Dear Jesus,

"Wakey-wakey!" Hirena's voice shrilled, startling me out of my dream world.

Hirena's such a spoiler. I was just enjoying my dream about you, when she interrupted my blissful moment.

"Hey! Didn't you hear me?" she said, as she ripped off the warm quilt off my body. I groaned, wanting to sleep some more.

"I said get up, my friend!" Hirena said as she began tickling me. I squealed and laughed till tears leaked out the corners of my eyes.
Jerry's intermittent, light barks were what kept her spurred, like some sycophancy of sorts.

She knew my weak spot.
I was a laughing-crying puddle by the time she was done dealing with me.

"Okay, okay," I said in between laughs, "I'm up. You happy now?"

"What's the rush about? Today's Saturday, right? I think I still have some snooze time left," I said, as I let the magnetic force of the bed pull me into its enticing embrace.

"Huh, huh, huh!" Hirena said as she tugged me back up.
"We're going shopping with the others today, remember?"

"I know. Is that why you're disturbing my beauty sleep?"

"Yes! Now be up and get ready in," she looked at her wrist watch. That was when I realized she was already dressed. "Ten minutes."

"Are you kidding me?"

"Nope!" She grabbed my towel and threw it at my face. That girl had guts. "And please, don't wear anything nauseating," she said as she bounded for the door, Jerry at her heels.

I made a pouting face at her.

She smiled. "Good morning, Cuz." Cuz stands for cousin.

I made an mock angry face at her. "Yeah right! After the insults."

She laughed and went out.

I plopped back on the bed and stared at my ceiling. It was already morning, apparently. The rays of dawn, that gave the ceiling a cool, off-white pigment, made that fact evident.

I sighed and thanked you for everything. This week had been so full of you. Ever since I received that impartation, it seems as if everything just opened up for me. Things I never knew existed are now even becoming more real to me than the reality that most people know.

The spiritual realm is real. Very real. I wonder how I had survived during my time of ignorance.

Yes, the temptations are still there, in fact, stronger than ever. But you've been a friend that sticks closer than a brother, a faithful high priest that has been touched with the feelings of my infirmities. You have been my help all the way.

And you were absolutely right. I can be real with you. You understand me even better than I understand myself.

"Thank you, Lord," I said. I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath. "Thank you so much for another brand new day. Another chance to live for your glory. I don't know what today will bring. I have not the slightest clue what you will show me today. But I trust you, that in it all, you alone shall be glorified."

And so my time of fellowship went on. Time stood still. Time evaporated.
It's always like that when I'm with you.

Sometimes it's hard to come into your presence. The flesh and the enemy try to stop me. But I've found that if I manage to find myself in your secret place, I never want to leave.

I was reading my Bible when Hirena came back in.

I mouthed, "more time please," to her.
She smiled, nodded and tiptoed back out.

When I was done with my devotion, I wore something not nauseating. It was a brown, chevon top with tiny golden outline, on a cream skirt. I wore tiger-skin sandals and my golden wristwatch.

By the time I got downstairs, it was already few minutes to 10:00am.

I cheerfully greeted my parents and Aunt June. I and Hirena helped Mom to fix our late breakfast. It was yam, fried plantains and scrambled eggs.

Daddy looked a little tense-the kind of expression he always wears when he senses a fore-brooding of any kind. He also didn't eat much. He only ate two slices of the yam and drank water to wash it down.

I couldn't prod, because I and my squad of buddies had agreed to meet at Mangrone Estate's Park by 11:00am.

First off, Hirena and I headed for Kathy's. Jerry had to stay home, because we were going to the Mall and any dog-accident wasn't going to be funny.

We all converged at the park.
Genevie came in her convertible.
Nathan wore, for the very first time, a face cap. Felicia was all chubby and round.
Priscilla was clad in sweaters, claiming she can't stand freezing in the chilling blast of the mall's air-conditioner.
Grace wore new glasses; it made her eyes stand out the more.
John, in green polo shirt and black jeans, came with his bike.

We got to Viscer Mall, trotting in like a herd of happy little lambs.

We just did a larger percentage of window-shopping.
Genevie was the one who pulled us into the clothing section, insisting we all try on some outfits.

The boys, obviously bored to the bone, and having no idea why we were gushing over clothes, jewelry and shoes we probably wouldn't buy, were seated in the loungeroom of the clothing section, tapping their phones.

All my other friends had chosen gowns that they wanted to wear for Valedictory Service day. They chose amazing-looking gowns after long stretches of indecision.
"Hey! I like this one."
"Nah-ah!"
"Oh look at this one, isn't it perfect?"
And then someone else would tsk and say it was too drab.

Occasionally, the boys would look up and give their comments, which most of the time were half-hearted.

I didn't know what to pick. I had been wandering through the collections here and nothing suited my taste. It was either too revealing, or way above my budget, if it came close to what I wanted.

