SACRED BETRAYAL - PART 1

Episode One

Clash Of Faith And Family

"Don't tell me you're traveling again; you just came back two days ago from a ministration, and now you're honoring another invitation. When will you be available for your own family? I'm dying inside, and yet you're not concerned about my feelings. What about your kids? Don't you think they need you?

All you are married to is your ministry," Mama yelled out, pouring her frustration and anger onto Papa, who was busy packing his clothes.

I waited for Papa to reply, but I heard nothing. Before Mama could turn her anger on me, I quickly moved out from their bedroom, where I was helping Mama fold the piled-up washed clothes on their bed. Just as I stepped out, I heard Mama's voice again, louder than before.

"Boye, don't tell me you don't have an answer to all I've been saying, and you call yourself a pastor? I'm not even sure you're a genuine pastor because if you were a true man of God, you wouldn't be silent when your wife is pouring out her inner pain to you," Mama continued, hurling hurtful words, waiting for Papa to respond. However, Papa remained as calm as a dove.

Mama moved to where Papa's travel bags were and, in annoyance, unzipped the bag, pulling out Papa's neatly arranged clothes. "Lara, what is all this? Why are you doing this to me? I thought we discussed and agreed on this matter. I'm only going for two days, and before you know it, I will be back home. Don't allow the enemy to use you. You're a woman of faith, a strong woman, my burden bearer, and this is the time that I need you," Papa moved closer to Mama, calming her with soft words.

I couldn't help but admire Papa's maturity, especially when he and Mama were having a disagreement. Although I knew eavesdropping was not right, I sat outside, tucked away in a corner near their door, listening to their conversation as I peeked through the doorknob to get a clearer picture of the whole scene.

Episode Two

Uncle Tayo's Surprise Visit

"Hmm," Mama sighed, expressing her concern about Papa's frequent travels while he continued to fiddle with her neatly plaited weaving.

Papa replied with a calm voice, "I understand your worries, my dear, but I can't refuse God's calling."

Mama had indeed been a strong woman, enduring Papa's absence. As I listened, I couldn't help but think that I wouldn't want to marry a man of God if this was the norm.

Suddenly, there was a loud bang on the entrance gate, and Papa called my name urgently. I tiptoed away from their door, hesitating for a moment before responding.

Entering their bedroom without knocking, I apologized to Mama for not following the house rules. She corrected me with a stern look.

Ignoring Mama's words, the banging on the gate grew even louder, and I rushed out to see who was causing the commotion.

"Good morning, sir," I uttered as I quickly opened the gate and collected the traveling bag he came with, following Mama's teachings. "Good morning, dear, you've really changed. You're now a big girl," Uncle Tayo remarked, looking at me with admiration. "Hope Booda is around? I've been trying his number all these times, but his lines are always busy," he questioned as we moved away from the gate, which he had helped me lock after I collected his large traveling bag.

"Really!" I sighed within me, knowing that Uncle Tayo was known for fabricating stories. Uncle Tayo, the youngest of the five surviving children from Papa's mother, always visited us unannounced. This time, with the size of his traveling bag, I knew he was planning to stay for weeks.

© 2023 Ogunsola Oluwasayo

Read Part 2 here