![[14/07, 14:25] Taiwo Odubiyi's Books: WITH THIS RING - a novel - will be posted all through this monthBy: Pastor Taiwo...](https://img3.bakerias.com/447/382/3088973634473825.jpg)
20/07/2020
[14/07, 14:25] Taiwo Odubiyi's Books: WITH THIS RING - a novel - will be posted all through this month
By: Pastor Taiwo Iredele Odubiyi
Read and be blessed.
Feel free to share it.
(Day 7)
Grace introduced him to her mother, “Albert, this is my mother, Pastor Ibie. Mum, this is Albert Asika. He works with Reflections.”
Ibie looked at him. He was about five feet-ten inches tall, a little light-skinned, handsome with a well-set teeth and a smile that would make any man proud.
As he greeted Ibie respectfully, Grace was proud of him. He was smooth and had a way about him that she had noticed and fallen for the first time she met him. She hoped her mother would not ask him questions that could embarrass him.
“I do read your column.” Ibie told him.
“Thank you. I’m happy to hear that.” He responded with a smile.
“Please sit down.” Grace said.
“Thanks.” Out of the corner of his eye, Albert noticed Ibie looking at him, probably sizing him up.
She was. Physically speaking, he was okay. But was he truly a Christian as Grace had told her? Ibie wondered. Did he love the Lord and her daughter? Those questions were the most important to her.
When Grace left for the kitchen to get him something to drink, Ibie tackled him.
“So Albert, where do you worship?”
He told her.
“Are you born again?”
“Er, I’m a Christian.”
“Born again?” She repeated, not sparing him.
“Er, it depends on what you mean, Ms. James.”
Ms. James? Ibie wondered. She wasn’t sure of what she would have wanted him to call her but Ms. James wasn’t what she expected to hear.
Ignoring that, she told him, “There’s only one meaning to it.”
“Yes, I guess you’re right. It’s just that I don’t really like being labeled ‘born again’. A Christian is a Christian.”
Ibie pressed her lips together. He wasn’t a Christian, she concluded.
Just then, Grace returned, carrying a cup and a jug of juice in a tray. She poured juice in the cup and set it before him.
“But did Grace tell you that she’s born again?” Ibie went on.
“Er, yes.”
Grace sat across from Albert.
“What do you think of it?” Ibie asked him.
He smiled. “It’s okay. That’s fine. I don’t have any problem with it. I’m also a Christian.”
“Do you speak in tongues?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Well, I joined the church not quite long.”
“Oh, I see.” Ibie said. She was certain he wasn’t a Christian.
She got up, excused herself and went into her bedroom with the laptop.
Grace asked Albert, “How was work today?”
“It was hectic as usual.” He answered.
“Did you travel to Badagry to interview that woman you talked about?”
“Yes, I did. It was a good thing I set out early. It took me almost three hours to get there. There was traffic.”
“How did it go?”
“It went well. I’ve submitted my report to the editor.”
Grace got up. As she came to sit beside him, he looked at her. She was slender with soft curves, and was a couple of inches shorter than him.
Albert reached out for the glass cup on the table in front of him and had a sip. He told Grace more about his day.
When he stopped, Grace took his right hand in hers and said quietly, “I’m pregnant, Albert.”
He put the cup in his hand down carefully and looked at her. “You’re wha-t?!”
She glanced sharply toward her mother’s bedroom as she told him, “Lower your voice!”
He did, staring at her. “You’re pregnant?”
“Yes.” She said, staring back at him, studying his face. He didn’t seem pleased.
Pregnant? “How did you know?” He asked as his gaze went from her face to her flat stomach.
“I bought the pregnancy test kit and tested this morning. It was positive.”
His eyes went back to her face. “Do you think the kit is reliable?”
“Yes, I think so. Besides, I’ve missed my period.”
“But … how could you be pregnant?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean why should you allow that to happen?” He told her. As another thought occurred to him, he added, “It’s a joke, right?”
“I wish it were.”
“Well, you have to get rid of it.”
She glared at him even though she had already thought of the option.
He didn’t flinch. “Are you ready to be a mother now? I mean, that was not supposed to happen.”
“I know it wasn’t planned but you could at least have shown some feeling. We are talking about a life here.”
He shrugged. “Well, I guess I was taken by surprise. I mean … it was the last thing I was expecting to hear you say. What’s on your mind?”
She looked away. “I don’t know.”
“Well, you have only two options: get rid of it or keep it and I don’t think you should go for the second option.”
He did not mention the option of marriage, she realised. “Why not? Why can’t we keep it?” She ventured to ask.
He gave a look that said have-you-lost-mind? “You want to keep it?”
“We could keep it?” She flicked her right index finger between them.
“We?” He asked then shook his head. “No. I am not ready for that. Are you?”
She didn’t talk.
He took her hand. “Abort it. It happens every day. It’s one of those things that happen. We’ll be more careful, okay?”
She took a deep breath.
“How much will you need to get it done?”
“I don’t know. It shouldn’t be much.” She forced herself to say.
“I don’t have much cash on me here. Get it done, and let me know how much it cost. Alright?”
She nodded.
“The earlier the better. Get it done tomorrow.”
“Okay.” She agreed. She didn’t think she had much choice, anyway.
“And if I may ask, are you certain it’s mine?”
“Of course. Do I look like a lady who sleeps around?”
