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Hello 🤗

Happy new month dearie ❤️

This chapter is dedicated to all my August born readers.

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday in advance.
August is gonna be beautiful by God's grace
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I stood in front of the full-length mirror and stared at the image in my view. I was dressed and ready for school, lectures were starting today, and I hoped I was prepared. Learning had always been my thing, and writing exams, I was always top of most exams I did. Debating was another thing. I made a mental note to register for the Debate competition that will be on during the fresher's week.

I double checked my bag to see if I had everything I needed, and then turned back to leave. I met my Dad standing at the door, smiling and staring at me.

"Morning, Daddy" I said as I hugged him.

"Morning darling, how was your night" he asked.

"It was fine, I thank God" I said, still enjoying the warmth of his embrace. Not wanting to end the hug.

" You really look nice, I'm proud to be the father of this beautiful lady" he said giggling.

I raised my head, so I could see his face. "I take that from you and mum" I replied. He responded with a slight peck on my forehead.

" Okay, let us get you to school" he said. "I'll be dropping you" he added in whispers.

" Really" I said. " You know I'm a big girl now, what do you think my school mates will think when they realize my Dad still drops me off at school" I grumbled as we walked out of the room and out of the house.

"Aren't you my baby girl, let them say what they like" he said as he squeezed my hands playfully.

I continued grumbling as we entered the car. He started the car.

"Joseph told me his son attends your school" he said cutting off my complaining. " Have you seen him there, his name is Ephraim". My dad asked, as I swallowed my saliva. I stared at him as he was concentrating on the road.

"Yes, I have" I answered him.

"Okay, that's good" he said "You know, I and Joseph were best friends while in the University then" my father started. As I continued staring at him. " He was a very godly and wonderful person".
He said as he took a deep breath.

" Really, wao, you never mentioned him to me" I said.

" Yeah, I didn't, we separated a long time ago. I didn't even know he was alive" he added.

" Uhmmm" I breathed deeply, as I turned to face the other side.

" When we left university, and went for the NYSC program, he was posted to a far away state in the east" my Dad said. " Along the line he backslided" he added, and I started Wondering why my Dad was telling me that, he had never told me about anybody's spiritual state and problems before. I looked at his face and what I saw was pure pain.

"He got someone pregnant, we got to know. Because of the shame, he left us. Left church, and a ran away, far away. I hadn't seen him since then, until last night" he continued. " He thought we couldn't forgive him, he was filled with guilt and he thought running away will make him feel better. Jemi, sin cages you, blinds you from seeing the light" he added. " We had forgave him, the minute we knew, but he didn't forgive himself, he didn't" he muttered.

" But it's obvious he is back now" I said, he attends Our church too right"

"Yes he does" my dad said, sadness feeling his eyes. The sadness, I didn't know why.  "He's back home" he added.

"Jemi" he called me.

"Yes Dad"

" If I ever do something terribly bad, just like that, if  I ever disappoint you and your mom, will you ever forgive me?" He asked.

His question made me quiver inside,
Had he done something bad,  I asked myself. I took a deep breath and answered him.

"You'll never do anything like that Dad, you are Dad, you are Pastor Adewale, I wouldn't need to forgive you" I said smiling. He looked at me, and forced a small smile on his face.

"Yes, I wouldn't, I wouldn't Jemima" he said. As if he was making himself believe what he said.

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"Bye Dad" I hollered, as I stepped out of the car. He had ended up bringing me to the faculty's building. Even when I insisted he drop me at the gate. He waved at me and drove of.

I thought about his words and wondered why he was speaking like that. He wasn't himself, no he wasn't. For some days now, he hadn't been him self. A guilty feeling creeped into my heart, I hadn't fasted and prayed for my family in a while. Something I always did every Wednesday, I made a mental note to do it the next day since the next day was a Wednesday.

I walked to the faculty's Secretariat, I wanted to register for the competition. I walked into the building and asked around for where I would register. I was directed to an office and I walked straight to it.

I knocked the door and was told to enter, I opened the door only to see Semilore and Mo' standing in front of me. A smile found its way to my face as they were still oblivious of my presence.

I walked closer to Mo' who was standing nearer to the door. I pinched her side earning her attention. I grinned widely as she turned to me.

"Jemi, good morning" she greeted smiling " what are you doing here" she asked. "Besides, you said you'll call us with your number when you got home yesterday but you didn't" she added before I could respond to the greeting and question,her expression feigning annoyance.

"Good morning too ma, I'm sorry I didn't call" I said remembering I had wanted to call her before Toni's call came through the previous day. "It kinda escaped my mind" I added apologetically.

By this time Semiloore coughed, asking us to keep it low. It was then I looked at the office well, there where departmental executives there and some other students. It was quite a large office, it could pass as a board room of a big company. There where over three office tables in the room.  The room was also full of life.

I sighted Fikayo at another end of the room, chattering noisily with some funny looking girls.

