1 John 2:2
Here's how we can be sure that we know God in the right way: Keep his commandments.

"What do you mean mom, how does leaving the house solve anything" I asked her, as I was agitated and confused.

" Jemi, how do you expect me to stay in this house" My mom asked. " Your father clearly stated he is in love with someone else, and at the same time he claims he still loves me. Jemi does that even make any sense to you? "

" I know Mom. But there most be another way instead of leaving, mom" I said and I walked to her, sitting at the edge of the chair she was sitting on.

" This is the best way Jemi. I can't allow myself be brought down by his attitudes. Rubbish! " My mom said and this time I flared up.

" This is about you right?" I asked angrily, as I stood up quickly from the chair.

" What do you mean? " She asked, obviously, she was upset with the tone my question had, but I didn't care.

" It's all about you, how you feel and what wrong as been done to you. You don't think of anyone else in this situation but yourself. Yourself mom!!! " I exclaimed. My words seemed like force as my mum jerked up from her seat and stared at me. I was supposed to be scared and sober but No! I was tired of everything, and I just needed to let my thoughts out.

" Hey young lady. You do not talk to your mother like that. Where are your manners? "

" Mom, my manners are here. But for Christ's sake! Mother listen to your daughter" I said, a part of me
s

uprised at my own words, Jemima was not one to talk back at her mother.
" You are only looking out for yourself mom, and that is selfish! It's only about what you feel, what you say is wrong and what you can take or cannot take. Your husband is lost in the world and sin, and all you can think of is leaving him alone? Mom!!!!"

" Look here Jemi. You don't have any right to judge me, you do not understand how I feel!"

" You do not have the right to judge Dad too, for Christ's sake have you tried to understand how he feels. You also can't judge me for my words because Mom, you do not have an Idea of how I feel, you don't know how it feels Mom, my father is not who he should be, my mother is about to leave home, mom! You only know how you feel and you are not making any attempts to understand other people's feelings". I said, tears rolling down my cheeks as usual.  My Mom said nothing, all she did was stare at me.

" I'm disappointed in both of you mom. In both of you!!!" I said as I stormed out of the room and into my own room.

Coiled up in my bed I thought about all I said, I wished I could feel regret somewhere in me but I felt confident that all I said was right. I picked up my phone and switched on my Data.

I had a message from Ephraim. I replied him and ventured to another application when his message came in my phone, he was online, a smile crossed my face as I read the message.

Hey, Jemi. Are you home?

I wondered the reason for his question but I replied anyway.

Yes, I am
Why do you ask?

Err, I'm home and my parents are talking about coming over to see you guys.

I giggled at the possibility of seeing him that day but my smile died when he sent another message.

But your dad's number is not going through.

Of course my father's number is not going through, I rolled my eyes at the thought of him in another woman's house. I felt bad that Ephraim's family won't be coming if he wasn't home.

Oh, I'm sorry my Dad is not home.
He is at a church meeting.

I lied.

It's just me and my mom at home.

Okay, I would ask them if they would love to come anyway. My mum adores your's, she always calls your mom her role model.

Yeah true,

I sighed and wondered how many people out there were deceived by mum's graceful attitudes and my father's ever smiling face.

They don't Know nothing.

Oh, she would love to meet her as well.
I'll go tell her about it.

With that I stood up and went to the sitting room, she wasn't there, I walked to the kitchen only to see her cooking and doing other chores I was supposed to do.

" Mum" I called, my face deadpanned.

" Yes darling" she replied, still busy with what she was doing.

" Do you know anyone by the name, Joseph Williams".

" Huh, I don't know?" she said stressing her words like she was thinking if she knew the name.

" Think Mom".

" Joseph Williams" my mum Continued saying the name. " Oh oh oh, yes I do. Brother Joseph, he was our prayer coordinator in the campus fellowship while I was at the University". She said then turning to me she asked " How do you know him?"

" Well, I met him few weeks ago when Dad and I went for dinner at a restaurant".

Her face lit up.

" What!!!!!!!! You saw Bro Joseph. Bro Joseph is still alive?" She said excitedly.

" Yes, in fact, his son is my friend at school"

" Waoh woah woah that's amazing".

" Well, the son texted me and said they would love to visit today"

" Really, I really want to see them ooo. Please tell him they can come".

" Okay ma"

I said as I walked out of the room. His message was already waiting to be replied on my phone.

So?

She's excited.

She wants you guys to come.

Okay that's good. You live in the church building right?

Nope.

We don't live there, though we have a house there.
My mom doesn't like her house crowded with church people 😂

🤣 I understand.

Please send me the address.

I sent him the address and went into the bathroom, scrubbing my body as thoughts of me seeing Ephraim and his family excited me. I tried to forget about my own worries for awhile, I needed no bad vibes at the moment.

After taking my bath, I joined my mom in the kitchen as she had already started cooking another food, obviously for the guests on their way.

I went to the Sitting room and started dusting and sweeping, I cleaned the front yard and every other place. As soon as I was done, the whole place was squeaky clean.

