[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=’av-align-top’ space=” row_boxshadow=” row_boxshadow_width=’10’ row_boxshadow_color=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ av-desktop-margin=” av-medium-margin=” av-small-margin=” av-mini-margin=” mobile_breaking=” mobile_column_order=” border=” border_style=’solid’ border_color=” radius=” min_col_height=” padding=” av-desktop-padding=” av-medium-padding=” av-small-padding=” av-mini-padding=” svg_div_top=” svg_div_top_color=’#333333′ svg_div_top_width=’100′ svg_div_top_height=’50’ svg_div_top_max_height=’none’ svg_div_top_flip=” svg_div_top_invert=” svg_div_top_front=” svg_div_top_opacity=” svg_div_top_preview=” svg_div_bottom=” svg_div_bottom_color=’#333333′ svg_div_bottom_width=’100′ svg_div_bottom_height=’50’ svg_div_bottom_max_height=’none’ svg_div_bottom_flip=” svg_div_bottom_invert=” svg_div_bottom_front=” svg_div_bottom_opacity=” svg_div_bottom_preview=” column_boxshadow=” column_boxshadow_width=’10’ column_boxshadow_color=” background=’bg_color’ background_color=” background_gradient_direction=’vertical’ background_gradient_color1=’#000000′ background_gradient_color2=’#ffffff’ background_gradient_color3=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ highlight=” highlight_size=” animation=” animation_duration=” animation_custom_bg_color=” animation_z_index_curtain=’100′ parallax_parallax=” parallax_parallax_speed=” av-desktop-parallax_parallax=” av-desktop-parallax_parallax_speed=” av-medium-parallax_parallax=” av-medium-parallax_parallax_speed=” av-small-parallax_parallax=” av-small-parallax_parallax_speed=” av-mini-parallax_parallax=” av-mini-parallax_parallax_speed=” css_position=” css_position_location=” css_position_z_index=” av-desktop-css_position=” av-desktop-css_position_location=” av-desktop-css_position_z_index=” av-medium-css_position=” av-medium-css_position_location=” av-medium-css_position_z_index=” av-small-css_position=” av-small-css_position_location=” av-small-css_position_z_index=” av-mini-css_position=” av-mini-css_position_location=” av-mini-css_position_z_index=” link=” linktarget=” link_hover=” title_attr=” alt_attr=” mobile_display=” mobile_col_pos=’0′ id=” custom_class=” template_class=” aria_label=” av_uid=’av-2eigzuq’ sc_version=’1.0′]
[av_heading heading=’NWALA ; The Bittersweet Story (Part 7&8) – Opeyemi Akintunde’ tag=’h1′ style=’blockquote modern-quote modern-centered’ subheading_active=” show_icon=” icon=’ue800′ font=’entypo-fontello’ size=” av-desktop-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” subheading_size=” av-desktop-font-size=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” icon_size=” av-desktop-font-size-1=” av-medium-font-size-1=” av-small-font-size-1=” av-mini-font-size-1=” color=” custom_font=” subheading_color=” seperator_color=” icon_color=” margin=” margin_sync=’true’ av-desktop-margin=” av-desktop-margin_sync=’true’ av-medium-margin=” av-medium-margin_sync=’true’ av-small-margin=” av-small-margin_sync=’true’ av-mini-margin=” av-mini-margin_sync=’true’ headline_padding=” headline_padding_sync=’true’ av-desktop-headline_padding=” av-desktop-headline_padding_sync=’true’ av-medium-headline_padding=” av-medium-headline_padding_sync=’true’ av-small-headline_padding=” av-small-headline_padding_sync=’true’ av-mini-headline_padding=” av-mini-headline_padding_sync=’true’ padding=’10’ av-desktop-padding=” av-medium-padding=” av-small-padding=” av-mini-padding=” icon_padding=’10’ av-desktop-icon_padding=” av-medium-icon_padding=” av-small-icon_padding=” av-mini-icon_padding=” link=” link_target=” id=” custom_class=” template_class=” av_uid=’av-ljws0avb’ sc_version=’1.0′ admin_preview_bg=”][/av_heading]
