PRESENT DAY
She was? She is the epitome of beauty. It's just a month since she joined Mainland High School for her NYSC program and almost all students have attempted to get close. Maybe her method of teaching, her very professional yet stylish and modest way of dressing, her charisma, her voice, her face, even Deborah herself sometimes wonders why she attracts these youngs like bees on honey. She once in a while asks older ones out of curiosity why it seems like it's only her these teenagers want to be with. Older teachers made her understand that it was because of her youthfulness and that teenagers love to be understood and they believed only someone as petite and tender as they are can. This was the conclusion of the majority of the responses she always got except for one. Her spiritual father spoke differently, but outrightly. He said, which she loves to quote verbatim every time she remembers it in her head.
"Soon or later, my dear, you will realize that you have a great call. A great impact to fulfill in the lives of those young ones. It is the spiritual that controls the physical. If their destinies are not attached to you, they won't be so drawn to you. Draw closer to God. You cannot afford to fail, to fail them, and to fail God."
"God, do i really have a call?" She thought aloud as she walked up to her desk early that morning. She was so early that she only met one or two students in the school compound when she arrived. She muttered a short prayer as she wiped her chair sir but then noticed a white envelop on her desk. Without hesitating she unwrapped it and quickly read the contents.
"Letter of transfer..."
"Transfered to work in a school clinic for NYSC. But I'm already loving it here. God, what is this?..." She covered her mouth realizing what she spewed.
"My God, I am sorry. I'm just shocked. What about the destinies here? I can't just leave I haven't done anything here. I haven't made enough impact. A clinic? oh..."
As thoughts flew in and out of her mind, she remembered her dream that morning. "Yes, I was moving. We were moving. Oh, God!" She sulked, feeling guilty for her talkativeness. " God, I'm sorry for every bit of nonsense I have said today. I will go. I'm sorry for allowing my carnality to take over my judgment. Thank you for moving me... to a clinic. Even though I don't understand why... is it not nursing I studied? It's time to go practice! Thank you, God, I love you." She was grateful to God even more because she was alone in the staff room, and talking to herself was even more fun, than talking to Jesus. She quickly put her stuff together so she could leave before the students fully resumed school for the day.
***
"Daddy, I've been transferred. I didn't work in a school today." She said to her spiritual father, Dr Ayanfe that evening on the phone when he asked about her students.
"But why? How?" He asked, surprised at how people's position can change within a twinkle of an eye.
"I found a letter on my desk this morning referring me to another school to go work as the school nurse. Evidently, the school principal had gone out of her way to find that place for me so I can practice my craft during service."
"Evidently?" Papa and his deep questions. Deborah realized she had used that word so lamely yet her listener took it so seriously.
"I mean, obviously sir."
"Okay. How is the new place? How was our first day at the clinic as an attendant nurse?"
"Daddy, it was the best of my life. Aside the fact that I can see myself in the future I once dreamed of. I am still around student, these young people that I so much love."
"The Lord will continually fill your paths with Joy, Deborah. You shall fulfill your divine purpose in that school. In Jesus mighty name."
"Amen! Amen amen sir"
"Sister Deborah, Just remain at the cross. Cling to your source, I believe that the Lord will lead you in His path." Dr Ayanfe advised." You are a good woman, Deborah, don't stop doing good, and do not forsake righteousness."
"Thank you, Daddy." She blushed.
"And how are your parents and siblings? Though I heard from mummy last month. How's everyone doing?
"They're well daddy. See Daddy there's a lot to talk about, no phone talk at all. "
She wanted more on-one mentorship on what fulfilment can be and how to go about it. Call, ministry, purpose has been the number one things on her mind since she began her NYSC and she just wished she could have one week of discipleship retreat with her spiritual father to earn everything she needs to know at once. But like they say if wishes were horses...
"Hm..." He sighed. "You schedule and my schedule might now permit us to see now you know. You just got a job and I and mummy have a camp out with the youths this month."
"Ah, truth o" she sulked.
"Omomi, we might have to do the phone talk. What this is talk about?"
"Questions Daddy. Questions"
"Hm. Deborah, I won't answer your questions."
Okay. she swallowed trying to comprehend what she heard. Why would he say that? No maybe I didn't hear right.
"sir?"
"I won't answer your questions. That's what I said. Write and send them to me when you're ready and i'll give you further instructions."
Hm. Instructions. She wanted to utter another complaint before she remembered it was too late to be drilling an old man on the phone.
"Okay, sir. Thank you, Daddy."
"Good night daughter."
"You too Dad."
Did he just say he won't answer my questions? Who then will answer it?
Just obey...
Okay, I will. She muttered as she prepared to go to bed.