Chapter 2 The Envelope 2

• What followed next was the resounding tear of sheets, and silent murmurs. Everyone was scribbling on a paper. Grey got out a sheet, then wrote:
• Bless me, Lord Jesus. Give me a job with good pay. Make me a blessing to my family, nation, and the world. Use me to wipe out evil. Make me a great success in my generation. Give my brother an admission. Amen.
• The pastor told the ushers to collect offerings with the request each of them had written down. Ushers began circulating red bags around, Grey slipped in his.
• For a second, Grey admired how well the church was organized, before the pastor prayed.
• "Lord Jesus! We have been bitten, and look up to you for the deliverance of our soul. Each request has been tabled to you and you alone. With our eyes on you, do rescue us from the venomous troubles of life. You've made wonders in our midst and you will make great things happen this week. Bless our offerings…it's from our heart. In our businesses, we would be outstanding. We would rule the modern age, and Lord may your Kingdom be established here on earth as it is in Heaven. Thank you this day for our daily bread. Be thou highly exalted. In Jesus name."
• “Amen," the congregation chorused.
• An announcement was passed, the first-timers were welcomed, and Grey found himself shaking hands with men he only got to hear of, or see on the TV—it was amazing. This would be his new place of worship and he knew it. He had never felt so much alive. The church closed, first-timers were given brown envelopes, they penned their names, addresses, and phone numbers on a sheet, Grey set for home with a vibrant face.
• He got into his room, tossed the Bible and envelope on the table, undressed, warmed, and ate the remaining cooked beans—cleared the pot, gamed a bit on his laptop, then picked up a boring novel to read himself to exhaustion, it worked.
• The phone must have rung the ninth time before Grey moved. Slowly, he stirred, picking up the phone to see who the caller was before placing it to his ear.
• "Roy!" Grey said with a cranky voice.
• "Guess what bro?" his brother sounded overly cheerful.
• "Oh, God. What?" Grey rubbed his eyes, and stretched.
• "Haa—hahaha. I got it. I got it, bro. They just sent me a message."
• "You got what?"
• "The admission, you sissy. I got the admission."
• Grey sat up, saying, "It's a lie."
• "First list," Roy sounded emotional. "First freaking list. The very first."
• "But that result…"
• "Yes. I know. The result was hanging by a thread. A thread. There's no way I came out among the first, man. I just can't believe it."
• Grey pushed back a tear with a smile. "Wow."
• "I'm so happy bro. I'm so happy. My head wants to explode. Like I'm freaking losing my mind. I even got my course of choice. MY COURSE OF CHOICE. Like, even if admission was possible, I wouldn't have gotten a course of my choosing."
• "Damn!"
• "I'll be in school tomorrow to begin my admission process. Please help me thank God," Roy said.
• With watery eyes, Grey found his voice. "Congratulations man. I'm really proud of you."
• "Thanks, bro. I'm sure I disturbed your sleep. I had no one to share it with, and I know you never mess with your afternoon sleep...I just couldn't bear the happy news alone—you know."
• "Yeah, I get,” Grey said. “Where's mom, dad, and Chloe?"
• "Went with some church members to visit a sick fellow who's a member’s relative I think—or so the announcement stated. They should be home soon," Roy replied.
• "Okay. Tell me when they get home."
• "Sure. Later man."
• "Yeah."
• The line went dead. He was genuinely happy for his brother, but something slowly wrung it out—turning it into the usual worrisome look he wore when something was up. Something his brother hadn't seen, but he could vividly. Money.
• Mom and dad didn't have any for Roy to secure the admission, let alone pay for little expenses that followed behind. Grey knew this because his dad had last sent ten thousand naira to him three weeks back and he was massively in debt. His younger sister was due for exams any time now and couldn't participate if she hadn't paid. Grey was lost in thoughts. This was supposed to be his moment. This was why he needed a job with good pay. He had to do something now and fast. He picked up his phone, dialed a few numbers. Some picked voicing their expectations for the windows of heaven to open, a few reminded him of the debt he owed, some didn't pick up, and others didn't even ring.
• In frustration, Grey tossed the phone on his pillow, spreading on the bed with eyes to the ceiling.
• He pictured a world where he was rich, owned a fast car, and lived in a mansion...had a styled wardrobe and exquisite taste for everything. Was that world even possible? A world you rule and call the shots, not the kind that creates problems ready to tear you in twain.
• His mind wandered to the church. Those guys, for instance, he thought, maybe I should apply for a job there. I mean, what do they even need a guy like me for? I could at least clean the toilets. Something floated to his mind. The envelope.
• He looked to the table, he could spot the brown envelope sitting next to his Bible. He slowly got up, eager to have a piece of the church distract him as he made for the table.
• He took the full-sized envelope in hand, weighed it, then tore it open. A call came in, Grey left it to attend the call. It was his girlfriend—Tina.
• "Hello!" she said.
• "Babe! How are you?"
• "I'm not fine. You abandoned me."
• "Oh, God. How many times do we have to go through this? For any consolation, I planned to call you this evening. Roy surprisingly got that admission."
• "Ohh, good for him. Are we still going out tomorrow?"
• Grey fell short of words.
• "Did you hear me?"
• "Come again," he said.
• "Are we still going out tomorrow?" Tina asked.
• "No, we're not. Did you even hear what I said about Roy?"
• "I said good for him."
• "Right."
• "So, I just called to find out cause I have this guy who wants to take me out."
• “Who is he?" Grey asked.
• “One of my friends."
• "I know all your male friends. Which one?"
• "Uhm, I'm sorry. My elder sister is calling...bye." She quickly hung up.