[av_hr class=’default’ icon_select=’yes’ icon=’ue808′ position=’center’ shadow=’no-shadow’ height=’50’ custom_border=’av-border-thin’ custom_width=’50px’ custom_margin_top=’30px’ custom_margin_bottom=’30px’ custom_border_color=” custom_icon_color=” av-desktop-hide=” av-medium-hide=” av-small-hide=” av-mini-hide=” id=” custom_class=” template_class=” av_uid=’av-72cqw2′ sc_version=’1.0′]
[av_image src=’https://gospelfilmsng.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/real-nwala-BITTERSWEET-STORY-by-opeyemi-akintunde-22-2.jpg’ attachment=’17176′ attachment_size=’full’ copyright=” caption=” image_size=” styling=” box_shadow=’none’ box_shadow_width=’10’ box_shadow_color=” align=’center’ font_size=” overlay_opacity=’0.4′ overlay_color=’#000000′ overlay_text_color=’#ffffff’ animation=’no-animation’ animation_duration=” animation_custom_bg_color=” animation_z_index_curtain=’100′ parallax_parallax=” parallax_parallax_speed=” av-desktop-parallax_parallax=” av-desktop-parallax_parallax_speed=” av-medium-parallax_parallax=” av-medium-parallax_parallax_speed=” av-small-parallax_parallax=” av-small-parallax_parallax_speed=” av-mini-parallax_parallax=” av-mini-parallax_parallax_speed=” hover=” blur_image=” grayscale_image=” fade_image=” appearance=” css_position=” css_position_location=’,,,’ css_position_z_index=” av-desktop-css_position=” av-desktop-css_position_location=’,,,’ av-desktop-css_position_z_index=” av-medium-css_position=” av-medium-css_position_location=’,,,’ av-medium-css_position_z_index=” av-small-css_position=” av-small-css_position_location=’,,,’ av-small-css_position_z_index=” av-mini-css_position=” av-mini-css_position_location=’,,,’ av-mini-css_position_z_index=” transform_perspective=” transform_rotation=’,,,’ transform_scale=’,,’ transform_skew=’,’ transform_translate=’,,’ av-desktop-transform_perspective=” av-desktop-transform_rotation=’,,,’ av-desktop-transform_scale=’,,’ av-desktop-transform_skew=’,’ av-desktop-transform_translate=’,,’ av-medium-transform_perspective=” av-medium-transform_rotation=’,,,’ av-medium-transform_scale=’,,’ av-medium-transform_skew=’,’ av-medium-transform_translate=’,,’ av-small-transform_perspective=” av-small-transform_rotation=’,,,’ av-small-transform_scale=’,,’ av-small-transform_skew=’,’ av-small-transform_translate=’,,’ av-mini-transform_perspective=” av-mini-transform_rotation=’,,,’ av-mini-transform_scale=’,,’ av-mini-transform_skew=’,’ av-mini-transform_translate=’,,’ mask_overlay=” mask_overlay_shape=’blob’ mask_overlay_size=’contain’ mask_overlay_scale=’100%’ mask_overlay_position=’center center’ mask_overlay_repeat=’no-repeat’ mask_overlay_rotate=” mask_overlay_rad_shape=’circle’ mask_overlay_rad_position=’center center’ mask_overlay_opacity1=’0′ mask_overlay_opacity2=’1′ mask_overlay_opacity3=” link=” target=” title_attr=” alt_attr=” img_scrset=” lazy_loading=’disabled’ id=” custom_class=” template_class=” av_element_hidden_in_editor=’0′ av_uid=’av-1ltz2ki’ sc_version=’1.0′ admin_preview_bg=”][/av_image]
[av_hr class=’default’ icon_select=’yes’ icon=’ue808′ position=’center’ shadow=’no-shadow’ height=’50’ custom_border=’av-border-thin’ custom_width=’50px’ custom_margin_top=’30px’ custom_margin_bottom=’30px’ custom_border_color=” custom_icon_color=” av-desktop-hide=” av-medium-hide=” av-small-hide=” av-mini-hide=” id=” custom_class=” template_class=” av_uid=’av-17ndq6a’ sc_version=’1.0′]
[av_textblock textblock_styling_align=” textblock_styling=” textblock_styling_gap=” textblock_styling_mobile=” size=” av-desktop-font-size=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” font_color=” color=” id=” custom_class=” template_class=” av_uid=’av-ljws0vc4′ sc_version=’1.0′ admin_preview_bg=”]
Part 7
NWALA ; THE BITTERSWEET STORY
Opeyemi Akintunde
My phone beeped as I laid on the bed confused, and if I didn’t know any better, I would have pretended to be shocked it was Daniel texting.
