Dedicated to maryfade❤❤

A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. --Proverbs 17:17 (KJV)

Tayo knew that Godspower's heart was breaking for him. He could tell by the glistening tears in his friend's  eyes.

Tayo knew how he looked. Lost. Scared. Crushed. And every other word that could describe the bloodshot eyes, sagged shoulders and slow steps. 

At the moment, they were seated in his living room and he had been narrating his meeting with Posi the other day before he had sunk into this. He couldn't even place a name on what he was feeling anymore. And he was truly tired of it. It was time. Really time.

Godspower Obinna was really a Godsend to him. He was a cousin to his late wife. During his courtship with Doubra, she had always had tales to tell of her favourite cousin and best friend. Then, he had thought they were all exaggerated stories till he met the man himself.

Tayo had never had a male friend like Godspower. Sometimes in life, one just meets a person and knows that this person was for them. And that was how he felt when he met Godspower. They had hit it off immediately and even on his wedding day, people couldn't tell if Godspower was from the bride's side or the groom's side. GP had been everywhere. 

His faith in God and his lifestyle had drawn Tayo all the more to God and even challenged his own faith to grow. They were more like brothers than friends. After Doubra died, he had pushed everyone away including Godspower but he wouldn't let him. He called him endlessly and sent him text messages and chats when he didn't pick his calls. Sometimes, the chats were just funny emojis or a Bible verse or just a word of encouragement.

He remembered the weeks following Doubra's death. GP had asked for his leave at his place of work and had spent the entire duration of his leave with him after her burial. Just to ensure that he wouldn't do anything crazy and he didn't leave until he was certain of it. Tayo had done everything humanly possible to make the guy leave, but he proved to be more stubborn than he was. 

GP had called few days prior to tell him he was coming to town and coming to see him whether he wanted to or not. He had forgotten how awesome it was to have someone who knew him and got him on almost the same level as Doubra had. What he didn't know was Godspower wasn't around to pet him. It was time for his wake up call. 

"Bro, what's been happening?" Godspower's baritone voice rung out so suddenly that Tayo jumped. He would have laughed if not for the sombre atmosphere hanging over the room like a heavy cloak. 

He knew he couldn't lie— wouldn't lie— to him. Clearing his throat, he spoke out in his low voice, "I just can't seem to get myself out of this funk. Some nights are not so good and most nights are worse. My days just seem to merge into each other and I cannot seem to focus on pulling myself out of this abyss of pain and hurt I seem to be in. Some days, I don't even want to come out of it because it's become a companion, a well-known companion. It feels like just yesterday when—"

Tayo stopped as he felt like his heart was going to explode. It was as if him describing how he felt was increasing the intensity of pain that was threatening to drown him. He felt GP place his hand on his left shoulder and squeeze. 

"I feel the loss too, bro. But you were her husband and you'd definitely feel her loss on a different level than anyone else. Yes, she shouldn't have gone so early especially if it could have been avoided. However, we are not without hope. We have an assurance. She spent her life doing God's will and we know she's going to be with Him now. You also have to be who God wants you to be," GP consoled.

"Besides, Doubra wouldn't want you wallowing in pain and guilt, and God definitely doesn't want this for you. He is with you and in you. Lean into the comfort the Holy Spirit has for you. And always know this, I am here for you anytime and any day."

Tayo looked up with the tears still brimming in his eyes and smiled as much as he could in his present state. 

"Thank you for reminding me about this. I guess I just really needed to hear that," Tayo stared at his wedding band before rubbing his forefinger on it. 

It really was time. Time to move on.

My grace is sufficient for you and My strength is made perfect in your weakness.

Yes, Father. He wiped the tears and smiled truly for the first time in a while.

"I'm glad I could help. Anyway, I still can't get over the fact that you thought it was your piece of chicken that scared off that aunty," Godspower said roaring with laughter. 

Tayo rolled his eyes again at his friend. He knew what he was trying to do and he went along with it. God knew he had had an emotional day. It was time to let go.

"I don't even know what to say to the young lady. I don't want the shoot to be awkward," he said with a frown. 

"Oh, well. Let's just watch everything play out, yeah. Besides you're still going to your parents this weekend, yes?" 

"Yes, I am. If I don't show up, my mum will absolutely pull a John The Baptist move on me."

"You mean have your head on a platter?"

"Yes o. You should come with me. You'll see Adetutu again," Tayo continued, sending winks in GP's direction.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Tayo watched as his friend began to flick off invisible lints off his pajama pants. 

"Really? Okay. You're not coming over because of Adetutu. You know it's the annual Thanksgiving that the royal family does. Let's go and praise God together."

"Yeah, I'm down for that. Yeah."

"Look at you. You think I don't see you people sending mystic messages via your eyes at each other? I'll go along with your "cover". I'm going to bed Mr. I-don't-know-what-you're-talking-about," Tayo teased. 

"I have no words for you. Believe anything you want." If Tayo didn't know better, he'd have thought GP was pouting. But he knew better. Right? 

As he walked up the stairs, his mind went back to his discussion with his friend. 

Lord, I receive Your grace and strength. He whispered and smiled. He felt lighter and stronger.

*****

"Mum, what are you doing here? How did you know my house?" Posi said to her mum as she opened the door into her two-bedroom apartment.

"Can't I come to visit my daughter?" Her mum responded with a smile on her face. As she welcomed her into her house, she saw her mum look around as she paid particular attention to a picture frame.

"What a lovely picture you have there." Posi felt her lips spread in a wide smile before she heard the next words. 

"I can see that you have managed to live a good life even after destroying mine. Since the day we brought you home, it was one argument or problem or the other. I don't know why I had you? Your father didn't stay. My precious babies who I conceived after you didn't stay. Is there anything that isn't running from you? It would have been better if you hadn't been born. These people will leave you too once they see how you really are. And you will be all alone just like me."

Posi watched as her mum's words became real life daggers that pierced and stabbed at her skin till she bled out on the floor. Then, she woke up suddenly with a cry. Sniffling, she touched her face and found it wet with a mixture of tears and snot. 

What was that? I haven't had a dream like that in years.

She turned towards her lampstand to pick up her phone, it was just 1:15am. Sitting up she padded into her en suite bathroom and switched on the light. She turned on the tap to wash her face before wiping it clean as she stared at her image in the mirror.

She whispered. I'm enough. I am enough. I am e—

But was she truly? Enough, that is. 

Funmi had been up since 1:11am, a weird time to be up especially for her. She normally slept so well that her friends had christened her Jonah but this particular night, sleep eluded her. As she tossed and turned for the umpteenth time, she decided to search her spirit and just pray. And Posi's name kept coming up. 

Lord, I pray for Posi… 

**********************************

Some friendships are Godsends. Recognize them and be thankful for them.

Love and Light. ❤☀