Maya sang aloud in the bath. She was happy and ecstatic. Her dreams were finally coming through. The sign on fee was a god-send and she will forever remain grateful to Cynthia for giving her the courage to go for it. She will send part of the money to her mother to help offset the hospital bills and use the otherpart to pay her school fees.
She let the water fall on her young, firm breasts and run down her flat belly. She closed her eyes and raised her face to the shower. The water fell on her face, closed eyes and neck. For minutes, she let the water cascade off her body, cooling and calming her nerves. After a leisurely bath, she stepped out of the bathroom.
For several minutes, she stood before the wardrobe, wondering what to wearas she stared at the roll of clothes, all appealing. She shuddered and felt a wave of pure bliss surge through heras shewondered how her wardrobe turned from rags to a collection of beautiful clothes overnight.
She lingered a little over a black gown one of her admirers gifted her, but changed her mind. Finally, she decided on a red mini gown Bob bought for her recently. As she was applying make-up, she heard someone knocking at the door. “Come in,” she called.
The door opened and Jeff stepped in.
“Oh Jeff, how are you? One minute and you would’ve missed me.”
He did not say anything.
She stole a look at his distraught face. “How are you doing?”
He ran his hand through his hair.
“I hope everything is okay?”
He said nothing, but remained there, staring at her, an expressionless look on his face.
“Is there anything wrong? Say something.”
Still, he said nothing; rather he made an impatient gesture with his hand.
“Why are you here?” she asked again. “You should be reading for your degree exams. You …you…”
“Maya,” the tone of his voice chilled her. “Don’t you think you are overdoing it?”
Afaint pout appeared on her face. “What now?”
“Must you dress like … like a tart?” he asked and pointed at the spaghetti sleeves which revealed almost all her treasured parts. He could even see the top of her breasts and the furrow between them.
Her eyes hardened and the pout became more pronounced. “What’s wrong with my dressing?”
“Don’t tell me you don’t see anything wrong with it?”
“I don’t see anything wrong. Besides, my mind is pure and that is all I want to know. So, what I wear doesn’t matter.”
He raised his brow. “Really?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t think so. What we wear matters a lot to God. Besides, people are watching.”
“Let them watch,” she retorted, despite feeling a little uncomfortable in the dress. The gown was too short, barely reaching her knees and the top was even worse. Its sleeves were tiny and revealed a great chunk of her chocolate-colored skin. A big V cut ran down the front of the blouse from where her two full-blown breasts shot out provocatively as if protesting its imprisonment.
“Is …is that the best you can get?” he could hardlykeep his eyes away from her exposed breasts. “Can’t …can’t you find something decent to put on?”
“I don’t see anything wrong with what I am wearing. Well, I’m not going to stand here arguing with you, I’ve got anappointment,” she picked up her handbag.
He opened his mouth. “An appointment?”
“Yes, with my producer. He wants me to meet with the production crew to discuss possible locations for the shooting of the soundtrack.”
“Nice to know,” he said between clenched teeth. “Is that more important than fellowship this evening then?”
“Fellowship? Oh, that can wait,” she threw back carelessly. “My producer would be traveling out of the country soon and wants to put things in place before he travels.”
“Can’t wait?” he repeated. “Are you saying God can wait?”
“Oh Jeff, don’t be that way. You know I’ve got a career to protect.”
“Career? Nonsense! Look, Maya, I definitely don’t agree with you. Who gives you the power to create wealth? Is it not God? And must you throw away caution and conscience just because you have a career to protect?”
“I… I.”
“And must you hang out with unbelievers too?”
“Look, Jeff, it’s not as if I don’t understand, but …but,” she soft-pedaled. “I’ve already started it.”
He shook his head. “Listen, Maya, it is not what you are doing that is the problem, it’s the way you’re going about it.”
“Look, I …”
“Just look at yourself, must you dress like a whore and hang out with the wrong crowd just to make it? Where is the place of God in all these things? Maya, you once saved my life and that is why I’m telling you this. I was in the dark before and you showed me the light. What are you doing to yourself? I can’t just sit by and watch you destroy yourself, please, listen to me.”
She clicked her tongue. “Well, it’s good to know someone cares. I have to run, I’m already late,” with that, she turned and walked out.
He fell down on his knees and asked God to forgive her and to put His fear back in her again. He could not forget how it used to be and how he used to be the sinner while she was the saint. He could also remember how she used to persuade him to accept Jesus Christ, now it was the other way round. He shook his head sadly. This girl taught him the difference between right and wrong, now he couldn’t even help her. He felt so lonely, depressed and almost unsure of himself.
It was truly a black day for Mayaor so it seemed. In fact, it was as if the skeletons in her cupboard were just too many and pushing out and would not let the door shut. Still furious with Jeff for interfering, she’d run into Peter, the converted rapist at the walkway. He was coming to see her; his Bible warmly tucked away under his armpit as if it was his most important possession. His innocence and peace of mind were evident from the look on his face. You could almost see the peace of God ooze out of him and the zeal in his eyes. However, his countenance changed the moment he set eyes on her attire. You could see disapproval written on his face and feel him struggling with his emotions.
She took charge immediately, a winning trait she picked up from Cynthia. “Hello Peter, coming to see me?”
“Yes, shalom sister …Sister Maya. I …I …Yes.”
“I would’ve loved to, but as you can see, I have an appointment right now and I’m running late. Why don’t you come back, say tomorrow?”
He nodded, too stunned to utter a word as he stared at her with disbelief in his eyes.
“The recording is getting on fine and I’m sure the album will make waves and win souls for Christ, trust me.”
He was not interested in her tales and fantasies. “Sister Maya?”
“Yes.”
“Do you …do you still believe in God?”
“Of course, yes. Why do you ask?”
“But sister, I’m sorry to say this,the … the way you dress, I mean, the way you live your life these days,” he shook his head. “It’s doubtful …and …and people are watching and …and they are talking.”
“Well Peter, thanks for letting me know. People will always talk. Let them talk, bye.”
Tears formed in his eyes, he went down on his knees and asked God to turn her right back.
Lured by the trappings of society, Maya threw herself into making her album a success. Time she should have used for the Lord or spent in the presence of the Lord, she wasted chasing after men and money. The endless appointments, auditioning and many hours put in for rehearsals and practice nearly choked her. In fact, it got to a point that she regretted ever taking up the contract, but the lure of money and fame held her sway. As a result, her attendance to church and other spiritual activities fell to zero.
 The men did not give her any breathing space either. It was as if they were all waiting for Bob to discover her before springing into action. They all professed undying love and showered her with praises and gifts. It was always a new gift, money or what have you from different men from all lifestyles. Some she knew, some she’d never met before. Bob, on the other hand, did not hide his admiration for her or fail to show it at the slightest opportunity.
Chapter 33