SHADOW OF THE PAST

03 Banji Anifowoshe

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It was a glorious Sunday morning at the New Era Gospel Church, Oworonshoki area of Lagos State. The service was awesome and the congregation was blessed by Pastor Etim's sermon.

After sharing the grace and fellowship, Banji who had been sitting among the congregation of not more than sixty stood to go say 'hello' to his pastor.

"Good morning sir." he greeted prostrating as soon as he got to the front pew where Pastor Etim was having a conversation with Banji's mother.

"Mr. Banji Anifowoshe. Welcome back home." Pastor Etim's face brightened as he greeted Banji. "Your mom was just informing me that you are back home to stay, and I'm so glad to hear about your achievements so far. God will continue to empower you to do more. His grace and mercy will continue to rest upon you and all that concerns you." Pastor Etim prayed, and the mother and son chorused an Amen to his prayers. "What I'm expecting now is your wedding invitation card. I just can't wait to meet that special woman that has captured your soul," he added and Banji smiled. "Mummy Anifowoshe, do you notice that your son had changed a lot. I could hardly recognize him if we were to meet outside." he complimented and Grace smiled.

"Thank you so much, Pastor. It's been God all the way, and your prayers sir." Grace replied beaming with a smile. "We need to be on our way now sir, because of the moving of the loads," Grace said

"I hope the distance won't be a barrier for you to worship with us at least once a while?" he asked and the mother and son smiled.

"At all Pastor. We can even have a branch on the Island. It would be so nice and great." Grace suggested.

"Absolutely. I will surely work on that. And Banji must help us look for a better location also in Abuja once he's fully settled." he said and Banji nodded his head in affirmation.

"Daddy, pray for me sir," Banji said and knelt before him and Pastor Etim prayed for the journey ahead of him.

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"Mummy, when last did you hear from Diana?" Grace asked Mummy Pastor outside the church premises as she waited for Banji who was receiving pastoral blessings.

"We spoke to each other last week." Mummy Pastor replied. "Mummy Grace, good news," she said excitedly and Banji was walking towards their direction with a smile. "Diana is coming home with her fiancé." She announced. Banji heard her last statement and paused. He looked shocked as he stood still like a statue.

"Wow! That's such good news. Congratulations to you ma. I am so happy for you. That means we will be having her wedding this year." Grace said excitedly.

Banji's smile disappeared as he heard the news about his first love getting married soon.

Diverse kinds of thoughts ran through his mind as he stood helplessly at the church's entrance.

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"I can't remember the last time Femi smiled at me," Tomisin said thoughtfully as she came back home after putting a tail on her husband. "So, that little girl is behind the troubles and fears am passing through in my home. Just as Bridget said, I can't sit and watch that tiny little wretched thing snatch my man away from me."

She paced her room up and down for a couple of minutes, contemplating what to do. Different ideas and techniques of how to get rid of Zoe ran through her mind. But her mobile's ringtone interrupted her thoughts. Her phone screen displayed 'My Gold' as the caller.

"Hello, mum..."

"Oluwatomisin, Anike mi..." her mother began to render her lineage as soon as she heard her daughter's voice. "How are you doing? How are work and your husband?"