Shalom

Chapter Fourteen

Shalom's smartphone alarm rang to her ears from a distance. It seemed as though she was being called from the dreamland where she had been enjoying her stay. She turned sideways with a huff and reached for the phone to switch off the alarm when it didn't stop ringing.

Instead of switching off the alarm, her finger snoozed it. After being satisfied that the alarm had stopped ringing, she adjusted her sleeping position and progressed in her sleep.

After a few minutes, the alarm rang again. She was tempted to hiss but she cautioned herself. She peeked her two eyes open and that was when she realized that she had snoozed her alarm. Her hand reached for it and switched it off and she switched it off this time around.

Still wiping away sleep from her eyes, her gaze fell on the time on her phone's screen, it displayed 5:00 am.

A yawn escaped from her lips as she sat straight. She reached for her ambient lamp on the desk and switched it on. She viewed her surroundings.

Her room was cozy and like a solace for her and she loved it so much. She thanked God for her parents on how they could discern the right time to give her a room and not just a room, a very beautiful one at that.

A lot of books were stashed on the wooden shelf in the corner of the room. She was a bookworm and she loved reading. Books were one of those things that gave her pleasure. They were like a way out of her boredom.

The floor had a beautiful tiling and was decorated to add more beauty to the room. A plastic table and a chair were right in front of her. She used them for her readings and assignments. Her beautiful middle-sized furnished wardrobe and a shoe rack where she kept her pairs of shoes.

Beside her bed was an electric outlet where an electric fan that was directly facing her was plugged.

There were beautiful drapes on the window that let in a natural light. The door at her entrance was furnished, too, and there was a beautiful curtain on it too.

An unconscious smile curled out of her lips as she viewed her room again, but she remembered something, and the smile on her face disappeared.

Tomorrow was meant to be a happy day for her because she was going to resume the university to study her dream course. Today was Saturday and tomorrow was going to be Sunday. By this time on Monday, she would have been in her hostel awakened and preparing for lectures.

She was meant to be joyful because tomorrow was Sunday, but her mood right now revealed that she wasn't happy, nor was she sad. Her mother already informed her beforehand that today was slated for their shopping stuff. She had been excited, but her mood had changed; what was she going to do about it?

"Shalom," her mother called.

Shalom looked at the entrance and saw her mother standing by the door. She had barely noticed her and she wasn't aware for how long she had been standing there and staring at her.

"Mum, good morning," she responded and forced a smile.

"You should still be asleep," she sounded a little worried. "What happened?" She didn't leave where she stood.

"I have been awake since 5 pm. I was just thinking," she had spilled it before realizing what just came out of her mouth.

Shalom could see her mum's eyes grow wide. She moved from the door and strode towards her. She stopped and sat beside her on the bed. "What do you mean you are thinking? What are you thinking about?"

"Don't worry, Mum," she placed a hand on her mother's thigh and smiled at her. "I can handle it," she said.

"Are you sure?" Her mum gave her a look that revealed that she wasn't yet convinced.

"Sure, mum. I can handle it," she said and smiled again.

Eunice shrugged. "Alright, dear. If you say so. And sweetheart, you don't have anything to worry about. You have us and God. We are going to stand there for you, okay?"

Shalom nodded and shot her mum an understanding smile.

"Alright. That's my baby," Eunice tickled her and she laughed.

"Mum," she said in stifled laughter. "I'm not a baby," she protested and feigned annoyance.

"No oh," Eunice shook her head. "I won't agree with you on this one. As far as you remain my child, you are my baby."

"Alright, I hear you, mum."

Eunice was already on her way out of the room when she suddenly stopped mid-stride and turned to her daughter.

"Mum?" Shalom raised a brow.

"Sorry, I forgot something. I forgot to tell you that you should get prepared for the morning devotion in 45 minutes. I will also inform your brother," she said. Without waiting for my response, she began to walk away.

"Alright, mum," she said to her retreating figure and heard the door click.

When she was out of sight, Shalom reached for her Bible to begin her study for that morning. Her thoughts came back after her mother left her room but she shoved it away because she needed to study. After studying a few chapters, she prayed. The thoughts came back, but they only pushed her to pray more for herself and the university she would be going to in less than 48 hours.

~~~

Eunice led a Gospel worship song while the others sang along.

Shalom turned to her dad. He was seated on an armchair, his Bible on his lap and shut his eyes. She could tell that he was already in another realm - the worship realm where the song could become alive to him.

Right from the day she knew the difference between left and right, her dad had become her role model. She loved everything about her dad and she was thankful that he was the perfect match for her mum. Most times, she would smile and pray to God for her perfect match as a husband. Even now, when she was born again, her Dad was her mentor.

She turned to look at her brother who sat beside her. He was dozing off already with his folded arms against his chest.

"Wake up," Shalom moved closer to him and whispered to his left ear.

Samuel was aroused from sleep and he started humming the worship song that was being led.

"Now that we have treated what is in our devotional book and we have prayed the prayers God has put in our hearts to pray, do you have any questions?" The Dad asked, his eyes darting between his children.

Samuel shook his head in negative.

"Okay. You?" His gaze landed on Shalom.

She hesitated before responding. And when it was time for her to speak, Eunice chipped in.

"I saw Shalom in her room thinking about something she has refused to tell me this morning before the morning devotion."

"Really?" Frederick flashed his wife a surprise look and then to Shalom.

"Shalom, what were you thinking?"

Shalom ran her hands through her hair.

"Erm, Daddy, I was just thinking about how I was going to survive in school without you. You know, being in the university for the first time can be overwhelming. I don't know, Daddy. I don't know..." Her voice trailed off.

"It's alright, dear," Frederick consoled her. "I understand you perfectly. But you don't have to let it bother you. Remember, you have God on the inside of you, and you should trust His judgment. God is more than enough for you. He will be the one behind your choice of friends, your choice of fellowship, you know. There's nothing to be afraid of. Trust His direction and guidance and it shall be well with you."

"Hmmm! Daddy, thank you," Shalom said and nodded in understanding.

"You see the life of Daniel in the Bible. He was transported to a strange land, but God helped him..."

Eunice spent the rest of the devotion time explaining to her daughter the life of Daniel and how God helped him to make a costly mistake by forsaking him for other gods that were being worshipped by the people of the land. After her sermon, Shalom and her brother knelt and their father prayed with them.

To be continued.