It would have been much easier if one's guardian angel could just appear and deliver a earth-shattering gown filled with sparkles that would make everyone freeze upon one's entrance.
But, I guess angels aren't fairy godmothers that would just appear to grant one's wishes.
They do serious business which I am thankful for.

"Here, check this one out," Kathy said as she stretched one gown she had selected from the hanger. My princess in shinning armour had come to the rescue once again.

I eyed the gown. It was everything any girl would want.

"I know it would be perfect for you," she said, grinning as she placed the thing into my hands. It was made of a purple silk material that had fringes on the arm and waist.

It was simple and modest. I held it so gingerly, afraid it might tear if I applied too much pressure.

"Let's see." I gave her my sweetest smile and went into the dressing room.

I stepped out. Everyone looked up almost at the same time. It was as if all the oxygen in the room got suctioned by my friends' lungs.
Some mouths lay slightly agape.
"It's horrible, isn't it?" I finally said when none of them said a word.

"Radiance!" That was Kathy

"Oh my God!" Priscilla's hands flew to her mouth.

"You look, you look..." Hirena said.

"Beautiful."
That voice. So deep, yet heart-melting. I turned in the direction of the voice that completed the sentence.

It was John. He was looking at me in a tender way. I felt the heat creeping up my neck, filling my face. My heart raced at supersonic speed.

I couldn't breathe anymore. I felt as if I was suspended in space, weightless, about to be blown away, about to be swayed off balance.
I tried to breathe again but this time it was as if I was under water.

It was as if everything faded away and all he could see was me. I was transfixed.

In my brain, I was thinking, "Uh-oh! This is wrong timing!" But my body wouldn't respond.

"Ahem-ahem!" Gen coughed comically. The moment was broken and I could finally breathe.

How long did that take? It could have been five seconds, but to me it looked as though the staring had transpired for a stretch of a millennium.

They were all smiling. John scratched the back of his neck and turned lightly pink.
I, on the other hand, lowered my gaze and began fumbling with the waist fringes on the gown.
Mental face slap. Urgh! They saw it all.

"Now that we've gotten the perfect outfit for our queen here," Genevie said, "Let's go rock that party!" She was referring to the VS.

"YES!" My friends cheered loudly.
The attendant glanced our way, sending the warning look our direction.
Sigh... I've got loud friends.

I went back in to change into my normal clothes. We payed for all we got and moved to the groceries section.
Felicia said her mom had asked her to get some things for their home, so we all accompanied her.

Throughout the rest of the shopping, I caught John looking surreptitiously at me several times.

Felicia was picking some fruits when this dark guy came closer to where we were and called, "Felicia?"

Felicia froze.

When she turned and looked at him, she turned white, then colour rushed back into her face almost in the same instant. I, being the closest standing by her, held her hand.

"What are you doing here, Luke?"
Luke? I looked at him again. I knew him. I'd seen him occasionally at church. But he'd stopped coming for a while now.

I looked back at Felicia. She was gripping the orange so hard that I felt pity for the fruit.

"I came shopping, as you can see."

Felicia didn't say anything.

"I can see you've gotten new friends." He scanned our clique. "I wonder how they'd be friends with an infidel, a pregnant whore."
To say I was shocked would have been an understatement. What could have warranted all these insults?

John's stance became rigid.

"Watch your tongue, young man."

"Oh, I see! You've even gotten defendants."

"Luke stop!" Felicia said. She was beginning to tremble as tears welled in her eyes.

"I won't stop. I knew all girls are rubbish. But you seemed so innocent."

"Luke, please stop!" Felicia was crying now.

Holy Spirit please help.

"He's possessed," I heard you say.

What? I couldn't see anything.

"That's because it's the kind that goes not out easily. Pray that you may see."

I prayed.

And then I saw it, as clear as day. It was the most grotesque creature I had ever seen, with bulbous yellow eyes that almost swallowed its entire face. I saw through Luke's being like I was looking through a transparent version of him. The demon had a tight grip on his spirit and soul. Roots and vines of manipulation held him tight.

I wanted to say, "I bind you in Jesus' name," but you stopped me.

This kind goeth not out except by a higher authority.

Felicia was crying really hard. Everyone was perplexed. But I knew what to do.

"You know what? Luke, can you please follow us? We want you to tell us all you know about Felicia before witnesses," I said when he started to walk out. Felicia whirled sharply to look at me, disbelief etched across her features.

He turned back slow motion, and grinned slyly in sync with the demon. "Sure, anything to get this nasty human being exposed."

**********
Hello everyone! I sincerely apologise for the late update.🙏🥺
I've been really busy with school work. We've been allowed to resume back physically to my campus. As much as that is exciting, it's also really stressful.😓
Please pray for me guys. I'll keep you in prayers as well. 🙏

I'm wrapping thing up by the help of the Holy Spirit. 😇

Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed this chapter.🤗

Don't forget to vote, comment and share.
Love y'all. 💖🌹