TWO WEEKS FINAL EPISODE

Mike was discharged from the hospital and Posh begun serving her six months public service term as punishment for her offense against Mike.
Gregory and Miley begun making preparations for their wedding and the Faith band’s CD was out.

A couple of days after Salvation song was released to the public, the dean of students, along with the student government council, called together the Faith band in their office, and organized with them to officially launch Salvation debut in the Ortegun campus so as to promote the song.
So, when the day came, the whole campus filled the open square in front of the fountain.
Banners of the band in yellow and white colors, surrounded the campus, advertising the event and the song. The class 100 members had volunteered to be agents of the Faith band and sell the Salvation CDs.
They sold more than 1000 copies in 2 hours alone, even before the band walked to the stage to sing.
Vicky was very excited as she climbed up the stage with the rest of the band, wearing white T-shirts with bright yellow bolded words of Faith at the front.
The record company crew was with them and they wore the company shirts, checking the instruments and mikes on the stage.
The people cheered when the Faith band took their positions. The band smiled, waving at the multitude that appeared like ants, spreading all over the campus lane.

The producer saw Kyle behind the brass and asked if he was alright.
“Set.” Kyle replied.
“Your friend was right," the producer said, loudly for the noise that the spectators made on the ground.
“Yes. This really is a hit song.”Kyle agreed.
“Jesus, hits.” The producer admitted. “You should write Gospel songs, always.”
Kyle laughed and nodded.
The producer abandoned the stage and Kyle looked at the others to see their condition.
There was no one behind the Keyboard.
“We're gonna have to do without.” Fred, who seemed to notice Kyle’s worry, called to him from the drums.
Kyle nodded sadly. “But, I texted him.”
“Do you think, he’d come?” Deborah asked, turning to the guys from the front.
“Let us hope so.” Another guy, Kendal replied from another mic.
Vicky looked at her friends and sighed. She realized who they were talking about.
“It’s alright. Intro, Vicky?” Kyle said.
Vicky turned to the crowd and gave them a bright smile before beginning. “Thank you all for your coming.”
“YEAAH!” The crowd shimmered.
Vicky laughed a little. “The Faith band is highly encouraged by your presence. We are so honored to have you all here and support us, pushing the Gospel of Jesus forward,” she added.
People just cried, “Faith! Faith! Faith!”
She smiled looking around the heavily flocked field. “We hope that, this song would touch and transform you. Because, there is no Salvation in anyone else except in Jesus who loved us so much, enough to die for us.”
There were mild reactions. Probably not all the crowd were convinced.
As Vicky looked around, by chance, she caught sight of Wayne.
She became puzzled to see him again after the while that he was away.
He made his way through the crowd, wearing a white shirt and dark trousers.
He begun taking the stairs at Vicky’s left side, to the stage where, the rest of the band was.
Vicky had a lot of questions in her mind at that time. Wayne was back, when did he get back? Did he know that they would have the launch of the Salvation song?
The rest of the band smiled, feeling happy to have him again.
The crowd cheered.
The crew shrugged and were amazed until someone from campus tipped them that the ununiformed man approaching the soloist on the stage, was the Keyboardist.
Vicky was happy but, her joy was replaced with worry, when she could recognize the sadness expressed on Wayne’s face.
More than that, other than the keyboard, he followed her.
Vicky swallowed and reckoned, “Wayne," when he drew closer to her.
She drew back a few steps and he didn’t look at her rather than, at the mike stand, taking hold of it.
Tears flowed from his eyes and the crowd became silent, surprised at the turn of events.
Wayne sighed first, shutting his eyes and collecting himself to say to the quiet field. “My, my mother was sick.” He said and his voice shimmered through the huge speakers that were on the opposite sides of the stage.
He opened his eyes again and glanced at the confused crowd. Most were wondering why he had to say that and some, felt sorry.
“She had cancer.” He added.
There were many gasps.
Victoria gulped. She begun to feel bad, thinking that Wayne’s mother, died.
Kyle, and the rest of class 100 were shocked.
The producer and his crew were concerned with why the newcomer had to say that. And if, he was confused. 
“This Jesus who, we are preaching,” Wayne went on, disregarding their reaction. “He healed my mother.”
There were more gasps of joy.
Vicky broke into a huge smile, beaming at Wayne who stood just a few feet from her.
“I was a waste until a couple of weeks ago.” Wayne went on, as though, he didn’t notice the elation on people’s faces. “When I received Jesus Christ, my life changed. He gave up to me what he gives to all who turn to him; the free gift of love, the free gift of healing, the free gift of peace.” He said and there were many nods.
Many people who did not believe in Jesus in the compound, were touched to accept him then.
“There is Salvation in no one else,” Wayne said. “Except Jesus Christ who died for us.” He concluded and turned to Vicky, grinning at her.
Vicky smiled and though she wouldn’t, she gave him a hug.
“Thank you Vicky,” he said before they parted.
“Glory to God.” She replied.
The crowd cheered and once again, Vicky took the mic and Wayne assumed his position behind the keyboard, greeting his friends with light hugs and arm shakes as he did.
“Amen. Thank you Jesus for healing Wayne’s mom.” Vicky said. “God is able to heal. He is able to save you. It doesn’t matter who you appear to be now. God has a purpose for you and he is able to heal you.”
“Amen!” The crowd roared. They were all convinced.
“Thank you.” Vicky said and the beats begun playing.
The song rouse a great reaction from the spectators. It became more spiritual and touching to them then.
Some people who had gone to be part of the event, were healed and they confessed Jesus as the savior of their lives.
The band sold more than 10000 copies to the approximately 14000 students and teachers who came to the launching.
They also had many viewers online and soon, the song begun to sell in Africa because of Vicky’s nationality.
Soon, what begun from an evening contention about producing a gospel song, became the most popular hit song in America, being played in Gospel and non-religious radio stations.
The record company made a lot of money, and so did the artists.
Soon, they shot the video and made concerts in West-Virginia, Texas and Europe, getting the chance to sing in front of the nobles.
Vicky already purchased her laptop, phone, bought her real-estate and a car.
She was ever thankful to God for transforming her life and indeed, it was transformed completely.
Sasha was healed and she could conclude her studies and become a doctor.
                                                                #
Now, Two weeks.
Can a man encounter God and his life not change?
Why don’t you answer that yourself by trying it out?
Accept Jesus Christ as the savior of your life by following this prayer sincerely from your heart.
Dear Lord,
Thank you for giving me your message of Salvation.
I am willing to accept Jesus today as the savior of my life.
You died for me and took all my sins.
Please transform my life and help me live it toward you.
Please lead me to notice the important things in my life.
Thank you Jesus. Amen.

After you’ve said this prayer, know that you are saved. Just read the Bible.
You can start from the book of John.
Or begin from Genesis.
I will leave you with one word from Hebrews 4:12

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow; and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

More to come…

Can you guess what happened with Annie Earl?
How about Gregory and Miley?
And Wayne?
Chris?
Mike, Posh?
Oh and Vicky?
Emeka?

The story doesn’t end here.
There’s more to come so please, stay tuned for the next part of this book, titled.

“27 YEARS” Can a man remain with God even after being rich?

STAY BLESSED in Jesus’ name. Amen.

                                                             
End

TWO WEEKS - Episode 28

Back in campus, Gregory stood outside the door of Posh’s apartment.
He carried foodstuff in a bag and was there to see Posh as well as Miley, who moved in to stay with her.
Since the day before, the girls became good friends. More than that, class 100 was more united. They made shifts to see Mike in the hospital and Posh, at her apartment, to encourage her. 
When the door was opened, Posh was standing at the threshold, dressed in a black silk shirt and blue denim trousers. She covered part of her purple hair with a dark head kerchief that also matched with a small hand bag she carried.
“Posh?” Gregory greeted.
“Greg. Come in.” She invited him in, opening the door wide.
He entered the house and asked, “You are going out?”
“Yeah. To the hospital to see Mike.”
He nodded.
“How is he?” She asked.
“He was with the guys when I left. He’s making a remarkable recovery.”
“We have been praying for him.”
“Oh. Thank you. And the pastor, you know him? From the doctorate school of theology? He’s gone to see Mike.”
“It’s the right time I guess. I’ll also get to hear the words of God.” She said, smiling.
“Amen. Is Miley in?”
“She is in the kitchen.”
“Okay. I’ll just see her.”
She nodded. “Take your time.”
He thanked her and she left.

                                                                              #

Gregory put the bag on a table inside the room and took a corridor to where humming sounds came from.
He paused at the threshold of the kitchen watching Miley pick out a couple of plates from the cupboard, humming the Salvation song.
“Hey.” He greeted.
She span around quickly and greeted him with a gasp. “My. You scared me.”
“Sorry,” he said.
She sighed. “What’s up? How’s Mike?”
“Doing great. We thank God.”
“Amen. We have been praying for him.”
Gregory smiled. “Thank you for taking care of Posh. She’s more stable than I expected.”
“It’s hardly my doing. She’s been reading the Bible.”
He smiled. “God is great.”
She nodded. “Great enough to inspire me too.”
He raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Yeah?”
She smiled and nodded. “I’ve come to realize that, it is a waste of time; a life without God. He gives us all the important things; better performance, brighter future; overflowing blessings and love.”
He smiled broadly. “I am happy for you.”
She smiled back. “Thank you,” She said and turned back to the cupboard, storing the plates properly. “Would you like a glass of mango juice?”
Now Gregory, instead of responding with a yes or no, shook his trouser pockets and some keys sounded jiggling. “Amh. Would you like to go out for lunch?” He asked back.
She laughed a little. “C’mon Greg, you don’t have to beat around the bush. You want to know if I agree to marry you and,” she took in a deep breath, taking her time as she knew that his heartbeat ran fast.
“Yes.” She exhaled, drawing elation from his face. She laughed at that. “You should see yourself.”
“Thanks God.” He sighed with relief and walked closer to her. “Thank you Miley.”
“Aaw,” she begun, receiving his hug. “It took me time to see it but, you are the perfect man for me.”
He withdrew and smiled. “I have been praying for this over the past two weeks. That day you shut me out, I never thought that, I’ll ever have you accept me again.”
“I was wrong to reject you because you decided to follow God. There’s nothing right than that on this earth. God is everything.” She admitted.
He smiled at her, staring at her with disbelief.
She rested her forehead on his. “Let’s pray to God and set the date for our wedding. The past is gone, Greg. God is going to help us build a very good future.”
He shut his eyes. “I want us to get engaged in church. The college chapel. But, I want to give you the best wedding. One that you will never forget.”
She smiled and thanked him in a whisper.
He drew back. “Okay. I will not be able to control myself around you, Miley.” He confessed and she laughed a little. “Seriously. Get ready and we drive to Boston to see your parents and my cousin and; I’ll call my uncle so he meets us tomorrow when he arrives New York.”
She smiled with excitement, showing her teeth. “Okay. Your uncle, uncle, Matthias?”
“Yes. The Father. He always wanted me to settle down with one woman but, I wouldn’t agree until fourteen days ago. Now, I am sure that, I want to marry you, Miley. God has told me so.”
She was overwhelmed by his statement. “Thank you Gregory.”
He smiled a little and sighed. “I believe that my parents, wherever they are, they are happy for me.”
“They would be in heaven, Greg. And they are very happy for you.”
He took in her words, grinning shortly. “Amen. So, I’ll be in the living room. Can you be ready in five minutes?”
She shook her head, laughing. “I’m going to see my folks, Greg and they don’t know I’m coming with a man. I have to make phone calls, talk to my sister; plan what to take to them.”
“Oh, we can do that on the way.”
“I’d rather I do that before moving a step from here.”
He nodded. “Alright,” he said and took out his phone. “You can use this.”
She shook her head again. “I don’t want to freak mom out. I’ll fetch my phone in Posh’s bedroom.”
He grimaced. “Are your parents that strict?”
She nodded. “Yeah. You don’t wanna know.”
“Do you think they’ll reject me?”
“They’ll probably think that I should have my bachelor first before getting married but, they will be okay with you.”
“Oh. I hope I will be able to convince them that, we won’t have any kids before we graduate.”
“I’ll handle that” She told him. “Okay. I’ll just…” She begun, pointing upstairs. Maybe she meant to dress.
“I’ll wait in the living room.” He said and they parted.

