Grabbing The Hot Gate - Episode 16

 Japheth was so engrossed in his worry that he didn't see Stella walk up to him. There was no way Alexis would suddenly be hungry for God's word. She was definitely having an ulterior motive, and he wouldn't fall for her deception. 
'Japheth, how is she?' Stella asked.
She had this unusual joy about her. Her joy exuded in her gaits and that made him wonder why she was that ecstatic.
'She is stabilizing'.
'What happened? As in why do you think she was doing that?'
 'I don't know. But I think I need prayers'.
She nodded. 'Jesus can do all things.'
'Yes'.
'He can do all things. Can I see her now?' 
'Yes, but she is sleeping'.
He led the way to the sleeping Alexis. Mirabel had helped him remove his stained singlet, and had gotten him a lab coat to cover himself. After saying a little prayer, Stella led the way outside.
'I thought I would stay late but I have to quickly get home to do something. My father is around, and I think he has to return to Greencity tonight'.
'Why so early?'
'Something wonderfully urgent came up'.
He watched her leave with awe. Funnily, Stella was becoming happier by day, while Gladys was becoming moodier and grumpier

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/grabbing-the-hot-gate

. He wondered if he won't finally stick with Stella. There was no way he wouldn't have any solution to his problem unless he stuck to his discipler.
As he was about to sit, it dawned on him that the reason he was seeing her in a such a way was because she seemed to look a little younger. The archaic look that always accompanied her being had given up its place for a youthful happiness and glow that was never present.
Still lost in thought, he didn't know when Mirabel got to his side. She tapped him, shifted back, and smiled wearily. 
'Doctor Festus asked me to direct the Alexis' parents to you', she said and winked.
He grinned and rose to see elderly woman and man. The woman was draped in an Ankara dress, and had shabbily wrapped her scarf around her head. While the man wore a simple short-sleeve shirt on a bulky striped trouser. He was fat, so wearing something other than that might ruin the simple look he was trying to portray.
'Are you the man?' The woman asked scornfully.
'Mummy Feyi...'The man chided and extended a handshake in a way to show that he had everything under control. Japheth was so grateful for that. 
'Please, let's have our seat', the man said and upon a single look from him, his angry wife sat. She looked like a dog that was growling, ready to pounce on him anytime. They introduced themselves as Alexis' parents. According to them, they didn't approve of her name. Her name was Feyisara, but they have come to accept it so far she could do the right things.
'So, what happened?' The man asked.
Japheth took his time to explain how they had been in a relationship and how he tried to break up with her because he found Christ, evading talks about their sexual intercourse. How would it be to tell her parents that he had been having premarital sex with a young girl?
'So, you're the one that changed our daughter', her father said, smiling. However, Japheth wasn't sure it was a good sign.
'I didn't change her...'
Her father waved his hands as if to brush the statement aside. 'In a good way. Our daughter changed even before you rededicated your life to Christ. Howbeit that now that you have the life of Christ in you that you want to send her away?'
'Are you encouraging her seeing men', Alexis' mother exclaimed.
'No. Don't get me wrong. I want you to remain her friend'.
Like an angel, Mirabel returned to inform the parents that Alexis was awake. Japheth rose to follow them. 
'Hey, lover-boy, let her see her parent first', Mirabel pushed him back to his seat. Now, he was free from the clutch of Alexis. A few minutes later, Mirabel returned, dusted her gown and sat beside him. One reason he loved being around nurses was how their gown always dazzled him. Mirabel took his hand, and stared into his eyes.
'You're lucky. I don't know how I would have prayed for your release from prison if she ever died'.
He sighed and blinked back tears. She smiled and placed her head on his shoulder.
'Will you come to our church this Sunday?'
'I have a church'. 
'They won't miss you'.
'My discipler is there. And she had really helped my growth'.
Mirabel nodded as she fondled his hands. He didn't know why he always allowed Alexis to cloud his mind when he was sure he loved Mirabel. But he couldn't think of her like he did Alexis. He and Mirabel were on different sides of their fields of desire. She wanted him to come to her through the path, but he wanted to cross the lawn.
'Now that she's awake, while she's with her parents, I think you can eat'.
'No...'
'Doctor Jaf, get up. You must eat something'.
He sighed and followed her.
'Why do you still want to remain attached her?' She suggested.
'She is my friend'.
'Indeed, a friend that is in love with her friend. I don't buy it'.
'I'm not joking. She is a friend. I'm still biding my time to start another relationship'.
'Come to my church, I'll take you to very beautiful ladies. No need to pray about them because I'll do that for you.

Read " Don't! Look Closer " by the same author ( Akíntayo Akinjide )

. And God will even tell you immediately you enter the church'.
He scoffed. 'I think I'll like to come to your church'.
She smiled as she began to point out things to the waiter across the counter. 'Really?'
' Yes. With a lot of guys'.
She smirked, turned to collect the food and nodded towards a table. Since she refused to accept his offer to carry the food, he pulled out a chair for her as she dropped the plates of food on the table.
'That's cool. I mean bringing guys. For what?'
'To invade your church'.
'Inva...'
'You have a lot of ladies; we need women in our lives'.
She squealed with laughter and tried to hit his hands, which he hurriedly withdrew. 'I'd better unfriend you before something happens'.
He held her hands and said, 'Thank you, Miry Miry powder... You have made me smile after a long time'. He gave her the name after they both watched a video skit by Woli Agba, Ayo Ajewole, a Nigerian comedian.
'Doc... Tor...Jaf, hope you're not seeing marriage visions concerning me?'
They laughed and proceeded to devour the food.