Checkmate Episode 19 (By Adeyoola Ojemola)

 

As Joshua drove off with his wife and Theresa from Theresa and Bimbo’s apartment towards their own house, he was still pondering why he felt relieved that she chose to return to their home with them. 

 

He searched his heart if it was free of ill-intentions and yes it was, at least towards Theresa. But towards God’s plans for their home and their unborn child? No it was not free. 

 

Joshua understood that while Theresa spent a few days in their home, he and Daniella completely avoided talking about the last discussion they had that led them to meeting with Theresa in the first place. 

 

 

It was more like each was wearing and protective shield that has refused to let in room for that subject of discussion. Honestly, they haven’t been observing their quiet time. They have just resolved into having family devotion with Theresa. 

 

 

He knew there was no way he would spend time with God and this matter would not come up. He could not even go ahead to pray for Simon or Pastor Dave and the dream he had about his pastor. He all together has avoided his personal space of intimacy with God.

 

Frankly, he noticed that Daniella has been doing the same thing. She has not even called him in the past days to come and feel their daughter’s movement within her as she would normally do. 

 

Daniella has been enjoying him spoiling her since the beginning of the pregnancy. They both sincerely enjoyed talking so much about the baby. But since God seemed to have brought up this mandate upon them, they seemed to have taken the path of Jonah. 

 

 

Prophet Jonah, the notorious prophet who thought he could outsmart God by running away from him. Jonah learnt obedience to God the hard way.

 

‘Do I want that same whipping from God?’ Joshua asked himself. Just immediately after that thought, he felt a shiver down his spine and he had those huge goosebumps.

 

As if on cue with telepathic connections, Daniella saw the very brief and quick shiver movement in Joshua as he drove and saw his goosebumps. She looked up at him and just as he was about to return the look, she averted her gaze and looked outside her window. 

 

 

Daniella was also lost in her own thoughts. She was also glad that Theresa was going home with them. She has grown to enjoy Theresa’s company. She is that kind of woman that you so easily flow with and have an intelligent discussion with.

 

Daniella knew she wanted Theresa around for her company so she could avoid Joshua steadily and not have to talk about her baby and the claims that God said to give her up. 

 

Theresa was beginning to feel some sort of awkwardness in the vehicle. Both husband and wife and not particularly raising any discussion. It honestly feels weird that both of them seem to be lost in each other’s thoughts. 

 

The same strained atmosphere she felt from the onset between them is still very much intact. Thank God for the music softly playing from the radio station in the car, the vehicle should have been colder than it feels at the moment.

 

Theresa was beginning to think she had made a mistake by asking to go home with them. She was so glad that they offered her that option because of two reasons. One is that though she had forgiven Bimbo, Theresa needed space to think about what was next to do with her life. 

 

Since their house was just a one room apartment, she would have to share the bedroom with Bimbo. That would make it hard for her to seek God without interruptions and not be tempted to follow through on plans to start a salon with Bimbo as initially planned.

 

As she packed some things to take with her to her new friends’ place, Bimbo had asked her if she was still interested in starting up the salon business with her. She sees Bimbo as a sister but because she doesn’t share her faith in Jesus Christ, Theresa had always had reservations about a start-up with Bimbo.

 

 

Her response was that she needed time to reconsider. She assured Bimbo that she was not saying that because she had not forgiven her. Instead, it is because with all that has happened, it seems Jesus is preparing her for a new phase she is not sure of yet. 

 

 

She described it to Bimbo like she had just finished a test that God gave her grace to bear and it seemed she had passed it well and it was time for her to move to the next class. Theresa actually had 1 Corinthians 10:13 in mind when she was explaining these to Bimbo.

 

She made sure to hug Bimbo before she left their apartment just to assure her that she sincerely was not leaving out of a grudge. It just felt like it was the right thing for her to do.

 

Second is that Daniella is such a wonderful person that it would not be bad to start a good friendship with her. Apart from Mrs. Ojo, Theresa has not really had someone she could call a friend that shared the same beliefs and life principles she had. Theresa wanted to start and keep a true friendship with Daniella.

 

Speaking of Mrs. Ojo, Theresa remembered that she should soon be back from their missionary journey. That woman has been the mother her birth mother possibly would have been and more. In fact, she has been persuading Theresa to consider going to school for further education but Theresa has been adamant that she was no longer interested. 

 

Honestly, it is not that she does not want to go, it is more like she is afraid of going. Theresa is worried she would not do well and Bisi Ojo has time and time again tried to change her notion about that. She even offered a job in her company if she got enrolled in school. 