                                                                              #

Posh took in a deep breath, asking God for strength before pushing the loosely opened door into Mike’s ward.
She found Mike seated on a bed, listening attentively to Pastor Pat. She knew the pastor from the fellowship house that she usually passed, heading to campus.
When the door opened, the pastor, who sat next to the bed and Mike, turned to the entrance.
The pastor smiled but, Mike seemed surprised.
“Hallow?” She greeted.
“Hallow. Come in. Alexandra, right?” The pastor asked.
Posh walked across the room and stood at the foot of the bed. “Yes. You know me?”
“He just told me about you.”
Posh glanced at Mike at the pastor’s statement. “Mike?”
“I told him about my friends. Mr. Patterson has high sense of humor.”
The pastor laughed.
Posh felt like giggling.
“Have a seat, please?” The pastor asked, waving to a chair on the other side of the bed.
Posh walked to it and sat. “How are you doing?” She asked Mike.
“Better, I thank God.”
“Where is Astrophe? The mascot leader.” The pastor asked, drawing the youths’ attention.
“Maybe he went to record with the Faith band.” Posh replied to him.
“No, he left to Ohio.” Mike said.
“Oh. I wanted to have you all together.”
“Yes pastor?” Posh asked.
“I just want to share with you the word of God. The bond between you four is very strong. I love the way you took care of each other, physically and then, spiritually.”
Posh furrowed her eyebrows. “I don’t understand.”
“It all begun with Wayne receiving Christ, pastor. We weren’t better off before. Now, because of him and Gregory converting to Christianity, the whole class has changed.” Mike said to the pastor.
Posh glanced at him and back at the pastor. “You have a word for us, pastor?”
“Yes.” The man of God replied and opened a Bible that was in his hand. “I would like to read Psalm 133 to you.”
“Amen. Go ahead pastor.” Mike told him.
The man of God nodded and begun to read from Psalm 133:1. “The Bible says; behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” He turned to them. “God blesses all relationships. Those with blood ties and those without blood ties. Verse three of the same chapter reads,” he said and added from the Bible, “for there the Lord has commanded the blessing, even life forever more.”
“God knows our friendship?” Posh asked.
“Yes” the pastor replied. “And he saved your friend Astrophe for your sakes. God has a purpose with your lives.”
“It is amazing how God works.” Mike reckoned. “Wayne came to make me realize a life of wrong that I was living. Now, in Jesus, I’ve found peace. I just pray to get out of here and go ahead with, mending my life.”
Posh turned to him. “Wayne told you about Jesus too?”
He nodded to her. “Yap and you?”
“Yes,” she agreed. “I’ve also felt different after receiving Jesus.”
“The love of God changes us,” the pastor said.
“Yes” Posh agreed and turned to Mike. “Mike, I am sorry for what I did to you.”
He looked warmly at her. “It’s alright. It was my fault that you became upset anyway.”
The pastor glanced at the two and rose. “I will be outside with the rest of the class 100 who are here.”
Mike turned to him. “More words of God, pastor?”
Pastor Pat smiled. “Yes. I’ll be back. You two need to talk.”
Mike was silent as was Posh.
The pastor left.
There was silence for a short while, until Mike spoke.
“Do you remember the African girl?” He asked, opening the conversation with Posh.
She nodded. “They call her Vicky Prettiz. She is very famous because of her cooking and her singing.”
“She was right about God. We should never have rejected her proposal.”
“You have already received Christ, Mike, and so have I. It is not late for God to change us.”
He nodded. “I have no doubt about that. Wayne recommended that we read the Bible often.” He said and added. “Didn’t he text you that, his mom, who was sick, was immediately healed after he prayed for her?”
Posh became amazed. “No, no. I didn’t know whether his mom was sick.” She said, searching her handbag on her lap, for her cellphone. “I haven’t checked my phone,” she added, retrieving it.
“Check it out.”
“Here is one unread message,” she said, pressing the buttons of her phone. “Amh. He says; Hi guys. Thank you for your prayers. I never told you but, my ma was sick. My dad called me four weeks ago, our last night together at the college club, and told me how mom was sick and that, she was going to die. All the past week after turning to Jesus, I was praying and fasting for my mom’s healing. God enabled me to get the permit to leave campus and return to Ohio to see her. She was dying when I arrived home but, I prayed to God and laid my hand on her in the name of Jesus. My mom was immediately healed from Cancer, instantly.” She read and paused, staring shockingly at Mike.
Mike was not too surprised. “Yeah. Go on.”
“Wow.” Posh said and turned back to the phone, concluding. “I am so happy guys and relieved. I thank God for the healing of mom and I believe that, he is going to heal you too, Mike. Jesus is able and he is so good, keep asking him. Ps. Read Jeremiah 30:17”
“Amen.” Mike said nodding.
“It’s unbelievable.” Posh reckoned. “Wow, God is so powerful.”
“It’s encouraging. I wonder where we were all this time. The devil is such a liar.”
She smiled, nodding her head as she reckoned, “truly. God is good.”
"Amen." He agreed.
She read the message silently again and asked him, “Have you read this verse?”
“Yes.” He said. “The pastor’s Bible. Oh. He left it.” He stretched his left arm to the Bible beside his lap and opened it. “Jeremiah 30, right?”
“Yeah, 30, 17.” She replied.
“Amh. The verse goes; for I will restore health unto thee and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord, because they have called thee an outcast, saying this is Zion for whom no man seeketh after” he read and said,  “Amen.”
“So, God promises to heal you.” She elaborated to him.
“Yes.” He agreed. “How is your case going?”
She packed her phone. “I’m out on bail.”
“Can’t I just say that you didn’t shoot me?” He asked, indignantly.
“I confessed. I will get out of this. Thank you for worrying about me.”
He sighed. “Who is fighting for you in court?”
“I haven’t gone to court yet. There’s no need. But, Mr. Hurts is my lawyer.”
“So, who’s accusing you?”
“The police department.”
“Can’t I just file a statement to omit everything and claim that they should no longer persecute you?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know but, I’ll be fine, Mike, don’t worry.”
“No. Tell me, what is the punishment you’ll get?”
“Maybe public chores. They know that I’m in school.”
He sighed.
She looked pitifully at him. “I will be alright. I’m ready for it and besides that, Jesus will take care of me.”
“Alright.” He consented at last.
“So, how are you feeling?” She inquired.
“I broke a shoulder blade. It’s a good thing that I’m left handed.”
“Will it heal?” She asked, feeling worried. 
He smiled at her. “Of course, with God all things are possible.”
Posh smiled at her and they continued chatting for a long while.
The pastor returned later bringing lunch with him and they all ate together joyfully.
God had replaced the four’s terrible unsatisfied life with joy and peace.

                                                                              #

watch out for the final part of this story...
right here @ multtalentedp.blogspot.com

TWO WEEKS - Episode 23

In Posh’s apartment, Miley sat cross-legged opposite Posh, on her bed.
Miley tried to cheer her up with a lot of stories but, Posh could not get her mind off what she had done.
Much more than that, going over her life inside her mind, made Posh realize how wrong she had been, and lost.
She just wanted to leave everything and change; maybe become a person she will be proud of or, her parents will be happy with.
Her family isolated her when she begun taking drugs and alcohol. Posh was also clinging to terrible gangs. Her daily experiences led her to start seeing things and hearing voices. She thought that, she was possessed and just did not know how peace or complete happiness. 
Now, less than an hour of receiving Christ, she knew that she was living a lie.
All the words of reproof of her family, became meaningful right then. She felt like, her eyes were opened.