“We can’t determine who can or cannot do such a thing by looks these days.”
“I’m not that type. I’m a Christian.” She had said it before she realised that such a statement would not mean much to him. She had not behaved like a Christian.
His phone began to ring and he picked it. It was a man from his church who wanted to know why Albert was not in church on Sunday.
“I returned home on Saturday at about midnight and woke up late in the morning at around ten.” Albert explained.
“Sunday service ends around one. You would have made it still.”
“I was very tired. I’ll come this Sunday.” Albert promised.
Shortly after the call, he got up to leave and Grace saw him off.
As he drove out of the compound, he gave the smiling security man some money as he did the other times he came to the house. Very happy, the man thanked him. Albert chuckled. He had come to realise that money could achieve a lot of things. When he arrived at the house and the man saw that it was him, he threw the gate wide open without asking questions.
Albert soon pushed thoughts of the man out of his mind to think about Grace. He knew pregnancy could happen at any time, it comes with s*x. It was just that he wasn’t expecting it. When the girl he was going out with three years ago told him she was pregnant, she asked for ten thousand naira to terminate it.
He decided to double that amount for Grace and get it transferred into her bank account tomorrow morning. That would take care of the silly mess, he thought.
Somehow, he liked Grace. He had liked her from the day she walked into his office that first time. She also had a cute laugh and slight dimples which he liked. The dimples were obviously inherited from her mother.
When he reached a red traffic light, he stopped and quickly searched his CD collections. He chose Brenda Fassie, slotted the CD in the CD player and soon, the late South African singer’s strong voice filled the car as she sang Vuli ndlela. He didn’t understand what she was singing about but he moved his head to the rhythm of the music.
When the light turned green, he moved on.
To be continued.
You will learn about the mercy of God and that there is hope for you, in this novel.
WhatsApp: +234-8023000773
Available in bookshops in Nigeria
You can also purchase online on Okadabooks & Amazon
👇🏽
https://m.okadabooks.com/search?term=Taiwo+Iredele+Odubiyi+
Or
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=taiwo+iredele+odubiyi&rh=n%3A154606011&ref=nb_sb_noss
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, publishing or making any film in respect of the work, or an adaptation of the work, without the prior written permission of the author.
[15/07, 14:22] Taiwo Odubiyi's Books: WITH THIS RING - a novel - will be posted all through this month
By: Pastor Taiwo Iredele Odubiyi
Read and be blessed.
Feel free to share it.
(Day 8)
When he reached a red traffic light, he stopped and quickly searched his CD collections. He chose Brenda Fassie, slotted the CD in the CD player and soon, the late South African singer’s strong voice filled the car as she sang Vuli ndlela. He didn’t understand what she was singing about but he moved his head to the rhythm of the music.
When the light turned green, he moved on.
**********
Ibie had been lying on her stomach in her queen-size bed which occupied the center of the room, using her laptop. But now, she set it aside, turned on her back and stared at the ceiling as she began to think about Grace and Albert.
She was very sure that the young man sitting in the living room with her daughter did not know the ways of God. Why had Grace told her that he was a good Christian the first time she told her about him?
Realising that Grace deceived her, Ibie sighed. Grace didn’t need to do that. Didn’t she realise that her mother’s questions and approval or disapproval were meant to protect her, and that she was the one who would suffer if things went wrong? As her mother, she would feel bad and probably weep but Grace was the one who would suffer the consequences the most. When would these young people learn these simple truths? Ibie wondered sadly. Well, not all young people, she corrected herself. Some of them were serious about the things of God.
Grace needed to be more careful and committed to God. At the right time, God would bring the right man to her, afterall she was still young. She had told her daughter this truth a number of times that God’s time was the best and He would make everything beautiful in His time as stated in the Bible.
How could Grace be in such a relationship in spite of everything she had told her and what she was being taught in church?
In spite of Ibie’s busy schedule, she created time regularly to be with her daughter and discuss with her. She tried to be both father and mother to her yet sometimes it seemed as if she wasn’t doing enough. She had told Grace several times how she made the mistake of dating a married man and became pregnant. The man, Lulu Adejoh stayed with his family and Ibie became a single mother.
She had also told Grace about the dangers of premarital s*x and dating a man who did not love God. Grace attended the Singles’ fellowship in church and had heard several messages about how to have a good and godly relationship, yet she had chosen Albert. Could she be engaging in s*x with him? Ibie wondered with concern. She hoped not.
Grace knew the truth yet she was sometimes rebellious, Ibie thought and wondered what else she could do to help her daughter serve God better.
Suddenly, she heard Albert’s raised voice and it seemed he was angry. What could the matter be? She listened but didn’t hear anything again.
Just then, her cell phone began to ring. Without checking who the caller was, she answered it and heard the voice of Lizzy, her cousin. Had she returned from Australia?
“Are you back?”
“Yes. I returned yesterday.” Lizzy said.
Though Lizzy was two years older than Ibie, they were very close. They prayed together and confided in each other.
“Oh, I thought you said you were returning next weekend.” Ibie said. “So how was your trip?”
“It was great. I enjoyed myself.”
“I’m sure. Did you get the clothes for me?” Ibie asked. She had given Lizzy some money to purchase some clothes for her.
“Yes, I did.”
“Oh thank you. I’ll find time to come to your house to get them.”
“I want you to come this Saturday.”
“Fine. What time?”
