TWO PIECES PART 4

TWO PIECES PART 4

Chapter 17: Shattered Dreams

Bella lay curled up on her bed, her body trembling as fresh waves of tears cascaded down her face. The weight of regret pressed heavily on her chest, suffocating her. The room was dimly lit, the only illumination coming from the faint glow of the bedside lamp. Sharon sat beside her, gently rubbing her back, trying to soothe the storm raging within her friend.

“Bella, you can’t keep killing yourself over this matter. Please,” Sharon pleaded, her voice laced with concern.

Bella sniffled, sitting up slightly. Her eyes, swollen and red, bore the evidence of countless sleepless nights and bitter cries. “Sharon, look at my life,” she croaked.

Sharon reached for a tissue and handed it to her. “There’s nothing wrong with your life, Bella. You are fine.”

Bella let out a bitter laugh. “I am not fine. Dapo played me. He knew he was leaving the country, and he used me. Ha!”

Sharon sighed, shaking her head. “Calm down, Bella. He did what he thought was best for himself. Let God handle him.”

“Sharon…” Bella’s voice wavered.

“Yes?” Sharon prompted, her heart aching for her friend.

“Remember what I told you?”

Sharon frowned. “What?”

“The sex…” Bella let out a dry chuckle, but it held no humor. “It was nothing interesting, full of pain and guilt. There was nothing special about it. And look where that one act got me.”

Sharon pulled Bella into a tight hug. “Please calm down.”

Bella buried her face into Sharon’s shoulder. “He ran away to Canada and never looked back.”

“I know it hurts, but please, stop blaming yourself.”

Bella pulled away, her eyes hollow. “No, I was the one looking for a touch of Naira Marley inside Dunsin Oyekan. Now, I got myself into this trouble.”

Sharon tried to suppress a sad smile at Bella’s analogy. “Please, don’t be too hard on yourself.”

Bella let out a shaky breath. “Where is he now? The guy who said he loved me? It was Samuel that came to help me, that stood by me and never gave up on me.”

Sharon sighed deeply. “Hmmm, it is well.”

Bella’s lips trembled. “Sharon… the doctor said I only have a fifty percent chance of ever having a baby.”

Sharon gasped softly, her heart sinking. “It’s okay, Bella. Please, do have some rest.”

Bella turned to the ceiling, fresh tears slipping down her cheeks. “Ha, Lord, my God, it is finished. Bella, welcome to the league of women who will have to beg men to marry them.”

Sharon grabbed her hands firmly. “No! Stop that! God will surely settle you, Bella.”

Bella let out a weary sigh, shaking her head. “Sharon, enough of your words of encouragement. I know where my destiny lies right now.”

Sharon stayed silent, watching her friend spiral deeper into despair. The sad tune of the music playing in the background only intensified the heaviness in the room. There were no more words left to say. Only time, and perhaps divine mercy, could heal the wounds Bella bore.

Chapter 18: A Resolve Beyond Reason

The sun hung lazily in the sky, casting golden hues over the quiet neighborhood. A soft breeze whispered through the trees, but inside the dimly lit room, tension thickened the air like an impending storm. Samuel sat upright on the couch, his fingers intertwined, his face a canvas of determination. Across from him, Kunle paced the floor, his expression a mixture of disbelief and frustration.

“Samuel, tell me you’re joking,” Kunle finally said, his voice laced with exasperation.

Samuel inhaled deeply. “I’m not joking.”

Kunle stopped mid-step, turning to face him. “You mean to tell me you still want to marry Bella after everything? After all you’ve been through?”

Samuel nodded, his gaze unwavering. “It’s not about what I want. God told me she is my wife. And don’t forget what I told you before—God said she would come back, but not complete.”

Kunle rubbed his temples. “Yes, I remember… But Samuel, I know you well. Are you sure this isn’t just pity? Marrying someone out of pity is a disaster waiting to happen.”

Samuel leaned forward. “It’s not pity, Kunle. It’s obedience. I have prayed about this, and God hasn’t said otherwise.”

