About My Marriage.

Chapter 7.

It's been two months since Mark was promoted and the family was doing well and fine. Kemi's

business has been going well and Mark's finances had bounced back, with no oppositions

Their wedding anniversary came and it was celebrated, on a low-key anyway but family members

were invited and they all honored the invitation

During the party, it was obvious Marks mom was satisfied yet as she hasn't gotten a grandson

from Mark and Kemi herself was beginning to get worried as she saw the gestures she made while

she (Kemi) tried to talk to her.

Kemi had wanted to start thinking but she decided not to bother herself

"That's not the important thing on ground' she thought to herself.

They were about leaving when her mother-in-law called her to a corner.

"My daughter. You know I've been good to you and treated you like my own child. When are you

giving me my grand children?" Mama asked

"Soon Mama......Very soon" Kemi said in assurance as she hoped in her heart to conceive.

"Oda.....let me take my leave now" she said as she left

Kemi's mom however, decided to stay a little longer; a decision that made Kemi happy cos she

always knew every visit of hers was an opportunity to learn new things.

That night, Kemi had a strange feeling; like something had entered their home.

She didn't know what to do or the prayer points to pray but she started pleading the blood of Jesus

and commanded the fire of God to consume whatever it is that had entered their house

"Let the voice of the Lord, that divided the flames of fire, thunder against any strange being in this

place and strike them to death" she prayed, according to Psalms and continued praying

aggressively.

After sometime, she prayed for about 45 more minutes and when she felt peace in her spirit, she

ended her prayers, read her Bible and went to bed.

Kemi and her mom were gisting in the sitting room as Kemi told her about the strange occurrence or visitation last night when they were interrupted by a call.

"Hello.....please am I speaking with Mrs Kemisola Aigbogun?" The caller asked

"Yes speaking. How may I help you?" She responded

"Good please there's a patient here in my hospital. She was rushed here this morning and has

been calling your name ever since she's been admitted. I think we need your attention here Ma."

The caller said

"Okay, what's the name of the person?" Kemi enquired

"I don't know Madam but she was rushed her not long ago" the caller replied

She also asked the address from which she was rushed to the hospital and the caller informed her

It was then she knew it was Esther

She asked for the name and location of the hospital and she was told. The doctor also told her her

condition was critical.

Kemi was speechless for a while

"Okay I'd be there" she managed to say as she hung up.

"Mama someone just called and told me about Esther.....that's she's in critical condition. Should I

go" she asked her mom

"Go my dear.....go and see your desire upon your enemies." Mama responded

"Okay Ma but you're coming with me" Kemi said

"Okay let me Goan dress up" Mama said as they went to their separate rooms

In less than 15 minutes they were ready and headed to the hospital

"Hello nurse. Please can I see the doctor?" Kemi said as arrived the hospital

"Your name Ma"

"Mrs Kemi Aigbogun"

"Oh.... we've been expecting you. This way Ma" the nurse said as she directed her to his office "Sir....Mrs Aigbogun has arrived and is here to see you Sir" the nurse said

"Oh thank God. You may go nurse" the doctor said as she left.

"Let's go to her ward immediately Ma, there's no time to wait" The doctor said as they left to her

ward.

Immediately Esther set her eyes on her she began to speak.

"Yes...that's her. She's the one that made me like this. That's her. She always stood in my way

and now see what she's caused" Esther kept saying

"She has been saying that for sometime now Ma. I'd leave you alone now" the doctor said as she

left

Kemi pitied her.....her condition was so pitiful and awful

"Bestie what Happened to you" Kemi asked out of sincere concern.

"Don't ask me that stupid question and don't pretend you're innocent of this. You've always stood

in my way now see what you've caused. I never came for you. All I wanted was your husband and

his virtues but no, you won't let me have my way.

I tried running him mad, you countered it

I tried inflicting him with strange sickness, you spoke against it

Then I moved to his finances.....at least it'd keep him frustrated and blame you for having such a

bad person for a friend and that way, he'd never discover his potentials but no, you kept twarting

my plans

I was angry and came to finally kill you Iast night so I could have my way but you consumed fire to

burn me instead...... I hate you

I hate you so much" she confessed, with hatred still in her heart.

Kemi was speechless and by that time the doctor and some of the nurses were gathered, listening

to her. Everyone was amazed except for Kemi's mom who was just shaking her head.

After some minutes, Esther gave up the ghost

This made Kemi cry her heart out. It was obvious she still loved her as a friend. Mama Kemi

consoled her, telling her that nothing could've been done

"You just heard her say she vowed she won't rest until you were dead. She practically made a covenant with death so nothing could be done. The battle is over Kemisola. You won" Mama said

in the car as they were going home

"The next thing is discovering your talents and that of your husband and knowing how to utilize

them and put them to good use" she said further

"Hmmm...... thank you Lord" Kemi thought to herself as they drove home.

