STOLEN PARADISE

CHAPTER SIX

Shalom everyone. Hope you are all doing great. We have the two mothers having same name and so in order to differentiate them, their surnames will be used with the exception of where their husbands are concerned.  Thank you. Enjoy the chapter.

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Funmi dressed up in a sleeveless knee length dress matched with red stilettos and black handbag, headed for church. She had called Pastor Azikwe after she left the Babalola's mansion the previous day to request him to announce her wedding to Antonio. Not only that, the wedding will be taking place the next weekend. ..one week of freedom.

The Pastor was surprised and asked why she changed her mind but she gave no response except shedding tears on during the call. She put on her cute dark sunglasses and got inside her car, ready to meet her brethren in Christ.

Everybody at church already knew about it because it was all over the newspapers and several television stations. They were filled with wonder and questioned how a nice sister like Funmi could accept a marriage proposal from a Godless and "impure" man like Antonio Babalola.
As she entered the church, she saw the curious, accusing, jealous and sympathetic eyes all over her.

She wished in her heart she could tell them not to be disappointed because she didn't choose Antonio. She sighed and decided to ignore it all and just focus on the Lord. She sat down at hed usual spot, two rows behind the Pastor's wife.

The church seem to grow quiet as whispers took over as well as some pointing at her like she was a little demon.

Why did I come early?

Right after the service was over,  a "Singles for Christ" meeting was called and the subject?

Funmilola's choice of a spouse."

"Can you believe she's really engaged to such a piece of filth! A devil's incarnate! A man who doesn't care about any religion let alone Jesus Himself." One of the single sisters said hotly.

"Do you think it is the money?" Another sister asked.

"No way! Her parents are filthy rich and so is she unless she is greedy." The first sister replied in disgust.

There was a lot of theory about the shocking wedding in the youth boardroom. They tore Funmi's integrity apart with their words and speculations.  A total stranger would think it was surely not a church or a body of Christ.

Funmi got in when the discussion got heated and as soon as she greeted them, the room fell silent. She knew they must have tore their brains apart trying to figure out her decision to marry an unbeliever.

Maybe I should have run away.

Then Mr. Richard will comb the entire earth and will find you.

That sent shivers across her body and she sat down.

"You are welcome Sister. Funmi," said Sister. Hope the leader and oldest single at the church, at age 35.

"Thank you sister." Funmi replied.

At least someone is still civil to me.

"We already prayed before you came and the purpose of this emergency meeting is to thank the Lord for making one of us a wife to be thereby reducing the number of unmarried sisters at our blessed church." Sister. Hope said with a triumphant smile.

One would have thought she was the one getting married with the genuinely radiant smile on her face. Her secret? She was finally enjoying her singlehood and working hard in her career as a Manager of a large and successful chain of boutique across Lagos State. Everything is beautiful at God's time.