Black Diamond

PART 3: EPISODE 2

ISAAC

"Pastor, this is my son, Isaac. He has been deceived by the devil into the way of the world and has almost ruined his life. My friend told me about this fellowship so I brought him here. Please, I beg you in the name of God, please help me with this child"

"Madam, please calm down. I cannot do anything, only God can help your child. Don't worry madam, we would introduce the word of God to him and help guide him on the right path"

"I'll take you up on that Pastor"

After her cries, complaints, insults, and advice, my mum finally left school. Seeing the car she took depart, I could finally breathe. With everything crashing down on me, the last thing I needed was stress from a nagging mother but what can I do?

Walking back to my hostel, numerous thoughts filled my head. How I would get out of the mess I placed myself in, what I would do if I was rusticated at the end of the day, and how I would get a job. It was all so troubling that I even considered suicide. But, it was at that moment that a call came in from the pastor of that fellowship.

I contemplated for a bit before picking up, checking if it was worth it. Since I had nothing to lose, I picked up the call.

"Hello"

"Hello, yes, is this Isaac?"

"Yes"

"I'm Pastor John from the Living Word Fellowship. How do you feel about coming in for a service this evening?"

"Will you tell my mum if I don't come?"

"Not to threaten you but she instructed me to report to her"

"Sure, I'll come. Just so you know, you can't force me to do anything"

"I would not"

"Alright. Text me the address. This is my wh**sapp number"

"Okay. Bye"

"Goodbye"

The call dropped and I stared at my phone. For a moment I was tempted to delete and block the number. Ignore my mother's instruction and just burn everything down. But, I had to clean up my act. I was no longer a child, I couldn't afford to act willfully.  In the end, I left the number on my phone and went back to my hostel. 

In the evening, I assembled an outfit and prepared to go. My roommates watched quietly as I geared up to go. In that room, if a pin fell, you would probably hear it. Even after leaving the room, I knew it was quiet because that was just how surprised they were. 

The address of the fellowship wasn't too far from my hostel. It was at an auditorium in school. I was ushered in and found a seat at the back. The service was a bible study and not to be a bad kid, I didn't use my phone. I wasn't totally listening though. My mind wandered and I thought of my numerous problems. Even though Archie promised to take care of it, I still felt restless. 

The service ended and I was pulled into the pastor's office before I knew it. I narrowed my eyes as I stared at him. Pastors gave me an innate fear so I strived to as far away from one as possible. He had a gentle smile on his face, making my scalp tingle. 

"Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Your mother called. She said to put you in the workforce"

I ground my teeth. My mom is absolutely annoying and controlling. My thirst for freedom from her was what got me in this mess in the first place. Now that she's taking the initiative to control me again, I was getting angry but in front of the man, I reigned in my anger.

"So what department would you like to join?"

"I don't know" I said uninterested. 

"Hmm, how about the choir department? You have such a nice voice"

My brain short-circuited. What in the......?

"Excuse me?" I said with little outrage.

"Do you not like it? There''s also the welfare department, hospitality department, ushering, prayer department, evangelism department....."

"I choose welfare"

"Alright. I'll introduce you to the head of the department on Sunday" 

That day I returned to my hostel in a worse mood than I had left.