Mark came home that day as usual and Kemi explained everything that had happened that day

Mark was speechless, not knowing what to say.

"so Esther is gone. Just like that. Hmmmmmm" he said, still trying to process what he had been

told.

"My love, I'm surprised as you are." Kemi responded as they both fell silent.

"But did she repent?" Mark asked suddenly, a question that saddened Kemi's heart.

as she shook her head in the negative

"No my love, I tried urging her to but she refused. It was mom that made me understand that

nothing could be done as she had already sold out her soul to the devil in order to get back at us

and destroy themselves not me" Kemi explained

"Hmmm......is life that hard ni? Because of someone's virtues or talent, she made a covenant that

involves killing her if she doesn't succeed. Hmmm....that means this virtues are worth fighting for

then. If I realize and utilise them, it'd announce me to the world" Mark said and paused for a while

for Kemi to talk

"Your virtues and talents .....that's the next thing I'd work on" Kemi said

"It's getting late, let's go inside now" Mark said as they went inside

Kemi praised God that night, but deep down inside of her, she was said someone's life had to go

in the process

She ended her prayers of praise and went to bed.

"But Mama, I'm still in shock of the recent happenings." Kemi said as they were having lunch

"My daughter, what don't you understand?" Mama responded calmly, ready to explain to her.

"Why Esther had to die....let's start from there" she said, waiting for an answer . "Because that was exactly how she had wanted; for you to end up like that but it backfired.

Someone had to go for it." Mama explained.

"Hmmm....so she had wanted me to be in the exact condition we found her earlier?" Kemi asked.

"Exactly. God fought for you. Remember you're the apple of God's eyes. Whosoever touches you

touches the apple of His eye. Remember Psalms? Touch not my anointed and do my prophet no

harm. You've been praying the prayer of the Psalmist recently ryt?" Mama asked to which she

nodded in response

Shared on w******p by Martino.

"Good. In Psalms 17, you'd find a particular prayer point. It says 'keep me as the apple of thine

eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings'" so that is exactly what is happening, she tried to

touch the apple of His eye and someone who was well tucked in the shadow of His wings." Mama

explained in details.

"Hmmm....I think I understand Ma" Kemi replied

"Now, shift that aside. Let's focus on more important things here. You have to know your virtues

and talents" Mama said as Kemi cleared the dishes

You may think they have bad table manners but they're not eating anything serious....just some

fruit salad

Now back to the story

"my virtues or talents?" Kemi asked

"Yes dear" she responded

"Ohh...you mean my husband's"

"No, yours" Mama said

"but Esther was talking about my husband." Kemi protested

"Kemi, you can't remove a beam from someone's eye when there's one in yours. You can't get

your husband out of ignorance of his talents when you're still ignorant of yours" Mama explained

"Ignorant of my talents? Mama I've always loved agriculture. I've invested in it cos I'm talented in it

and I think it's my destiny. Could there be something more to this? Could there be more than one

talents in a person, not to talk of me???" Kemi enquired.

"yes my dear. Most people are multi talented but they focus on one; usually the one that profits them." Mama responded simply.

"Hmmm...so if one is more profitable and it's enough to sustain us financially, why the need for the

others?" Kemi asked, as they were sitting in the sitting room

"Because you also have to win souls so you'd store enough treasures in heaven." Mama

responded

"Hmmmm.....so some are for profit making while some are solely based on soul winning?" Kemi

enquired to which she nodded

"So what's mine? What's that talent I haven't utilized yet?" Kemi asked, expecting an answer but

was disappointed.

"No my dear. You'll have to find out yourself "Mama said

"How?" Kemi asked confused

"Prayers.....I will be retiring to my room now" Mama said as she made her way to her room....

Leaving Kemi with her thoughts.

"How do I go about this now?" Kemi thought

"Prayer is the key" she heard a voice within

Kemi prayed that night but this time her prayer was different.....she prayed on discovery of her

hidden talents and gifts.

She asked God to show her the secret of her life.

After prayers, she read her Bible and went to bed, still thinking about what Mama had said .

"I'll add fasting to it to show how serious I am with this" she concluded in her heart as she slept off.

Mark's job has been going on fine and everything is moving smoothly as Kemi is trying her best to

find out what their individual talents could be

She was in the sitting room one morning, pondering over the issue when her mom came to the

parlour but her presence wasn't noticed.

"Kemi....Kemi.... Kemisola" Mama called

"Ma" she responded, snapping out of her thoughts

"Hmmm....Kemi what are you thinking about?" Mama asked

"Mama I'm thinking of what you said four days ago. About my talents. I really can't figure out what

it is yet; though I've fasted and prayed and asked God but still no clue" Kemi complained as Mama

kept quiet

"Oda....I'll give you a clue." Mama said as Kemi sat up, showing interest in what she was about to

say.

