BONUS CHAPTER!
Dedicated to kiaorion17

Zarinna never thought she'll ever have the courage to come back. After all that had happened, after all this time, somehow she still felt reluctant. How would they welcome her? Would they still be as hateful? For a moment the presence of David before her washed a wave of relief over her throbbing heart.

"This is it," She spoke up, causing David to pull the motorcycle to a full-stop beside a two-story concrete building. The building was a government establishment, and despite not being able to come here for a long time, Zarinna recognized it all. The white walls, the pathway that seemed to never be rid of leaves, the stairs going down the church. It was all clear, and upon seeing it again, all the memories came back. It was her church - the church she'd been revived and trained, the church where she had failed.

"Go on ahead down, dear, I'll find a place to park this."

Zarinna nodded, stepping down the motorcycle and taking her helmet off, "Don't take too long, okay?"

With a smile, David nodded and advanced his motorcycle. Zarinna took in a breath, summoning the courage she would need to face her church mates once more. Cold wind blew against her skin as she advanced, causing a chill down her spine as she went down the stairs. She could already begin to hear the faint sound of music, the voices that the mic had amplified.

She paused in her steps, organizing the cluttered thoughts in her mind as she sought to find peace. Lord, You have given me a testimony, so let You Spirit attest for me today of the mighty things You have done.

Pulling her lips to a smile, she stepped down the last step, composing herself as she neared the bifold doors.

For so many years she'd walked through these doors a sinful woman, and now, indescribable gratefulness surged her heart that she was no longer that way, no longer an adulterer. The fact was riveting - she is restored. Made new once more.

A woman of familiar features met her gaze as she stood before the door, her fare seemingly flawless countenance becoming clearer as she approached.

"Zarinna?" Wonder was painted in the woman's face, "Zarinna is that you?" She came to a full stop before her, a look on her face that Zarinna could not analyze.

"Yes, Clara," She confirmed, "It's me."

"Oh my gosh!" A smile adorned the girl's lips, so different from the scowl she always wore whenever Zarinna was around, "It's been so long! Come, let's get inside!"

Zarinna nodded gladly at her invitation, stepping inside the church at her bidding, "Thank you,"

"Are you alone?" Clara asked, leading her towards the main hall.

"Uh, no. I 'm with someone, he'll be her-"

"Zarinna!" Her gaze lifted as she heard the familiar voice, and upon meeting his gaze a smile adorned her lips.

"Pastor," She gave a nod of acknowledgment.

Pastor Gary was the pastor that Zarinna had always looked up to as a father, she respected him, had much regard for the anointed man. Maybe this is why she felt all the more broken when he had rejected her. The man began conversing with her, telling her of the things that had taken place in her absence. How the Youth Ministry had grown, how the church is somewhat revived - all when she has left.

She wanted to feel happy, to join him in his joy, but somehow she couldn't. Even through the corner of her eye, she could see the suspicious stares from the people, one she had not experienced whilst she was away.

"So," The pastor heightened his voice, tearing Zarinna from her thoughts. "How are you now, Zarinna?"

She took in a breath, "I've been doing well, Pastor. For the past year, He has been doing many great things in my life."

"Oh?" Pastor Gary nodded, "I do hope so. Cause Pastor Nathan has returned here and we don't want-" Their gazes flung to the door as they heard footsteps.

"David!" Zarinna called out, waving her hand towards David as the man spotted her.

She returned her gaze towards the two before her, astounded as she saw the reactions in their face. Their eyes roamed David's form, eyeing him from head to toe. Zarinna smiled discreetly. Yeah he's handsome, isn't he? She wanted to say but kept her thoughts to herself.

"Mind introducing the man?" She heard Clara speak.

"Ah," She wrapped her hand around his arm, "This is David, Pastor." She paused and smiled. "My boyfriend."

Their eyes widened at her word, face tainted disbelief as she spoke. David reached out towards the man, "It's nice to meet you, Pastor,"

"He's a fellow teacher of mine back in Mountain Province," Zarinna added.

"Ah!" Pastor Gary remarked, a rather sheepish tone to his voice, "It's nice to meet you, David!" He spoke and took his hand.