Brenda, who had been quietly listening from the corner, stepped in. “Samuel, listen to me,” she said firmly. “Bella is my sister, and if there’s anyone who should be on her side, it’s me. But I will be blunt with you—you can’t marry her.”

Samuel’s jaw tightened. “Why not?”

Brenda folded her arms. “Because she’s not good for you.”

His eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”

Brenda sighed, her voice softening. “Samuel, she doesn’t have a womb.”

Samuel exhaled slowly. “She does have a womb, Brenda. It’s just not functioning properly at the moment. And who says I want to marry her because of her ability to have children? Is that the only reason I should consider marriage?”

Brenda scoffed. “Yes.”

“No,” Samuel shot back, his voice steady.

Brenda shook her head in disbelief. “Samuel, be realistic. At least if she had lost her womb in marriage, it would have been different. But she wasted herself on the altar of immorality. This is different.”

Samuel’s eyes softened, but his resolve didn’t waver. “You’re reading too much into this. I said God told me she’s my wife. Whatever she’s going through, God will settle it.”

Brenda threw her hands in the air. “And how do you plan to explain this to your family? That you want to marry a woman who may never give you a child?”

Samuel smiled, his faith unshaken. “Who says they need to know now?”

Brenda blinked, stunned. “Sooner or later, they will. And then what?”

Samuel leaned back, his expression calm. “I have a mature and godly family, Brenda. I will communicate it to them when the time is right. And who says that time will even come?”

Brenda studied him for a moment before shaking her head. “What kind of person are you, Samuel?”

He chuckled softly, his eyes glistening with conviction. “I’m just a man who wants to be at the center of God’s will.”

Brenda exhaled in resignation. “I rest my case.”

A heavy silence settled over the room, but Samuel felt peace wash over him. He knew his decision wouldn’t be easy for others to accept, but he also knew one thing for certain—God’s will was never a mistake.

Chapter 19: A Love Redeemed

Bella sat on the edge of her bed, her fingers trembling as she clutched the fabric of her dress. Her heart pounded in her chest, a mix of fear, guilt, and disbelief flooding through her veins. The words Samuel had just spoken felt like a dream—no, an impossibility.

“No, Samuel. I cannot do this. I don’t deserve you. You are far too kind,” Bella whispered, her voice laced with anguish.

Samuel knelt before her, his eyes steady, unwavering. “Come on, dear. You are my wife. God told me that. And I still love you. I love you with the whole of my heart.”

She shook her head violently, tears spilling onto her cheeks. “Stop it, Samuel.”

“Why?” he asked gently.

“I treated you so badly,” she confessed, her voice cracking. “I made you feel useless.”

“I know,” he said simply. “But I am still here.”

“I did not value you enough.”

“And yet, I am still here.”

Bella could barely breathe. Her shame wrapped around her like chains, suffocating her. “No, no. You deserve someone better, someone whole.”

Samuel reached for her hands, holding them firmly yet tenderly. “And God has already worked on you to become that better person.”

She sobbed, shaking her head in resistance. “No, please.”

“Bella, please,” Samuel pleaded, his voice thick with emotion. “Let’s start afresh. Let’s end well.”

Bella looked into his eyes, searching for even a sliver of doubt, a hint that he might change his mind, that he might one day walk away and leave her broken once more. But there was none. Only love. Unwavering, relentless love.

“What if I can never give you a child?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Samuel smiled, his grip tightening slightly as if anchoring her to hope. “Science has gone far beyond that, my dear. There’s IVF, surrogacy, and if all else fails, we can adopt.”

Bella gasped, overwhelmed by the sheer depth of this man’s love. “Jesus… what manner of man is this?”

Samuel exhaled softly, then reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. He opened it, revealing a delicate gold ring. His hands were steady, his eyes alight with certainty.

“Bella,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “Will you marry me?”