One time, still hearing Miley talking in front of her, Posh asked. “Do you know Jesus?”
Miley raised her eyebrows. The question was unexpected. “Amh... Yeah. I’ve heard of him.”
“What does he do?”
Miley shook her head. “I don’t know much but, I think, he changes people.”
“Does he make us become alcoholics or drug abusers or living such terrible lives?”
Miley swallowed. “No, no. I don’t think so. But, I don’t think that, you need Jesus not to, you know, make a waste of your life… Sorry, I mean, anyone’s life. If you grew up from a family like mine, you will just be a lady. I mean, a calm person, maybe, I don’t have right words to describe what many would call, decent.”
“Can I be a decent lady?”
Miley nodded. “But, come on. Stop crashing yourself. You are a wonderful woman.”
“Maybe but, maybe with Jesus. I mean, look at Vicky Prettiz for instance? She is a newcomer but, she has already won fame and popularity for her good habits and positive influence. She is self-employed, a singer. She is always very happy.”
“Don’t long to be like someone else.” Miley reproved her, rather angrily.
“I don’t want to be like Vicky Prettiz. I just want to be happy.”
“You can be but, it’s not must that you have Jesus.”
Posh shook her head and dropped down from the bed, pacing in the room. “Look at Greg and Wayne who are so far, recent fellowship members. They are so happy. Wayne doesn’t drink anymore; Greg, he seems so happy, and they all look neat and satisfied.” She said to the air and turned back to Miley. “I want to go back to my family, Miley. I want to feel loved and wanted again. I want to be decent and I’ve seen that, Jesus does that to people who worship him.”
Miley looked a bit embarrassed, listening to Posh’s argument. She frowned later, adding, “You don’t get the good guys if you date Jesus. People also isolate you and they call you weird, just because you follow the rules that, Christians do.”
“You’re wrong Miley. What is so important about dating many men and having all the praises in the world if, you are hurting on the inside? More than that, you cannot say that, you will not get the good guys because, a good man like Greg, wants to marry you.” She said and checked her expression. Miley popped her eyes out, feeling baffled.
Posh went on. “He is like, the richest guy in class 100. In fact, the only one who has, his own, car. He lives outside campus in a very nice house and he is also God-fearing. He will not cheat on you with other women!” She sat down close to Miley and grasped her hands. “And he wants to marry you, Miley. He wants to start a family with you and you will trade all that for what? Going out with worthless guys who have no real love for, or future with you? Friends who do not have the privilege that you do?”
Miley was silent with her mouth dropped open with shock.
Posh released her, giving Miley, her back. “Life is vanity without Jesus.”
Miley shut her mouth and swallowed, literally swallowing Posh’s words. She thought deeply about them. Was Posh right?
Posh turned to Miley. “I already received Jesus. I am going to go out and buy a Bible. Maybe, one day, God will give me a better life.” She said and trod to the door.
A ringing of a cellphone interrupted her at the threshold.
Miley, who was recovering from a trance of thoughts, raised her legs up to pick her phone from where she sat.
She took in a deep breath before receiving it.
Posh turned to her from the doorway. Somehow, she knew what would follow.
“Hallow?” Miley called softly.
“Hey amh, is Posh there?” Gregory sounded, calmly.
Miley glanced at her. “Yes. Any news?”
“Mike is doing fine and out of surgery. I and Wayne gave statements in favor of Posh.”
She furrowed her eyebrows. “In favor of… do they already know?” She asked, staring worriedly at Posh.
“Yes. We saw Mr. Hurts and he made us aware that, it would have been difficult to conceal the proof from the police. He is on his way right now to the apartment with the cops. They have her arrest warrant. Please tell her that and add that, she shouldn’t get worried because Mr. Hurts is already prepared to handle the case.”
Miley sighed deeply.
So did Posh. She already that the police were coming. That was the only thing that, could have already known...
“Okay. I will.” Miley agreed to Gregory’s request.
“Thank you Miley.” Gregory said and added. “Let her not forget that, we are behind her.”
“Yes.” Miley replied nodding.
“Okay so, catch you later. We are at the station to offer all of our support. Wayne is at the hospital.”
She furrowed her eyebrows again, in queer of the pronoun he used, in his statement. “If Wayne’s at the hospital then, who are you with?”
“Class 100.”
Miley smiled. “Wow.”
“Yeah. I don’t know how they found out but, they are all in.”
Miley laughed a little. “It must be chaotic at the station.”
“Contrary to that, the guys are all clad in dark suits holding briefcases to legally represent Posh. And some of us Christians have been praying in groups. For Mike and for Posh.”
Miley was silent. Every news around her was about Jesus. What did all that mean?
“Okay so, I’ll see you,” Gregory said when she did not reply.
“Okay," Miley agreed and lowered the phone, hanging up.
She turned to Posh who still stood at the doorway. “Posh. Please take this calmly-”
“The police are coming. Right?” She interrupted Miley with unexpected calmness.
Miley nodded automatically. “And Mr. Hurts is with them. He’s promised to defend your case. Ps, the rest of class 100 are at the station to show their support.”
Despite everything, Posh found the reason to laugh. “For God’s sake, I don’t deserve all that.”
Miley rose from the bed and stood close to Posh. “Don’t say that because, you deserve every bit of attention the world could offer you. Everybody deserves a second chance.”
Posh managed a smile. “Get married to Gregory. He loves you and you can’t hide that you do too.”
Miley sighed and turned away. She did not want to talk about that subject.
“One day when you realize that, Gregory is the right man for you, it will be already too late.”
Miley turned back to her, eyeing her with fear. The words of Posh touched her.
“I lost a good guy once. I wanted to party and to have fun that also got the best of me. So, I know what I’m talking about when I say that, it will be too late by the time you realize that, Gregory is the ideal man for you.”
Miley opened her mouth to respond before the front doorbell rang.
“I’ll get it.” Posh said first and left, to receive a couple of policemen with handcuffs, and Mr. Hurts.

                                                                            

TWO WEEKS - Episode 22

Vicky appeared in class later, feeling quite distressed. She was worried about what she prophesied to Wayne’s professor and more, about what was going on with Wayne.
But, she dared not tell anyone. Not even Emeka though, sitting next to her in the lecture hall, he realized that, something was wrong.
She recalled Mr. Hurts’ instruction of keeping the incident under wraps.
As her class waited bluntly for the next lecturer to walk in, Vicky noticed Kyle, making his way through the occupied benches to her side.
“Oh my God.” She found herself murmuring. She just hoped that, it was no terrible news.
Emeka glanced at her and remained silent, wondering what she was worried about.
“Excuse me?” Kyle sounded at the third desk from Vicky.
She waited patiently till he arrived.
“Hallo? Hi?” Kyle greeted Vicky and Emeka.
“Hallo.” Vicky said.
“Hey.” Emeka replied with a short wave of hand.
Kyle turned to Vicky. “Hey amh, tomorrow we’ll be meeting with the record company. You, Deborah and the rest of the band.”
She nodded though, the information had not yet sunk into her mind. “And Wayne?”
“Oh. He’s leaving to Ohio. Didn’t he tell you that? I haven’t seen him since this morning, though.”
“Me neither.” She sighed.
“But, don’t worry. We already have his beats in an iPad. It will be the task of our usual producer to put them in the song.”
She nodded.
“Okay. So, nine pm sharp,” Kyle added about to leave. “We’ll meet at the usual place. The Derby.”
“Alright. Thank you.”
“Sure.” He said and turned around, leaving.
“You’re going to record Salvation tomorrow?” Emeka asked Vicky after Kyle left.
Vicky turned to him. “Yes.”
“I can’t wait to have your CD.”
She smiled. “Thank you.”
“Okay. And you should think about sending it to Africa. You will be the only African in the group.”
Her face lightened. “Yeah. I never thought of that. Thank you Emeka.”
He just smiled and turned back to his work.

                                                                              #

A couple of miles away, Mr. Hurts reported to the hospital where Mike was hospitalized. He was asked by the doctors to wait outside in the lobby while they operated on Mike, to remove the bullet from his shoulder.
The police had already arrived, soon enough because, the hospital refused to treat Mike without a police file.
They interrogated Mr. Hurts with the security guards and the medical personnel who took Mike to the hospital and administered First Aid to him, to prevent further bleeding. 
Mr. Hurts provided little information in order to protect his students. He already thought that Astrophe shot Mike and despite this, he wanted to protect him.
Some of the policemen left in search for Wayne; being that, he was the one who gave the information that his friend was shot.
As time lapsed, Mr. Hurts grew more and more anxious. Suddenly, he saw Astrophe and Gregory rush into the hospital in blue and dark suits.

NB: For the professor, Wayne was either Mr. Harts or Astrophe. For the rest of us, we just call him Wayne.