“Afternoon will be good. I’ll make fish peppersoup for you.” Lizzy said.
Ibie smiled.
“And there will be snail.”
Of course Lizzy knew she liked peppersoup and snail. “Really? Great. I’ll be there. Er, I should be there at about four.”
“Perfect. I’ll expect you.”
Ibie put the handset down and soon, her thoughts returned to Grace. She might have to have another talk with her daughter when Albert had left. That man in there with Grace was up to no good. If Grace was not careful, she would get hurt; Ibie could feel it in her spirit.
She asked God to give her the right words to say to Grace.
**********
Femi was still in his living room but now, he was sitting on the sofa with his laptop on a table in front of him, drafting a proposal letter to an elementary school to use his bus services for their pupils. Dayo would take it to the school the next day.
Femi had not ceased to thank God for providing such a trustworthy and very active young man for him. Honest people are very hard, almost impossible to come by these days, even among those who call themselves Christians.
One of his friends in America had told him of how he sent four cars to his brother in Nigeria to sell and give the money to his wife who was in Nigeria; the brother sold the cars but did not remit the money.
One of his church members in America also told him that he sent money to his friend in Nigeria to buy an acre of land for him. The friend told him it had been done only for the man to discover when he came to Nigeria that the friend spent the money, and there was no acre of land.
How could people be so deceitful? Femi had not ceased to wonder.
Suddenly, his cell phone which was beside him on the sofa began to vibrate, and then ring out the tone, ‘Great is Thy faithfulness’.
He glanced at it and smiled when he saw that it was one of his very close friends, Jaye.
He picked it. “Pastor J.”
“Hey FC, how are you?” Jaye said in greeting. He was the pastor of a young fast growing church.
“Good, good, good. And you?”
“I’m doing well.” Jaye replied.
After exchanging pleasantries, Jaye told him, “Hold on for Lizzy.”
“Is she back from her trip?”
“Yes. She returned last night.”
“Oh, that’s good.” Femi said.
“Hold on. She wants to talk to you.”
“What about?”
Jaye laughed. “Hold on for her. She will explain.”
“Jaye, just a second.” Femi quickly said.
If his wife was trying to fix him up with a woman, he wasn’t interested.
When he had just returned to Nigeria and told Jaye of his plan to remarry, Jaye had told him that he would like him to meet one of his mature female church members who was also his neighbour. Although Femi told him he could get his own woman, he eventually agreed to come to Jaye’s church and see the lady, after all it wasn’t as if he had found someone else at that time. He had told Jaye not to discuss anything with the lady. If he would like to pursue a relationship, he would then make his intentions known to the lady.
On the agreed day, he went to the church. The lady seemed good enough and as Femi chatted with her, he checked his spirit.
To be continued.
You will learn about the mercy of God and that there is hope for you, in this novel.
WhatsApp: +234-8023000773
Available in bookshops in Nigeria
You can also purchase online on Okadabooks & Amazon
👇🏽
https://m.okadabooks.com/search?term=Taiwo+Iredele+Odubiyi+
Or
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=taiwo+iredele+odubiyi&rh=n%3A154606011&ref=nb_sb_noss
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, publishing or making any film in respect of the work, or an adaptation of the work, without the prior written permission of the author.
[16/07, 14:47] Taiwo Odubiyi's Books: WITH THIS RING - a novel - will be posted all through this month
By: Pastor Taiwo Iredele Odubiyi
Read and be blessed.
Feel free to share it.
(Day 9)
After exchanging pleasantries, Jaye told Femi, “Hold on for Lizzy.”
“Is she back from her trip?”
“Yes. She returned last night.”
“Oh, that’s good.” Femi said.
“Hold on. She wants to talk to you.”
“What about?”
Jaye laughed. “Hold on for her. She will explain.”
“Jaye, just a second.” Femi quickly said.
If his wife was trying to fix him up with a woman, he wasn’t interested.
When he had just returned to Nigeria and told Jaye of his plan to remarry, Jaye had told him that he would like him to meet one of his mature female church members who was also his neighbour. Although Femi told him he could get his own woman, he eventually agreed to come to Jaye’s church and see the lady, after all it wasn’t as if he had found someone else at that time. He had told Jaye not to discuss anything with the lady. If he would like to pursue a relationship, he would then make his intentions known to the lady.
On the agreed day, he went to the church. The lady seemed good enough and as Femi chatted with her, he checked his spirit. Somehow, he didn’t think he’d like to spend the rest of his life attached to her. She appeared very desperate to get married. He invited her to lunch the next Saturday so he could ask further questions and know for sure whether or not she was right for him.
On the day, they met at a small restaurant. After two questions from Femi, the lady asked her own question. “When would you like to marry?”
While Femi was thinking of an appropriate answer, she spoke again. “If you’d like to marry me, it has to be as soon as possible because my biological clock is ticking away.”
That put Femi off. He knew he had been right about what he felt in his spirit yesterday that she was not the one for him.
He was still wondering how to respond to her statement when he heard her speak again.
“We were taught in church that intended couples should discuss the number of children they intend to have. How many will you like to have?”
“I already have two. Er,” he shrugged and paused.
What was she driving at anyway? He wondered. He had not even proposed to her. Her question was not appropriate.
He decided to throw the question back to her. “How many will you like to have?”