Chapter 20: Confronting Fear, Embracing Grace

The house was buzzing with preparations. Dresses hung in garment bags, boxes of decorations lay stacked in the corner, and the scent of fresh flowers filled the air. The wedding was just days away, and yet, Bella sat on the edge of her bed, her fingers nervously tangled in the fabric of her dress.

Sharon, her best friend and steadfast support, entered the room with a beaming smile. “Baby girl, this wedding is going to be great!” she said excitedly, plopping down beside Bella. “Preparations are going smoothly, and your sister and her family will be in the country in a few days. Everything is falling into place.”

Bella let out a deep sigh, her gaze fixed on the floor. “Hmmm…”

Sharon frowned. “What is it again, Bella?”

“Sharon, I’m scared.”

“Scared? Of what?”

Bella hesitated, chewing on her lower lip before whispering, “Are you sure Samuel will marry me?”

Sharon let out a small laugh. “Yes, Bella, I am sure.”

“But what if this is a trap?” Bella’s voice wavered. “What if he’s planning to disgrace me?”

Sharon turned to face her fully, her expression now serious. “Disgrace you? How?”

“What if he doesn’t show up at the church?” Bella’s hands gripped the bedsheets as she voiced her fears.

“Why would he do that?”

“I don’t know,” Bella murmured. “I’m just thinking…”

Sharon placed a firm hand on Bella’s shoulder. “Stop thinking nonsense, girl.”

Bella let out a shaky breath. “Okay, what if he marries me but treats me badly because of what I did? What if he never really forgives me?”

Sharon sighed, frustration creeping into her voice. “What is wrong with you, Bella? Why are you thinking so negatively? Do you want to marry this man, or do you want to wallow in your shame forever?”

“Sharon, please don’t do that,” Bella said softly. “I’m only scared.”

“Scared of what?” Sharon demanded. “Bella, he who the Lord has set free is free indeed. You are a new creation in Christ; no one can take you down. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. The devil wants to keep you in the bondage of your past, but don’t let him. You are free, Bella. Free!”

Bella swallowed hard, her eyes brimming with tears. Slowly, she nodded. “Amen,” she whispered, a flicker of hope igniting in her heart. She clasped her hands together, looking up to the ceiling. “Ha, Jesus, I put my life in Your hands.”

And for the first time in a long while, peace settled over her like a warm embrace.

Chapter 21: A Love Redeemed

The church was silent, the air thick with anticipation. The golden rays of the afternoon sun streamed through the stained-glass windows, casting colorful reflections on the polished floor. The congregation sat in rapt attention, their faces alight with expectation. Soft instrumental music played in the background, creating a sense of serenity and solemnity.

At the altar, standing tall and composed, was Samuel Akinbule, his heart pounding beneath the crisp layers of his wedding suit. He watched Bella, his bride, standing before him, her hands trembling slightly. Tears welled in her eyes, but whether they were from joy or lingering fear, he couldn’t tell. He silently prayed that she would find peace, that she would let go of the past and embrace the future they were about to step into.

The pastor’s voice rang clear through the silence.

“Brother Samuel Akinbule, do you take Sister Bella Macaulay as your wedded wife, to love and to cherish, to be honest, faithful, and loving for the rest of your days?”

Samuel took a deep breath and looked into Bella’s eyes, his voice firm with conviction. “I do.”

The pastor turned to Bella. “Sister Bella Macaulay, do you take Brother Samuel Akinbule as your wedded husband, to love and to cherish, to be honest, faithful, and loving for the rest of your days?”

The silence stretched. Bella’s lips quivered as she attempted to speak, but no words came out. A single tear slipped down her cheek. A murmur passed through the congregation, their anticipation growing.

The pastor smiled gently. “I believe that is a tear of joy. Let’s put our hands together for the Lord.”

A soft applause filled the church, but Samuel’s eyes never left Bella’s face. He saw the hesitation, the fear. He couldn’t let this moment pass without addressing it.

“Pastor, may I speak to her for a moment?” he asked in a hushed tone.

The pastor nodded. “Go ahead.”