“Mr. Hurts.” Wayne called, approaching the professor in front of a red coach.
A policeman, who was keeping watch for either Wayne or Gregory from the reception desk, drew closer to the three and greeted the boys. “Which of you is Astrophe Harts?”
“They are with me.” Mr. Hurts said quickly, to Wayne’s amazement, and  took their side.
The officer narrowed his eyes at the professor and nodded, leaving.
Mr. Hurts sighed with relief after the officer was out of earshot. He turned back to the boys, and drew them to a hidden corner, between huge flower pots of the hospital lobby.
“Mr. Hurts.” Wayne called again.
“Who shot Mike?” Was his response.
“Alexandra Georgia.” Wayne replied, referring to Posh.
Mr. Hurts glanced at him. “Who is she? Is she in our class?”
“She always sits in the back seats. She has purple hair.” Gregory described.
“She and Annie Earl are the only girls in our group.” Wayne added.
“Okay.” Mr. Hurts said. “How did the gun end up in Mike’s hand without any prints of the shooter?”
Wayne explained to the professor the theory of Mike’s fake suicide attempt which he guessed, Mike made in order to protect Posh. That and the video evidence.
“Where is it?” Mr. Hurts asked.
“Here.” Wayne replied, taking Mike’s phone from his pocket and giving it to the professor.
Mr. Hurts went through the gallery first and then checked out the latest video. He played it at a low voice and skipped some parts.
“Where is this girl now?” He asked afterward.
“In her apartment,” Wayne replied.
“Is she psychologically fine?” Mr. Hurts asked again.
“Yes. We left her with Miley.” Gregory answered.
Mr. Hurts turned to him and said. “Okay. I will have to talk to her but,” he turned to Wayne. “We cannot avoid submitting this to the police. Otherwise, you will be held responsible for covering for assault and for concealing critical evidence which could interfere with police investigation.”
Wayne looked down. “I had more concern for Posh, Alexandra.”
“I understand that but, you can’t do anything now.” He waved the phone in his hand. “This has to go to the police and you have to go to Ohio. I will take care of defending your friend. And don’t you worry, she will not go to jail.”
Wayne furrowed his eyebrows in queer. He thought that, he didn’t hear something right. “You’re letting me go home?”
Mr. Hurts nodded.
“But, you haven’t received my presentation.” He said, in amazement.
“You’re wrong because I did. And although I didn’t check it, I’ve seen your progress now with your presumption of the suicide fake of Mike Reeds in order to cover up for attempted murder during a romantic quarrel.”
Wayne was very amused. Though he was in sorrow, he found a reason to grin.
“In fact,” Mr. Hurts added, turning to Gregory. “You all did your assignment well. Mike, knowing the key evidences to incriminate his girlfriend, picked up her gun and wiped her prints. He locked himself inside his house so at least, though the wound on his shoulder would not have verified a suicide attempt, it would have left the jury in the dark of the true criminal.” He explained. “It’s like, you indirectly collaborated in this case. Astrophe, you came to collect the last evidence and notified your friend first. Together, you and Gregory agreed to keep the proof until you met your client, Alexandra. Though, that isn’t recommended ethically, you did something.”
Greg found himself smiling.
“Thank you sir. Do you know how Annie and professor Earl are?” Wayne said and asked. The mention of his group made him recall Annie.
“Oh.” Mr. Hurts sighed. “I didn’t talk to professor Earl directly but, I know that, she asked for a leave for more than three weeks after losing her husband.”
Wayne was silent. He thought that, he skipped a heartbeat. He was shocked.
“Oh Jesus. So, Annie’s father, died?” Gregory asked, after having digested Mr. Hurts’ statement.
Mr. Hurts nodded somberly. “I’m afraid, yes.”
Wayne drew a deep sigh. “I don’t understand. She was so cheerful when she left. She came to see me in the clinic when I injured my leg a couple of weeks ago.” He shook his head. “I just don’t believe it. She must be so sad.”
“I think that, she was not aware of what her father was suffering from. From what I know, Mr. Earl was terribly ill. Professor Bard told me that, the man was clinically dead about that time when professor Earl left with Annie to New Mexico.” Mr. Hurts went on.
“This is terrible.” Gregory said.
“I don’t know. I feel so sad right now. For Annie.” Wayne confessed.
“It has been a series of tragedies for the Law department. Once this issue of Mike is calm, we’ll let the class know about what happened to Annie.” Mr. Hurts said.
Gregory nodded.
Wayne was silent. He wondered what would meet him after returning home and facing his family. He just did not want to find his mother dead. Not now when he already wanted to spend more time with her and the rest of his family. Not now when his heart had already changed. Not now when he already met Jesus.
“Wayne?” Mr. Hurts called him.
He turned to the professor. “Yes sir?”
“You have to go home and check out the situation there.”
Wayne nodded and sighed.
“When would you like to leave?” The professor inquired. 
“Tomorrow. I’ll check first how the situation goes with Mike’s health and perhaps, give a defensive statement for Posh.”
“Yes. You will have to provide a statement but, leave out collecting the evidence.” Mr. Hurts instructed.
“Yes sir.” Wayne agreed.
“I also will give a statement. Perhaps, assessing Posh’s character. In aid to the case.” Greg offered.
“Yes. Thank you.” Mr. Hurts said and glanced behind them.
The boys turned around and steeled themselves to face a couple of police men.
They walked directly to them from the entrance.
The head of them, a black officer, fixed his gaze on the two boys. “Which of you is Astrophe Hurts?”
“I am.” Wayne replied, confidently.
The officer turned to him, about to add. “You have to escort us-“
“It’s okay, Officer.” Mr. Hurts interrupted. “These boys only confided to me the person who shot Mike Reeds.” Mr. Hurts said. “Her name is Alexandra Georgia. She is their friend, my student and my client.”
The officer took sometime debating  that. “What evidence do you have to support such an accusation?”
The professor waved Mike’s phone in his hand. “This belongs to the victim. It contains the video of thirty minute duration, verifying that, Alexandra Georgia did shoot Mike Reeds.”
“I will have that.” The other officer, with gloves in his hand, said, grasping the phone from Mr. Hurts.
He stored it in a transparent bag.
“We will check that out but, Mr. Astrophe will still have to accompany us to the station.” The head officer said to him and paused to add, “We have to take his statement.”
Wayne nodded.
“I’ll go with you.” Greg offered.
“And you are…?” the head policeman asked.
“Gregory Bale. Wayne is my classmate and friend.”
The officer nodded. “Alright. We also need your statement.”
“That’s right. I am willing to cooperate.” Gregory said.
“I will go with you,” Mr. Hurts offered the boys, when the policemen begun to leave ahead of them.
“It is not necessary Mr. Hurts. We can take care of everything on our own.” Wayne assured him. “When Mike wakes up, someone has to be there to talk to him.” he added, assuming that Mike was sedated to facilitate his recovery.
Mr. Hurts nodded and sighed. “Alright. May God take care of you.”
Wayne smiled to hear the word ‘God’ from the tyrant professor for the first time ever.

The boys left and Mr. Hurts retired to the waiting couch, reconnecting with God in prayers for the recovery of his student and the welfare of the rest of his class.

                                                                              #

stay tuned for more to come in the  #twoweeksstory

TWO WEEKS - Episode 18 (Holy Spirit)

Sunday morning, Vicky dressed up in a new purple knee-length dress. That was the first dress that she bought in America. She purchased it after setting apart tithe from her food business and sending 100$ to her sister’s account through Western Union, for her mother. She was so happy to have such a success in the food business. She knew that, soon she would be able to buy a phone and collect money to buy her new laptop.
She pampered her braids in front of her bedroom mirror and turned to the bed where she picked her shoulder-bag and left the room.

As she neared the church, she lowered her motion, amazing a handful of familiar guys hovering outside the church doors. 
She walked closer and greeted Wayne, Gregory, Kyle and the rest of the band members.
“You’re late." Wayne said. 
“No. The service starts at 9.” She replied and checked her watch. “Right, it’s 9:15.” She turned back to them. “Why are you outside?”
“Your pastor invited us to sing in your church.” Kyle replied.
Vicky smiled. “That is great. Were you waiting for me?”
“Wayne actually.” Gregory answered.
“Suddenly, they can’t sing without me.” Wayne added.
Vicky agreed to that. “That’s right. No one can play the keyboard like you.”
“I support Vicky.” Greg said.
“It’s also great to have you all for the mass.” Vicky said looking at Greg and Wayne. “So, are we going to rehearse or something? Where’s Debby?”
“She is inside, leading the service.” Kyle replied.
“The guys are all kinda anxious.” Fred, the oldest guy in the group told Vicky.
Vicky glanced at him and back at them. “Relax. We will be fine. It’s like, we have been practicing for this, the whole week.”
Kyle sighed.
“Are you unconvinced, Kyle?” Wayne asked, patting Kyle’s shoulder.
“Ah it’s alright.” he agreed, reluctantly.
“So, let’s go in.” Vicky suggested.
They followed her inside and Wayne for the first time in his life, stepped into a church.
When he did, there was some music playing and Deborah stood at the stage, singing a slow song with her eyes closed. Members who had already arrived, stood in front of their seats with their hands raised.
Wayne was captivated by the words of the song.

“We give you all the glory
We worship you O Lord
You are worthy to be praised.”
The chorus was numerously repeated.
He bluntly followed the guys to a bench in the back rows while, Vicky walked to sit at the front.
Wayne shut his eyes and raised his hands to the air, following what the Christians were doing. He hoped that, they were worshiping God.
He did too, thinking about how God had given him peaceful nights and a second chance to do his group assignment.
As he sang, he felt his hair strands standing, it was divinely refreshing to recite those spiritual lyrics, sincerely, from his heart.
When Deborah begun to pray, he uttered his own words of thank you to the Almighty God and eventually, requested for his intervention in his assignment, mother’s and Sasha’s health.
He found himself having more words to pray than other times. By the time the prayers ended, he clapped his hands saying many Thank you’s to Jesus.

“Amen.” The pastor walked forward and said, holding a mic and an opened Bible. “Thank you Deborah. Our God is good?”
“All the time.” The church chorused.
“Amen and all the time?” The man of God asked again.
“God is good.”

Wayne was smiling, nodding to that true greeting.

“Please open your Bible quickly to Mark 16 and let’s read together from verse 16 to 18,” the pastor directed.
Many people begun to shuffle the pages of their Bibles and at that time, Wayne blamed himself for not bringing over his Bible. However, he took out his phone and opened his Bible app. When he found Mark, he added another tab to launch a recording app. He did not want to miss anything from the service.

“The Bible says in Mark 16 from verse 16; whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. Verse seventeen says; and these signs will accompany those who believe; in my name they will cast out demons, they will speak in new tongues; verse 18; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick and they will recover.” The pastor read and begun to pray. “Father in the name of Jesus. We thank you for this opportunity of coming before you today. Father we would like to learn from you and we pray that you may teach us. I destroy and destruct any power or thought of darkness that is acting against this service, in the name of Jesus. As the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 10:5; we destroy all arguments and every proud obstacle to the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ. Thus, I destroy every obstacle to the knowledge of God in this room and take the thoughts of everyone captive to heed your voice Jesus. We pray that, we may learn from you LORD; in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.”
“Amen.” The church chorused.
“Praise the Lord.” The pastor greeted.
“Amen!”
“If you are writing somewhere, please note as the head of today’s sermon; to exercise faith.” The pastor instructed and paused. “The Bible says that, whoever believes and is baptized will be saved but, he who does not believe will be condemned. The belief that is being talked about here is that faith in Christ Jesus. That is; he who believes in Jesus and is baptized, will be saved but, he who does not believe will be condemned. Now how many here have believed in Jesus? Just raise your hands.”
There were many hands. Wayne raised his hand as well.
“Amen. Thank you. So, the Bible goes on saying that, the signs will accompany those who believe_ in Jesus. Those who believe in Jesus, in Jesus’ name, they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues, they will pick up serpents and if they drink any deadly thing; it will by no means hurt them. They will their hands on the sick and they will recover.” He paused, relinquishing his Bible on the altar. “Praise the LORD!”
“Amen.”
“We have already believed. And because we do, these signs mentioned in the Bible ought to accompany us. We ought to exercise the faith that we have in Christ Jesus, otherwise it will be like, a turned off switch. If you won’t turn it on, no power will it give.” He paused for ‘Amen’ from the crowd and went on. “The Bible says that; in the name of Jesus, we will cast out demons; demons causing sicknesses, infirmities, depression, poverty; opposition to serving God to the standards that he deserves. Also, it goes on saying that, we will speak in tongues. Now, speaking in tongues comes after being filled with the Holy Spirit. When you receive Jesus Christ as the Savior of your life, the Spirit of God enters your heart and begins to instruct you about the Way of following Jesus. Being filled with the Holy Spirit happens when that Spirit of God abounds and overflows in your heart.” He taught and asked. “Can someone please open the book of John, chapter 4?” He walked to the altar and stood behind it, opening his Bible. “In the Book of John, chapter 4, we see Jesus, encountering a Samaritan woman.”

