CHAPTER 30 –
© OPEYEMI OJERINDE AKINTUNDE
I drove back home thinking about Daniel. I knew he
was probably still hurt, I had not heard from him in
years. After my phone call to him that day at the
hospital, I saw him at his father’s burial, which was
two months after our wedding. At the burial ceremony, he didn’t even acknowledge
the presence of my family and I but his mother and
siblings did. My father had made it compulsory for us
to go pay our last respects to Daniel’s father. I was
angry he didn’t even apologize for what he did to
Reuben. Due to the cold shoulder I received at the burial, coupled with the good life I was having with Reuben, I
forgot about Daniel…
“I need Daniel to forgive me and lift any curse he has
placed on me. I don’t need a change of name” I said to
myself.
* On my wedding day, Amara had whispered in my ear. “I was never interested in Reuben, that little act in
your room that day was planned by mummy and I. We
are happy it has paid off. A little jealousy sent you
back to him”
I was surprised, but knowing who my mother was, it
shouldn’t have surprised me…
“Well… thank you”
Initially, I was careful of drawing her closer to me
after marriage, but two years after I got married, she
got herself a God fearing sweetheart called Ikenna. Their wedding was beautiful. After her wedding, Amara gained my trust back and
since she was the closest family of my age, we became
inseparable. I could tell her just anything…
Amara, are you home?” I asked her over the phone. I
wanted to share my thoughts about Daniel with her…
“Yes…” *
“You want to reach out to Daniel to reverse a curse
you think he issued against you?” Amara asked after
my speech
“Yes, Amara, back in the days, Daniel used to say my
womb was his alone, and that only his children are
permitted to stay in my womb. Amara, I think that’s
what is happening to me. Reuben’s babies are not
staying in my womb. I have miscarried four times in
six years ”
“I understand you Nwala, but contacting him is not
important. Why do you need to contact him? You can
reverse the curse by yourself in your room”
“No… we have to see face to face, so he can use his lips
to reverse it”
“Nwala, knock that thought OUT now! That’s the devil
speaking to you, that’s you trying to bring mess into
this beautiful life of yours”
“So how do I reverse the curse, if I don’t contact him?”
“Pastor Mrs Nwala, what happened to prayers on
breaking evil covenants. Nwala what happen to
prayers like…
‘Oh lord, break every evil soul tie or covenant between
Daniel Osuji and I;
Oh lord, render null and void, all promissory words
spoken to each other that is hindering my fruitfulness
What happened to such prayer points backed up with
fasting?” Amara said to me
I was quiet because Amara made a lot of sense…
“Nwala, what if Daniel is dead as we speak, will you go
to the grave or the world of the dead to ask for his
forgiveness?”
“Definitely not
“Exactly! Therefore imagine he is dead and out of your
life, and take the case to God”
“Yeah… You are so right. Thank you” I agreed
We talked about other things including the change of
name…
“Spiritual matters can not be looked down on, it won’t
hurt to change the name, a lot of people change names
and afterward their lives became better. I know a
few… I know an old roommate whose name was Linda, you know Linda means serpent, suddenly I saw that
she had changed her name to Grace. I asked her why? she said for years she used to see a big serpent coming
to have sex with her in her dream, but after changing
her name prayerfully, she became free…
“Wow…”
“I know a guy too, whose name was Ifafunmi, he was a
Christian, but his name was giving glory to a deity, he
noticed his life was a struggle. He prayerfully changed
his name from Ifafunmi which means “Given by Ifa”
to Oluwafunmi “Given by God”, afterward his life
became a fertile land…
Amara gave me a long lecture on changing names and
unlike my parents, she made me see a reason why I
should change my name…
“You should consider “Goodness” because Nwala, God
has been good to you…
“Nah! It doesn’t sound chic” Amara laughed, and we were about to continue our
girl talk when the horn of her kid’s school bus blasted
in our ears… She had two girls, twins girls; Joy and
Delight…
I was given a new name, and guess who did my
christening; Reuben’s Dad. This was after I did a three
days prayer and fasting program. Reuben was indifferent about the name change; he
was ready to do what would bring smiles to my face. He
was the one who suggested my new name:“Beautiful” He had said in the bedroom…
“People don’t bear Beautiful”
“Well, when I think of you, all I think of is how you
have made my life beautiful”
“Aww… thank you Reuben and when I think of you, all
I hear in my heart is Joy… You have given me so much
Joy and peace…”
‘I have two new names then… Joy & Peace…” He
replied Laughing
“No, let’s keep Reuben… I am now an expert in
checking for the meaning of people’s name… Reuben
means… Behold, a son!”
“Really, you are doing a lot of research, well for me I
love Beautiful”
“Let’s use Beauty then…” I concluded.