THE PATIENCE SHE BETRAYED

Chapter 1: Prologue

Jeremy and Rose have been dating for two years, with an aim of ending up in a matrimonial life. Both families are God-fearing. Besides, Jeremy is already a pastor in their local Church, back in Luanda.

These couples-to-be look so promising. Right from the pieces of advice from the Holy Book to parents, they never wanted to allow their bedsheets get folded with their feelings. In fact, Jeremy's bedroom was temporarily out of bounds to any other person; irrespective of their gender.

Rose, according to her parents, was innocently and patiently waiting for her clock to correctly show her time. A beautiful young lady she was, purely raised by her parents in the village of Nyaguda.

The two would plan to meet, but this was organized by parents from both sides. Even though Jeremy was a young pastor, at the age of 26, Rose's parents could not still trust him when he spends with their daughter under one roof.

"Unless you get married," her mother said, "and not just an informal marriage, but that marked with a colourful wedding, the two of you won't be alone under the same roof at any time," she emphasized.

Jeremy would therefore make some trips to Rose's home at least once in a month to see the apple of his eyes. During such visits, they would stay in their house with the parents in, or outside where everyone could see them. Unfortunately, the parents would not allow them to have lengthy conversation. According to her mother, Mrs Mathilda, such talks could make them to get used to each other.

Sitting position was closely monitored and their skins could only meet twice; during handshakes at the beginning and the end. Mrs Mathilda could also not allow Rose to prepare meals when Jeremy was around. Maybe, it was a way of ensuring he gets exactly new package when they finally get married.

Rose, in her early 23, had completed her training as a tailor. Her dreams to get admitted to Great Lakes University of Kenya (GLUK) got graved when her elder sister got pregnant for her first boyfriend during her first year in campus. Her parents argued that campus was not the best place to groom a lady who would make a good wife for a God-fearing man. Once bitten, twice shy. They never wanted to risk again with Rose.

With Jeremy making several trips to Nyaguda, his parents began to feel uncomfortable.

"Why are acting as you've been married by that lady in their home?" His father, Mr Omuhala, questioned.

Mr Omuhala was also the area Chief and earned a lot of respect from his area residents. Additionally, he was the Church elder where his son Jeremy was a Pastor. He strongly asked Jeremy to bring home the lady he was dating for introduction.

"I don't want embarrassment, my son. And...and look...am not happy with where you might be heading to. You're now fully in the clergy. You need a wife, and a responsible one. You need children. And Jeremy, you must act like a full man with a voice. This idea of constantly making trips to that lady's place is unnecessary," he explained.

His mother, however, was aware of his trips to Rose's home and supported the courtship. While he was being lectured, she was peeping through the tiny crack on the kitchen's wall.