God is intentional...

His response shocked me, but by that time, I was already standing by the door of my Dad's car.

"Good evening Dad" I greeted as I opened the door and entered. I didn't get a response but rather, my Dad was already catching up with Ephraim. After five minutes and a bank transfer, we were ready to leave. My Dad started the car but didn't move, instead he watched the obviously exhausted Ephraim walk away.

" Jemi" he started, still not turning to face me.
I muttered a 'sir' as I stared at the phone in my hands.

" You had never been out on your own before, didn't you know I would be worried?" He asked but I had turned mum, unable to say a word.

" You should ask for permission next time" he said as he started moving the car. I didn't say a word after, I couldn't even lift my head. " I'm sorry Jemi" he said after few minutes of silence. " I'm really sorry, I know you don't want to be near me right now, and I understand. I understand why you took the initiative to leave home without me. I understand, I'm a jerk, a liar, yes I know. I don't deserve you and your mom, I don't, I'm sorry Jemima" I felt tears form in my eyes, as my throat heat up, I was at  the brink of tearing up with each word he said with pain.

" Will you do it again?" I asked breaking the silence. "Dad, will you?" I lifted up my eyes to look at my dad's face, his eyes weren't stable and he seemed to not be composed. He swerved the car to the other side of the road as the car came to a halt.

I searched his eyes, hoping and praying his response would make me smile for real this time.
" Will you see Monica again?" I asked again. "Dad please?".

" You'll be staying in the hostel from now on Jemi. I think you need to be among students like you". I was stunned to say the least, his words seemed unbelievable and I had to process them over and over again before I could comprehend what he was saying.

"Huh??" I sighed.

" Yes Jemi, it's time to leave home "

I walked into the house still confused about what my dad had said. A part of me was curious about the next turn my life was about to take, while the other was so so worried. From the look of things, it didn't seem like my Dad was ready to stop seeing Monica, and I was really angry and upset with him.

My mum was still locked up in her room, my Dad had gotten the spare key, and was walking into her room. I followed closely, my Dad well aware that I was following. He didn't bother about that,  well I was leaving home in a few days, I might as well feed my eyes and curiosity.

" What are you doing here" My mum asked glaring at my Dad, her eyes swollen and wet. I stood by the door, watching them quietly.

My dad went on his knees, his hands clasped together. He watched his wife closely, indeed within hours, my mom had become a shadow of herself. She possibly hadn't had anything to eat, and she looked dirty and unkempt.

" Derin" My Dad started, my mum rolled her eyes as she made a move to leave. " Derin please wait"  he pleaded.

My mum sat back probably imagining in her head what all this was about. He probably wanted to apologise again.

But far from it....

" I did bad I know, I was terrible. But Derin, you have your ministry and I have mine. I get to stay here but you have to travel, you aren't always around Derin. And I don't want to take that from you" my Dad paused as I wondered where all this was going to end.

" I don't want to take away the joy you get from restoring homes. But I can't lay down my own happiness too Derin. I love you so much and you know. But , I love Monica too". His words seemed incomprehensible as he stuttered through the last words. My dad was telling my mom he was in love with another woman. My life had taken a very painful turn I could not even believe.

" So I need you to do this for me my love. Please, live your life, have fun. Do what you love doing best. My sons don't need to know about this, Anne doesn't need to know about all this, Jemima..." He paused and faced me as I hugged the door frame tightly.

" I've already told her she'll be staying in the hostel from now on. No one else needs to know, the church and media won't know if this doesn't go beyond here" he looked at me again as though to tell me not to tell anyone. I nodded in response to his unvoiced question.

" Do this for me Derin. And give me a chance to continue with Monica." I almost laughed out that tense moment, all this was definitely a joke, a big fat joke. How would he end that with this, I really wished it was indeed a joke I could laugh at, but it wasn't this was reality. My Dad was about to have a not-so-secret 'wife' outside.

"What?" My mum asked.

"Yes darling, let this be our own little secret. Just don't hurt her" he said and his last statement seemed to upset mum so mum, as what I heard and saw next was a brain twirling slap.

" How dare you!!" She yelled, " how dare you think I would stoop so low as to think of hurting that dirty harlot".

"Don't  call her a harlot Derin" he said, as he rubbed his affected cheek. My emotions kicked again, as tears rolled down my cheek.

" I don't care what you do you hypocrite! I just want you to watch your back. Your end is almost here, betrayals like you!" My mom screamed, I wondered where the tears where, she was not crying. She was as authoritative and bold as she had always been, except for yesterday.

" Call me all the names you want. But you are not the decider of my end, you also preach the opposite of what you do. I have always loved you. But what could it have cost you to give me the respect and attention I deserve, for six months Derin, you restricted me from touching you. I regret a lot of things, but one thing I don't regret is my love for Monica. She was the only one to show me true love and care after a very long time". I wiped my eyes with my palm as the tears were blocking my view.

" And you call yourself a pastor" my mom said, stretching out her hands, In the look-at-you way.
A smirk fixed on her face, " I thought I knew you, you fool!" My mum said, followed with several more cussings. My hands flew to my mouth as I couldn't believe what was coming out from her mouth.

I watched my Dad as he was fuming with anger, he stood up and motioned to hit my mom, my hand skipped a beat as I screamed, my eyes completely shut. Just then within a twinkle of an eye, the next second but my dad's hand reached my mom's face. We all heard a phone ring, it was my dad's phone, and just like in the movies. Everything returned to be a bit normal that same second.

My dad pulled out his phone as he read the caller's ID. He's face calmed a bit as he picked the call. I wondered who it was , as something within me told me it was Monica.

" Hello Monica"my dad said.

Talk of the devil...

" Okay, Alright. I'll be there soon". My dad said ending the call. Then he faced my angry mom.

" Monica needs me"

And with that he walked out of the room and out of the house, and possibly out of the peace we could be enjoying as a balanced family.

One piece out, the rest in disarray...

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