PART 13

MY FATHER’S FARMLAND

©?Opeyemi Ojerinde Akintunde

“ Can you come with me to my house?” Banke said as she kept wiping her
tears. Ola had written out a summary of all that happened to her and her
siblings…

Banke could not believe something like that could happen to a human being
and that person could still have her faith strong in God. This thing about her
not talking was terrible, she wanted to take her to her husband who was a
pastor. She believed with prayers, the poor girl could recover her voice…
However, she was a bit sceptical about the validity of her story. There were a
lot of fraudulent people in the country with different stories.
“ Your house? Why?” Ola wrote
“ Yes, with everything you have written, I am led in my Spirit to be of help to
you, provided your story is true. I live in a duplex by the Grace of God with 5
rooms, my husband and I only use one room. Actually, we have been looking
for a maid, so I could tell my husband you are the new maid… but I promise
not to treat you as one… I don’t want you aborting this pregnancy… but
before I can take you home, I will like you to take me to your siblings at the
university you claim they are attending…”
Ola rested her head on the headrest in Mrs. Banke’s car.
“ Is this meant to be the next phase in my life or should I go back to my
original plan and move in with the Landlady’s friend?” Ola kept asking
herself…
She closed her eyes and asked the Lord in her heart…
PIRED BY THE LIVING WORD
OPEYEMI AKINTUNDE
“ I am with you…” Ola heard quietly in her heart
“ Ok, let me take you to my siblings, but please don’t tell them about the
pregnancy. It will break their hearts..” Ola wrote.
Mrs. Banke drove down to the university and she was able to verify Ola’s
claims. Mrs. Banke told them she wanted to help Ola as she was led to do so.
Oba and Ope agreed to the new move feeling comfortable with the
arrangement as Ola won’t be alone in a house.
Ola was silent over her pregnancy.
Mrs. Banke went aside to call her husband…
“ Honey, I have seen an orphan who we can help and also serve as the help
we need. I have met her family … I will give you more details when I get
home.”
“ So what happens to the business plan you have?” Oba asked Ola
“ Right now, I need to heal from the rape, so this is not the time to start a
business. That is why I am accepting her offer to be a maid” Ola wrote before
she realized she had written too much
“ Maid?” Ope said in surprise…
“ What I mean is, she is looking for a maid, so while she is still on the search,
I can always help around, since she has offered me a place..” Ola wrote
“ Ok..” Oba and Ope said…
“ I pray God be with you…All these will be over soon, by the time we are
through with school, we will pay you back for this huge sacrifice. We love you
sis” Oba said…
Oba, Ope, and Ola went with Mrs. Banke to her house. Mrs. Banke was living
in one of the posh estates in the environment. Her house was more beautiful
than Miss Johnson’s House. It was obvious they were Christians as the house
had a lot of wall hangings proclaiming God’s names and scriptures.
Mrs. Banke’s Husband was surprised when he saw three youths. After saying
hi to the trio, he told his wife to see him privately.
After 25 minutes, Mrs. Banke came out and took Ola to her room…
“ I feel the peace of God in this house and more importantly you will be safe
from further sexual abuse,” Oba said…
Oba, Ope, and Ola ate a delicious meal prepared by Mrs. Banke. After 2 hours
Oba and Ope went back to school, while Mrs. Banke got familiar with Ola.
She promised to take Ola back to her apartment the next day to pick up her
belongings and money.
Towards Evening, Mrs. Banke informed Ola they would be going for evening
Revival service. It was then Ola realized Mrs. Banke’s Husband was a pastor.
They travelled for about 50 minutes before getting to his church. The service
was beautiful. Mrs. Banke’s Husband was the pastor in charge.

When it was time for the prayer session, Pastor Ayo ( Mrs. Banke’s Husband)
climbed the podium and said…
“ Light shines and darkness can not comprehend it, We have someone in our
midst, a new sister in our midst who was hit by a charm recently and that
took her voice away…, As I sat down during the Word, it was impressed on
my heart to ask the congregation to intercede on her behalf and I believe our
Father will restore her voice”
“ Halleluya! “ Chorused the Church…
Ola was shocked at the love and hoped silently God was going to answer…
Ola was called out to be prayed for, but Ola was shocked to see someone in
the front row that looked like Sukki…
No! It couldn’t be Sukki, but she looked closely and saw that he was the
one…Ola walked close to be sure he was the one… And Yes he was the one…
Sukki felt the ground should swallow him up… Strawberry was standing right
in front of him…
“ Had she become dumb because of what had happened?” Sukki reasoned
silently as he bent his head in shame…
Ola looked at Mrs. Banke and her Husband as she felt she was in the middle
of a plan… The only thing that came to her mind was to run..run as fast as
her legs could take her…
Ola ran out of the church and stopped a bike. Since she was dumb, she
couldn’t say a word… She just pointed ahead and the bike man said…

“ Junction?”The bike man asked
Ola nodded in the affirmative. She jumped on the bike and hit the bike man
to leave…
Mrs. Banke and Pastor Ayo had rushed out to catch up with Ola but she was
long gone…Sukki fell to the floor crying..

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