If I were your enemy, I'd seem to disintegrate your family and destroy every member of it. I'd love to tear away your trust and unity and turn everyone's love inward on themselves. I would make sure your family didn't look anything like it's supposed to. Because then, people will look at your Christian marriage, your Christian kids, and see you are no different, no stronger than anyone else ---that God, underneath it all, really doesn't change anything.

-Priscilla Shirer, FERVENT.

•••••••••

"Please, Pray with me".

            ---

It had to be my happiest day on earth. Embracing God's love even now, when all things seemed to have crumbled. I was very grateful to God that Toni finally found and understood Christ. How beautiful was it, that the one I had always asked to take Jesus seriously being the one who strengthens my faith at this time.

Nurse Temi had prayed for us and we had all gone downstairs to Join Mo' and Semiloore. They were done preparing breakfast and we're setting the table already.

" Well done girls!", I greeted.

"Aish. No food for you o!", Mo' said. I burst into laughter at her obvious joke.

" Why na?" I asked, walking over to the table. It was a deliciously looking porridge set on the table. I salivated at the aroma of the food.

"Because you didn't comman join us in cooking", Semiloore answered.

" So that's why she won't eat. These girls sah", Nurse Temi giggle while shaking her head.

"What about Toni. She didn't join you guys Nah", I pleaded.

" Ahahn. See this one o. Don't you know that the little one should not be stressed. So Toni can't be doing any chores or cooking in this house".

"Ah! Oya please na", I pleaded.

They all started laughing boisterously, but my mind was somewhere else.

Who was the father of Toni's baby?

       •••••

They had been praying for over three hours. Derin prayed aggressively as she had never before. She wanted everything to come back to order. And  only prayer to God can do that. She wanted her husband back and the order her family enjoyed back. She desperately needed restoration. One, only God could give.

After the prayers. Derin sat on the floor of the hotel. While Hadassah prepared to take her leave.

" Thank you so much ma!", Derin said. "I'm really grateful to God for blessing me with someone like you. A lot of people have called asking where I was but it's in you alone that I've sensed genuine care".

" Ah, you don't need to thank me. You have equally been a great blessing in my life. And I must make sure other women get to see the works God is doing through you. The devil must not get to you because of all the women out there that need to hear this message". Hadassah said.

"Hmm", Derin sighed.

" I wanted to ask", Hadassah started. "How do we reach Pastor Dele. We need to at least know where he is".

" I don't know Hadassah. I really don't know. He is probably with the woman", Derin answered.

"Ehn. Let's go meet him", Hadassah said.

" What! That is impossible. I can't go to her house oo. What would that make me?"

"A woman who would fight for her home. That's what it will make you. So please let go".

" Now?", Derin asked.

"My bag is ready",

" Argh!"

            ••••••

Monica heard a knock at the front door from the room. It was surprising because no one ever comes around. Except for Dele and Maria her daughter. Maria who had come home for the weekend and was asleep in her room.

A smile crossed her face when the thought of it being Dele crossed her mind. It was hard to admit, but she did miss having him around. There was no one to taunt every minute. She rushed happily to the door and opened it but met the shock of her life.

"Hello", The woman she couldn't recognize greeted, but she kept mute while staring at the one she could recognize.

"Monica. How are you doing?", Aderinsola greeted with a beautiful smile plastered on her face.

" I... I'm... I'm fi...n...e", she stuttered.
This wasn't the way she was supposed to react. She was supposed to be bold and rude. But here she was, allowing the woman who she is planning to destroy to walk into her house.

"Beautiful home you have here", Derin complemented at the admired the sitting room painted in sky blue and with white furniture.

" Thank you ma", Monica said. Still confused about why she was being that nice and polite. "Please have your seat", she said.

But inside her, she was saying. " What the hell are you doing in my house!"

"Oh... Thank you", Derin said. " Oh, my bad. This is Hadassah. My friend. Hadassah, this is Monica, my husband. Hmm. Mistake", Derin said. While Monica riled on the inside. She frowned but didn't say a word in response.

Hadassah tapped Derin on her laps, to calm her down in case she was getting angry which she was, obviously.

"To what do I owe this honor, hosting the presence of the most respected woman in the state", Monica smirked.

" I want to see my husband",

Monica burst into intimidating laughter.

"Ah... See me see trouble o. A wife is looking for her husband in my house", Monica said in laughter. " How am I supposed to know nah?"

"I'm not laughing here Monica. I know my husband has been here with you for weeks. And I know you know where he is. Just tell me where he is",

" And I said I don't know!", Monica said.

Derin and Hadassah we're not convinced. Monica's smile disappeared as she tried to be serious.

"Because I'm laughing? That was just to taunt you ok. Now I'm very serious. I do not know where Oladele is!" Monica said.

"What do you mean you don't know where he is. What about your texts". Derin asked.

" That was after he left here. See, he hasn't been here for the last four weeks. I really don't know where he is. I've called him but no response!" Monica said.

Derin sensed she was telling the truth. But then it made her panic. If Dele was not with Monica, where was he?

"Ehn... So Dele is actually planning to leave me alone with the child in my womb. I will make life difficult for him and make sure I block the gate of heaven and open the gate of hell for him. In fact, for the both of you!", Monica yelled.

" And God won't allow that. Why Sister Monica. Why have you allowed the devil to use in this manner? Why? Why have you yielded yourself to be the instrument of the downfall of another believer? God would not forget this. I advise you to ask for mercy and find God at this time. Because even single minute passing is eternity drawing", Hadassah said.

"Shut up! Who are you and what do you know about me? Nothing! You know nothing about me! Keep your advice to yourself. All you holier than thou and assistant Jesus Christ. Hypocrites! Just like your pastor and his wife" Monica barked. "Dele used me when I was vulnerable. Now he wants to discard me? Impossible. I will make his existence a living hell! A loss to that God that you all claim to serve!".

" Now. Both of you! Get up and get out of my house!!!!", Monica commanded. "Now!"

Derin and Hadassah stood up to leave, walked to the door, and walked out.

Monica who was foaming with anger took her phone. She went to her Gmail app and located her draft messages. She had prepared there the messages she was going to send to Kemi. She hit send when she heard a voice behind her.