By NneNne Izuanagbara
EPISODE 7
Dad walked in.
Everyone went cold. I actually freezed. Never has such been seen in our home. I wasn’t the course i thought. They won’t let me be.
-what’s going on here? Dad asked.
He now looked at me from head to toe.
-oh, he said, now i see.
Mum wanted to complain. Dad paused her.
-that’s alright honey. Let’s see in our room please.
Mum tried saying something. Dad hushed her again. He took her by the hand and they headed for their room.
Sophia left too.
I watched my dad walk away with his wife without saying a word. This man’s silence is flogging the hell out of me. What’s on his mind? What does he want to do? I know my dad. He is a no nonsense, strict, beliver.
Sister Nancy walked in. I greeted, she didn’t respond. I greeted again, she didn’t respond. Hmmm, sister sophia must have called her. That girl’s mouth needs a sewing machine. They are not even my headache. Dad is.
I had to go close to my parents room. I was so anxious, desperate. I was eager to know what’s on my dad’s mind. I had to eavesdrop.
Dad was telling mum…..
Honey, this is what i am trying to avoid. Do you know what the bible says? We are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and run in endurance. Honey, i heard your voices from the gate. People heard it too. Do you know what it will become? Pastor Cornell’s family is fighting. What a shame. Honey no matter what, you should have waited for me. Hmmm, don’t think i don’t know what I’m doing.
I was wanting to hear more when i received a heavy spank on my butt. I stood up.
Argh, Sister NANCY…..
-what are you doing by dad’s door? Junior has it.gotten to this?
I knelt down and started begging. Her voice must not bring dad and mum out. Infact i had to lie down and beg.
-now, leave this place .
I ran more than bolt to my room. I sat on my bed. Hmmm, i sighed. I have decided I’m not doing that nonsense old time religion of bottle neck shirt and flappy trousers with that nonsense slavery haircut. No style no shape, no swag. On top somebody will be walking like moving stick, no bounce,nothing. Mba o
Chai, i can’t wait to attend GOLD CROWN CONGREGATION tomorrow. But nna ehee, the clothe i want to wear, how do i cross this gate? Or, maybe i should dress pastorized here then goan change in Gresham’s house?
Nooo, i thought. I want the street to feel me mehn. I headed for my wardrobe. I brought out this clothe. My multi-coloured crazy jean, it has a touch of yellow, so I’m wearing a yellow blazer. I got out my necklace. 5 of it. It looked much. I decided to wear just two. I arranged them on my bed and was smiling like a toothless sheep. I shouted……
-Ama rock for Jesus yaw!!! Woooooow. I started dancing shaku-shaku and gwara-gwara. I just paused at the gwara-gwara when i remembered i haven’t told my parents.
Chai, gwara-gwara and shaku-shaku gone wrong. Swag m enwekwa illegal k-leg. (My swag has developed k-leg). I sat down. What do i do? I called Gresham.
-hello, guy
-junior how far na?
-oh boy, nna problem dey o.
-see, no just tell me say you no dey come again o.
-hmm, Gresh ehee, as ah dey now, not too sure of tomorrow o. I never tell my old man o.
-hehehehe Gresh laughed. Nna this guy, o’boy, tell your papa say them call you for programme na. Say them need guitarist. You no plan am and na you them take geh hope.
(I forgot to mention earlier that i am a bassist. I started playing the bass guitar from a tender age. Thanks to my dad)
-Choi, baddest. I hailed my friend. Guy, you eheee.no wahala. Ah go try.
-see, Gresham continued, even if your popsy no gree, oh boy, ADULTIFY yourself o. Stand your ground. No give up easily o.
-ah hear, i replied.
———————THE NEXT MORNING —————-
At our morning Altar, dad didn’t say jack about my hair,but he warned us against raising voices ever again in his house. He didn’t even mention my name.
After prayers, i had to tell my dad……
-dad, i called, i won’t be in church today.
-hmmm, and you’re just telling me now?
-dad, it came late. They need a bassist in their church today.
-what’s the church please?
-Gold crown.congregation i answered.
-hmmm, my dad sighed. Gold crown congregation. Cornell, he called, do you know you are a worker in church? And you are to inform the leader of your department 2weeks or 1 week at list that you won’t be in church?
-dad, it just came up this morning.
-this morning okwa ya, (right ?) my mum replied. You are not going any where. Tell them you are not coming. Tell them the notice is too short.
This woman. I wished i could shout , MADAM WILL YOU KEEP QUIET? Allow the man talk for heaven’s sake.
-honey calm down, dad said to mum. Cornell, he called me, call your departmental head and inform him.
I was angry. Why? For What? Who is he?. My dad owns the church. Why would i take permission from that idi©t. I had no choice.
-ok dad. I replied. I went into my room and called James, the music department director.
-hello, ah cornell, i was about calling you o
-why? I asked
-temi isn’t coming to church today o. He is not feeling fine . So you are covering up for him full service both choir ministration.
I dropped the call and switched off my phone.
What rubbish !!!! All odds against my swag today. For what na.Please bro James, i didn’t hear you.
I jumped into the bathroom. I didn’t even use sponge. That James will soon call dad. I have to get out of the house before dad gets to know.
Woow, all set. Cornell in the mirror was looking sweet. So i can be this cute. I wore my sun shade, picked up my bible . No need i murmured, it’s in my phone. I opened the door to my room. No one was outside. I ran out. What a miracle!!! The gate was open. I could pass through without one single noise.
I walked on the streets like a prince. People didn’t say it but the way the were looking at me did. I switched my phone on.Gresham’s call came in.
-guy, wey you dey na?
-bros, chillax na. On my way.
-wooooooow, hahahaha, Gresh laughed, you made it. Good one boy, Good one. Oya take bike dey come.
-ok.
Immediately i dropped the call, bro james call came in. I switched off the phone.
Some minutes later, i got to GOLD CROWN CONGREGATION.
Mehn, see **people. See dressing, oh my God. I belong here. This is what i like. Ushers* welcomed me warmly. Gresh came and took me to the choir area.
See pastor* . Chineke. Pastor is on polo and jean. Wow, see his canvas. Designers o. One lady was also dressed in same polo and jean. Same canvas too. My God. Glooorrry!!!
I said to my self, i love this place.
I also got to know that the lady on same dressing with the pastor is his wife. She even has her hair tinted.
See swag!!! Wow. *GOLD CROWN CONGREGATION is an opposite of my church, no MY FATHER’S CHURCH, GRACE* HAVEN BELIEVES CHURCH.
I love it here. Freedom of worship. Anyhow you are. Just believe Jesus, you are covered.
Pastor frank’s message says OUT OF DARKNESS.
He said, the clothe you wear,can’t make you darkness because God has given us power over all he created.
The most important thing is power of God.
Choi, I’m feeling it here mehn.
There and then, i decided to also tint my hair. I decided to leave the house if my dad makes any noise.
I have seen the light. So i thought
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