Wayne, recalled to have read that Chapter. He opened the book of John in his Bible app and perused it, listening to the pastor.

Kyle, who sat at three men past Wayne, glanced at Wayne who was tapping his phone and, furrowed his eyebrows. Does he have a Bible app or something? He wondered.

“Now, Jesus is telling the woman… Please, read verse 14; But, whoever drinks of the water that I will give him, will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water, welling up to eternal life.” The pastor read and shouted. “Hallelujah!”
“Amen.” The church shimmered.
“When you are filled with the Holy Spirit, out of your heart flows rivers of living water. Amen? Please read John again; chapter 7 verse 38.” The pastor said and opened his Bible to the page. “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” He turned to the congregation. “These words may be too hard to understand but, please bear with me for a second.” He paused, darting his eyes around the congregation. “The Spirit of God helps us in our weaknesses for we do not know how to pray as we ought. The Bible says so in Romans 8 verse 26. The Spirit of God also helps us in all of our daily endeavors. He bears all of God’s judgment about our actions. If you are filled with the Spirit of God, you can study better because it will be God teaching you. To exercise faith, you also need to be filled with the Spirit of God.”
There were some nods.

Wayne wondered who the Spirit of God was and what he did to people like him.

“The gift of the Holy Spirit is poured out to all who believe in Christ Jesus. That is why the Bible says; in my name they will cast out demons, they will speak in new tongues. Say Amen?” The pastor went on.
“Amen.” The church repeated.
“The Bible goes on and says that; they will pick up serpents. That means being fearless. Also, in prayers, we pick up the serpents; serpents causing strife, enmity, envy and all manner of evil. Please let us go to Luke 10:9.” He said and turned the pages of his Bible like the rest of the congregation. “Amen, the Bible says in Luke chapter 10 verse 19; Behold I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Amen?”
“Amen.” The mass replied.
“So, in prayers, we tread upon serpents and scorpions and over all the power of darkness causing diseases, distraction, poverty and all kinds of bad feelings or situations that we may be facing.” He paused to lay emphasis. “Listen, our battles are not against our friends or people that we see. If you see your friends quarreling, do not go among them and join the quarrel or, if a friend quarrels with you, do not go punching him or her like a carnal person.” He begun and raised his voice afterward. “Bind that spirit trying to cause strife amidst your friends or with you in the name of Jesus and cast it out!”
“Amen!” The church roared.
The pastor chuckled. “I see that, some of you are not getting me. Please, let us go to Ephesians 6:11.”
The congregation murmured with joy while shuffling the Bible pages.
“The Bible says; put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood,” he paused, stressing the following words, “but, against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. HALLELUJAH!”
“AMEN!” The Church shimmered.

Wayne was nodding, understanding the preacher.

The keyboardist played some notes to add up to the excitement.
The pastor laughed, pacing in front of the altar. “I don’t think that, you still get me.”
The church laughed too.
He paused. “Okay. Open second book of Corinthians, chapter 10 verse 4. We’ll read up to verse 5.” He said and returned to the altar, where his Bible was. “Tell your neighbor, the weapons of our warfare are not of worldly fashion.”
“The weapons of our warfare are not of worldly fashion.” The members told each other.

Wayne told Greg so, seating next to him.

“Amen. The Bible says in 2Corinthians 10:4; for the weapons of our warfare are not worldly but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle to the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ!”
“Amen!” the church roared.

“Amen.” Wayne agreed. He felt the power in the words.

“The Bible says in Mark that; if those who believe in Jesus drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them, Amen?” the pastor went on.
“Amen.”
The pastor sighed with exhaustion, lowering his tone. He wiped the sweat that was already wetting his face. “What is the remedy for poison?” he asked.
There were many answers.
“Okay. Let me put this straight. What is the local and common remedy for ingested poison?” He asked and called, “Vicky, can you try that?”
Vicky, sitting at the front seats grinned and rose. “Milk.” She replied audibly.

Wayne nodded to that.

“Thank you. You may have your seat.” The pastor said and turned back to the congregation. “Milk is the commonest and also the most active remedy for poison. It has got many nutritious elements and etcetera. She takes Bio, she understands more than me. But, behold, Jesus detoxifies any toxin!”
“AMEN!” the church exclaimed.
“Amen!” the pastor shouted. “Man of God. The Bible says; those who believe in Jesus; if they drink any deadly thing; IT WILL BY NO MEANS HURT THEM!”
“Amen!” many people shouted, rising and clapping their hands.
“So pray before you eat!” The pastor added funnily and the congregation laughed.
The pastor nodded. “Yeah. You gotta pray before your meal, else this word will not apply to you.
"If anything to destroy you is put in a drink or food, against your knowledge, it will have no effect on you!"
“Amen!” The crowd roared.
The pastor smiled. “Lastly, the Bible says in Mark 16 verse 18; they will lay their hands on the sick and they will recover.”
“Amen.” The congregation agreed, nodding.
“If you lay hands on your friends or on yourself for the sake of healing of that person or yourself; in the name of Jesus; there will be recovery!”
“Amen!” The church exclaimed.
“That is exercising Faith in Jesus Christ.”
“Amen.” The crowd chorused.
The background music begun playing as the pastor went on. “Now, we are going to stand up and ask God to give us the ability of exercising the Faith. We are also going to ask him to fill us with the Holy Spirit. If any of you can’t yet speak in tongues; please come forward.” He said and paused for a few seconds.
A person showed up.
“Amen. Please keep coming. We need the Spirit of God to teach us. He will unravel the mystery of God to you more than any minister would. He is with us when our pastors or preachers can’t see us. The Bible says in John 4:26; the counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Those are Jesus’ words.”

More people showed up. Wayne still wondered if he wanted to go forward.

“Amen. That’s it. We will also destroy the evil spirit that is causing strife, wars, envy. We will cast it out in the name of Jesus. If there is any evil spirit, bad feeling, fear bothering you, we’ll just cast it out and deny it in Jesus’ name. Amen?”
“Amen.”
“Amen. Deborah?” The pastor called and moved back, giving space to the people that walked forward to the altar.

Wayne lingered in front of his bench. He was moved inwardly however, when Gregory passed him, going forward to join a couple of guys as Deborah sang a worship song.
Wayne swallowed, literally swallowing his pride and begun to take the steps across the aisle to the altar.

“Thank you. Thank you.” The pastor said. “Whoever has come forward and everyone here, I want to assure you that; God has a purpose for your life. He wants to teach you his ways. He wants to show you his trust. Please lift up your hands to the heavens and repeat after me; Father who is in heaven,”
“Father who is in heaven.” The crowd chorused.

Wayne sighed first and repeated in anguish. “Father who is in heaven.”

“I thank you because you love me.” The pastor sounded.
“I thank you because you love me.” The crowd at the altar repeated.
“Thank you for sending your only son to die on the cross for me and take away all my sins.”
“Thank you for sending your only son to die on the cross for me and take away all my sins.”
“I believe in Jesus Christ and acknowledge him as the savior of my life.”
“I believe in Jesus Christ and acknowledge him as the savior of my life.”
“God I want to follow you.”
“God I want to follow you.”
“Please fill me with your Spirit that he may teach me your ways and all about how I should live.”
“Please fill me with your Spirit that he may teach me your ways and all about how I should live.” They rephrased.
“Okay. Now, start thinking about God; tell him how much you need him and tell him thank you, so many times. When the Spirit of God overflows inside you, you will just know it. When you no longer have control of what you are saying, do not worry, you are speaking in tongues.”

Wayne felt tears tingling his eyes when he recounted to God how much he needed him. He acknowledged just how empty he was and felt without God. Eventually, he followed the pastor’s word to say thank you and he kept repeating thank you Jesus, continually.

“Receive the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ name! Receive in the name of Jesus!” The pastor shouted as Deborah raised her voice in the worship song.
At one time, Wayne felt his thirst quenched like he had drank very cool water. Before he knew it, in an instant; he was shouting in languages that he did not understand, like more other people in the crowd.
He was amazed. He felt so refreshed as he kept on speaking in new tongues.
There are no words to describe the feeling that one experiences when the Spirit of God overflows in him. It’s a divine encounter.
Suddenly, Wayne felt tears fall from his eyes as he thought more about God. At that moment; he felt more complete. He did not feel alone; he felt fulfilled. He could think that, for the first time; he really experienced God’s love.
He did not hear what the pastor said or prayed afterward. He felt a hand on his shoulder and lowered his voice, getting to pray back with his own words. He noticed the pastor.
“Amen. God bless you and keep praying in the spirit.” The pastor said.
Wayne did not respond. He kept praying until when he noticed other people in the crowd, beginning to retire to their seats. He did too and bowed his head, sitting on the bench, concluding his prayers.

“Thank you. Thank you Deborah.” The pastor said and paused till the music subsided and the church became more calm. “Amen. Tell your neighbor; do not be amazed, it is the Spirit of God flowing.” He said and smiled, as the members of the church told each other. “Amen. Today, we have the honor to have the Faith band.” He begun and darted his gaze around the hall. His gaze landed on Kyle. “Kyle Johnson. It is great to see your band glorifying God.”
Kyle laughed, rising.
“Amen. I believe that, you all know Kyle. Their band will be singing today. Right now, actually. I heard their song from the Derby, taking my evening theology class. Truly, it was like hearing a seraph song.”
Kyle laughed, with the rest of the church.
The pastor smiled. “So, welcome Kyle, and the rest your band. I also heard that, Vicky is with you and…” he searched the room for Wayne. “Astrophe! Our mascot leader! This is definitely a seraph song.”
The church broke into a louder laughter.
Wayne himself rose, shaking his head.
The band walked forward to the stage and Wayne went behind the instruments with Fred, getting acquainted with the keyboard while, Vicky made the intro.

“Praise the LORD? This is the Fangs-turned-Faith band. We are going to sing a song called Salvation. We hope that, you’ll like it and it will transform your life.” Vicky said and begun humming.
Shortly, Wayne started the music and she begun to sing.

“There is salvation, in no one else!
Except Jesus Christ who died for us.
For there’s no other name, given among men!
By which we must be saved.”
Kyle and the other boys, joined the refrain with unique voices, causing excitement from the crowd.
Deborah, with her high pitched voice, sang the bridge while, Wayne played the keyboard notes with distinct professionalism. He never felt that happy and useful before.
The spectators rose when Vicky raised her voice, singing the following verse, shutting her eyes and feeling each word.
Some people gathered outside the church after hearing the song that already took fame in the campus over the past week.
Lastly, Kyle, feeling the vibrancy, took the floor with the mic, singing the last verse with his own graceful voice.