"What do you love doing? What is that thing you love to do that gives you joy?" Mama asked

"Agriculture mama. Anything related to it" Kemi responded quickly as Mama shook her head

"You're so focused on one. You have to be ready to discover something you about you my dear.

You have to believe that there's more to your talents than Agric b4 it'd come to you. You've been

fasting but with unbelief in your heart. Look beyond yourself, beyond your already discovered gift.

You'll realize it soon." Mama said as Kemi thought on what she was saying

"Well, I'll leave you to yourself now. But before I go. I want to eat something light, like fruit salad or

have some tea" Mama said, standing up already

"We have both Ma so which would you prefer?" Kemi said as she made her way to the dinning

That night, Kemi just meditated on what her mom had told her Earlier that day

Flashback

"Kemi, think it well. Your success is not as a result of how well you've achieved something or

utilized one of your talents but how many you've utilised. For example, if you're given 5 talents and

you only discovered one or two and think you've arrived or made it in life. God will question you for

not using the rest. Do not be carried away by material things. Our main goal is to make heaven,

therefore we must be heaven bound and give rapt attention to things pertaining to heaven so we

won't be surprised on the judgement day.." Mama said further

Flashback ended

Kemi brought out the book where she jotted what Mama had said further that evening concerning talents and discovery of destiny.

Kemi's jottings

Your treasure or talent is what God has graciously endowed you with

It is what has been freely given to you to add value to your destiny

It is God's free gift that will make you function without engaging in hard labour that produces little

or no results

It is what ushers you into into your season of rest, where minimal efforts will yield maximum

results.

It is the discovery of that one thing that makes you very distinct and incomparable.

It's the good qualities in you that have remained hidden for a very long time

It's the end of your fruitless pursuits and the beginning o your moment of divine supernatural

exaltation

It is what God has programmed into your life in order to make you fulfil divine purpose

End of Kemi's jottings

She went into thinking again

"So in all, it's something I enjoy doing" she thought to herself

"But what could that be?" She asked herself. Just then, she heard a voice within

"Why are you behaving like you never had an idea of this before? You were once a teacher and

you insisted on teaching children instead. They all loved you, even the stubborn ones that other

teachers couldn't handle, you were able to handle them with ease. Is this not supposed to mean

something?"

"That's it" she said as she snapped her fingers

"Children....I have a talent in handling children. It's part of my gift. I've always loved them" she said

happily

"Yaaaaaay......I've got the answer. Finally" see said as she went on her knees , "Thank you sweet Jesus. I'm so grateful" she said and prayed a little while longer before going to

bed

"Mama....I've discovered it" Kemi said joyfully to her mom, as they were sitting in the her (Mama's)

room

"Good. So what is it?" Mama asked with smiles

"Children Mama. I've always loved them and could handle them better than any other teacher in

school." Kemi said with so much Joy.

"That's nice. So you'd start work again? Abi how will you make use of this gift" Mama asked, as

Kemi fell silent with her smiles gradually disappearing

"Hmmmmm" she said as she was deep in thoughts

"Hmmm...I don't want to have a full time job..... hmmmm.....there's more to Christainity than just

accepting Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior and fighting life's battles." She thought to

herself

"Don't worry Mama. I'd ask God." She finally responded

"Oda.... let's go to the parlour and watch something" Mama said as they went to the parlour.

Kemi spent three nights in self-discovery prayers.

"Lord....I don't know what to do. I don't want to go back into a full time job as a teacher. If I do, I'd

neglect my home because it was so stressful for me even as a spinster back then" she said as she

prayed from her heart.

She decided to stop prayers and wait on God for a reply as she has been taught that prayer is a two-way thing

She opened her Bible to read anything

Then she heard a small voice.....that voice instilled in her that has always been directing her.

"What about the orphanage......you can try that. The children there need to be shown love. That

way they'd become responsible citizens and not be the reason your society would be in

pandemonium.

"Hmmm......that's true. But I don't know any orphanage around here. I'll have to find one then" she

thought to herself as she thanked God answered prayers and went to sleep

While sleeping, she had a dream

In that dream, she saw little children reaching out to her....

"Please come to us. They were pleading pitifully and the dream cleared

"That's a confirmation. I'll find something to do about it fast." She said as she slept off finally

Mark had dressed for work and had breakfast

"I'm ready for work. See you later babe" he said as he came closer to her, giving her a peck on her

cheek

"See you soon dear" Kemi said, smiling in response

"I'll miss you you know, don't worry I'll come home as soon as possible" Mark said as he hugged

her

"I'll be expecting you then" she said as they kissed goodbye

When Mark was out of sight, Kemi went in to get Mama something to eat as well.