Daniel was a passionate lover. I checked my phone and there it was:
“Babe, I am the at the Bordeaux Restaurant on your street, I am waiting…”
I threw tantrums on the bed; I just needed some alone time to think. I wanted Daniel to go home, but I knew that was not going to happen.
“Give me 25 minutes” I texted back.
******
“Daniel, I told you to go home” I said as I took the seat opposite him.
“Go home and do what? Go home and die, or Go home and go insane?” He asked.
“None of that is going to happen to you” I replied
“Nwala, is there someone mummy is matchmaking you with?” He asked maintaining strong invasive eye contact with me.
I would be a devil to lie at that point.
“Something like that” I confessed.
“Who?” He asked without looking surprised
“I don’t know” I lied.
Knowing Daniel for who he was, if he got a hint of Reuben Acme, he would become obsessed with him, any little hitch in our relationship, Reuben’s name will pop up.
“What do you mean you don’t know?”
“I didn’t let her mention the name of the guy, the only thing I know is that the guy is some spiritual guy…”
“And Rich?”
“I am not sure of that, my mother’s only emphasis is that He is a spiritual man and you know mummy is big on that. Dee, take your spirituality serious and I believe Mum wii change her mind about us”
“Ok, take me to your church now and let me get born again…” He said looking very serious.
“You don’t need to go to church before becoming born again. We can do it right now, right here” I replied very hopeful
“And how will your mother know I am now born again?”
I blinked twice and whatever balloon of hope was blown in my heart burst immediately.
“Daniel, are you trying to fake your Christianity just to get my mother’s blessing?” I asked with an iota of hope his answer was going to be in the negative.
“So, what’s this about? I have told you countless times my stand on Christianity, I believe it’s just a man’s thinking, a man’s ideology that was sold to people. Do I believe there is a supreme being? Yes, but do I need to become a Christian or go to church to acknowledge him? No.
I acknowledge the supreme being in my life and I talk to him without any religion between us. Nwala, I am ready to fake it to get married to you. We fake it till we make it. You know I am not a beast; I am a good man who will take care of you.
If your mother wants me to be a church boy, I will be a Church Boy for her, so let’s go get born again for her…”
I was too mortified to speak. Was this statement of his alien to me?
No!
Before that time, I always thought it was a phase and that as we grew, he would outgrow the mentality. I always thought when battles of life came for him, he would run to God, but Daniel was not sounding like he would ever run to God. One would think the threat of losing me would actually make him run to God, but here he was scheming…
“I don’t think this would work” I said as a matter of fact.
“Exactly! Nwala… I knew you were lying all along and your mother was just a cover up. You are just a hypocrite. What would it take you to say it to my face?
Nwala! Say it that you can’t pitch your tent with a mechanic’s son who your parents are paying his school fees…Say it!”
He knew that was my weak point…
“Stop it Daniel, you know your financial status has never been a problem… You know what? You want to fake it before my mother, right? Then come to church on Sunday and answer the altar call, so the whole world can see you” I said very angrily not thinking about my words.
It was a sarcastic statement, but Daniel took it hook, line and sinker…
That day was Thursday.
After we parted ways angrily, Daniel didn’t call Friday and Saturday and neither did he pick or return my calls.
You should have seen the way my jaw dropped when I saw him on Sunday looking drip and handsome.
However, he caught me at the wrong time, I was speaking with Reuben when he walked into church.
Part 8
NWALA; THE BITTERSWEET STORY
Opeyemi Akintunde
Worker’s prayer meeting was from 6:30am to 6:55am before service kicks off by 7:00am.
I was totally avoiding Reuben’s courtesy smile. I could count over seven times he tried locking eyes with me accompanied with the intentional courtesy smile, but I would intentionally look past him.
The moment the prayer meeting ended I started running to my duty post.
The hospitality roaster had been sent on the group chat the previous day, so I knew where I was headed, but Reuben was determined.
“Nwala!” Reuben called.
I couldn’t pretend not to hear.
Simultaneously, I couldn’t help but notice the surprising gazes of potential wife materials of Bro Reuben.
“Can I have a minute please?” He called out.
Oh my! It felt like the whole workers’ squad went silent. My mother’s piercing eyes were giving me chills.
