"There is a call on your life Bola, and i know God has also told you that He wants you to serve Him as a shepherd"
Since he was twelve this has been what, prophets and pastors had always sounded to Bola's hearing. Deep down he knew that he had a call but he loved singing wordly songs and alot of wordly pleasures.
"Bola, I've warned you that singing worldly songs is not the way to follow if you will serve God. God is holy and all those songs they are not holy like our God' his mum alarmed.
Bola couldn't see himself without singing those songs. He especially loved Phyno the igbo rapper even though Bola was yoruba.
'If God really wants me to be a shepherd, then i must see him or if He can't come because He is busy, then He should send an angel' Bola ignorantly ranted.
You know what, i want you to journey on a fast for 10 days, from 6 in the morning till 6 in the evening. God will speak to you and you will see that He is real.' Pastor Femi said.
This is the third year, Bola had been trying to do the fast but something always happens and he breaks the chain. Either his mother decides to cook his favorite meal or his younger sister Bisi would unintentionally tempt him with pringles.
Bola is finally in the university, his second year to be precise and he could categorically tell that there was more to this life than he knew.
_________& 'This is exam period, you shouldn't be fasting now, you should be on your A level to deliver well and not faint in the exam hall' Bimpe advised.
'My mind is made up, i must do this fast and its going to last throughout the exam period" he voiced.
'See, exam will end in two weeks, so you want to tell me that you would fast for 14 days, six to six each day?' Bimpe asked.
'I knew you were smart enough to get the information' Bola sarcastically remarked.
It wasn't an easy journey. But there is a popular saying that goes "anyone who agrees, His God will also agree".
It was also a worldly music fast. Bola tried his best to not play any wordly music. 'i must see His face, there should be more to life than money and all this things'
On the fourteenth day, the hunger for more and determination had brought Bola this far. It was the day he would write his final paper and his eyes were already spinning. The exam was scheduled for 9am but the professor had to shift it to 4pm which made it more tiring.
It means when the fast ends you will still be writing your paper' Bimpe said. Its already 3pm, you can break the fast now so you can have enough strength to concentrate on your paper.' she added.
He saw reason in what Bimpe said and he decided to go to the canteen to get food. Bimpe escorted him, the two had been inseparable since their first year in school. They were really close to the extent their parents already knew each other. Although there are some suspicions that they liked each other but were masking it with friendship. Bimpe never liked when any lady approached Bola and Bola also never liked it when another guy approached Bimpe. They were shy to say what they felt for each other. That may have been a good thing because something was about to change in their lives.
On that fateful day, Bimpe escorted Bola to the canteen to buy food. She stood outside the long cue while Bola struggled to buy the food.
Finally, there was only two people standing in front of Bola. A very pretty lady, Bola noticed. Although his attraction to her was short-lived because he noticed she had a bad character.
An older woman came to cut the line and get food before the girl, she just raised her voice at the old woman and that really annoyed Bola.
'Mama, please come and stand before me so after this aunty you will buy next' Bola suggested.
'Thank you my son' the woman replied.
Your name is Bola right? The old woman asked. After fasting for 13 days on the 14th day you want to break the fast before time. Children of this days really love comfort.
Bola just stood there with smiles on his face, what just happened hadn't sink in yet.
After getting the food, he was walking back to the exam hall when Bimpe asked 'what was that woman telling you?'
She told me that i had been fasting for 13 days and on the 14th day, I'm breaking the fast before time.' Bola explained.
'How did she know that you were fasting? Did you tell anyone apart from me?' Bimpe asked.
'No No i didn't' he replied.
Are you sure that woman wasn't a spirit? Bimpe asked.
Immediately, the turned back to check where she had went. The last image they had of her was her walking toward a wall and vanishing.
Bola, i think you should end this fast by 6pm, the food can wait. Before this spirit vex for me that I didn't warn you' Bimpe advised.
On that fateful day, Bola was reminded that God had visited him to remind him of his part in life.