"So my daughter, has God given you an answer?" Mama asked as soon as she was done with her

meal

"Yes Ma. I heard a voice and a confirmation followed."

"What form of confirmation""Through a dream"

"Oda. So what does it say?"

"It suggested me starting from the orphanage"

"Hmmm.....so what's your take on it"

"It's okay for me Ma. So far children are involved and I can win their souls for Christ."

"Okay. You'll tell your husband about it abi" Mama asked

"Yes Ma. We're one."

"Glad to hear that. So when do you plan on telling him?"

"This evening, by God's grace" Kemi responded

"It's okay. Take your time" She said as she decided to stroll in the compound

"Babe" Kemi called as they were in the veranda. They were done eating and decided to enjoy the

cool breeze that evening

"Yes dear" he responded, holding her close to himself

"I want to ask for your permission concerning something" she said as she had his full attention

"Okay. What is it?" He asked

"I want to start going to the orphanage often"

"Why? So you could choose the best child to adopt?"

"What? No. That's not the issue. I just want to show them some love you know"

"Hmmm....okay you have my permission. So when do you want to start?"

"Anytime soon" " okay then "

The next morning, Kemi woke up very early. She was so excited that she'd see children again in

her life as she has always loved them

She has prepared Mark's breakfast and seen him off, prepared breakfast for her mom and told her

about her plans, then set off to a nearby orphanage she knew

Kemi was allowed to have access to the children which made her more than happy.

She came back home later that day with a very happy heart. She told everyone; from her mom to

her husband and wished to see them often.

When Mark saw how Happy she was, he gave her freedom to go there whenever she wanted to.

It's been six months since Kemi has been visiting the orphanage often; she hasn't felt so much joy

and fulfillment in her life.

She had graduated to giving the little children gifts that could enable them learn faster and also

introduced them to God little by little

However, she had begun to like one of the children and was thinking of adopting her. She didn't

know how to tell Mark cos she was sure he wouldn't agree with her

She was at the orphanage one day, playing with the particular child when the little girl asked a

question

"Aunty what of your children?" A question that sent shivers down her spine

"Well, let's say they're in heaven" Kemi responded after keeping quiet for quite a while

"Okay" she said with smiles

"Aunty I believe one day, my parents would come looking for me." Rejoice, the little girl said

"Really? Tell me more." Kemi said as she knelt to get to Rejoice's height "You once taught us about faith so I'm putting it into practice. I believe my mom's still alive and

would come looking for me someday" she explained as Kemi nodded her head

"And I believe you'd be a mom too, because you're a good person" she said further as she

touched Kemi's tummy in a playful manner.

Kemi played with her as well as others a little while before going home, thinking about what the

little girl said that day.

Kemi got home that day as usual, narrating what had happened to her mom. Her mom told her

that it was her faith that would see her through

"Pray to God to increase your faith" She said simply

It was weekend already and Mark decided to go with her on a Saturday to the orphanage

When they arrived, the children were so happy to see her on a Saturday as she doesn't come

there often on Saturdays.

"We're so happy you came Ma" one of the older children, about 1é years of age said as Kemi smiled

They played a little as Kemi sang for them with her lovely voice (her voice was something people

always loved) after she had introduced her husband to the children

It was time to go as they said goodbye and left. Mark suggested they have lunch in a restaurant

close by.

"I saw the way you were with the kids." Mark said as they had arrived at the restaurant and

ordered for something to eat

"Yeah.....I love those kids. Each and everyone of them" Kemi responded in smiles as memories

with them came to her mind

"And that girl you introduced me to....uhmmm, what's her name again? Rejoice ryt." Mark said,

trying to recall

"Yes, her name is Rejoice" Kemi responded as Mark kept quiet for a while

"And I'm guessing you want to adopt her" Mark said, leaving Kemi shocked

"I don't understand" she finally said, calming her nerves.

"I mean the way you treated her different from the rest of the kids. You carried her, spoke to her

and played with her with so much joy and love in your heart." Mark explained as Kemi kept quiet

"I'm guessing you want her for a daughter" He said further, Kemi still not saying a word and

wondering whether it was so obvious she loved little Rejoice

They ate their food in silence and drive down to mall where Mark bought some clothes for his wife

and went home when it was getting late

There was no need having anything to eat that evening as Mark claimed he was full and wasn't

comfortable with his wife's silence.

"Babe" He called drew her to himself

"You've been silent ever since I talked about Rejoice, what is the problem" he said as he had her

in his arms

"Nothing. Just wondering how you got to know"

"It was obvious. Obviously obvious"