Behind Church Doors - S01 E28

8 months ago

Behind Church Doors - S01 E28

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 28

“Publicly you can choose to be anything you want but you know the truth that exists behind church doors and you have to be accountable for your actions some day.”

SOPHIA

When I walk out of the house, my heart is broken and I can’t stop the tears that are racing down my cheeks. I can’t believe my parents decided to sweep the issue under the carpet, can’t they see how broken I am? Shouldn’t that man be arrested for causing my abortion? He killed our child and none of that matters because he is a man of God.

All they care about is that stupid church and their reputation. I feel betrayed and hurt, I could have expected anything from my father but the way my mother was talking hurt me the most. She is a woman like me, Pastor G’s wife too, they should have been on my side.

After walking for some time I get on a taxi and direct them to Ryan’s house. I am obviously the last person he wants to see but there’s nowhere else I can go apart from his place. I can’t go to school, my parents will find me there and I can’t go back home, I need time away from them.

“Mam, we’re here,” the taxi driver says, as we pull up in front of Ryan’s house. I wipe my face with the palm of my hand before I get some money from my purse and hand it to him. For a minute I anxiously stare at the house, not yet ready to get out of the vehicle.

“I need to leave,” he says.

“Okay. Thank you,” I say then I step out of the car and head to the door.

Hesitating, I knock and wait, when he opens the door, he looks up at me, surprise in his eyes.

“Sophia?”

“I am sorry for coming here without informing you but I had no one else to turn to,” I burst into tears.

“Come in,” He steps aside and allows me to enter his apartment.

“Can I get you something to drink?”

I shake my head and continue to wipe the tears from my face. My tears come faster and he pulls me into his arms.

“Shhhh,” he soothingly rubs my back and I cry some more as I hold him to me a little longer.

A couple of minutes later, I am sitting on the couch and Ryan has made me some black tea to help keep me calm. He is staring intently at me, his eyes full of concern. .

“I lost the baby,” I say, taking a sip from my tea.

“I am sorry Sophia,” he reaches for my hand and gently squeezes it.

I take a deep breath before I say,” The man responsible added some abotion pills to my food. I woke up in pain, I bled too much and had to be rushed to the hospital.”

“What? Why would he do that?”

“Because he is married and didn’t want his wife to know what he did.”

“He should be arrested. Did you tell the doctor what happened? Have you reported him to the police?”

“My parents know what happened but they don’t think we should go to the police.”

“Why?”

“He has a position in the church and this issue could ruin both his reputation and the church’s.”

“And so they are choosing him over you?”.

“Yes, they said this is my fault. I seduced him and made him sin, my own father said that.”

“I am so sorry Sophia.”

“Can I stay here for a couple of days? I know I shouldn’t be here after what I did to you but I have no one else and….”

“You can stay.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you so much Ryan.”

“You are welcome. So what do you want to do about this man?”

“I want him to be exposed.”

“I will help you. For now I think you should focus on getting better, we can think of something when you are fine.”

“Okay.”

“Do you have any evidence of your relationship?”

“I had it in my phone but mum got it.”

“Your laptop?”

“I could have a few photos or videos there.”

“Okay I have a friend that we could work with as long as you are willing to talk. Shewent through something like this with one of these papa’s and I am more than certain this is a story she would want to pursue.”

“Thank you so much Ryan.”

“You are welcome. And feel at home, I will have to leave you for a couple of hours though, there are some errands I need to run.”

“Okay.”

“There’s food in the kitchen. You know your way around this house, feel free.”

“Okay.”

He leans in and kisses my forehead,” I will see you later.”

“Okay.”

PASTOR G

5:30 P.M, I step out of the bathroom and walk into our bedroom to find my wife sitting in front of the mirror doing her make-up. She is already dressed for this evening’s event.

A dinner for couples. Just a meal and fellowship.

Drying myself off, I apply lotion and cologne before I wear the clothes she picked up for me.

“I need help with the tie,” I say.

She doesn’t respond. She winds up with her makeup, grabs her purse and walks out.

Leaving me to tie my own necktie. She is still upset over this whole issue with Sophia but I know she will come around eventually.

I know what I did to Sophia was wrong but she was becoming a little obsessed with the idea of becoming my wife. I couldn’t allow her to have that child, that would have caused so much drama in my marriage and ministry.

You know I underestimated that girl, I didn’t think she would tell her parents and show her all that filth stuff she kept in her phone. I wasn’t even aware she was getting such videos and photos of us.

I really need to be careful with these small girls, Sophia has taught me a lesson. I will be alert next time, I wouldn’t want my reputation ruined over stupid affairs.

How could this girl even believe I would eventually marry her? Is she that dumb that she would believe a married man would leave his wife for mistress?

I am just glad this issue has been sorted out in public. I hope Sophia stays in her lane and I will stay in mine. I know pastor Ruth is disappointed but I should be the least of her worries, her husband is the biggest culprit when it comes to issues of promiscuity.

That’s why he didn’t even want this issue to go public. He only feels betrayed. I picked his daughter and not someone else.

“We are running late,” my wife calls from the living room, startling me from my thoughts.

I quickly finish getting dressed and join her.

“Shall we?”

“Yes.”

“You look beautiful.”

“Thank you.”

“And I am sorry.”

She rolls her eyes, “let’s get this over and done with. I am only going with you because it’s a couples fellowship and I don’t want people asking silly questions if I don’t show up.”

“I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me someday.”

“Don’t push it.”

“Okay.”

I grab her hand,” Come on.”