Samuel turned to Bella, his voice low so only she could hear. “Bella, I need you to believe me. I’m not standing here because I pity you. This isn’t about what you’ve been through, what you’ve lost, or what you think you don’t deserve. That was a phase, and it’s over now. But I see that you’re still carrying guilt. I want you to leave that guilt here, at this altar. You don’t have to hold onto it anymore. Walk down this aisle with me, not because you think you should, but because you believe you deserve happiness. Because I love you.”

Bella inhaled sharply. His words, spoken with such tenderness, settled deep within her. Could she truly let go? Could she embrace this love, this new life? She had spent so long punishing herself, believing she was unworthy, but Samuel was offering her something she never thought she could have again—unconditional love.

She reached for his hands and squeezed them. “I… love you too.”

His eyes softened, and he gave her a reassuring smile. “Can we go now?”

She nodded, a determined glimmer in her eyes. “Let’s go.”

The pastor, who had been watching their exchange, leaned in and whispered, “Is everything alright?”

Bella nodded, her voice steadier now. “Yes, Pastor. I’m grateful for a day like this. I never believed it would come.”

The pastor smiled warmly. “My daughter, we have prayed for this day. Your sins are forgiven, and God sees your heart. It is time to break free from the chains of guilt and embrace your new life.”

Bella exhaled deeply, releasing the weight she had been carrying for so long. “Yes, Pastor. Thank you.”

The pastor turned back to the congregation, his voice ringing through the church. “Praise the Lord, Church! Let us put our hands together for the Lord!”

A resounding applause filled the air, a joyful noise that reverberated through the sacred space. The pastor turned back to Bella, his voice steady and filled with warmth.

“Sister Bella Macaulay, do you take Brother Samuel Akinbule as your wedded husband, to love and to cherish, to be honest, faithful, and loving for the rest of your days?”

Bella inhaled deeply, her heart lighter than it had been in a long time. She looked into Samuel’s eyes, seeing nothing but love and devotion reflected back at her.

“Yes, I do.”

The congregation erupted into cheers and applause, their joy uncontained. Samuel grinned, his heart swelling with gratitude. Bella had chosen love. She had chosen him. And together, they would walk forward into a future filled with hope, faith, and unbreakable love.

Chapter 22: A New Dawn of Love

The morning sun filtered through the sheer white curtains, casting a golden hue over the room. The soft chirping of birds outside harmonized with the gentle rustling of leaves, creating a serene melody. Bella stirred beneath the plush duvet, stretching lazily as a contented sigh escaped her lips. The warmth of the bed, the scent of fresh linen, and the lingering memories of the night before made her want to stay curled up forever. But then, her phone vibrated on the nightstand, breaking the peaceful silence.

She reached for it, squinting at the screen. “Brenda,” she murmured with a sleepy smile before answering. “Hello, Brenda.”

A playful giggle came from the other end. “Ah, the new bride is just waking up,” Brenda teased.

Bella rolled her eyes, though she knew Brenda couldn’t see her. “Stop it,” she groaned. “I know where you’re going with this.”

“Oh, do you?” Brenda chuckled mischievously.

“Yes, I do.”

“How sure are you?”

Bella sighed dreamily, her mind drifting back to the night before. “Brenda, I seriously blame myself. This guy… he is just amazing. I felt like I was in another world, a place I can’t even describe.”

Brenda gasped dramatically. “My God, Bella!”

“Honestly, what was I thinking back then? That nonsense guy?” Bella shuddered at the memory. “I must tell you the truth—I didn’t enjoy a single moment with him. But last night? Last night was something else entirely. It was like Samuel poured his entire soul into loving me.”

Brenda giggled. “That is what you get when you do it at the right time.”

Bella sighed again, her fingers tracing the soft fabric of the sheets. “I should not have rushed things back then.”

“But we thank God for mercy.”

“If not for mercy, where would I be now?” Bella whispered, suddenly overwhelmed with gratitude.

“Only God knows.”

Bella closed her eyes briefly. “Ha, thank you, Jesus.”