“I’d like to have at least three, two girls and a boy.” She said matter-of-factly. “And if that is going to happen, I need to get started on time. I’m thirty five years old.”
Is she serious? Femi thought. He immediately began to think of how to end this outing quickly.
When they finished eating and Femi had paid, he told her he’d like to leave. They left and he saw her off to her car. When she asked when she would be seeing Femi again, he was forced to tell her that he didn’t think they were suitable.
She was clearly disappointed but he was relieved that the awkward evening had ended.
Femi didn’t like such a situation and wouldn’t want a repeat of it for two reasons: one, he hated to hurt people, and two, it had made going to Jaye’s house a little awkward for him. Since that day, whenever he had to go to Jaye’s house, he prayed he would not run into the lady.
“Jaye?” Femi called his friend.
Jaye laughed.
Femi started again, “Jaye look -”
But Jaye had given the phone to his wife. “Hello, Pastor Femi.”
Femi laughed. “Hello, Lizzy. You’re welcome back.”
“Thank you, Pastor Femi. It really is good to be back. There’s no place like home.” She was Jaye’s wife of seventeen years.
“Shouldn’t you be in bed by now, resting?” Femi asked her.
She laughed. “I will, as soon as I’m through with you. I want you to come to our house on Saturday.”
“What’s happening on Saturday?”
“Nothing. I just want to see you.”
He could hear Jaye’s laughter in the background and he said, “I can hear your husband laughing. What exactly is it?”
“Don’t mind him. I just want us to spend some time together.”
“Lizzy?”
“Don’t eat before you come because I will feed you. I’m cooking fried rice.”
“Lizzy?”
“Fried rice with snails. You know how much you like snail. There will also be fish peppersoup.”
“Lizzy! I want the real reason. You know I will ask your husband.”
Laughing, she told him, “It’s true. I haven’t lied. I’m going to feed you if you come. But I have a second reason.”
“That’s what I want to know.”
“Pastor Femi, I’d like you to meet a lady.”
“Thanks but no, thanks.” He said immediately.
“No, hold on. She’s a wonderful woman.”
“Lizzy look, one, I don’t need help to get my own woman. And two, your husband introduced your neighbour to me some time ago. I’m sure you knew about it.”
“Yes. I knew about it but I wasn’t involved. I wasn’t really in support of that lady but you know your friend, he didn’t listen. This is different.”
“How?”
“I’m involved in this, and I wouldn’t do that if I wasn’t sure she’d be perfect for you. Besides, I prayed.”
“You prayed? To get a wife for me? Very interesting. Well, I’ll have you know that I have found someone.” Femi revealed.
“That’s good, but still, I’d like you to meet this person and pray about it.” She insisted. “She’s just perfect for you.”
Femi laughed. He tried again to get out of the plan. “I said I have found my own person.”
“I know but … Pastor Femi … just meet this person, that’s all. Besides, you have nothing to lose by coming, you will eat.”
“And who is this wonderful person you are talking about? How well do you know her?”
“I know her very well. She’s my cousin.”
Femi laughed. “This is becoming more interesting. Your cousin? Are you serious?”
“Yeah. What’s bad in that? The fact that she’s my cousin doesn’t mean a thing if -”
“Can I talk to your husband?”
“No, not yet. Promise me you’ll come. Pleeeease?”
“Alright, I’ll come but I haven’t promised anything. I will say hello to your cousin, eat your food and leave. And please, don’t say anything to the woman about me. Is that okay?”
“Okay.”
“Can I talk to your husband now?”
“Yes.”
When Jaye came on the line, Femi asked him, “What part of ‘I have found my own woman’ does your wife not understand?”
“Look Femi, please just come or she won’t let me rest.”
“I’ve told her I will be there.”
To be continued.
You will learn about the mercy of God and that there is hope for you, in this novel.
WhatsApp: +234-8023000773
Available in bookshops in Nigeria
You can also purchase online on Okadabooks & Amazon
👇🏽
https://m.okadabooks.com/search?term=Taiwo+Iredele+Odubiyi+
Or
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=taiwo+iredele+odubiyi&rh=n%3A154606011&ref=nb_sb_noss
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, publishing or making any film in respect of the work, or an adaptation of the work, without the prior written permission of the author.
[17/07, 13:43] Taiwo Odubiyi's Books: WITH THIS RING - a novel - will be posted all through this month
By: Pastor Taiwo Iredele Odubiyi
Read and be blessed.
Feel free to share it.
(Day 10)
“You prayed? To get a wife for me? Very interesting. Well, I’ll have you know that I have found someone.” Femi revealed.
“That’s good, but still, I’d like you to meet this person and pray about it.” She insisted. “She’s just perfect for you.”
Femi laughed. He tried again to get out of the plan. “I said I have found my own person.”
“I know but … Pastor Femi … just meet this person, that’s all. Besides, you have nothing to lose by coming, you will eat.”
“And who is this wonderful person you are talking about? How well do you know her?”
“I know her very well. She’s my cousin.”
Femi laughed again. “This is becoming more interesting. Your cousin? Are you serious?”
“Yeah. What’s bad in that? The fact that she’s my cousin doesn’t mean a thing if -”
“Can I talk to your husband?”
“No, not yet. Promise me you’ll come. Pleeeease?”
“Alright, I’ll come but I haven’t promised anything. I will say hello to your cousin, eat your food and leave. And please, don’t say anything to the woman about me. Is that okay?”
