Chapter 64 SET UP 2

Being regarded as a Pastor in Gracedome or being among the pastoral team, meant that one was not only well grounded in the underside of the church, but also in a position of authority. It was the second level of hierarchy - both in the underside and the physical church - after Pastor Davies, who was the leader - and his assistants. Being in position of authority meant preferences in a lot of things in the physical church and the underside. Lower members were bound by oath to assist their leaders and carry out every given assignment.

Pastor Melvin was a pastor, because he had always been for as long as Sobrina knew. The title had stuck - like glue - all the way from his positions in the fellowship. Many members of Gracedome who understood what it actually meant to be a pastor here, never addressed him as such, they preferred to address him as "brother Melvin". Not until he was finally fully initiated and promoted into the pastoral team. And also placed in charge of all second degree students.

Pastor Davies was the only formerly ordained Pastor in the church. All other pastors got the title by appointment, and from Pastor Davies himself. There were many things involved before one who was already a member of the underside could attain the position, it all depended on their level of productivity.

"Brother Melvin, we are leaving", the lady that had brought Sobrina said few minutes later, and Sobrina - who had been silent all the while - followed her out. The lady was now suddenly chitty-chatty, but Sobrina was boiling with annoyance, which she managed to control. She understood what had happened was a setup.

She called Pastor Melvin an hour after she got home.

"I was looking for you after service", she said.

"Miraya had called me during service to accompany her to her burning hostel", he explained.

"Oh really? Burning hostel indeed. Were you the only man in church?",

"Forget that occurrence Sobrina", he commanded, and kissed her on the phone before ending the call.

But Sobrina wasn't satisfied, she struggled in her sleep. All she had witnessed that evening kept replaying through her mind.

Two days later, it was Sunday. Sobrina went to church very angry. She tried to avoid Pastor Melvin after service, but he wouldn't have it. He was following her around pretending to be having conversation with people very close to her.

Pastor Davies understood how sanctimonious his speech was, especially to Sobrina. He had began his preaching earlier in the day with a mysterious advice as was his custom on diverse occasions.

"If there's anything you do not understand in your relationship, make confrontations, and don't be gentle about it. Demand answers!", he had barked.

"What exactly did you say happened two days ago?", Sobrina finally confronted Pastor Melvin, thinking that Pastor Davies had been speaking to her.

"And who is asking?", he questioned, to her amazement.

Miraya had also seen the way he had reacted at Sobrina's arrival to her room, and had felt all the more alarmed. She had tearfully called her brother, explaining how she loved Pastor Melvin how he had seduced and slept with her at his house; and how she would hate to lose him. Her brother had in turn, called to bark threats at Pastor Davies, who had called Pastor Melvin with clear warnings. He had been actually reacting, and speaking to Miraya and not to Sobrina, that morning.

Sobrina was confused, "I just want to know what actually happened?", she said amicably.

"You have no right to ask me that",

"What?", Sobrina was mad and they fought briefly verbally. Pastor Melvin and Sobrina were standing outside the church building, she turned around to see one of the assistant pastors watching and listening to their conversation from afar. He wasn't the only one, the lady who had taken Sobrina to Miraya's room last night, was also hanging around.

"You should know that I won't let you hurt Miraya", Sobrina concluded as she left. She was being selfless as who she was. She had seen vividly that Miraya was interested in Pastor Melvin, and thought he was deceiving the lady, while secretly dating herself seriously. She didn't know Pastor Melvin was playing a game. He was giving Sobrina everything she needed to destroy herself.

Sobrina couldn't rest after she got home that day, she went to visit Pastor Davies.

"You mean he gave you something?", Pastor Davies questioned, during the conversation.

"Yes, a bottle of used perfume, two body soaps and Sure deodorant",

"Hmmm",

"He also said he would let me know when it's time for marriage. So I don't understand what is going on", Sobrina reported.

"Sobrina how about Osano?", he thoughtfully questioned after few seconds of recovering from the shock of what he had heard.

"What about him?", Sobrina innocently questioned.

"Anyways, that is to say Melvin is very sure, don't play with your relationship Sobrina", Pastor Davies advised, returning to the topic, while hiding his displeasure.

He now understood that drastic actions were required. It was beginning to seem as if Pastor Melvin intended to play smart.

"Who are you going to tell about this good news?", he questioned, hoping to push Sobrina to inform Osano, who was not only a member of a brutal circular cult, but was now fully initiated into the underside of the church. Pastor Davies knew Osano liked Sobrina, and hoped the information would make him mad.

"There's no one to tell", Sobrina innocently responded. It was relieving to hear the man in authority confirm her relationship with Pastor Melvin. She innocently left.