THE PREACHER'S WRATH

A DAUGHTER AND MORE

INT. SHOPPING MALL - DAY

Oreoluwa, her boyfriend, chidi and bestfriend, faith. Walking around in a mall.

CHIDI

Interesting. For me, the longest trip i have been on was with my dad. we took off from owerri to OAU.

FAITH

OAU? I feel like i have heard about that place. Is it a resort centre?

Ore and chidi laughs

OREOLUWA

Chai! Angel of mine, why oh why? That's the acronym for Obafemi Awolowo university in ile-ife, osogbo, Osun state.

Spoken with pride like she was a founding member.

FAITH

Oh yea. I remember now. Ofcourse i know the school.

OREOLUWA

One of the most prestigious university in Africa by the way. Of which my dad is an alumni.

FAITH

Okay! We know. High roller family.

OREOLUWA

You are obsessed with resorts and amusement centres. That's why your mind naturally went there.

They both laugh.

CHIDI

Is it still my turn to share or have i been skipped?

FAITH

Yea, okay. Continue please.

CHIDI

Anyway, it was a twelve hour Journey and even though my dad kept the pedal to the floor, we still arrived OAU late in the night.

FAITH

Really? Wow.

CHIDI

I was so weak and tired our host taught I was the one who drove.

FAITH

(Smiles)

So why were you guys in OAU?

OREOLUWA

It was around the time he was hustling for admission. Staying home for a year drove him crazy

CHIDI

Uh. Excuse me. Can I share the story of my life by myself?

OREOLUWA

(Smiles)

sure you can boo thang.

CHIDI

I went for post UME sha. The next morning, my dad and I slept in.

We woke up and almost broke our necks rushing from bathroom to breakfast to dressing up.

We entered the car, straight to the venue.

OREOLUWA

(To faith)

Wait for it.

CHIDI

Only to find out. I didn't bring my slip along.

FAITH

Jesus!

Faith sights a pastry vendor.

FAITH(CONT'D)

That must have felt like a horror movie scene.

Wait. Those look yummy. Let's get some.

They go to the donut stand. Two young men, MOSES, 36 and jerry, 6"ft, cornrows, 32. Sit around an electronic section, gazing at the three friends. The younger man switches. Acts busy on his phone. Avoiding suspicion.

The older guy coordinates their movement, tapping jerry with his feet when their targets start moving.

The three friends disembark from the pastry stand with a pack each. Chidi spots a Hollywood action poster as they move on.

CHIDI

That's my Gee. Karl urban. Man's in everything now.

OREOLUWA

Karl Urban? I don't know him.

The two stalkers get on their feet, eyes locked in, begins to trail their movement.

CHIDI

Who do you know? How does your unfamiliarity with him effect things in general?

FAITH

(Smiles)

Wahala!

OREOLUWA

I'm just saying. Haba! I haven't heard of him. Yes he looks the part of an happening actor but...

CHIDI

But what? How much of Hollywood do you even watch? If I had talked about Timini Egbuson, your radar would have jumped really high.

FAITH

Ah! Wahala pro max

OREOLUWA

(laughing)

I don't even care for Timini that much.

They arrive in front of a fancy kitchen.

CHIDI

Well then, At the mention of Tobi Bakre, you would have been smiling from side to side.

FAITH

(Laughing)

Wahala spin off. Baby girl I never knew your boyfriend is a war machine.

OREOLUWA

You have no idea.

Faith checks her wristwatch

FAITH

Alright. I'll leave you love birds or love ants alone now.

OREOLUWA

(Chuckles)

Na you sabi.

Faith starts walking away. Towards a hair and naiIs vendor

FAITH

Don't scatter the whole place. Have fun. Love you guys.

CHIDI & OREOLUWA

Love you. Bye

Moses and jerry watches Faith take her leave as chidi and ore enter the kitchen. Moses dismissed Faith's departure, pointing to the kitchen as their point of focus

Chidi and ore inside the kitchen. Both take their seat. They put their take aways inside chidi's backpack.

CHIDI

See babe. Now that we're alone, let me tell you why I really brought you to this mall.

Remember during your birthday week, I was going through some kind of dryness. Financially that is.

Both giggle.

CHIDI(CONT'D)

In other words, sapa showed me shege longer than expected. All I could do was sendtext after text. w******p update almost shut down from the way I kept posting you back to back.

So you see. I didn't manifest any sort of stunt. Beginning now, we're going to order a mouthwatering cuisine, and then pop a bottle.

OREOLUWA

(Forcing a smile)

Oh boy.

CHIDI

I know you don't really take alcohol.

Signals to the waitress to come over.

CHIDI

(CONT'D)

But you get the Formality I'm going for.

OREOLUWA

Chidi, my birthday was three months ago. I can't believe you felt less of yourself Because you couldn't show "stunt".

CHIDI

You're an amazing girl and let's not forget, the city is crawling with ballers.

OREOLUWA

Please!

Waitress hands them the MENU.

OREOLUWA (CONT'D)

Don't get me wrong. A treatment like this once in a while where we both benefit is nice.

But I don't want you doing stuff just to cover up an inability to spend unnecessary money. Abeg. It's not that deep.

See. When your birthday comes. And I'm not holding. I will send you one of those "A king was born today" messages, and you will embrace them, because it will feel enough.

The same way I felt reading your text and watching me on your status during my birthday.

This affair doesn't run on money. At least not a do or die type of deal. Capeesh?

Chidi nods impressively. Claps.

CHIDI

Oya...you just schooled me. School is yet to resume but I'm getting cool points already.

OREOLUWA

(Smiles)

Holiday lessons. If you choose.

CHIDI

Nice. But let's enjoy this time. We're here. I have made it happen. Order what you want on that MENU. You're the realest. Dessert coming thru later.

