In Search Of Mr Perfect (Episode 13)

On the phone, Pastor Iniunam said “Sister Imabasi, God said I should let you know this; The first single man you see today at your door post is the man God has ordained to be your husband.”

Pastor Iniunam was Imabasi’s mom’s pastor in Nigeria. Her mom had given her his number since two years back.

“He is a powerful man of God. He sees what others can’t see. He sees visions.” Her mother said to her on the day Ima complained about not being lucky with relationships.

“Thank you sir.” She greeted.

“And again, you can also pray before you sleep, God will also reveal to you In your dream. I will speak to him, but before then, you will pay your tithe, and send pounds for the construction of the church’s podium. 

We need a big Television screen and piano for the church, when you do these things, God will grant your heart desires.”

“Amen pastor. I will do so as soon as possible. Send the church account number.” She turned her face to Miriam, who was listening to her conversation with pastor Iniunam over the phone.

Imabasi hung up the call and said, “This is going to work. I wonder why I didn’t call him since, by now I would have been married Mimi. Mom was right, he is indeed a man of God.”

“Indeed.” Miriam muttered and gave a loud sigh. “Nigerian pastors! why must you send him money first? I am not just having a good feeling about this pastor Iniunam.”

“He is my mom’s pastor. He is real.” Imabasi said, scooping up her blanket and relaxing under it.

Miriam nodded mockingly.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang.
The two women turned to each other.

“Are you expecting someone?” Imabasi asked surprisingly.

“No I am not. Richard won’t come here without letting me know.”

Imabasi was quiet, she thought only for a moment.

“Jesus! Pastor Iniunam was right! He said the first single man to knock on our door is going to be the man God has ordained to be my husband!” She exclaimed, and got up immediately from the bed.

Miriam stared at her surprisingly, as she sprinkled the body mist on her body and wore a nude colour lipsticks. She glanced down at her feet and applied a lotion quickly on it.

“This is God. God bless Pastor Iniunam, I am going to send him that money before noon Mimi.” She said excitedly as she paused and exhaled.
“I wonder what he might look like.”

The doorbell rang the second time, and Imabasi took her phone from the bed and turned to Miriam.
“Mimi, it is not right that my husband should see me for the first time, looking like a low life woman. How do I look?”

She asked eagerly as she turned around stylishly.

“You look good. Loosen your hair, ponytails don’t really fit your face.” Miriam said shrilly.

The doorbell rang the third time and Imabasi ran out of the room, followed by Miriam.
They were both anxious.

They opened the door immediately and their eyes swirled like molten lava.

He gazed down at her, his lips set in a tight line.

Imabasi caught and held his gaze, he was aghast at the way the two women stared at him.

“Newspaper delivery?” He asked in a soft tone.
Imabasi stared at his dirty feet, he had just one hand; His left hand was cut off. His left eye was closed with a one-sided shade.

Imabasi collected the newspaper reluctantly as she gave him a disgustful stare.
She glanced down at his feet severally, wondering the last time he had his bath.

“Thank you. You can go.” Miriam said when she noticed her friend got lost in her thoughts.

As they slammed the door, Imabasi’s knee suddenly went weak, as she slumped to the ground. She was trying to gather her thoughts together.

“In all my years of seeing one’s husband, that guy isn’t worth being a boyfriend of a pauper.” Miriam said and gave a loud amused laugh. 

“Your pastor failed you this time.”

Without a word, Imabasi kept thinking of the newspaper delivery guy.

Credit: Vicky Bon