Greg had risen from his seat, taking videos as his buddies performed. He turned around with his phone slowly, to capture the spectators.
He paused at the sight of Miley. She was standing with more other girls, outside the door of the church, watching the band.
Their gaze met and the two remained staring at each other for some seconds.
He did not know what to do but, he took the first advice that came to his mind.
“Come over," he whispered to her.
She furrowed her eyebrows in queer.
“Come over” he called, louder this time.
She shook her head, pointing at her skirt. It exposed a large part of her legs.
“Just come. Jesus is calling you.”
“What?” She called back.
“Jesus is calling you!” Gregory called.
She took a minute debating with her herself about entering the church and, when the song stopped and the people were cheering, she dashed inside and sat with him.

“Thank you. Thank you. God bless you.” The pastor said between the cheers.
“Thank you.” Vicky said on behalf of the band.
“Such a blessing. I believe that, God in heaven, is very much happy.” The pastor went on as the band retired to their seats.
Noticing Miley at his place, Wayne followed Vicky to where she sat.
“You should be singing every week.” The pastor suggested and turned to the crowd at the church’s threshold. “Please, welcome. God is calling you and, he has a lot in store for you.” He said and turned back to his congregation. “Now, may I return the floor to the leader of the service? God bless you.”
“Amen.” The church chorused.

                                                                              #

“That was great!” Emeka told Vicky at the end of the service.
The crowd had begun dispersing and many people came to congratulate the band.
Vicky, who stood with Wayne, smiled at Emeka. “Thank you.”
Emeka grinned and glanced at Wayne. “I need to learn some of those skills. I used to play the keyboard in my church back in Lagos but, I wasn't as good.”
Wayne gave him a lopsided smile. “It’s alright. Amh, just memorize the keys. I know that I was good at it when I was a kid. It's amazing how it came back to me recently.”
“It’s God.” Vicky said.
They went on chatting for a while.

Kyle went to meet the pastor. He smiled at Kyle after seeing him and stretched his hand for an arm shake.
Kyle shook it. “Pastor. I want to receive Jesus.”
The pastor raised his eyebrows. He was clearly appalled. But, Kyle's decision was joyful. He nodded saying, “It’s good. That, will be the wisest decision you’ve ever made.”
Kyle nodded too. “I don’t know but, I just found myself thinking that, all I’ve been doing in my life, was not important. Today, though, I am not really part of your flock, God has made me feel important. I thought in myself that, if this is Jesus, then, I want to receive him.”
The pastor agreed. “Amen and Jesus wants to use you in even more exceptional ways and before even more high profile men and women of his. Just shut your eyes.”
Kyle did.
The pastor led him through the prayers of repentance.

In the back benches, Gregory stood with Miley.
“The band was great.” She said, looking around the church.
“Yeah. It’s even more great that, you agreed to come.”
“Are you kidding? I mean, Fangs is singing a Faith song but, it’s so cool.”
He smiled staring at her bluntly.
“Oh.” She sighed, stretching her dress. “It’s my skirt right? Do you think that, you pastor will get angry?”
“Miley. That will come later. You have to know Jesus first.”
“Greg. I don’t know if I want to be like you.”
“But, why? You don’t lose anything. In fact, you gain everything that is important.”
She sighed. “I can’t be a Christian. What about my friends… and family?”
He took her hands. “Miley. Jesus is the best friend more than anyone could ever be. Better yet, I want to be family with you.”
She eyed him for a while wondering whether to accept him or not.
“Miley?” He called her again. “I love you. I never stopped thinking about you since the minute I left your apartment. I want to marry you.”
She sighed. “I guess that, I also realized how much I love you ever since that minute.”
He broke into a smile. “So, let us get married.”
“Greg. I don’t know if I’ll be doing what is right," she said, shaking her head and then added, “marriage has got a lot of things.”
“Yes but, we know and we understand each other; more importantly, God will lead us through everything. Miley, please?”
She drew her hands free. “Please, give me some time to think about it.”
He sighed and nodded. “Alright. Will you keep coming to church?”
“Maybe. I don’t know.”
“Make an effort. It is good for you.”
She smiled and said, “Okay. Good day.”
“Same with you. I will see you in class tomorrow.”
She nodded and they parted.

                                                                              #

TWO WEEKS - Episode 17 (love)

Wayne slowly lifted his eyelids the next morning. He was disturbed by some music, coming from under his pillow. He shut his eyes again but, the sound repeated itself.
He recognized it then that, it was his phone.
He sighed with exhaustion and put his hand under the pillow to pick it up. “Hello?” He greeted, sleepily.
“Where are you man?” It was Greg.
Wayne frowned. “I’m on my bed. Why?”
“Do you realize what time it is? Everyone is already here except our mascot leader.”
Wayne widened his eyes and turned on the bed to glance at the radio clock on the night stand behind him.

5:35am

He jumped out of the bed. “Gosh. I’m on my way.”
“What happened to you man? You never sleep in.”
Wayne’s mouth parted in marvel. Actually, he never slept at all.
He begun to laugh, hanging up and threw the phone on the bed.
“I don’t believe it!” He exclaimed. “God! Thank you!” He shouted and shut his eyes for the next few seconds. “God. Thank you. I haven’t had a real rest in more than ten years. I was already going to see a psychiatrist but, you did it.” He sighed, getting very sentimental. “Thank you God. Please, help me to stay with you always.”
With that, he dashed to the closet at the end of the room and took out his sweatshirt and shorts, getting ready to go for the jog.

                                                                              #

Vicky was getting better with each run. Also, with the loss of weight, she could manage not to be in the last groups like the last two weeks.
She jogged in the scattered group, humming a tune that she came up with the previous night. She was working on developing it for the Fangs-turned-Faith Band.
“So, did you come up with something?”
She turned on her side without pausing, and smiled at Kyle. “Good morning.”
“I really hope that, there would be any good about the morning. I couldn’t stop thinking about what happened last night.” He replied.
“You are not convinced that, a gospel song will hit?”
“I can’t deny that I'm not.”
“C’mon. Follow this tune.” She said before another person joined them, coming behind her.
“Vicky. Your plan worked.” It was Wayne.
He came to her side. “Hey?”
“Hi. Wayne, how was your night?” she turned to him.
“I haven’t slept so beautiful in ten years.” He replied.
She smiled. “I thank God for you. That is how marvelous He works.”
“Okay, Vicky, give me the tune.” Kyle interjected.
“Okay.” She agreed and begun to hum.
The two boys stayed silent as she did.
Kyle grimaced, joining the wordless chorus.
Wayne did too.
“Yo guys, what are you doing?” Gregory appeared, joining them.
They did not reply.
Gregory took his time to learn the tune and hummed along.
“There is Salvation, in no one else
Except Jesus Christ who died for us
For there’s no other name, given among men
By which we must be saved.” Vicky sang, adding a quick verse in the rock tune.
“I like the beat. But, you are singing too quickly, I can’t get the words well.” Kyle said.
“Okay. There is Salvation is no one else except Jesus Christ who died for us. Again, there is no other name given among men by which we must be saved.”
Kyle frowned. “What does that even mean?”
“Kyle it’s all about Jesus Christ sacrificing himself for the remission of our sins and henceforth, ushering our salvation,”  Vicky explained.
Kyle seemed disappointed.
“I too love the beat.” Gregory said. “It’s also fast, that’s your type Kyle, right?”
“I am amazed that Vicky, you already came up with a rock song. But, I don’t know if it will be interesting.” Kyle expressed his opinion.
“Hey, can I help in making the beat?” Wayne asked, passing over Kyle’s comment.
“We usually work with the record company.” Kyle replied, looking at Wayne, past Vicky.
“So, how do you rehearse without instruments or beats?” Vicky asked.
“The music hall has a recording booth for that purposes.” Kyle explained.
“So then, give me a chance man?” Wayne asked again.
Kyle took a moment and then agreed. “Okay but, only during these rehearsal days. The official beat will be composed with the record company.”
“It’s okay.” Wayne said. “But, tell me that when you see my skills.”
“You’ll go for their rehearsals, Wayne?” Greg asked.
“Yeah. What time Kyle?” he replied and asked Kyle.
“7 to 9pm. In the music hall.” Kyle announced.
“Okay, I’ll come along then.” Greg said first.
Vicky was silent. She did not want to stay out late with guys, even though they were going to sing gospel music.
“Alright. But, since we’ll be singing Gospel, Deborah can still sing with us.” Kyle said.
“Who is Deborah?” Vicky asked.
“She’s a third year baccalaureate student of law.” Wayne replied. “Talking about her, Greg, can’t we request her contribution in our assignment?”
“Good idea. We should.” Greg replied.
“And she lives in the same building as you, Vicky. You can be escorting each other back to dorm after rehearsals.” Wayne suggested.
“Oh. Thanks.” Vicky replied shortly. God is good. She had company!p
“Guys, I’ll stop here.” Greg said, beginning to lower his pace.
“Yo, why?” Wayne asked.
“I’ve gotta grab something quickly.”
“Greg, if it’s gin, don’t.” Wayne warned him.
“No, no. I stopped drinking since last night.” Greg assured him and immediately stopped.