“Sure Sir” I said emphasizing the title…
I walked like I had bricks under the sole of my feet…
“Good morning Nwala…”
“Good morning Sir Reuben” I replied
“Oh my Goodness, do I have white beards already?” He asked
“I don’t look at your face, so I can’t tell” I replied
“But you are staring at me right now”
“You think? I am actually looking but not seeing”.
Reuben let out an almost loud amused laughter.
“I just wanted to say thank you for honouring my request for lunch and friendship” He said like a gentleman that he was
“You already sent that as a text” I replied still looking past him.
“Which you didn’t respond to” He pointed out
“I am not a phone person” I replied
“I have been texting everyday since that day, I hope you got all my messages?”
“Yes I did, but Sir can we make this friendship a little bit discreet so I don’t become the enemies of all the single ladies in this church who have made marrying you their prayer request?”
“Wow, you flatter me, I don’t think anyone notices me in that way here?”
I laughed like a crazy person; it was a sarcastic laughter…
“Who am I that would make me that worthy?” He said still feigning ignorance
“Is this a joke? Are you seriously playing with me? Which single lady won’t want to be married to Bishop Acme’s first son, potential General Overseer? We are talking Influence and Affluence… Sir, you are a prayer request for most single ladies in this church, including some mothers” I stated the fact.
“But how come I don’t have such effect on you?” He cut in sharply but quietly.
“Because I am committed to a handsome, God fearing man like you” I said and like something from a movie, I heard a voice call my name… A voice I knew so well, only that I was hearing it in the wrong place and at the wrong time…
“Nwala”
I turned and I saw Daniel walking towards me looking sharp. I could see a few long throat sisters looking lustfully at him. I stood like a fool in between two handsome men, one was fair and the other dark like me…
“Daniel! What are you doing here?” I asked faking a smile
“I hope I came early, I checked the service time online. I Saw It starts by 7:00am and you know how I hate to show up late” There was brief silence…, but Reuben broke it…
“Hello Sir, Good morning Sir” He stretched his hand for a handshake. I saw tension in Daniel’s eye. I needed to make light the situation we were in…
“Oh Daniel, this is my Bishop’s son, Pastor Reuben. He is in the hospitality unit like me, so we were just discussing our duty post… and Pastor, this is my… my… I know in church we ought not to use the word boyfriend… but he is my boyfriend, soon to be fiancée, he is yet to put a ring to it…” I said trying to be a smart girl.
“Oh … Nice… Nice to meet you sir” Reuben said
“Oh thanks… I hope you are not interested in her, because she is all mine” Daniel said as a matter of fact
Reuben replied with a smile.
“Daniel, What’s that? Why would pastor Reuben be interested in me when I am to be married to you… Don’t be insecure” I said quickly
“Praise the Lord!” Pastor Tim said from the altar indicating it was time for service.
“Thank God!” I said out loud unconsciously as I dragged Daniel away from Reuben…
“What are you doing here?” I asked
“Following your advice to come get born again openly in your church”
My mouth flew open in surprise.
” Dee, That was a sarcastic statement” I said in almost a scream
‘Well, I didn’t receive it as one”
“Well, it is… So please kindly leave the church now” I pleaded
“Leave? Am I missing something here…?”Daniel asked giving a playful stern look. He gave me a bow and walked away from me going for a seat in front.
My heart was pounding so loud I could hear in my ears.
CLICK HERE TO READ “NWALA; THE BITTERSWEET STORY” (PART 9&10) – OPEYEMI AKINTUNDE.
[/av_textblock]
[av_textblock textblock_styling_align=” textblock_styling=” textblock_styling_gap=” textblock_styling_mobile=” size=” av-desktop-font-size=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” font_color=” color=” id=” custom_class=” template_class=” av_uid=’av-u9fbz6′ sc_version=’1.0′ admin_preview_bg=”]
ATTENTION PLEASE:
1. The Story was Inspired by the Living Word
2. TO SHARE YOUR TESTIMONY OR TO GET THE HARD/SOFT COPY OF THIS NOVEL, PLEASE CONTACT THE AUTHOR ‘MRS OPEYEMI AKINTUNDE’ via EMAIL: [email protected] or PHONE NO: 08151103646. God bless you.
Kindly;
■ Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook
■ Subscribe to our YouTube and Telegram Channel
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]
