From down the street, one would hear the sound of the drums that blended well with other musical instruments like the keyboard, conga, guitar, among the rest. It was another Sunday church service at The Sheperd Ministry, located in the heart of Okwa street, along Queen's road. It was a praise session, and the choirmaster had taken it upon himself to lead the praises for the day. It was a special day for every member of the church as they were celebrating the church's 5th anniversary. The speakers were not only mounted inside the auditorium, but were also strategically positioned to face the four cardinal points of the equator, as they mercilessly released different music, which was nothing but noise to the ears of the disturbed neighbours. The neighbours would not have bothered that much if the choirmaster simply decided to continue with the Igbo songs he was familiar with. But instead, he chose to sing Yoruba songs which he murdered at will. The congregation did not seem to mind as they sang and danced along despite the several murders committed by the worship leader. The auditorium was filled to the brim, as it housed a lot of invited people from both far and near. Chuks was one of the people that made it to the church's anniversary. As for him, his reasons for attending the church service that very day were not far-fetched. He knew the church for giving free food any time they celebrate their anniversary, and he was not ready to miss out of that year's episode. Also, he knew that the church's anniversary service brings about different beautiful girls, and he was ready to add yet another girl to his collection of girls. He carefully chose his outfit for the day, and it was a well-ironed Ankara material, matched with a pair of well-polished shoes. As he raised his hands in an "unhumbled" adoration, his eyes scanned through the girls around him, and his eyes did not stop looking at the altar when he seemed to have found a potential prey that was among the choir. Although, Chuks did not know her name, but he was so attracted by her outfit and physical appearance, and he was optimistic that he could make a girlfriend out of her.
At another part of the auditorium was Nkechi who was a full time member of the church. Almost all the church members knew Nkechi's story. She had been bitten and shattered by all the relationships she was into for the past 5 years of her life. It would not be a mistake to say that Nkechi was holding on to life with just a finger, as far as relationship is concerned. The first guy she dated at the age of 21 walked out of the relationship by giving her flimsy reasons. Her heart was partially broken, but she moved on with life. The second and third guy she dated were not too different from each other, as they cheated on her severally, and she simply ended the relationship when she discovered. It was her fifth and last relationship that seemed to last longer than the rest – 1 year and 3 months. When the relationship clocked a year, she was so excited to the extent that she willing gave herself to Jide as a "pleasing sacrifice". Jide, on the other hand, accepted her sacrifice, and continued to ask for more. After donating herself to Jide about 3 more times to please him, Nkechi could not continue, and that was Jide's reason for ending the relationship. "How can you deny me of my right as your boyfriend?" Jide asked her one of the times Nkechi went to beg him. "I doubt if you even love me at all" He added. Nkechi did not need a soothsayer to tell her that the relationship was heading into the pit, and she shamefully walked out of it, having lost her pride and respect.
"Ime…e…e…Imela….Imela…." The Choirmaster raised an Igbo song, as if he knew that the Yoruba songs he was singing were terrible. The backup picked the song with him, as the congregation followed joined as well. The notable figure among the backup was Amaka, and aside the fact that she could sing, she was also beautiful. Infact, one would not be wrong to say that she was an angel in disguise, or a goddess to be precise. Almost every single guy in the church wanted to move close to Amaka. Her slightly fair skin and her long natural hair made her highly attractive to any and every eyes that looked at her. She would always wear a smile that slightly revealed her small open-teeth, and her dimple was deep enough to house a fly.
"In Jesus' name we have worshipped" The pastor said, bringing the worship session to an end after some minutes. "Please be seated." He said. As the whole congregation sat, including Chuks, Nkechi and Amaka.
© 2016. Austus Ofmat Nwanne
They are among us. Yes. They are. It seemed some of you don't know they are among us. They are everywhere – in our houses, our places of work, on our streets, even in our religious centres, they are there. Look around you. Can't you see them? Open your eyes because they are around us. I'll come your way again with the second episode.
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OFMAT AUSTUS NWANNE
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