 

Theresa had told her that God had not led her to leave her hair-making job. She then wondered if now was the time to leave it. She honestly does not know. 

 

Sometimes, the devil tries to tempt her to feel frustrated about God’s movement and pace when and where her life is concerned. But God’s Word is quick to remind her that God’s perfect timing is the most beautiful and well thought out planning when all fits like a perfected puzzle.

 

‘Daddy, I trust You more, even now. with this wretched life of mine. You just make something beautiful out of it, for Your glory alone. I am willing to take it one day at a time’, Daniella quickly prayed. 

 

Pretty soon, Joshua was already at their home gate and he went out to open it. ‘Oh! I am so hungry. I will soak some garri first o, before I even think about cooking’, Daniella spoke with some level of seriousness. 

 

Theresa laughed at her verbal display. ‘Yes o, Iya Ibeji must chop first. Don’t worry, you have extra pairs of hands to join you in your cooking’. Soon, Joshua was back in the car to drive in. As soon as he parked the car, Theresa stopped them both before they all alighted from the car.

 

 

She said, ‘Thank you, Sister Daniella and Bro Joshua. You both are the angels the Father sent to me to deliver me from the Red Sea that suddenly appeared before me. He used you to part it for me so I can walk through dry land untouched by the water that sought to drown me.

 

Also, thank you for opening your doors one more time as a place for me to be away from my place so I can wait for the next move for my life’s direction. I don’t take it for granted. 

 

Thank you for also helping Bimbo with her bail. It means a lot to me. Though she hurt me through her actions I believe God has made it work out for good by meeting you both.

 

I pray my Daddy will bless you both and keep you both right at the center of His will. The grace you need to  do His will, always, per time, God will give to you. His will for your unborn child will be fulfilled, come what may, in Jesus name.

 

I bless you in Jesus name. Thank you a whole lot’.

 

As if Theresa’s prayers triggered something in Daniella, Baby-P moved as though right on cue that Daniella had to hold her belly and made eye contact with Joshua. Both of them could barely make a resounding amen to the prayers. 

 

There, that’s it. That strained atmosphere was there again. What is it about, Lord? Theresa asked within her. 

 

They all got out of the car. Theresa helped pack the little fruits shopping Daniella got from the Estate’s entrance while Joshua asked her to leave her bags he’ll handle it. 

 

Soon enough, they were soon seated at the dining table all having dinner. Then Joshua asked about the Ojo’s family, ‘I remember you shared that the Mrs. led you to Christ. You said they were out of town so you couldn’t go to them. Are they on a business trip? They seem wealthy. Your description of where they live in town seems to be for the high caliber.’ 

 

‘Wealthy… Maybe you can say so. They are comfortable I will say because they are never one to throw money around. In fact they are the people I’d say are opposites of the rich young ruler who could not sell all he had to follow Jesus. 

 

If Jesus told them to sell all they had, I believe they would do it without blinking. They own a business and the returns of the business, they use it to run their mission fields. 

 

Daniella interjected, ‘They are missionaries?’

 

‘Hmmhmm. Daddy Ojo is more of the almost full-time missionary and Mummy Ojo is part-time if I can describe it as such’. Theresa gave them the entire breakdown of the Ojo’s missionary journey framework. ‘Their main missionary calling is to build Christian marriages, patterned according to Biblical principles’.

 

The couple were stunned at how God calls people and they willingly do it even to such extremes. 

 

Daniella had uttered that remark before she felt her conscience prick her. She knew that was the Holy Spirit reminding her that she was already on the path to being rebellious. She ignored how she felt inwardly.

 

Joshua then asked, ‘What kind of business do they do that they are able to earn money and live comfortably like that while doing the Lord’s work without external financial support?’

 

Theresa laughed hard. ‘You really want to know?’

 

Daniella started laughing too, ‘Is it really a funny job?’

 

Theresa laughed hard again. ‘Okay, I’d tell you. Have you heard of Blue Slates?’

 

Joshua, ‘Funny you. That’s the sachet water you are drinking. What other water brand is as great as Blue Slates? Wait a moment. They sell water?’

 

Theresa laughed harder again. ‘Yup’

 

Daniella’s mouth was agape! ‘You know the owners of Blue Slates? Really? And they are missionaries? Joshua helps them with engineering repairs from time to time. The company he works for is contracted to them’. 

 

Joshua was still speechless, ‘Wow! Wait, how do they take care of their children when they are away? 

 

Theresa’s smile faded a little tad and she looked at her plate trying to gather some food on her spoon, ‘They don’t have any kids, yet.’

 

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Wheeeeew! 

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Checkmate Episode 20