Chapter 110: Charly Boy Oputa

                  ***CHARLY BOY OPUTA***

So in no time, mom started the car and we zoomed off leaving Maitama behind. Though it wasn't that long before we got to Gwarinpa, this was not because both places were close by, but rather, it was because of the traffic, the traffic was very free and stressless. As we drove by there were a lot of noticeable things that we saw on our way to the Church, one remarkable one was a rock which had "Charly Boy" written on it. Aunty Paula said that it was written by The famous Charly Boy himself. I have always heard of the name Charly Boy, I've also seen him on TV. But I have never seen anything done by him before that day, this made me so happy, I was even happier when aunty Paula said that his home is located at the same Gwarimpa that we were heading to.

"Really? He lives in Gwarinmpa?"

So is said immediately she said that. But why haven't my friends that Super Cee told anything about this? As I was there in the car, I just prayed that the church is located near the Charly Boy Oputa's house. Aunty Paula also said something about him being called the Area Father. I already know about that, I have seen him on the television controlling a large number of boys on a power bike. The man had really made a name in Nigeria, the knowledge that I could be close to his house made me almost melt in my clothing.

Mom does not know the place, so, aunty Paula had to do the directing while mom did the driving. It was when we got there that mom and I discovered that the church was held in a very large hotel. That was my first time to realize that it was even possible to hold a church service in a hotel.

As we came out of the car, we heard the sound of gospel music, it was so loud, I wondered how much the pastor will be paying the hotel management for them to condone such nuisance. The hotel parking space was almost filled with flash cars.

"Mom, is this a church or a hotel? I think I'm confused."

So I asked

"Hmm... I think the church is held in this hotel, right Paula."

Mom responded to my question and also threw the question to aunty Paula for more clarity.

"Yes, the church service is held in the multipurpose hall. Is it your first time to notice this?"

Well, apparently, it was my first, but not my mom's. 

"No na, even then when we were in school, we used to see churches that were held in hotels na."

"Nice, my dear friend, this man is a strong man of God, you will see how he will tell you every of your life's problems. Just relax baby girl, we will get a solution here. Your son will be free from..."

Aunty Paula explained like braggadocio about the man of God. But she wanted to say something about me being delivered from something but she took a pause following my mom's body language. It's obvious there is something I don't understand these moms are playing with my feelings.

So we went into the hotel, we met the receptionist who greeted us nicely, she was a beautifully female, short, but with a well-endowed physics, she was light-skinned. She wore a white shirt and black trousers. As we tried to advance, she implored us to sign in before advancing to our destination. The book was a long, not thick-covered book, we wrote down our names, our reasons for visiting which was church service, and after that, we signed our signatures in a signature box. 

After all the formality we advanced forward, the hall was upstairs, so, we got to climb up which we did.

When we got there they were still in their Praise and Worship session, I thought that we were late and that we might meet them almost closing, but it seems that we got there quite in time. The usher ushered us to our seat where we sat, the three of us were made to sit together.

Now as the praise and worship goes on, an usher walked to mom and informed her that the man of God will like to see her. The usher was just dressing like the receptionist we met at the reception.

"The Angel of the Assembly will like a talk with you ma. You can meet him down stirs, ask the receptionist of the Angel's office, and she will direct you."

The lady said and left.

"What did she say?"

Aunty Paula asked. The song and the beat were so loud so it is difficult to eavesdrop on people's conversations.

"Said something about the Angel of the Assembly wanting to see me, I just don't understand..."

Mom responded.

"Really? Your problem has been solved, trust me, that is the Man of God. Now go, go. Don't keep your blessing waiting."

Aunty Paula explained looking so excited. So, mom did as the lady usher said, she stood up, take up her bag and followed the direction of the lady snd got to the receptionist who with a smile directed mom to the office of the Man of God.

According to mom, the man of God's office was so not like a pastor's office, though nothing bad was in the office, yet it wasn't like an office of a man of God, no cross or anything associated with a church was present in the office, she notices that television set witch she believed was just turned off after she knocked at the door. The man of God was a very handsome young man. He was tall, dark-skinned, and masculine, he look like someone who is really taking care of himself. I remember mummy nurse usually saying that "Any pastor who materializes as plumpy do not fast and fasting and praying makes a true man of God." So she often said.

Well, as mom got inside after the man of god had asked her to come in, he pointed at a seat just in the front of his table where an apple laptop sat gallantly on.

After mom greeted and sat, the man just sat there staring at mom, he looked at her for quite a while in silence, until he finally broke the silence.