person they ever saw. The church was only social because of the praise and dance session, remove that and it became the most boring place ever but they decided to let the sleeping dog lie because an argument with Sarah about her faith was a lost one. She clung on to it obstinately as a hen surrounded her chicks, rudely showing off its beak to intruders. You’d think her life depended on its values. Sometimes, Wendy wanted to ram it into her thick skull that Christianity was a religion just like the legion of others that existed before and after their transition to this world but instead, she sufficed for a joke. “Okay, holy Sarah, daughter of God, pray for us sinners.”
With every word dripping with sarcasm, Sarah responded, “Sure, I was born for just that.”
Suzan laughed. Wendy snorted. Sarah smiled faintly.
Soon, Sarah got to the church and breathed a sigh of relief when she found out that service had not yet started. Precious Olisa came in two minutes after. Precious was her childhood friend. They traversed this transient world on the same day and in fact worked in the same firm, only that, Precious was better placed in terms of rank. As Precious got closer to where she sat, she stood up and hugged her. As was common to Precious, she dumped her bag on Sarah, fell on a seat and tried to catch her breath.
Sarah said teasingly. “I don’t get why you won’t buy a car with the enormous money you receive monthly.”
Precious grinned, scratching her head a little, “It’s not like I haven’t thought about it, but you’re acquainted with my dad. He perceives that a very successful woman is a threat to single men and mostly viewed as irresponsible. Since I’m single, an intimidating display of wealth like a car is something I don’t need according to my dad.”
They kept silent but in their hearts, thoughts buzzed as they mused, wondering when modernization would break through the tightly held superstitious beliefs of most people. Success attracts, it doesn’t repel and if it by any means repel a person, the problem is with the person and not the one who is successful. Some minutes later, their flow of thoughts got barricaded as worship started.
Precious closed her eyes and pharisaically raised her voice so that it overshadowed Jennifer’s own. Jennifer was leading the worship session today and for the life of her, she couldn’t understand why the girl refused to take professional music classes. Jennifer’s voice obviously needed a lifting. Not everybody could be like her, not everybody was privileged to be born with a natural and dulcet soprano that made worship session seem like having a taste of heaven on earth.
Just as the worship started, it soon ended and Pastor James edified them on purposeful living. Sarah could never get enough of that teaching and amazingly that’s what he had been talking about for three months now.
Oh Lord, that I may fulfil purpose and not waste this precious life that Jesus paid a price so dear for.
Amidst the bustling to get out of the church, Sarah slowly found her way home, meditating on the lesson, you must be aware that a father does not send off his child for nothing. And so, I’m convinced that you came to earth for a purpose and someday, may be over a table of praise, a cup of prayer and a game of worship while the angels bow before God’s throne of grace in deep awe of his majestic work, you’ll tell Him how you spent your time here, hopefully touching lives. If Joseph fulfilled purpose despite the challenges he faced- rejected and sold as a slave to foreigners by his siblings, locked up in Prison for a crime he didn’t commit- so can you. Don’t give up on yourself, God doesn’t plan to leave you without help. Keep following his precepts, they’ll lead you to a doorway filled with marvellous light.
The weekend and a week soon passed and then it was Monday again. One of the things Sarah enjoyed about working at S &T Insurance Plc, was the proximity to her place of residence. That way, she didn’t have to wake up by 5am like Suzan to be in the office on time. Sarah got to S & T Insurance at exactly 8am. She smiled as she proceeded to sign in, only to find out that her friend, Suzan, who usually got to the office before 8am had not yet resumed. Attributing it to unforeseen circumstances, she entered the first office hall by her right and greeted Wendy, her other pretty colleague.
An hour later, Suzan strolled into the office with a puffy face and dull make-up. Her hair wasn’t as straight and shiny as it usually was. In short, she looked like she had a trip to hell over the weekend because even her clothes were not properly pressed and her eyes were lacklustre, her make-up had not been able to hide the lines under her eyes. Something was definitely wrong. Concerned, Sarah asked, “Suzie, are you okay?”
Wendy added, “You don’t look good today. Is there a problem?”
Suddenly aware of how she must appear, she tried to straighten her hair with her hands, but that just made it worse and she must have fathomed it from their countenance because she just stopped and without looking in their direction, replied, “There’s no problem. Is Mr. Lawrence in the office?”
Sarah tapped the desk with her pen, still worried for her friend. “You know that he is always late”
Suzan adjusted her skirt, opened her bag and took out her pen. “Yes, I do. I just forgot. I’ll sign and write that I came in at 8.”
“Of course dear,” said Wendy gently.
As Suzan left to sign the attendance sheet, Sarah and Wendy looked at each other, there was definitely something wrong with Suzan. This really bothered Sarah because Suzan was usually talkative, she talked about anything and everything without shame plus she was the soul of their friendship. More than anything else, Wendy and Sarah were always at each other’s throat. Suzan said they acted as if they were married to one man. She was the mediator and story resource person, so as Suzan was being unusually quiet, they all worked in silence till it was break time when Suzan stood up abruptly taking her purse with her. “Please, let me get something to eat, I won’t kill myself because of a man.”
Sarah and Wendy exchanged worried glances and walked up to her. Whatever was hurting Suzan was obviously still eating her up because her shoulders still drooped but to a large extent, the strong Suzan they knew and appreciated was back. Smiling, Sarah said, “Let’s all go eat, the bill is on me.”
When they got to the restaurant, they sat at the center just like Wendy liked. Nothing scorched her as much as being in a corner, she liked being noticed and never missed out on an opportunity to show off her talent or beauty in a flamboyant manner. Also, she saw nothing wrong in wrongdoing as long as it made a person happy and Sarah had learnt to love and pray for her every single day. But this minute was all about Suzan, so she held her friend’s hand affectionately as she inquired, “Suzan, what really happened?”
Suzan sighed as she slowly removed her hands from Sarah’s. Sarah’s sincere show of love burnt her because it was in direct contrast to Jeffery’s callousness towards her, someone who was supposed to love her the most as he professed. “It’s Jeffery.”
Wendy squinted as she rested her hands on the table, “Did you guys have another fight?”
“Yeah” Suzan answered casually trying to hide the intense pain that engulfed her but Sarah saw through her facade and it broke her heart to see her friend crumbled over what the world termed, “love”. She would have told her that she deserved better than Jeffery but Sarah was cock-sure that her friend wouldn’t listen. Perhaps with time, when Jeffery’s attitude became intolerable, she would realise that she had to do away with that happiness-sucking relationship. It wasn’t a do or die affair but it would take a heart wrenching experience to make Suzan leave Jeffery whom she claimed not to be able to live without and that made Sarah sad for her sweet friend.
Wendy continued, “Nawa ooo, (It’s such a pity) men