“Okay.”
“Can I talk to your husband now?”
“Yes.”
When Jaye came on the line, Femi asked him, “What part of ‘I have found my own woman’ does your wife not understand?”
“Look Femi, please just come or she won’t let me rest.”
“I’ve told her I will be there.”
**********
The next day in the afternoon, as Grace left the courtroom, she used a pink coloured fingernail to turn on her cell phone and a text message entered immediately. She checked, it was a bank alert of a money transfer from Albert. He obviously couldn’t wait for her to have the abortion done, she thought with a sad smile.
She got inside her official car, fastened her seatbelt, and as she drove in the direction of her workplace, she thought about the conversation her mother had with her last night after Albert left.
Ibie had expressed her opinion about Grace’s relationship with Albert, adding that she wanted a good life for Grace.
Grace could still remember her exact words: “Don’t think I’m being harsh or unreasonable. I’m saying all these because I want your future happiness. I want to see you married and enjoying your marriage. But if you get married to someone who does not love God, having a good marriage is not going to happen.”
Grace sighed. She knew that her mother was right, of course.
She reached the building which was the last one on the street. There, she parked the car, took her briefcase and got out. She entered the building. The elevator had just arrived and she waited for the two men inside it to step out, then she went in and rode to the third floor. Two companies shared the floor with the law firm: Lawal & Adesola Chambers.
As she walked down the hallway, her black court shoes with stiletto heels made clicking sounds on the tiled floor till she reached the door that had the name plate of the firm. She opened it and stepped into the spacious carpeted reception area.
The receptionist, a plump and pleasant looking woman was there, seated behind a fine polished wood dais that showed the firm’s name in gold letters. The office was filled with elegant furniture. A man was seated in the glass-walled area reserved for visitors, reading a newspaper.
Grace greeted the receptionist who told her that Richard and Bayo, the senior partners in the law firm had not returned. Passing by her, Grace went into her office which she shared with two people. A full file tray was on her table while a black file cabinet stood in a corner of the room. A two-door book shelf was between the tables of her colleagues.
She sat down and put her briefcase on her table. Opening it, she took out a file, closed the briefcase and set it aside.
She had just opened the file when her cell phone began to ring. It was Albert. Taking a deep breath, she picked it. “Hello.”
“Grace, how are you?”
“Okay.”
Just then, one of her colleagues entered and she waved a hand in greeting.
“Have you received the alert?” Albert asked her.
Lowering her voice, she said, “Yes. I can see that you want me to get it done immediately without any consideration for me.”
“What are you talking about? You’re the one I’m considering in all this. That was why I sent it immediately although you have not asked for a particular amount. I know it can’t cost much but I put twenty thousand naira in your account! Besides, terminating it is the only way we can move forward.”
“Albert, hold on.” She told him.
Leaving the room, she went through the reception and left the office. She stood on a side by the staircase, with her back to the stairs so she could talk freely. People walked past.
“Hello.” She spoke into the phone.
“Yes, I’m here.” Albert responded.
Sighing she said, “I don’t know. I’m just feeling upset.”
“I know. Don’t let it upset you so much though. It happens all the time. If you had handled yourself, you would not have gotten pregnant.”
“And if you had handled yourself, I would not have become pregnant.”
“I can’t recall holding a gun to your head.”
“Oh, just shut up.”
“We were both trying to have a good time, not a family.”
“You’re so annoying, Albert.” Well, she had only herself to blame.
He laughed. “Relax Grace, everything is under control. I’ve done my part, it remains for you to do your part.”
“I’m just wondering … is abortion the only option?”
“It is.” He answered. “Look Grace, it’s just some tissues at this time. It’s not yet a baby.”
“Albert, it is a baby.” She corrected him. “What you call tissues is the beginning of life; that is how you and I came to being.”
“Look Grace,” He said, dismissing her theory. “What we should be talking about now is where you will go to have it done. Should I arrange for you to see one of my friends who is a doctor?”
“One of your friends?”
“Yes. That’s if you want.”
She snorted. “I don’t want one of your friends.”
“Why not?”
“One of your friends? I don’t want an inexperienced young person who might perforate my womb.”
“I beg your pardon? My friend might be young but he is qualified and experienced.”
“Like you would say, I don’t give a flip if he is qualified and experienced, he is still young.”
He laughed. “Well, it’s just a suggestion. It doesn’t have to be him. Do you have a particular clinic in mind?”
She asked him, “When would you like to get married?”
“Marriage?” He was obviously surprised at the change of subject.
“I’m wondering aloud.” She pointed out.
“That is not relevant.”
“I think it is. I’m carrying your baby and we are thinking of what we should do - have an abortion or what?”
“We have decided on what you should do.” He said clearly raising his voice on the ‘you’.
She was about to respond when she heard a movement from behind her. Someone was near her. As she looked back, she heard Richard’s voice, “Grace.”
Richard Lawal was the senior partner in Lawal & Adesola.
Surprised to see him, she said, “Oh, good afternoon sir.” She hoped he hadn’t heard her conversation with Albert.
“How are you?” Richard asked. The tall and dark-complexioned man was in his thirties.
“I’m fine.”
“I hope I didn’t startle you. I wanted you to look at someone but the person has left.” Richard explained then walked away.
“Look Albert, I’ll talk to you later.” Grace quickly told him.
