STOLEN PARADISE

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Mrs. Olanrewaju left at dawn the next day with her driver, very much worried than ever before. She could not hear the entire conversation between the couple but she heard the raised voices and Antonio's words about throwing his wife out. She could never have thought things deteriorated to the level she found it but what could she do now? If she let her best friend in on it, Mr. Babalola too might get wind of it and get sick again. She decided to keep it to herself until a good solution comes to mind.

Funmi said her goodbyes to her mother when the latter woke them up to leave. She was sad her mother's visit was too short as she could do with the more loving company in such a "cold" house. After her mother left, Funmilola began preparation to go to church and she didn't bother to ask Antonio anymore, his answer has always been negative so there was absolutely no need to bother about it.

Since their wedding four months ago, she changed her usual seat at church to the far back, away from her friends and busy bodies. After the argument with Antonio the previous night, her heart was not settled at all. She battled with threatening tears during the entire service. Her tears never runs out for others to see but they were shed inside as the burden was hers alone. Even her best friend Kemi does not know the full details.

She barely listened to the sermon as her mind went back and forth on how to get out of the marriage with Antonio. God hates divorce but clearly Jesus said one could go ahead with it on the ground of adultery and that slimy egocentric idiot had not stopped his relationship with Sharon, not that she cared...or does she? She almost jumped out of her seat with happiness when "the Grace" was shared. She needed to see the Pastor and reclaim her peace and life. Living with that cruel being was beginning to rub wrongly on her. Her thoughts ever since their engagement has been negative and ungodly as several thoughts of cursing at him and getting even never cease to cross her mind.

Funmi joined the queue of other brethren to see Pastor Azikwe. People bombarded her with questions the first time she came back to church after the wedding about why her new husband was not with her.

Is it really true he is an atheist? Does he attend another ministry? Does he not like their church? At the beginning it was tough for her to say half truths about him not wanting to join their church but after they stopped, she was relieved.

"Mrs. Babalola, you may come and see the Pastor," Secretary Lesley said with a bright smile.

Lucky girl, she is still single and free.

As soon as Pastor Azikwe saw Funmi walk through the door, he stood up and greeted her joyfully.

"Sister, Funmi! What a surprise! The last time I saw you was that first Sunday you came back from your honeymoon. I hope you are not hiding." He was in good spirit despite the fact that he had been on his feet most part of the day. But then, when God calls somebody, He makes them fit for the position He called them to fill.

For nearly five minutes, Funmi wept in front of him like a little child. Pastor Azikwe was taken by surprise but allowed her to take her time to calm down. When she had finally pulled herself together, Pastor Azikwe said,

"Start from the beginning my child. What is wrong?"

Funmi narrated the entire truth of her married life; the silent treatments, late nights, arguments, the cruel words and the worst part was lying to her mother and pretending that all was well.

"I am tired and sick of pretending to everyone especially my mother. The insults are enough to bring my self-worth down. I want to separate from him pastor, after all we are not married at heart." Her self-pity had finally turned into bitterness and she didn't care staying single for the rest of her life.

Pastor Azikwe sighed and then decided he would be honest with her and not mince words. "Sister Funmi, I understand your pain. I cannot believe though that you will break your vow. Your marriage might be null and void in your eyes but not to God and your families."

Funmi was too shocked to speak and so she listened.

"You are married and that is your reality. He is your husband. He is an unbeliever, yes but you must respect, honour and do all that you promised. It only means you lied to all of us and to God when you promised to love and cherish each other," he sighed and continued. "You will pray for forgiveness and from today begin to live like the married woman you are. Be the woman of God that you truly are; a Proverbs 31 woman."

Funmi was flabbergasted. "Pastor, am I hearing you right?"

"Yes, sister Funmi. We are here to support you and guide you all the way." Tears began to flow down her eyes.

"But I don't love him!" she said with vehemence.

"I know my daughter, but love alone is not enough in a marriage. How many marriages based on love survives the test of time? Many who claimed to love one another at the beginning of their marriages also claim the love died! There should be patience, goodness, faithfulness and many other fruit of the spirit in our lives. Not all love are the kind of love stipulated in 1 Corinthians 13 ad that is why relationships fail. Sometimes it is one sided and then what happens? What is love without action and dedication?"

Funmi shook her head in defiance, "that's the point! He is in love with Sharon. He is committed to her and that is why he will not recognize my position in his life as his wife. Even if I try..." her voice trailed off as she sniffed and gently blew her nose on her handkerchief.

"I don't want to love him Pastor. I just want to be set free."

Pastor Azikwe looked at her and replied, "Funmilola, go and start acting your role."

"I don't want to be his wife! We don't even live in the same room and don't talk to each other anymore." She cried.

"But you are his wife. If you didn't want to be his wife as you said, you should have missed the wedding and avoided being married to him. But now, you are bound to him for life."

"That cannot happen! I will divorce him!"

Pastor Azikwe sadly shook his head, "Funmilola, do you know why God is allowing you to be married to him? Prophet Hosea married a prostitute; Jacob was forced to make Leah his wife although he did not love her and imagine, it is from one of her sons' lineage that our Lord Jesus Christ came from. Funmilola, take hold of this opportunity to your advantage,"

"How?" she asked, dumbfounded.

"Treat him kindly, respect him and in time your love for him will grow."

Funmi stood up and walked around the office for a few seconds and then came back to sit down again across the pastor.

"So I should really be married? Be a wife to that jerk? How am I supposed to carry out my role in the home when he won't let me?"

"Hold on Funmi, we are with you in prayers and this is a special case. I have had many happy couples coming for counseling when things went sour but not those who never wanted each other from the beginning. Not all arranged marriages are written by God but I know that your case is different."

"Please pray for me, please." Funmi whispered as tears began to flow down her swelling face.

"Funmilola my daughter, one thing I know, you shall laugh last."

"But...it is easier said than done."

"You are not alone. God will help you through this."

Funmi finally accepted the task and prayed with the pastor. For the first time in four months, she was truly married.

Hello everyone! So how is this chapter and do you think Funmi should live as a wife to a man who doesn't want her? Is it worth the try?

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