"Well, it's great to have you here with us. Come, take your seats. The service is gonna begin any minute."

"Alright, Pastor," David replied, taking Zarinna's hand as they sought to find a seat. Upon settling down, the M.C. began to open the activity, singing a song before the opened the service with a prayer.

As Zarinna had expected, the people are very responsive. This really is a Pentecostal church. She remembered the times when they would just sing and soak in God's Presence for hours on end and feel as though it wasn't enough. She remembered the times that a prayer meeting would feel as though it was literally heaven on earth. It was all beautiful memories.

As the opening prayer came to an end, the people began to settle down. Her heart brew with excitement as they sat, knowing that the next activity would be her favorite one - the testimonies.

At the M.C's word, people automatically began to stand and walk towards the pulpit. All eager to declare what God had done in their lives. Zarinna indulged in the stories, savoring each of their words that glorified God. Wow, how wonderful it is to listen to how God works in one's life.

She felt David's hands unclasp with hers as they heard the testimony of the girl in front come to a close. Zarinna eyed him in wonder, curious about his sudden stirring.

"David?" The man threw her a smile. "What are you doing?"

"I'm going to testify," The man spoke.

"Oh!" Zarinna nodded in percipience, "Alright, g-go ahead," She forced a smile, watching as David stood up walked towards the altar. A slight apprehension surged her mind as she watched the man stand behind the pulpit. Oh my goodness, how handsome he looked as he stood there. He was really made for this.

David began to speak, and it wasn't long before people noticed his fine handling of the scripture - it slipped his tongue so easily, he explained it so clearly. A sigh of fascination escaped Zarinna's lips. She felt Clara lean close to her side.

"Wow," She heard her whisper, "Your man is so good with Scripture!"

Zarinna turned her head slightly, "Well," She swallowed, "That's probably because he's a pastor."

"He's a pastor!?" Clara echoed, making the people in the pew in front of them turn their heads.

Zarinna mouthed Sorry and turned towards Clara, "Yeah," She confirmed, "He is." Clara's mouth remained agape as they returned their gazes to the front.

"The past few months have been a challenge for me," Zarinna heard David say, "For the things that had happened, I can't help but feel so thankful for what God had done with my life and the life of Zarinna. That day when she was hospitalized, fear gripped me like I've never experienced before. The thought of losing this woman had seemed to be unbearable," Zarinna felt her heart flutter at his word, her lips involuntarily curving to a smile.

"But God is good, and He is faithful! Despite all that has happened, He has healed her, and made her well - both physically and spiritually, and I couldn't be more glad. And I hope that by God's grace and enablement, I would be able to take care of her for the years to come. I know in my heart that it was her that God has given to me. So today," David anchored his gaze towards Zarinna. "I would like to take this opportunity to ask her a question."

Zarinna felt her heart race as she listened to David's word. What's he saying? Why does it sound as though...? Her gaze narrowed towards him.

"Today, before you all and God, I will make my intentions clear." He probed the place with his gaze, "I want her as my wife."

A wave of cheers echoed in the church at his words. Zarinna's hand made her way to her mouth, joy, and astonishment engaging in a tug of war in her heart. She felt Clara's hand on her arm, urging her to stand.

With this, she stood to her feet, watching as David walked down the Church Isle towards her chair. A smile adorned her face as their gazes locked, her heart in a mixture of emotions as she looked into his raven dark eyes.

"Zarinna," David knelt before her, "Will you marry me?" A tear escaped her eye upon his word, her heart throbbing against her chest as she heard his question.

In the midst of all the cheers, the people around them, the man of God that knelt before her, she felt His Presence. It was like a big cloak that covered her, a warm mantle that engulfed her very being. God's Presence. And she couldn't help but shed tears.

She returned her gaze towards David, wiping the tears from her cheeks. "Yes," She whispered, "Yes!" A wide smile adorned her lips as David slid the ring into her finger.

David rose to his feet, smoothing her face ever so gently, his eyes gleaming with delight. At that moment, Zarinna felt overflowing joy bubble from her heart, indescribable thrill overcome her being. She shut her eyes, tears flowing as she felt David pull her close - wrapping her in his arms.

Thank You... My Jesus... thank You...