"So what are you doing here" Semiloore asked me. I punched her playfully, and wore a funny look " Is that how to greet your new friend on a new day" I said.

She laughed and pulled Mo' to another side, allowing us see each other better,as she pulled me into a tight hug. "Aww, my baby girl, good morning" she said, her good morning sounding very funny I almost burst into laughter.

"That's okay ma'am" I told her under my voice, her tight hug almost choking me. She released me from her grip, and smiled widely at me. Mo' watching us, she was also smiling. "I came to register for the Debate competition, that would be holding at the departments orientation week. I guess you came to register for miss fresher too right?" I asked.

" Yeah, yeah" they said simultaneously

"She forced me here" Semilore said, giving me a tired look. I raised my hands and gave Mo' a thumbs up. She nodded her head playfully.

"You guys are ganging up against me abi, well done ooo" she said. We all laughed heartily.

" I didn't know you debate sah" Mo' said.

"I'm not surprised, sister Fikayo had told us you are smart, what's a smart law student that can't debate". Semilore said.

" Yeah that's true" Mo' added, " But her bad Belle is too much ooo" she said.

I turned to look at Fikayo and she was just seated there, giving me her usual crazy glare. I turned back and watched as Mo' and Semilore Continued to talk about her, the forms weren't available yet, so everyone was just waiting.

Fikayo had an habit of feasting on the wealth of other's. Back in secondary school, she rolled with girls whose parents were rich and wealthy. Not like her parents weren't okay, but many rumours flew about how irresponsible her father was. He had other wives and children and also loved womanizing.

She moved with Rich girls, bullied them and subjected them into taking care of her needs. She was doing same to Mo'

"I discovered she was always asking for one thing or the other. Her covetousness sickens me" Mo' said, disgust written on her beautiful face.

Morire Adegbile, she was the daughter of the former deputy governor of the State, and business Mogul. Her mother was also into farm produce exportation. She lived in an apartment inside the school. That was prepared for lecturers and some university workers. Fikayo must have done her findings and decided to be with her, and friendships with Fikayo, were always of no good.

"Can you believe she has borrowed like five different clothes from us, within two weeks. God, who does that". Semiloore added.

Fikayo does that...

" Yesterday, after her outburst to you, we got into a fight, she was so rude, coming from someone who was nothing better than you. I'm sure if I had remained friends with her, I would be damn bad" Mo' said.

We talked for a while about how "annoying" Fikayo was. And the whole talk about her was very sickening, it wasn't my nature to talk about someone in that manner, and I tried to remain as silent as I could be as they continued talking.

The door opened to reveal a figure I had been thinking about lately. It was just then that the realization hit me, we had actually talked yesterday. And he didn't snub me, a smile crawled up to my face as I tried to avoid eye contacts with him.

"Ephraim, we've been waiting" the departmental general Secretary, Dunsin said. He said as Ephraim walked in carrying a pile of papers in his hands. He walked past me, as his cologne sent the same familiar feeling I had when I first smelt them rushing down my spine.

My heart skipped a beat as he turned to were I was standing. I didn't know why, but I started feeling extremely hot under the AC. I hated and loved the feeling at the same Time. I had never felt that way, because of someone's presence , ever.

A smile crossed his face and it gave me shills, just then. I noticed Semiloore squeeze my hand hard, it was getting extremely painful. I turned to look at her, and what I saw almost made me roll on the floor laughing. Mo'and Semilore were staring at Ephraim so much that if those glares were bullets, Ephraim would have been carried by undertaker's by now. The look on Semilore's face was the funniest one, her eyes were even blinking seriously.

My eyes went back to Ephraim and this time he opened his mouth to speak. "Hello Jemima" the way my name rolled down his lips were enough to make me quiver.

"Ephraim, how are you doing" I said. Just then the squeeze from Semiloore increased that it became so unbearable.  "Geezz, Semiloore do you want to break my hand" I said, almost in a scream. Ephraim smiled and turned back to Dunsin.

" I'm sorry ooo" Semiloore said,as she released my hands and dropped her head on my chest. I jumped back suprised.

"Guy, calm down nah, I want to faint on you" she said. I laughed so hard I had to hold my stomach. Ephraim and the other's turned towards me. I looked embarrassed, and mouthed a sorry.

I pulled Semilore and made her stand upright. Mo' was just there, standing. She hadn't even moved after the whole episode. I glanced at her and them reached out to her. Slapping her back to consciousness. She looked like she just saw her idol or something, the way, Anne had always told me she would look when she gets to see Lee min ho, her favorite Korean actor.

"What happened to you guys" I asked them.

"You know Ephraim?" They asked me simultaneously. Eagerness and surprise evident in their voices.

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Hey guys I'm sorry for the late update. I'll try to regularise my updates from now on.

Maybe I'll be updating every Monday and Friday, I'll think about it and let you guys know.

What are your thoughts about this chapter, don't forget to vote and comment. When you do, it means a lot to me.

Keep the little star down there shinning 🌟 🌟 🌟

Oluwayanmife loves you
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