I dashed into my room as I wore a multicolored loungewear, it was really pretty and girly. I combed my hair and packed it up, I looked really pretty in the mirror, as I admired my self.

I wore a pretty silver stud and wore lip gloss, I sprayed some perfume also. This is definitely for Ephraim. My subconscious informed me. I laughed at my self as I walked to the sitting room.

My mom was also in a presentable house wear, and she looked really better than she did in the morning.

" You look good" my mom commented as she gave me a funny look.

" Thank you Mom "

" Hope this is not about the son" my mom said and my mouth flew open.

" Mom!!! " I exclaimed.

" Okay okay I'm sorry" she laughed heartily, " I'm sorry, I trust you Jemi" she said as she walked closer to me.
" I'm sorry for only thinking of just myself Jemi, I love your father and I also love you. I only felt betrayed and with a bit of shame, cos I can't keep my husband. I really want to get away from all this, but I know leaving home is not the best option. I'll try my best to take it easy with Dele" my mom said as she held my two hands.

" Thank you mummy, I love you" I said as I hugged her tightly. Just then we heard the sound of a car and the gateman opening the gate.

"They're here" We said simultaneously, and we rushed outside. The car had just finished parking, the doors opened as our visitors stepped out.

On seeing Ephraim's father, my Mom jumped up and exclaimed excitedly, rushing to meet him.

" Sister Derin!" Joseph called out heartily. " Oh my God"

" Bro Joseph" my mom called out too and hugged him. " I never thought I would see you again".

" Our God is a merciful God oo. He didn't leave me to perish in my sin".

" Bro Joseph. We prayed and prayed and prayed, we did a lot of things but you never came back. There were even rumours that you died".

" Ahh, Sister Derin, I paid for my sins, but Jesus who exchanged my sins for his righteousness came through for me and brought me back home. Look at my lovely family".

With that we all started greeting each other and I walked up to Ephraim. He was as attractive as ever.

" Hey Jemi, how are you" he greeted.

" I'm fine" I replied and was about continuing the conversation when his sister held my hands.

" Jemima, wao. It's so amazing to meet you" she wasn't the one I saw at the restaurant the other day. " I really admire you, I've listened to all your spoken word arts and I really admire you so much. It's so nice to meet you" she said excitedly making me smile and she hugged me.

" It's so nice to see you too". I smiled as the other girl which was obviously the last child joined us. The girls, Diane and Sarah, were really beautiful and very nice for a first time

We walked into the house as the elder ones continued their catching up.

" It's a privilege to meet you ma" Ephraim's Mom, Hadassah said, she was obviously overwhelmed. She was seeing her role model physically for the first time and she even gets to be a family friend.

" Same here ma" my mum said gracefully.

" Your sermons and books have shaped my life and marriage. In my early years with Joseph, I couldn't have a child, and suddenly a woman brought a child to me, saying Joseph is the father. The child was a result of Joseph's previous sins, I had vowed to leave the marriage, I felt bitter and betrayed. But I listened to your message and read some of your books. That made it possible for me to forgive my husband and accept the child. Few years later I had Ephraim. Ha, Mama Derin, your kind is rare and I glorify God in your life". Hadassah said.

" Wao, that's amazing. Thank you so much ma, and God will continue to shape you into who he wants you to be".

" Amen"

" Sister Derin, what kind of meeting keeps my friend from his family on a Saturday" Joseph asked.

" Hmm" my mum sighed and immediately her expression changed. To avoid suspicion I spoke up.

" He went to settle a family's rift" I said quickly.

After some hours, I was alone with Ephraim outside, sitting at the gazebo on the lawn, while the others were inside. That moment was everything, after all the ruckus that had been happening in my life lately, I felt at peace talking with him.

" You seem disturbed, is everything okay?" Ephraim asked out of the blues.

" Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. I'm fine" I stuttered.

" You sure?" He asked staring at me, his eyes brown and shining.

" Yeah".

" Okay" he said, and then started stroking his hair. " You look beautiful".

His words shocked me and I turned red, my lips glued together as I smiled.

" Thank you" I said, bowing my head and staring at my hands. " I've always wanted to ask Ephraim".

" Yes Jemi" the way he said my name sent shills down my spine.

" Why were you like that to me when we first met?" I asked, I had always wondered why.

" It's not time yet" he said glaring at the grass.

" Time for what?"

" Time to tell you" he said and quickly added "Well, I don't know. You wouldn't understand" he said hurriedly.

" Okay then".

We gisted about school and the competition coming soon. I really had not prepared and he laughed at me when I admitted. He gave me few points to consider while preparing for the Debate.
We blended easily and I found a cool friend in him, his smile was everything and the way he spoke, slow and cool, I always wanted to hear him talk.

" Ephraim" I called.

" Yeah"

" I will be staying in the hostel from next week".

His face lit up, making me blush.

" Really?"

" Yes" I paused, "I'm leaving home".