notice that her husband is always joining her. Her heart began to soften towards him.

Over supper one day, she told him she has forgiven him and no longer carries any grudge.

To express his joy, Nosa got her expensive gowns the following day and took her out for lunch. He treated her like the queen she is. When Osas came for holiday, she could spot the difference. Even Efosa who was in his first year in the university came too and was impressed. Their parents were very happy.

“When Jesus is in the family, there is always joy and happiness” Nosa would tell his children.
To Be Continued… . . . .