I made out time during the week to see my fiancé in his office. When I got to his office, I told him about Sharon’s sexual orientation.

“Lesbian!? What the hell!” He shouted.

“Please keep your voice down and take it easy.”

“Did you just say I should take it easy? We were properly raised up by our parents and grandma, despite the fact that we grew up in a land of freedom.”

“I understand.”

“I can say I’m proud of the man I’ve become. Why is she different? We had the same upbringing.”

“Daniel, you are being funny; even twins don’t have the same character. See, in every family, there’s always a black sheep. But parents won’t relent on such kids.”

“But you guys are perfect, your sibling are wonderful.” He said.

I smiled.

Daniel thinks we are perfect. Well, all thanks be to God. He needs to hear my younger brother's story before he draws such a conclusion. Thank God he already knew my past.

“My younger brother at some point in time started exhibiting waywardness. He’s the only boy among us and I think that got into his head. It got to a point my mum almost regretted having a male child. My mum prayed and fasted. They never spared him. With prayer, discipline and all forms of correction, he changed. He’s doing well for himself now and we are all proud of him.”

“Really!?”

“The devil is cunning, and most a times he uses children to work against the family, but if the parents never relent on their children and train them up in the way of the Lord, they’ll definitely come around.”

“Wow! I’m glad you are the mother of my unborn children.”

“Daniel, it takes the grace of God to raise godly children.”

He stood up from his seat and sat beside me on the sofa.

“What could have led Sharon to this lifestyle for Heaven’s sake?”

“Maybe she was influenced one way or another. All she needs now is our help and support.”

“There was a time this thought crossed my mind but I shoved it off. How can I be so negligent about my own sister. Gosh!” He hit his hand against the table in front of us.

“Really?”

“Yes! I saw the signs but I ignored it.”

“What signs?” I asked.

“She doesn’t have any close male friends. Even on her phone, the only pictures you get to see are that of females.”

He added, “There is this guy who often visited our home in New York back. He liked her so much but my sister never gave him a chance. I’ve never seen or heard her go on a date before. I thought she avoided male friends because she didn’t want to be distracted by guys. I never knew she was into women.”

“Please keep this to yourself for now. I believe things will get better.”

“Of course, I have to keep it to myself. My mum would develop sudden high blood pressure if she hears about this. In fact, she’ll collapse and I’m not ready to loose her now.”

“And please take things easy with Sharon when you get home tonight; she must not run away.”

“I will try.”

“Don’t just try, let’s cease this opportunity to fix her, now that she’s here with you in Nigeria.”

“OK, I understand.”

“I’ve already talked to my pastor and a counselor in my church. We can use their help as well. I believe she’ll be fine.”

He hugged me from behind.

“Thank you very much my love. What would I do without you?”

“Don’t thank me; she’s my sister too.”

“What else can I do to help?” he said and turned around to face me.

“You can get her some Christian and inspirational books that lay emphasis on ways to stop these sort of acts. Secondly, our responsibility is to pour out love without measures to those who are struggling with homosexuality.”

“Thanks babe.”

“You are welcome. I need to run now.”

I left his office relieved. I’m glad he handled it well.

****

Tunde called and informed me that he has gotten a job through one of Daniel’s contacts. I was really happy for him.

“Is the salary okay?” I asked.

“250,000 Naira for a start.”

“That’s good.”

“I was given a flat and an official car too.”

“That’s good. Since you have your accommodation sorted out, you have a decent chance of saving,” I said.

"Pamilerin, please thank Daniel for me, although I've already called to thank him."

"I will. I wish you the very best, Tunde. Please take good care of yourself."

"Thank you for everything, Pamilerin... I will never forget everything you did for me."

"All thanks be to God. I pray we meet at the top. Bye!"

"Bye! I wish you and Daniel all the best."

"Thanks."

I dropped Tunde’s call and called Daniel to thank him.

“I thought you said you don’t have connections!” I said, forming seriousness.

“Oh! Tunde called you, right?”

“Thanks my love. Thank you for doing this for me.”

“Anything to make you happy, my queen.”

“I’m really happy right now, thanks.” I said.

We talked for awhile before disconnecting the call.

****

A week to my birthday, Daniel called and asked of my plans.

“I don’t have any plans, I’ll just celebrate it on a low key.” I replied.

“Okay! What do you want for your birthday?”

“All I want for my birthday is you!” I said smiling.

“Wow! You have me already.”

“Yes, and I’m grateful for that.”

“Okay then, I’ll see you on your birthday.”

At about 7pm on my birthday, I heard someone horning a car in front of our gate. “We are not expecting anyone today,” I thought.

I called my younger sister to go and check who was at the gate. I stood in front of the window to see who it was. She opened the gate and I saw Daniel’s car, followed by Paul’s. I was very surprised because they called me earlier to wish me a happy birthday but they didn’t inform me that they would be coming to my house.

Daniel alighted from the car, followed by Sharon. Paul and Lizzy got down minutes later. I saw them bringing out some things from the car. I saw drinks, cake and other stuffs. I was wowed. I just stood in front of the window watching as they walked into the house.

“Happy birthday!” they all chorused and hugged me one after the other.

I was so happy.

“You didn’t tell me you were planning something,” I said as I hugged Daniel.

“I just decided to let you be, since you said you wanted to celebrate on a low key,” he said smiling.

“Thank you sweetheart,” I said and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Everyone handed over their gifts to me except Daniel. Lizzy shared the drink and snacks among us. We snapped and cut the cake. My parent came back from work and joined us to celebrate.

An hour later, we were through with our small party. I saw them off to the compound with my siblings.

“Wont you ask for your birthday gift?” Daniel asked.

“What else can I ask for... you already made my day!”

“I want you to ask, so ask me.”

“Okay! Daniel, can I have my birthday gift?”

“Yes my baby, here is it!”

He handed over a car key to me.

“Your car is parked outside,” he said.

“You bought me a car?”

“Enough of you taking a cab; it’s a slap on my face.”

I ran towards the gate and opened it. Right in front of me stood a brand new Honda CR-V. I looked back and everyone was outside staring at me, including my parents.

I jumped on him and gave him a big hug. I should have taken it further and given him some deep passionate kiss if not that my parent were watching.

“Thank you so much my love.”

“You are most welcome, my darling.”

I jumped into the car and turned on the engine. Daniel opened the gate for me and I drove the car into the compound. Everyone congratulated me.

This is my best birthday ever. I’m just a secondary school teacher for crying out loud, and here I am with a brand new car.

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