“When are you getting it done?” He wanted to know.
“Maybe tomorrow.”
“Not maybe. It has to be tomorrow, alright?” He told her firmly. “Tomorrow is Wednesday.”
To be continued.
You will learn about the mercy of God and that there is hope for you, in this novel.
WhatsApp: +234-8023000773
Available in bookshops in Nigeria
You can also purchase online on Okadabooks & Amazon
👇🏽
https://m.okadabooks.com/search?term=Taiwo+Iredele+Odubiyi+
Or
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=taiwo+iredele+odubiyi&rh=n%3A154606011&ref=nb_sb_noss
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, publishing or making any film in respect of the work, or an adaptation of the work, without the prior written permission of the author.
[18/07, 13:48] Taiwo Odubiyi's Books: WITH THIS RING - a novel - will be posted all through this month
By: Pastor Taiwo Iredele Odubiyi
Read and be blessed.
Feel free to share it.
(Day 11)
Grace asked him, “When would you like to get married?”
“Marriage?” Albert was obviously surprised at the change of subject.
“I’m wondering aloud.” She pointed out.
“That is not relevant.”
“I think it is. I’m carrying your baby and we are thinking of what we should do - have an abortion or what?”
“We have decided on what you should do.” He said clearly raising his voice on the ‘you’.
She was about to respond when she heard a movement from behind her. Someone was near her. As she looked back, she heard Richard’s voice, “Grace.”
Richard Lawal was the senior partner in Lawal & Adesola.
Surprised to see him, she said, “Oh, good afternoon sir.” She hoped he hadn’t heard her conversation with Albert.
“How are you?” Richard asked. The tall and dark-complexioned man was in his thirties.
“I’m fine.”
“I hope I didn’t startle you. I wanted you to look at someone but the person has left.” Richard explained then walked away.
“Look Albert, I’ll talk to you later.” Grace quickly told him.
“When are you getting it done?” He wanted to know.
“Maybe tomorrow.”
“Not maybe. It has to be tomorrow, alright?” He told her firmly. “Tomorrow is
Wednesday.”
“I know.”
“I’ll talk to you later then.”
“Okay. Bye.” Grace said and ended the call.
Back inside, she saw the man who had been waiting at the reception entering Richard’s office. She went to hers. About twenty minutes after, she could hear Richard’s voice at the reception as he said goodbye to the man.
She took the file on her table and headed for Richard’s office. She told his secretary that she’d like to see him and she was waved in. Knocking briefly, she opened the door.
Richard was talking on his cell phone. Grace wanted to go back but he beckoned to her.
She entered and sat down. While she waited for him, her eyes took in the things on his shiny table. A file tray, a big Bible, a box of tissue, a monitor, a telephone box, and a framed photo of him and his wife were among the things on the table.
Her gaze shifted to the right where a printer and fax machine stood on a stand that had two shelves for papers. Beside the stand was a wooden cabinet with six pullout drawers, vintage handles and built in label holders. Built-in bookcases, protected by glass doors filled with many books, most of them on law and neatly arranged in alphabetical order, were on the left side of the room. She glanced at the cream-painted walls where his framed law degrees and a painting that was three feet long and twelve inches high hung.
She returned her gaze to Richard. She knew that the black suit he wore was expensive because it was of high quality.
When Richard was through on the phone, she gave him the file in her hand and briefed him about the case she went to court for.
“Well, let the man know that from now on, he should not to talk to anyone. All questions should be directed to us.” He advised.
They discussed more details of the lawsuit.
When they finished, she took the file back and got up.
“Er, Grace,”
“Yes sir.” She answered and looked at him.
“Just a minute please.”
She waited to hear him.
“Sit down.”
She did.
“I don’t want to pretend that I didn’t hear a little about your conversation on the phone when I was coming in.”
Oh my God!
“Well, aside being your boss, you know that I’m a pastor and I’m married. You have met my wife, Tammy. You also know that in this office, we all relate like a family. And you … you are like a sister to Bayo and me.”
As he talked, he looked straight at her. “I’d like you to talk to me about what’s going on in your life right now.”
Grace looked away.
“You can trust me, Grace … you can talk to me.”
When she didn’t talk, he asked, “Are you pregnant?”
She didn’t talk still.
“Grace?”
She pressed her lips together and looked down at the file in her hands on her laps.
“I heard a little about your conversation. I just want to know what’s going on so I can help you … counsel you, pray with you.” He explained then asked again, “You are pregnant, right?”
She finally nodded, still looking at the file.
“You are a Christian. What do you think God will want you to do?”
She didn’t talk.
“I need you to answer. I’m trying to help you find the best way out.” He said, with eyes filled with compassion. “What do you think God would want you to do? Do you think He would want you to terminate it?”
She shook her head.
“Why?”
She inhaled deeply and released the air through her mouth. She closed her mouth, and then opened them again. “Because terminating it will be wrong. We should preserve lives.”
“That’s very true, Grace. Some things are just wrong. Abortion is one of them.” He paused for effect, and then went on. “What you have in your womb is a baby. A life is growing inside you.”
Still looking at her, he leaned forward and continued. “Let me tell you some other reasons why you should not terminate it.” Raising his right index finger, he said, “One, abortion is risky. Your womb could get damaged; the abortion might not be properly done which could lead to an infection; and the infection could block your fallopian tubes which could affect future fertility; your womb could also get punctured during the process of abortion; there could be internal bleeding; and you – or let me say the person could die.”
