What happens when your carefully planned life comes crumbling down? Funmilola Olarenwaju had her life planned out...owner of two orphanages and a top class restaurant; single and NOT AVAILABLE!!! Brought up in a Christian home with God's love in her...
Another month pass much the same way for the couple. Antonio became as silent as the stars. She avoided him as much as possible and he too did the same. They left to work almost on daily basis and return at night without having seen each other. When they do meet at all, Funmi would look away and when their eyes met, he would give her a cold stare.
Funmi didn't really know what to make out of her mad existence. The man was not interested in working anything out but why was he not working towards divorcing her like he planned instead of making her suffer this way? Why was he still keeping her when he could divorce her quietly and everyone would go their separate ways? But she resolved in her mind that as long as she remained married to this psycho, she would be a good Christian wife and do her duties as much as she was allowed.
On one sunny afternoon, Kemi decided to pay her best friend a visit. They had been meeting outside but never in her matrimonial home. Funmi was reading her Bible at the balcony, praying for strength for each day spent as Antonio's wife.
"If Jacob could accept Leah in the long run, Antonio will accept me too eventually," but she wondered why she said so. "Funmi, are you falling in love with Antonio?"
She chided her mind for messing with her and convinced herself she was just lonely in the big house plus why would she fall in love with such a terrible human being?
Bless and do not curse Funmi. Pray for the salvation of his soul.
She rolled her eyes at the suggestion her mind was making. Three nights prior, she had begged Antonio to accompany her to a charity event she was invited to. He flatly refused and warned her to stop talking to him or approach him for anything. Everywhere she went, her friends and even colleagues all commended how well marriage was treating her. She looked happy, more beautiful and radiant. Unknown to them, her days were filled with "sunshine" and her nights with bitter tears to God to help her endure the ill treatments. She promised herself to stay strong, pray for him and wait till she becomes as happy as Leah the wife of Jacob. Rachael was his true love and she was just handed over to him.
She sighed and tried to focus on her Bible reading. At that moment, she heard the honking of a car and she immediately smiled as she recognized Kemi's 2015 red Toyota Hilux. The gateman opened for her and she drove in. Kemi came out looking gorgeous in blue denim pants, wedges, a white blouse and denim cropped jacket. She took out her denim hand bag and walked towards the house. Funmi became excited and immediately left the balcony to join her friend.
As soon as they saw each other they squealed like little girls and hugged each other.
"I warned Dele that he could never separate us, Mr. Lover boy," Funmi said with an air of pride.
"What could he possibly do girl?" Kemi was overly excited and her friend knew something was up.
"Girl! You are the talk of town!" Kemi added and sat down. She opened her bag and brought out a copy of Genevieve Magazine and right in front was Funmi's picture at the charity event. Inside was an interview about her work as the CEO of two orphanages and an international restaurant as well as on her new status as Mrs. Babalola. She had an Afro updo and the pictures inside the magazine were absolutely stunning.
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"They said you looked prettier more than ever before and that your heart is bigger than many of our politicians put together," Kemi summarized and quickly added, "Antonio will leave that love of his life when he sees this." Funmi laughed heartily for the first time in many months.
"I hope you guys are getting along well now because if he still moping about Sharon, he is in for a shock. Let me tell you something Funmi, just be the good wife, enduring and God fearing. Through your meekness, humility and maybe love," she said the last part with a sneaky smile, "he might turn around for the best."
Funmi was surprised that her best friend could encourage her so positively and not telling her to fix Antonio or do something radical.
"I can't believe those words came out of you Kemi." The latter laughed and responded,
"I realized that I have just one life to live after all, I'm not a cat with nine lives!" they busted into laughter again.
"On a serious note Funmi, I want to grow closer to God. You have encouraged me over the years but your sacrifice of your happiness and life for Mr. Babalola changed everything for me. I have seen you live with the poor, people with different disabilities, war torn areas but marriage is not a joke and you chose to live with a man who loved another. I want to have that kind of selfless love Funmi and I know you have this heart because it is the love of Christ in you that is overflowing to others around you."
Funmi took her friends hands and squeezed it with understanding.
"I re-dedicated my life to God last Sunday."
"You did? That is wonderful! I am so happy for you darling."
"Funmi, I'm not done." Kemi said with a brighter smile.
"Dele too has given his life to Jesus."
Wonders without end! How long has she been trying to get him to stop living life like a god and surrender to the owner of the universe and creator of life; Jehovah?
Funmi squealed happily and hugged her best friend. One of her goal was that everyone in her family truly give their lives to God and it is happening right before her eyes.
She gave a prayer of thanksgiving in her heart and hope filled her heart for her marriage. She might have been forced to marry Antonio but now that she is his wife, she must find a way to love him and have her happily ever after no matter what happens or how long it takes.