OREOLUWA

Hmm.... Stunt master.

Looks at the menu. Smiling

OREOLUWA

Minister for "workings"

Chidi blushes.

OREOLUWA

I'm so going to eat ehn. The plate will feel the aggression.

CHIDI

Oh...shey you see now? Carry on sugar girl. You're good to go.

PASTOR AKOMOLAFE'S OFFICE - DAY

The preacher is inside her church office providing counsel for an intending couple. Miracle, early 30s, Ayotomide, late 20s. Eniola is in the background ensuring the office stays tidy and organized.

The preacher directs her speech to the lady

PREACHER

You know, I remember vividly three years ago. Miracle walked into this office looking downcast.

He told me he wants to Change department, that some members have reduced him to a mere drummer boy.

Miracle nods as he recollects

PREACHER

(CONT'D)

I asked what happened? And he said during sunday schools or perhaps group meetings, they don't give him any chance to render his opinion and when he manages to grab an opening, he just gets cut off.

He sometimes feel invisible and irrelevant. I expressed concern about the issue he brought up because the city of grace ministries does not condone that type of behavior.

Also, he was fairly new to the church at the time, so the coordinators he spoke of were possibly acting with bias or favoritism, as opposed to him being a mere drummer. Of which their behavior is still unacceptable.

She turns to miracle.

PREACHER(CONT'D)

And if you remember I condemned this behavior in front of the congregation.

Miracle nods

PREACHER(CONT'D)

Our new members are just as valued and cherished just as the old members. There's no department or role in the church that is less important than the others.

We all serve in the house of God, therefore we're the same in his eyes. Im glad til this day, he still beat the drum. Gracefully for that matter. So Ayotomiwa and Miracle... Did I? Is that correct?

Trying to get the lady's name right.

AYOTOMIDE

(Smiles slightly)

Ayotomide

PREACHER

Ayotomide. Why I am sharing this memory is to show the two of you that sometimes, life's journey can be likened to marriage.

It can bring inconvenience, neglect or disregard, which are all liable to make a spouse leave. If not, they start considering, checking if the grass is greener somewhere else.

Whereas all that is needed at that point is to examine the matter from a different perspective.

Ayotomide nods slowly.

Now, you both made a decision to be with each other. I feel it will be healthy for your marriage that your spouse knows at least one reason which informed that decision.

What is that one thing that made you say "this is the right man for me" or "its til death do us apart with this woman".

She shrugs, raises her eyebrows.

PREACHER

Miracle. You start.

He sighs heavily and swiftly taps on his knees with both hands.

PREACHER

Ah, kilode? You want to start drumming here too?

The engaged couple laughs.

PREACHER(CONT'D)

Sunday service is around the corner. Be patient.

MIRACLE

When we met two years ago or thereabout, and started talking frequently. She made me have additional confidence in myself.

PREACHER

Interesting. Eniola, plug this in for me.

She stretches her tablet to eniola's direction. He comes to get it from her

PREACHER(CONT'D)

Care to elaborate?

MIRACLE

Sometimes when i make a random statement, she will just burst into laughter.

His fiancee bursts into laughter. Miracle glances at the pastor Mrs, spreading his hands.

MIRACLE(CONT'D)

Also while preparing to join the neighborhood guys for a match, she'll go like "he's on his way. If you Can't stand the heat, leave the kitchen. He will show no mercy"

The atmosphere is filled with brilliant smiles, even Eniola.

MIRACLE (CONT'D)

Then I play along walking majestically.

PREACHER

Ehen now. Like the champion you truly are. Thats fantastic.

She faces Ayotomide.

PREACHER(CONT'D)

Wifey—over to you.

AYOTOMIDE

(Laughter dies down to chuckles. Her lips pressed together. Straightened up)

AYOTOMIDE

Since I was little, I've always prayed that when I want to marry, I want a man who is kind, as a way of nature.

Cos only when a man is kind can he truly lead, and serve at the same time. He can be present, he can share, forgive and love.

I discovered miracle's kindness even before he showed me personally any act of kindness. And that's real to me. So here we are.

ENIOLA

(Facing his office duty, but not really there)

Awww

PREACHER

(Distracted, detects Eniola's emotional state)

Is there anything you'll like to add?

ENIOLA

(pretends he isn't listening, turns around)

Oh—not really! She just described my dad perfectly. So my mind traveled far far away

Everyone chuckles

ENIOLA(CONT'D)

Those type of men are treasures, unicorn. I experienced all those attributes with my dad. She's right.

PREACHER

We know. Thank you. So are you that type of man?

ENIOLA

Me? Ah! I like energy for energy. Aura for aura. Do me I do you.

PREACHER

What!

ENIOLA

Man no go vex!

The intending couple laughs.

PREACHER

(Shakes her head)

Its my fault. My lovely couple please. Ayotomide that's a wonderful insight and I'm glad that the two of you have given valid decision making factors.

You're not just getting married because....you're ripe. Pardon my choice of word.

She stretches her hands to their direction. Head slightly bowed.

PREACHER (CONT'D)

This union shall stand the test of time and the lord shall provide your marriage with all that you want and need to make it a blissful one in jesus name.

BETHROTED

AMEN

PREACHER

(Checks her wristwatch)

I guess Ayotomide automatically or should I say gradually becomes our member?

AYOTOMIDE

We will make it work ma.

PREACHER

God bless you dear

MIRACLE

She's a mighty pillar in her church. They will search everywhere for her.

Pastor Gloria chuckles. Fatigue kicks in.

PREACHER

Wahala! That's commendable anyway. I leave you betrothed in the hands of God. I think I might have other visitors.

BETROTHED

(Gets up)

Thank you mama. Thanks for seeing us.