[STORY] SPOILT AT CHURCH (Episode 10)

SPOILT AT CHURCH by Bosede Fagbemi

Episode 10.

The pronouncement was swift and precise. Everyone held their breath to know what would be done to sinner-girl that had all along been pretending to be a Christian.

The Pastor climbed the pulpit, fixed his glasses atop the bridge of his nose, cleared his throat and began. He instructed Martha to stand and face the congregation. Looking straight at the people, he said, “Martha had gone against the will of God by engaging in premarital sex that resulted in an unwanted pregnancy, to which she couldn’t pinpoint a single person that impregnated her. She lied to the Church and tried implicating innocent people. Therefore, she is suspended from being a Church worker. She will have a special seat at the front of the congregation, where she must always be at every service.”

Martha couldn’t raise her head, to behold the people who had always listened to her sing and hear her teach. She was dressed in a black garb, like someone in mourning. Her 4-feet- plus frame looked diminished. Right there at the front of the Church, she looked vulnerable, with no support system at all.

The women were the most affected with the pronouncement. They expressed their emotions in diverse ways. Some cried, some nodded in support of the penalty, while some felt unconcerned. A particular girl in the choir was ecstatic, since Martha will stop being a hindrance to her showcasing her talent.

The Pastor continued by calling on Prof. & Mrs. Aboderin to be on their feet. It was only the wife that was present because, Martha’s father had refused to be a party to the show of shame. Traveling back to his station the day after the council meeting, he told his family not to expect him in a long time.

“After deliberating on what your daughter did,” the pastor announced, “and your complicity in not exposing her in good time. The Church council has decided to remove you from all leadership positions for a period of one year. We pray God will grant you the Grace to make amendments where necessary.”

After that, the Pastor turned to the congregation and said, “We want to put a mechanism in place to check mate our young men and women from engaging in premarital sex. We discovered that, even with the teachings and admonitions, our youngsters still go behind to do whatever they like. Therefore, there will be an active monitoring system from now on.” He paused, then continued by saying, “I humbly call on Deaconess Johnson to come forward.”

Mrs. Johnson moved to the front with head held high.

“You are going to help our boys and girls to maintain a firm stand against fornication.”

“Yes sir.”

“You will checkmate, teach and monitor their activities, with the Church giving you the necessary support and encouragement.”

“Thank you sir.”

“And now,” the Pastor continued. “I stand as a minister of God, to ask all our young people that are virgins to come to the altar. Remember you are in the presence of God,” the Pastor warned. “We want only virgins. Those that are not virgins will fit into another program that we are presently working on.

There was slight hesitation from the audience. Then as if on cue, the young people began trooping to the front, especially the ladies. Tall, short, dark, fair, slim and plump, almost all the unmarried people stood up. Mrs. Johnson scanned to see if Kike was among them. She smiled on sighting her. She whispered, I trust my daughter.

The Pastor looked at all that came out and reduced his eye to a slit. “Well,” he said hesitatingly. “If you all say you are virgins, then we will take you as virgins. I hand you over to God and Deaconess Johnson. She’s a tested and trusted mother, and will help in guiding you to the right path. Remember, you are brides of Jesus and mustn’t get defiled. Christ will come for a bride without blemish.”

The Church applauded as the service came to a close, with the declaration of Grace by the Pastor.
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The homeward journey for the Johnsons was quiet. Everyone was engrossed in different thoughts. Mrs. Johnson tried engaging the others in conversation because she was in a good mood. She was basking in the euphoria of the honor received at the Church. Her husband concentrated on driving, while the children looked as if they were terrified.

Mrs. Johnson had expected them to gist all the way home, especially on the trending topic of Martha’s punishment. But they behaved as if they were mourning someone dear to them.

Kike looked pale. Beads of sweat broke out on her forehead. She refused to look at anyone, but insisted she wanted fresh air and placed herself close to the window. It was in the process of opening the door to the house that a wave of dizzy spell overtook her, and she went down.
To Be Continued…. . . .

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