Lekki Sisi - S01 E57

2 years ago

Lekki Sisi - S01 E57

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 57

As Mimi turned to go, she stopped. ‘Tinuke, you are a very smart woman. Within the short time you got here, I’ve learnt so much about business than anywhere else. I think it’s time for you to step out and do something bigger. You can’t remain a staff in my small baby shop forever.’

I slide my feet into my sandals. ‘Who has time to be chasing the things of the world. Mimi, I’m thinking of signing up for full time missions. There is a short-term training coming up next month and I hope to attend. After that I’ll join a mission body and get posted to a village to serve.’

Mimi folded her hands, her gaze fixed on me. ‘Who is giving out that instruction. The Lord or your flesh?’

‘How can my flesh give out an instruction to suffer for the kingdom. You taught me that the flesh does not like the things of God. Mimi, there are men and women out there who live in shacks and barely have anything to eat. I need to be there with them. I want to be a village evangelist.’

‘It’s a good cause.’ Mimi said, ‘But my question still remains, who is calling you to do this. Remember our study of the epistles? At the beginning of almost every book, Paul pointed out with all conviction from whom he received his call. If this is an instruction from God, then go ahead and obey him. I just don’t want you going to the extreme because of your past experiences. We stay exactly where God wants us to be.’

After Mimi left the room, I stood there, pondering over her words. Even if God did not expressly say anything to me, as long as my desire was not wrong, God should be fine with it.

It was this thought I battled with as I left the room to attend to my visitors.

Shade was sitting with Monica when I entered the living room. She stood up when she saw me. Her eyes were filled with pain.

‘Good to see you again.’ Monica said, after giving me a side hug. ‘Look who I brought here to see you.’

I turned towards Shade. ‘Hello Shade.’

‘Tinuke I’m so sorry for the way I treated you. Please forgive me.’

I smiled and motioned for her to sit.

‘Shade, If God could forgive me my sins, who am I to hold anything against you.’

Monica faced me. ‘Tinuke, I didn’t even know you’d been fired until two days ago when I got back into the country and Shade came to tell me she was taking you back whether or not I let the firm handle my father’s investment. She was shocked when I told her we were good. I had to bring her here as quickly as I could. ‘

Shade moved to the space beside me. ‘I’ve been trying to reach you for months now.

Tinuke we need you back at the firm, Please. Most of the clients have been asking after you. Some of them have refused to do any business with us now that you are away.’

‘What of Francis. We both know he’s way better than I am.’

Shade sighed. ‘Francis has gone. He left for the US shortly after you were fired. I need you Tinuke. Come and head the Finance department. You’ll receive double of what you earned as at the time you left.’

I chuckled. I wish Shade knew that money held no place in my heart anymore. What I wanted was to be in a village eating fried worms and drinking water from the stream.

‘Shade, things has changed in the past few months. I’m sorry I cannot come back.’

Shade sighed. ‘Okay. Can I at least have your new line?’

We exchanged numbers. As we walked out of the house, Shade turned, ‘I hope you change your mind.’

‘I’m not sure about that.’ I responded.

Later that evening, Patrick picked me up and we drove to an eatery around Admiralty road. When I told him of my plans to attend a training for missionaries, he didn’t say anything.

We talked about other things. The two bedroom apartment he had just rented in Bodija. His experience with the students in his class. His invitation to speak at the Ibadan Varsity Christian Union (IVCU) service. My daily experiences at Mimi’s shop. The ideas I’d given to Mimi to expand the shop. We spoke for hours.