“God be praised,” Brenda agreed.

A mischievous smile played on Bella’s lips. “I can’t wait for another round. The experience is unexplainable.”

Brenda gasped. “Wait, are you saying all this beside him?”

Bella bolted upright, glancing at the empty space beside her. “That’s true! He’s not in bed. Where could he be?”

Brenda’s curiosity peaked. “You mean you haven’t seen him this morning?”

“No, not at all.”

“Maybe he’s in the bathroom?”

Bella’s heart skipped a beat. “I hope it’s not what I’m thinking.”

“And what exactly are you thinking?”

Bella hesitated before grinning. “Maybe he’s gone to buy me something. He always said he couldn’t wait to serve me breakfast in bed.”

As if on cue, the door creaked open. Bella turned, and there he was—Samuel—standing tall and handsome in casual sweatpants and a T-shirt, carrying a tray filled with breakfast. A warm, affectionate smile graced his lips.

“Hello, good morning,” he greeted cheerfully.

Bella beamed. “Where have you been, dear?”

“Preparing your breakfast,” Samuel announced proudly, setting the tray on the bedside table.

“Wow, this is so romantic!” Bella clapped her hands in delight.

Samuel grinned. “You like it?”

“I love it!” Her eyes danced over the neatly arranged plate of bread and eggs, a steaming cup of tea, and freshly cut fruits.

Then Samuel smirked. “I also prepared your favorite—eba.”

Bella’s mouth fell open. “What?!”

Samuel chuckled. “E shock you?”

“E shock me!” Bella burst into laughter.

“Only God knows how eba can be someone’s favorite,” Samuel teased.

Bella giggled. “Eba and what, please?”

“Okro soup with fish, kpomo, stockfish, and beef.”

Bella gasped dramatically, pressing a hand to her chest. “Yee! My husband dey carry me go where I no know o!”

Samuel smirked. “You never see anything.”

Bella clutched her imaginary pearls. “Somebody help me! E dey carry me go where I no know! Help me o! Where is my mother o?”

“Tell me more, babe,” she added, giggling.

Samuel sat beside her, crossing his arms. “Yes, after this bread and egg with tea, you’ll have strength for the journey ahead. Then you’ll take eba so that you will have even more strength.”

Bella squinted at him suspiciously. “Wait. Where are we going?”

Samuel leaned in and winked. “We’re taking a tour in cloud nine.”

Bella gasped, covering her mouth. “Ha! Are you sure you’re born again? You want to kill me?”

Samuel burst into laughter. “No, you can’t die. It doesn’t kill.”

Bella pouted playfully. “Ha, no o.”

Samuel smirked again. “What? Did we not give your people yam?”

“So?” Bella asked, feigning confusion.

“Did we not prostrate?”

“So?”

“You think all those displays were just for jokes?” Samuel teased.

Bella laughed, shaking her head. “Oya, I will call my people to return your yam.”

Samuel gasped in mock horror. “Yam that those who came from the north, east, west, and south have finished? Some even planned to eat it this morning! Biko, eat, for the journey is far.”

Brenda’s laughter rang through the phone. “Hey, guys, calm down! I’m still here.”

Samuel’s eyes widened. “Who is that?”

Bella’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “Oh, sorry, babe, my sister was on the phone before you came in.”

Samuel groaned. “Brenda, will you cut that call now and stop intruding into our privacy?”

Brenda giggled. “Yes, sir! I’m sorry, sir.”

The line went dead, and Bella turned to her husband with a loving gaze. “Thank you, baby. I love you so much.”

Samuel smiled, brushing a soft kiss against her forehead. “I love you too. Now, eat fast.”

Bella rolled her eyes and took a bite. “Ha ha, oga calm down o.”

They shared a warm laugh, their hearts full of love and gratitude. From that day forward, they knew they had not only built a home together, but a sanctuary of love, faith, and joy—a home where God remained at the center, guiding their every step into a blessed future.

THE END

TO GOD BE THE GLORY

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