THE COMMUNION

Chapter Four

I woke up early on Saturday and left for Mummy V's. Mummy V and daddy are my spiritual parents. They live about 59 kilometers away from my school. They have three biological children: Vera, Hadassah and Habila. I don't know the number of spiritual children they have but all I know is that I am the second, after Nathan their first spiritual child.

"Finally the prodigal daughter is home"

"Mummy V it's not like that-" I stopped halfway.

She raised her brows, a gesture urging me to continue.

"Mummy V sorry na" I passed her into the house to greet daddy.

"Daddy" I smiled

"Hmm, Annie you have a punishment for not submitting your assignment on time"

"Yes daddy I know and I agree but-"

"No buts" he cut me off "sixty days of prayers and fasting since July and what month are we now?" He asked

"November" I muttered

"It should have been 120 days"

"Ahh daddy sorry, but you told me to be sincere and true to myself"

"I did, that's why we both didn't reach out to you to inquire what the problem is. Do you know you have been in the same spot spiritually for four months?"

"Yes sir"

"That's a very long time for just a single step. People ascend daily, they shift and change position everyday. Do you know the things you would have achieved in this period of four months? You would have moved unto a higher level. This is a challenge for you, next time don't waste too much time on a particular task"

"Yes sir"

"What did Ecclesiastes 12:1 say"

"Remember your creator in the days of your youth before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say 'I find no pleasure in them'"

"'remember' here means 'serve'. Serve your creator. I hope you're getting what I am trying to say"

"Yes I am"

"You don't have all the time in the world to serve your creator, now is the time, you don't know what tomorrow has in store for you because tomorrow is not yours, you don't know when the days of trouble will come, it might be tomorrow, God forbid though, it could be death tomorrow, so just make use of today to serve your creator, 'remember your creator' so that you won't be full of regrets in the latter years"

"Daddy please" I was already on the verge of tears.

"See her face there. How about Ezra" he asked

Again??

"Yes how about Ezra, how about him we want to know" mummy V said coming into the room.

"He's fine" I replied vaguely pretending not to know what they are expecting to hear.

"Daddy did you hear your daughter?" She turned to him

"Young lady would you start explaining? Or?"

I laughed at their reaction before speaking.

"Daddy he's been the same since, he didn't say or do anything, just that he's been super kind and nice especially to me"

"Awwn did you hear that?" Mummy V teased

"Why did you say especially to you"

"Daddy the seat is hot"

"She's right these questions are all uncalled for"

"Fine! I know I won't succeed when the both of you gang up against me" he laughed.

"When are you going back?"mummy V asked

"This evening, I have a function in service tomorrow"

"At least I'm relieved of my duties for this evening" she said

"The period of waiting is a very tough and hard period in one's life. It requires daily exercise in the Word and service of the Lord. You get it? Groom yourself daily while you wait on the Lord for surely he'll renew your strength. Don't be in a haste to go into a relationship with Ezra just because you like him"

"Daddy! I never said I liked him"

"Of course I'm not stupid enough not to notice that you like him"

"Daddy!" I yelled totally embarrassed.

"She's even blushing"

"Mummy!! That's not true and you know that. I'm dark skinned"

"Ann Liskebe Maikwada, come back here" daddy said when I rose to leave the room.

"Daddy ! Both of you are just bent on teasing me for nothing" I ran into our shared room. Only Vera was home, the two were away for a conference.

"Shey it's only mummy V and daddy that you know I'm this house. You came in and didn't even bother to check on me your sister"

"Sorry eh sisi me. Sorry, I sincerely apologise"

"One apology won't do"

"Come here" I opened my arms and of course I won her over.

"I miss you"

"I miss you too. How have you been doing my love"

"I've been good. How's your school"

"Stressful" I sighed

"When are you going back" she asked

"This evening"

"Actually" she started and I knew it wasn't something good "I eavesdropped on your conversation with daddy earlier on and I caught a strange name that was mentioned. Ezra. Who's he?"

"Good bye Vera"

I left the room as her laughter accompanied me out. I see everyone in this house is out to tease and stress me today.