JEMIMA

Chapter 9

_________

Hello 🤗

Happy new month dearie ❤️

This chapter is dedicated to all my August born readers.

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday in advance.
August is gonna be beautiful by God's grace
____________

I stood in front of the full-length mirror and stared at the image in my view. I was dressed and ready for school, lectures were starting today, and I hoped I was prepared. Learning had always been my thing, and writing exams, I was always top of most exams I did. Debating was another thing. I made a mental note to register for the Debate competition that will be on during the fresher's week.

I double checked my bag to see if I had everything I needed, and then turned back to leave. I met my Dad standing at the door, smiling and staring at me.

"Morning, Daddy" I said as I hugged him.

"Morning darling, how was your night" he asked.

"It was fine, I thank God" I said, still enjoying the warmth of his embrace. Not wanting to end the hug.

" You really look nice, I'm proud to be the father of this beautiful lady" he said giggling.

I raised my head, so I could see his face. "I take that from you and mum" I replied. He responded with a slight peck on my forehead.

" Okay, let us get you to school" he said. "I'll be dropping you" he added in whispers.

" Really" I said. " You know I'm a big girl now, what do you think my school mates will think when they realize my Dad still drops me off at school" I grumbled as we walked out of the room and out of the house.

"Aren't you my baby girl, let them say what they like" he said as he squeezed my hands playfully.

I continued grumbling as we entered the car. He started the car.

"Joseph told me his son attends your school" he said cutting off my complaining. " Have you seen him there, his name is Ephraim". My dad asked, as I swallowed my saliva. I stared at him as he was concentrating on the road.

"Yes, I have" I answered him.

"Okay, that's good" he said "You know, I and Joseph were best friends while in the University then" my father started. As I continued staring at him. " He was a very godly and wonderful person".
He said as he took a deep breath.

" Really, wao, you never mentioned him to me" I said.

" Yeah, I didn't, we separated a long time ago. I didn't even know he was alive" he added.

" Uhmmm" I breathed deeply, as I turned to face the other side.

" When we left university, and went for the NYSC program, he was posted to a far away state in the east" my Dad said. " Along the line he backslided" he added, and I started Wondering why my Dad was telling me that, he had never told me about anybody's spiritual state and problems before. I looked at his face and what I saw was pure pain.

"He got someone pregnant, we got to know. Because of the shame, he left us. Left church, and a ran away, far away. I hadn't seen him since then, until last night" he continued. " He thought we couldn't forgive him, he was filled with guilt and he thought running away will make him feel better. Jemi, sin cages you, blinds you from seeing the light" he added. " We had forgave him, the minute we knew, but he didn't forgive himself, he didn't" he muttered.

" But it's obvious he is back now" I said, he attends Our church too right"

"Yes he does" my dad said, sadness feeling his eyes. The sadness, I didn't know why.  "He's back home" he added.