He brought the finger down, placed his left elbow on the table and said, “That’s not going to happen to you in Jesus’ name,” just as she prayed under her breath, I will not die in Jesus’ name.
He spoke again. “I’m sure you must have heard that some people died from abortion.”
She nodded slightly.
He went on. “Anything could happen from the abortion. Now, I’m not trying to scare you, I’m only telling you the reality.”
He raised the right index and the middle fingers. “Number two … people sometimes terminate pregnancies thinking that when the time is right and they are ready, they will get pregnant again but life sometimes doesn’t turn out that way. They might not be able to conceive again for -” he shrugged, “various reasons. I’ve been married for almost nine years but my wife has just conceived for the first time. We are Christians and married as virgins but for whatever reason, she couldn’t conceive before now!”
Shrugging, he went on, “Who knows if this is the only child you are meant to have in your life? You told me at a time that you are an only child. If your mother had terminated your life when you were conceived, she probably would be without a child now.”
He paused to allow his words sink in. Then he asked, “Who is responsible for the pregnancy?”
“Albert Asika.”
“Albert Asika?” He repeated, surprised. Albert had come to the office once to look for Grace and he knew they had become friends but he didn’t know they were this friendly. Was Albert even a Christian? He wondered.
Keeping his opinion to himself, he asked, “Is he the one you were talking with on the phone?”
“Yes.”
“He wants you to abort it?”
She nodded. “Yes. He said he’s not ready for commitment.”
“Then he shouldn’t have engaged in s*x.” He pointed out.
Sitting back and resting his left hand on the armrest of his black leather chair, he spoke again. “Can I tell you something? If a man loves a woman or if he’s a responsible man, he would marry her or stay by her. He would not ask her to get rid of her pregnancy simply because he’s not ready. That’s the truth.”
Grace knew it.
“If you abort to please and keep him, you could still lose him. Such things don’t work. It doesn’t mean he would eventually marry you or be more committed. It’s just like when some men say – You will lose me if you don’t have s*x with me. It’s a lie. Even if the lady gives s*x, she will still lose such a man because he really doesn’t love her. He is in the relationship to satisfy his fleshly desires. You could risk your life today and he would marry another person tomorrow. You can’t stop him.” He told her.
He continued, “I don’t know how far you’ve gone in your relationship but I don’t see much love and commitment in it. And is God in it at all? If God’s not in it, then you have nothing. Don’t do the wrong thing because of your relationship. It’s not worth it.”
She took a deep breath.
“What is your heart telling you to do?” He asked.
To be continued.
You will learn about the mercy of God and that there is hope for you, in this novel.
WhatsApp: +234-8023000773
Available in bookshops in Nigeria
You can also purchase online on Okadabooks & Amazon
👇🏽
https://m.okadabooks.com/search?term=Taiwo+Iredele+Odubiyi+
Or
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=taiwo+iredele+odubiyi&rh=n%3A154606011&ref=nb_sb_noss
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, publishing or making any film in respect of the work, or an adaptation of the work, without the prior written permission of the author.
[19/07, 13:28] Taiwo Odubiyi's Books: WITH THIS RING - a novel - will be posted all through this month
By: Pastor Taiwo Iredele Odubiyi
Read and be blessed.
Feel free to share it.
(Day 12)
“He wants you to abort it?” Richard asked.
Grace nodded. “Yes. He said he’s not ready for commitment.”
“Then he shouldn’t have engaged in s*x.” He pointed out.
Sitting back and resting his left hand on the armrest of his black leather chair, he spoke again. “Can I tell you something? If a man loves a woman or if he’s a responsible man, he would marry her or stay by her. He would not ask her to get rid of her pregnancy simply because he’s not ready. That’s the truth.”
Grace knew it.
“If you abort to please and keep him, you could still lose him. Such things don’t work. It doesn’t mean he would eventually marry you or be more committed. It’s just like when some men say – You will lose me if you don’t have s*x with me. It’s a lie. Even if the lady gives s*x, she will still lose such a man because he really doesn’t love her. He is in the relationship to satisfy his fleshly desires. You could risk your life today and he would marry another person tomorrow. You can’t stop him.” He told her.
He continued, “I don’t know how far you’ve gone in your relationship but I don’t see much love and commitment in it. And is God in it at all? If God’s not in it, then you have nothing. Don’t do the wrong thing because of your relationship. It’s not worth it.”
She took a deep breath.
“What is your heart telling you to do?” He asked.
“I know that abortion is wrong but -” She stopped and closed her eyes.
“But what?”
Opening her eyes, she said, “I don’t think I have a choice.”
He smiled. “How old are you now? Twenty three? Twenty four?”
“I’m twenty four. I know I’m old enough but that’s not the point. I – I don’t think -”
“Grace, you are a lawyer and you of all people know that you have a choice. I’m sure you know that if a man impregnates a woman, he is liable under the law for her upkeep and the total upbringing of the child until the child turns to an adult. You don’t have to abort this pregnancy. If you keep it, you’ll be okay somehow, trust me.”
She inhaled again and blew the air through her mouth. “I – I can’t keep it. And this is not about Albert.” She finally looked up at him with eyes that begged to be understood as she asked, “Can’t I do it and ask God for forgiveness? I’m sure He will forgive me.” She put the file on the table and placed her elbows on the table.