The rest went on with the jog while he ran to Backster building.
He climbed up the stairs to the eighth floor of the flat and halted outside one door at the end of the corridor of that floor.
He knocked.
“Who is it?” A lady sounded behind the door.
Greg did not reply. He knocked again and waited.
There were some footsteps and then the knob tilted and the door was opened.
A young lady appeared in a dark suit. She smiled at him and reckoned. “Gregory.”
“For this reason man shall leave his family and be joined with his wife, and the two shall become one flesh, Genesis 2:24. “ He begun, reciting the words that he had crammed from the scriptures, the other night. “Miley, I want to marry you.”
She dropped her mouth open, being puzzled by his declaration.
He nodded strongly. “I want to set my life straight. I know that I am young and that, we are both young but, I don’t care. I can’t stand a life without you and if I am going to make it proper then, we are gonna have to be married. So, Miley Johnson, will you please marry me?”
She raised her eyebrows and asked, “What happened to you?”
There was a feeling of depression inside Greg but, he tried to suppress it and replied, “I am very serious. If you want us to be together then, let us get married.”
“Gregory? You are joking right? I mean, I enjoy what we are having but, you can’t say that we rush to marriage. How do you know that I am the right girl for you and how do I know that you are the right guy for me?”
He sighed deeply. Maybe he had too much expectations.
“I’ll see you tonight.” She concluded, about to close the door.
Greg had already made a decision. He held the door back. “Wait.”
She raised an inquisitive eyebrow at him and waited.
“I have taken a new lease on life.”
She shook her head and begun. “Oh Gregory–”
“Wait.” He interrupted her and went on. “I’ll say it so that, it helps you too.”
She sighed with impatience and rounded her eyes. “Yes?”
“I won’t continue with what we are having because, it doesn’t agree with God.”
She laughed. “Since when have you become a fellowship member?”
“I’m in a fellowship with God and I am going to do what he says.”
“Oh and he told you to damp me?”
“I thought that, he wanted me to marry you.” He said instead.
“Well then you thought wrong because, I have a life to live.”
“Yes," he agreed nodding. “I agree now that he is going to give me a good wife. If it is going to be you then, he’s going to change you.”
“You know what? Take your poems elsewhere, alright? I am not that type of girl that you are looking for.”
Gregory sighed and turned around, ready to leave.
He heard her laugh when she slammed the door at him.
Walking out, he thought, she is going to be your wife.

                                                                              #

TWO WEEKS - Episode 16

Vicky finished her shift at the CD store and hurried home to prepare for her band rehearsals.
40 minutes before the time, she made dough for making her pastries and left them in a warm place to leaven.
She then took a shower and dressed in a red woolen sweater over a top, and jeans trousers.
After having done practice on the mirror, she made short hasty prayers and picked her bag, leaving the apartment.

‘West Circuit West Circuit.’ Vicky murmured, following a pavement way that they usually circled during their morning jogs.
She was so excited about joining the band. She loved singing very much and she imagined that, the band was her opportunity of exposing her talent as a singer.
She longed to tell her mother that she joined the church band. She would be praising and lifting God’s name in Ortegun and probably, in the rest of New York and America.
Maybe there would be choir championship or battle of the Church bands.
She was so excited that, although she recalled Wayne offering to direct her to the music hall, she did not want to look for him first. In fact, Wayne was not available for the morning jog. Vicky already guessed that, he slept at his girlfriend's place and might not have even returned to Ortegun that day.
She lowered her pace when she neared a tall building with a dome shaped roof. It had a lit portico and some people walking on a couple of stairs below it, into and out of the building.
A label at the portico was the one that caught Vicky’s attention.
The Derby
“This must be it.” She said to herself and begun following the path to the building.
She passed two security guards at the entrance and entered the lobby which was huge with marble floors and the dorm shaped roof. Most of the people in the building were foreign to Vicky. She became a little nervous because they also seemed too older than herself or Wayne’s class.
She smiled however, when she caught sight of large swing doors at the end of the busy lobby.
The doors were labeled with golden italic letters.
Music hall I
She increased pace toward the doors and almost touched it before someone called.
“Hey Lady! Don’t go in there!”
She gasped and spanned around, already frustrated that, she had done something wrong.
A man in the University’s security uniform came running to her from the building’s entrance. He was one of the guards who Vicky left behind when she got inside. Maybe he followed her.
Vicky gulped, shaking on her feet. Oh my God please help me. She prayed inwardly.
“You are not allowed to go in there, that hall is under renovation.” The security guard said, halting in front of Vicky.
She sighed. “Oh I am sorry. I didn’t know. We have band practice and we were told to meet at the music hall. My friend told me that, it would be in The Derby.”
“The Derby is all this area; four buildings actually. This just happens to be the first one. What your friend must have referred to is The Derby opposite the Law Faculty building.”
Vicky sighed again. How could she have missed Wayne’s instruction?
“There’s the Music Hall there; neither one nor two. Just music hall. Alright?”
Vicky nodded. “Thank you.”
“You are welcome. Are you a first year student?”
“Yes.” She replied shortly.
“Okay. Just a tip, this building is normally used by post-graduate students so, you might seem out of place coming in here.”
She raised her eyebrows, nodding.
The man smiled and begun to leave, she did too.

Vicky was upset when she came back, outside The Derby. She was already thinking of returning back to her apartment. The little mishap took the best of her.
I was so excited. She thought, hovering around the stairs below the building portico.
She wished that she had a phone and then she could share her awful experience with her mother. But, she didn’t.
“Hey!”
Someone called.
She turned and her face lit up to glance at a familiar person.
She took the few steps to the ground and walked to Kyle, who waited for her across the pavement way.
“Hi," he greeted charmingly. “I see that you are already here.”
She blushed. “Yeah. But, I think that, I got lost.”
“Forgive me. I should have given you instructions.”
“It’s okay.” She replied, fixing her bag braces well over her shoulder.
He begun to move. “So, what type of music do you sing?” He asked as they walked side by side.
“Well. I sing Gospel. I can do Solo. I don’t know if that answers your question.”
He chuckled. “It’s alright. Have you ever been in a band before?”
“No.”
“Can you lead a band if at all you were to be in one?”
She was elated. “Wow. Yeah. I will be so happy.”
He grinned. “Listen Vicky, that’s your name. Right?”
“Yeah," she replied nodding.
“Alright Vicky. Our band is the most popular known band in Ortegun. If you sing with us, you stand the chance of exposing your talent and becoming very famous. We also go outside campus and compete with the college bands of the colleges like MIT, NYU and more other renowned Universities in New York.”
Vicky was very excited. “That is great. So, I’ll be the leading soloist?”
“Yeah. Only if you agree.”
“I have no problem with that," she replied instantly, without a second thought.
By this time, they already arrived the Law Faculty Building. Vicky got a glimpse of it and realized immediately that, they were already there.
“Okay" he said, stopping. “We’ll just meet the rest of the band and we can go for the rehearsals.” He said, glancing behind her.
She turned around and saw another beatifully designed building.
There was a banner at the entrance written; The Derby.
That’s it. Opposite the Law Faculty building. She thought and turned back to Kyle but, he was already leaving, walking into the Law Faculty Building.
Vicky knew that she had to wait.
She crossed her hands below her chest and exhaled deeply. She could not wait to start.
As she stared at the Law Faculty Building that, Kyle disappeared into, she embraced the sight of Wayne and Gregory, coming down together with charm on their faces.
She offered a smile when Wayne glanced at her and, he smiled back.
“Hallo?” She called, through the cool breeze that also made her very chilly.
“Hi!” Wayne replied, walking down to her with Gregory. “Waiting for me?” He asked, halting a few steps from Vicky.
She laughed a little. “No but, it’s nice to see you.”
“Hallo," Greg greeted.
“Hi.” She replied.
“Oh. The band rehearsals. Oh gosh. I forgot that I promised to pick you up.” Wayne said in disappointment.
“You are with the Fangs, Wayne?” Greg asked first.
“No. I can’t sing," he replied.
“Don’t tell me that you are with the Fangs… who Vi…?” Gregory asked her.
“Vicky.” She helped. “Who are the Fangs? Another band?”
“Like the leading rock ‘n’ roll band in Ortegun. But, don’t mind him. So, where are your partners?” Wayne replied and asked.
“There’s one; Kyle. I think that, he went to call the others.”
Wayne frowned. “You are not talking about Kyle Johnson or are you?”
“She’s lost man.” Greg said, shaking his head.
Vicky was puzzled. “Anything wrong?”
“Vicky. Where did you meet this guy?” Wayne asked.
“In church.” She replied, worriedly.
“He must have gone out to look for a soloist. I heard that, he has been in search for one ever since Melissa lost her voice.” Greg said, confusing Vicky more.
“Vicky. You do not want to hang around with these guys. His band is full of boys and they will only harass you. They are not anything close to God or the church.” Wayne warned.
Vicky found her mouth opening but, staying in silence. She sighed deeply.
Gregory laughed. “Oh my God… don’t tell me that you thought that… I mean, I can follow Jesus even Wayne can but, Kyle? Not under this sun.”
Wayne glanced at him and back at Vicky. “They are bad news, Vicky. Take it from me.”
“I’m back.”
They all turned around to face Kyle. He was carrying a laptop and a guy in a dark outfit escorted him.
Wayne frowned at him, taking Vicky’s side. “Kyle.” He bawled.
He raised his eyebrows in queer, approaching the three. “Yeah Wayne. What’s the problem?”
“How can you lie to her?” Wayne shouted.
“Lie to who?” Kyle asked instead.
“Don’t you know that this girl is saved? She can’t join your band.”
“Listen Wayne, our band may not be about God but, we are not singing about the devil. Our content is about life, okay?”
“I thought that, it was a Gospel band.” Vicky said, letting out her disappointed voice for the very first time.
Kyle sighed. “Okay. Maybe it’s not a Gospel band. I mean… those songs have no market these days. People want to hear about life and love. No one believes in a God that they cannot see. I don’t either.”
“It’s fine that you don’t.” Wayne begun and took Vicky’s hand. “But, she does and you are not going to soil her image or reputation by making her sing for your band.”
“Wayne, Fangs is the best band in Ortegun. We already sold more than 100K copies ever since our last CD was out. And that was just a few weeks ago. Singing with us will be her chance of debuting into the music industry.”
“Pick another girl.” Greg suggested.
Kyle turned to him. “I have tried searching in Ortegun. Only she has the best voice.”
“Really, how about Deborah?” Greg asked again.
“She only wants to sing for God.” Kyle replied quickly and added. “Anyway, what’s important is, the record company needs a song in two weeks, otherwise, our band is finished. We also borrowed money to pay for Mellissa’s hospital bills and the next song will be our only chance of clearing the debt and not get into problems.”
Vicky furrowed her eyebrows. Just then she recalled a verse from Romans chapter 8. All things work together for good to those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
I am here for a reason. She thought.
“You are not going to use her, Kyle. I am warning you.” Wayne threatened.
“Listen.” Vicky begun, freeing her arm softly from Wayne’s clutch. She looked at Kyle. “We’ll do a gospel song.”
Kyle shook his head. “It won’t hit.”
“Let’s try and err.” She insisted.
“I can’t afford an error, Vicky. My life and the rest of the band’s, are at stake.”
“Okay then, I will not sing with you.”
“Right.” Wayne supported her decision.
Kyle pulled a sad face. “But, you can help just this one time to sing one song. I promise that it will be only this once.”
“I am so sorry. I only sing Gospel, all the time. I am also telling you that, a Gospel song will hit; even more than your life songs.”
Kyle sighed deeply, looking down.
“Those are the terms.” Greg interjected, staring boldly at Kyle.
“It will hit Kyle. You have me and more importantly, you will have God. May it be that God wants to use your band because, it reaches more people, to spread His knowledge to the world.” Vicky told him.
Kyle shook his head. “No, you don’t understand Vicky. We need to sell another 100000 copies and we need a hit song.”
“I understand Kyle and I also want to help you help your friend and yourselves. I will join your band only on those terms. We will sing a Gospel music.”
Kyle sighed. “Gosh.”
“Take it or leave it Kyle. Make up your mind, now!” Wayne enforced.
Kyle turned to his company, Fred. He just shrugged.
Kyle turned back to them. “Who will write the song? I don’t know the Bible.”
Vicky smiled. “Don’t worry, I will.”
Kyle sighed again. “I don’t know guys if I am making the right decision but, I can swear to you that Fangs is going down.”
“And we are going to give it a new name.” Vicky announced.
“What!” Kyle exclaimed.
“Yeah. Fangs’ a bad name.” Greg commented. “It means what?”
“Snake teeth.” Wayne replied bluntly.
“Yeah. We are going to name it Faith.” Vicky said nodding.
Kyle sighed. “No, we can’t do that guys. People will laugh at us.”
“Relax, Kyle. It’s only going to be for two weeks.” Greg said.
“If the song doesn’t hit then, you can go back to the old name.” Wayne added, being aware of the routine now.
“Guys, if the next song doesn’t hit and we sell 100K copies, we go to jail.” Kyle explained.
“It is going to hit.” Vicky assured them.
“Why do you seem so sure?” Kyle asked.
“Because, I know the God in whom I believe. He will never let us be put to shame. That’s Joel chapter 2.” Vicky replied.
Wayne noted that in his mind. For further study.
Kyle sighed and decided, “Okay. Since, you are writing the song, we’ll postpone practice till tomorrow evening. We have to becoming every night and on Saturdays because, we have to record by next week.”
Vicky nodded. “It’s alright.”
“Okay good. And I will check you out from time to time.” Wayne promised.
Kyle just gave him a glance and turned to his company.
They left together and the three remained on their own.
“Lets’ go.” Wayne suggested and they began to walk out. “Are you cooking tonight Vicky?” He asked after a while.
“Yeah.” She replied.
“You cook? Ah you have plenty of time.” Greg said.
“I tend to minimize time for doing other things that I can skip.” Vicky explained.
“Example?” Greg asked.
“Watching TV or chatting.”
“Oh C’mon. Watching Television is relaxing.”
“Truly but, it would be better to do that while, I already have my Masters and I have a good house and cars.” Vicky said.
Wayne narrowed his eyes.
“Woho. You are amazing” Greg commented. “I know a few girls who are so determined.”
“Thanks. I believe that, God guides us to do what is right.” She replied.
Wayne was silent, contemplating her reaction.
“Okay. So what are you making?” Gregory asked.
“Buns. Muffins as you may call them but, not exactly that.” She replied.
“When can we come around?” Wayne asked afterward.
“By ten. I’ll be studying after that.”
Wayne nodded. “You are reminding me to work on that time table.”
“Did you read John Chapter 2?” she asked.
“Yeah. And I also covered John Chapter three. I understood that, giving up Jesus was a way of God showing his love to mankind.”
“Yes.” Vicky nodded.
“Oh. You are on the Bible stuff Wayne?” Greg asked.
“It’s called Salvation, Gregory.” Wayne told him.
“I’m a Catholic but, I don’t get the word salvation. The only thing that you are doing is praying and reading The Bible, right?”
“Yeah but, there is more.” Wayne said. “There’s like, real faith in Jesus. I don’t know, like you feel him or something.”
“It’s all about a better relationship between man and God. That was the reason for Jesus coming down; to repair the relationship between us and God. He also revealed the Father that is, God, to us. We are supposed to know and serve God to the extent that he deserves.” Vicky explained.
“But, we do so when we go to church, right?” Greg asked.
“When was the last time that you went to church?” She replied with a question.
“Amh…” Greg begun to recall aloud. “On Christmas eve.”
“See? God needs all the attention.” Vicky said. “Do you also read your Bible often?”
“I don’t have a Bible.” Gregory said.
“So, get a Bible and get acquainted with God. The Bible says in Job 22:21 that, Agree with God and be at peace; thereby good will come to you. In another translation it says that; be acquainted with God and be at peace. Therefore, Jesus has already taken away our sins, we have boldness and confidence to come to God and ask him for his intervention in our lives.”
“Oh.” Greg said. “I never looked at it that way. But, then, won’t I have to stop doing the things that I like to do?”
“For example?” Vicky asked.
“For example, I know that, the Bible says that, it is not good to sleep with a girl before getting married. Something that it calls fornication. But, seriously, that is impossible not to do.” Gregory replied.
Wayne laughed.
Vicky didn’t. She explained afterward. “God is the one who gives us the ability to not do sin. The Bible says that, he who commits sin is a slave to sin. But, the knowledge of Jesus Christ and the fullness of him, sets us free from all sins.”
“You mean that, if I start to pray and etcetera, I will not want to sleep with my girlfriend?” Gregory asked.
“You will consider doing what is right and marry her.” She answered.
“Aah. C’mon. I am not ready for marriage.” Greg opposed.
“Ask God’s opinion for your life, Greg.” She concluded.
Wayne was following the discussion closely. “So, what do I do if I still want to sleep with girls?” He asked.
“Pick a girl, Wayne, and marry her. God understands the way he created us and the Bible says that; for this reason man shall leave his family and be joined to his wife. So, get married or stop doing what is wrong before God.” She said simply.
“And if I don’t want to marry?” Greg asked.
“Get closer to God and he will help you to set your life aright; including giving you your spouse at the right time.”
“Really? It will work?” Greg asked.
“Try and err.” She replied.
Greg nodded. “Since I have nothing to lose, I’ll get a Bible and start reading it.” He resolved and turned to Wayne. “You at John, right?”
“Yeah. Chapter three.” He replied.