A corner of his mouth turned up in a smile. “You are right. God will forgive you because He is a merciful God but that does not mean He will be happy with what you want to do. Besides, sin has consequences. If you know what you are about to do is wrong and you would have to ask for forgiveness later, why should you do it? Why don’t you stop?”
She shook her head. “I don’t want to become a single parent. My mother is a single parent. I know what she went through … and is probably still going through. I don’t want the same life for myself and this baby. Besides, what would people say? They would say that my mother is a single parent, and her daughter is going to become a single parent as well!”
He smiled to soften the impact of what he was about to say. “Well, I’m sorry to say but being pregnant is the consequence of a bad choice. That’s the truth but it has happened and there is nothing anyone can do to undo it but you can begin to make good choices from now.”
Pointing at the Bible on his table, he said, “The Bible encourages us in Hebrews chapter twelve to: Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. Do you understand?”
Rather than answer, she said, “People will talk about me.”
“Some people will talk about you but don’t let that bother you. Focus on doing the right thing.”
Tears filled Grace’s eyes and she shifted her gaze from him to the table.
Richard spoke again. “You said that your mother struggled. Yes, she struggled but look at you now. Look at the person you have become – a lawyer! I tell you, Grace, you and your baby will be fine.”
She closed her eyes and as the tears flowed down her cheeks, she wiped them with her hand before they would fall on her skirt and stain it.
Richard leaned forward and took her left hand in his right hand in a comforting way. “Who knows what your child would become? He or she might become a doctor, a lawyer like you or the next President Obama. Who knows?”
She shook her head sadly. “I had my plans.”
“It’s okay, Grace.” He released her hand, took the box of tissue on his table and placed it in front of her. “Here.”
She pulled a tissue and wiped her face.
Richard went on. “You can still fulfill your plans. As soon as your baby is old enough to be left with a trusted person, you can continue with your career and whatever else you want to do. Do you understand?”
She didn’t talk.
“Grace?”
She opened her mouth to talk but closed it back.
“Just say yes. Promise me you won’t terminate it.”
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
He spoke again. “Your mother allowed you to live; she is an example to you. Give your baby a chance; let your baby live as well, Grace. You will have to put your trust in God. Inspite of it all, though you sinned against Him, if you ask God for help, He will help you. He will send help.”
He waited for a response from her. When there was none, he spoke again. “If you choose to keep your baby, you will be okay. Things may look really bad now but they won’t remain like that for long. Robert Schuller wrote a book, Tough Times Don’t Last But Tough People Do. I believe it. Becoming a single parent is not the end of your life, trust me. I’m sure you will be able to get Albert to support you but let’s assume he chooses not to, do you think you won’t be able to cope? You will, Grace.” He assured her. “You will be fine. Just get closer to God, be strong in Him and with a little hard work, determination and support from people who love you, you will make it.”
Opening her eyes, she rolled them up toward the ceiling as she spoke. “It’s not that I don’t want the baby. I’m not heartless or stubborn … I know what is right but,” she looked at him, “What about the shame, the change in my life and plans? I’m not prepared.”
He cleared his throat and said, “Can I tell you another truth? When you say such things, you are thinking of only yourself. You should think about the baby and the baby’s future. And think about God.”
He reached out and took her right hand again in an assuring way. “Don’t worry. Let not your heart be troubled, believe in God, believe in Jesus.”
She inhaled deeply and blew the air out of her mouth again.
“It’s okay, Grace.” He comforted her.
She shook her head. “I shouldn’t be pregnant now. I’ve just started working here; it’s not up to six months.”
He shrugged. “Well,”
“And my mother! It will break her heart. She will be so, so upset.”
“That’s only to be expected but I know she will eventually get over it and support you.”
“The church, my friends, what will they say?”
He nodded to show he understood her concerns. “I know. I understand you but as far as God is concerned, you have made the right decision about the pregnancy. That’s the important thing.”
“Oh my God!”
“I understand how you are feeling. I know what it feels like to be in a bad situation.” He said and smiled. “Let me tell you something about myself that you don’t know.”
He sat back on his chair and rested his head. He was silent for some seconds before he spoke. “I’ve also made my share of mistakes. That was why I said that I know what it feels like to make a mistake and be in a bad situation. As I told you earlier, Tammy and I got married about nine years ago. We were both Christians, virgins and we loved each other. We were certain there was no mountain we could not move. We started well … the foundation was right but along the line in our marriage, challenges came and we became distracted.”
As he talked, he had a faraway look in his eyes. “The first challenge was that Tammy could not conceive. That was a big shock to us. It never crossed our mind that it could happen. With time, that began to affect our relationship. She became very emotional, always weeping and I became very impatient with her, always snapping. Without realising it, I was moving away from her and getting closer to a female member of my church.”
His revelation got Grace’s full attention.
To be continued.
You will learn about the mercy of God and that there is hope for you, in this novel.
WhatsApp: +234-8023000773
Available in bookshops in Nigeria
You can also purchase online on Okadabooks & Amazon
👇🏽
https://m.okadabooks.com/search?term=Taiwo+Iredele+Odubiyi+
Or
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=taiwo+iredele+odubiyi&rh=n%3A154606011&ref=nb_sb_noss
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means - electronic, mechani
OkadaBooks Book Search Results for "Taiwo Iredele Odubiyi "