                                                                              #

They parted at the fountain and she ascended to the dormitory building.
At 9pm, Wayne came to pick his buns and also repay Vicky the money that she used to buy him his Bible.
Before he left, Wayne returned back to Vicky's door again.
“Coming.” She called.
He heard footsteps coming closer to the door and it was opened. Vicky appeared behind it. “Oh. Yeah?”
“Amh… I don’t know how to put this but… I am going to tell you anyway.” He said.
She raised her eyebrows in queer.
Although she could have, she did not let him in. She did not want to.
“Yes, tell me?” She asked.
He took in a deep breath and said. “Well, I usually have scary nightmares and they give me terrible days. Yesterday I slept alright but, only because I was in Boston beside Sasha. I don’t know if tonight, I will be able to sleep well.”
“Oh.” She said. “Just ask God.” She answered him simply.
“Ask God? Can he help me to have a good night sleep?”
“Do you have a Bible right there?”
“No, no but, I have a Bible app in my phone. Tell me the word and I will bookmark it.” He said, feeling his pockets with his free hand. The other hand held a plastic bag containing Vicky’s Prettiz.
“Okay. Read Psalm Chapter 127 from verse 1 to 2.”
He scrolled the screen. “Is it in the Old or the New Testament?”
“Old Testament. It is also the longest book in the Bible.”
He nodded in understanding. “Say it again, Sam?”
“Psalms, with a ‘p’ like psychology.”
“Oh alright I get it. Wow. It has one, one fifty chapters!" He exclaimed as he perused the screen of his phone.
“Yes. Go to chapter one twenty seven and read verse 1.”
“It says; unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it, labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.” He read and paused, looking up at her. “So, God is supposed to protect us and do everything for us.”
Vicky nodded.
“Am I also God’s beloved?”
“You are his son, Wayne.”
He smiled, that made him a bit joyful. “Alright. Thank you.”
“Before you go. Have you heard anything from Annie?”
He shook his head. “No but, I did text her a few days ago.”
“How about calling her?”
“I can try right now.” He said and turned back to his phone, tapping it.
She waited silently as he placed it against his ear.
He lowered it shortly afterward. “She’s not reachable but, I will try calling her again.”
“I just hope that her father’s okay.”
“If anything happened, she would have told us, right?”
“Yes. I guess so.”
“Has she called the apartment?”
Vicky shook her head. “Not while I was around.” She said and added. “Is she from Mexico?”
He chuckled. “Not Mexico but, New Mexico. Anyway, his father lives there. He divorced her mother when Annie was young. All I know is that, the dad didn’t call or look for Annie and Mrs. Earl for over the past ten years or so. They had no communication until last week when they found out that he was sick.”
“Oh. That’s too bad.”
Wayne nodded.
“Mrs. Earl… is she also called Linda?”
“That’s what few people call her. Especially girls, the lady is very strict.”
Vicky laughed a little. “I didn’t notice that.”
“That’s maybe because you don’t take psychology.”
She smiled, remaining silent.
He sighed with exhaustion, pocketing his cell phone. “Okay. I gotta go. Good night?”
“You too. Don’t forget to pray before you sleep.”
He shook his head. “I won’t.”

She shut the door and he left.
Vicky went to her room afterward and prayed for Annie’s father. She was also worried because, there was no news from Annie ever since she left.

After having tea with Vicky’s Prettiz and studying, Wayne drafted a timetable of how he would be spending his day. He saved enough time for reading the Bible and working on his assignment.
Then, he reclined to his bed with his Bible and looked for the Psalm 127. When he read it again, he shut his eyes and prayed for a comfortable sleep.
“Just like yesterday,” he requested God at the end of his prayer. “If you would like but, a better sleep would be welcomed.” He concluded, “In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.”
He pulled the sheets above himself and dozed off.

A couple of miles away, Greg was watching like he usually did. He did not have trouble sleeping but, this time he was supposed to be watching a movie.
But, instead of the couch, he sat on his work desk. He took out a borrowed Bible from the desk drawer and placed it on the table.
“Okay, God. I want to follow you and hear your plan for me in my life. I was told that, there was more of you than I do know right now. I do know much about relationships and mine have never been long lasting. Can I start a permanent one with you?” he said with his eyes staring at the closed Bible. “Let’s begin.” He said to the atmosphere and opened the Bible to the book of Genesis.

                                                                              #twoweeks stay tuned....