Jasmine - Episode 1

 

I never knew I could have the courage to share my story but I believe this story will inspire and
encourage people.
My name is Adeleke Jasmine Toluwanimi and my friends call me ‘Jas’.
Jasmine is my favourite name too; the name means a vine with plenty of flowers and a very
pleasant smell. It was given by my mum . My mother is a Canadian.
She met my dad in a conference in Canada and it was ‘love at first sight’, or so they said.
Though many people believe love at first sight doesn't exist, living with my parent for over
20years made me realize what true love means. And whether the love was at first or last sight,
once God is involved, the marriage will work out just fine.
And I am certain that God was involved in the relationship between my parents.
Opposition came from all angles when they were courting, and in different forms.
My dad's parent wouldn't acknowledge a white woman as their daughter-in-law. They feared she
wouldn’t accept their culture and would rob them of their son.
My mum’s parent were not too bothered, they were quite open-minded about the relationship.
But Aunt Jenny, my mum’s friend at that time filled her head with different ideas and
possibilities. She assumed my dad was only interested in her because she was a foreigner and he
probably needed a green card.
Through it all, these oppositions only made their love grow stronger and bloom brighter.
Enough about my parents, this is supposed to be my story.
I am the second born and the only daughter among three children.
Growing up was fairly easy for me and my siblings as we never lacked anything.
My Dad earned enough to cater for our needs and still found time to be with his family- an ideal
husband and father.
My parents taught us the way of Lord right from childhood and never missed bible study, retreats
and youth camps.
It was during one of those youth camp meetings that I gave my life to Christ

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/jasmine

. It was a joyful and
unique experience; a day I will never forget, It was on the evening of 12th September.
I kept walking in the faith and vowed never to be involved in premarital sex until I get married.
Kissing and other forms of romance were forbidden to me.
However, something happened while I was an undergraduate in the University of Ibadan,
studying Electrical Engineering. Though my mum always wanted me to study outside Nigeria, I
couldn't bear the thought of being far away from my family for so long. So we agreed on a
compromise. I agreed to do my Master's abroad.
I was born in Canada and being a citizen would have made it quite easy for me to study in the
country or even in the US. And by God’s grace, the money was available. Thinking back now,
maybe I should have listened to my mum.
Back in school, I was a very jovial and easy-going person. I had lots of friends and was quite
popular in my faculty and hostel. Many of my classmates fondly called me ‘Half-caste’.
My tall figure and long hair often made most people take a look at me twice. I was even advised
to participate in Beauty Contests several times but I always declined. All I could think about was
how to please God, be the best student in my faculty and make my parent very proud.
I attended a Pentecostal fellowship on campus, and was in charge of the academic welfare of the
members of my fellowship. The Academic Unit, headed by me, organized numerous tutorials,
prepared study materials and compiled past questions for students. It always gave me great joy
whenever I received testimonies of our students progressing academically.
Expectedly, many guys showed interest in me on campus; both the qualified believers and
unqualified unbelievers. At any chance I got, I tried to preach to the unbelieving ‘toasters’ and
often got angry responses in return, but it never bothered me. Among the few qualified brothers,
two caught my attention. They loved the work of the Lord, and were zealous about the things of
God; but I suppose it is only God in heaven who knows those who truly serve him.
I started praying about my marital life since I finished my secondary school. I always asked God
to lead and direct me when it comes to the choice of a life-partner. It was also my utmost desire
never to have an Ex-boyfriend/fiancé; I hoped that my husband should be the first and last that I
would ever court.
Brother Philips and Brother Samuel were the two brothers that I found interesting in my
fellowship. The former was the Treasurer of the fellowship while the latter was the Assistant
Bible Study Secretary.
When you listen to Brother Samuel explain and divide the word of God, you would think he was
right there when the writers wrote the Bible passages thousands of years ago.
After a wonderful prayer meeting during my fourth year in the university, Brother Samuel sent
me a message telling me to wait for him after the service. We have been close friends for a while
and he had already made his intention about marriage known to me a few months back. As I sat
down and waited for him to be done with his meeting with our fellowship President, I remember
thinking.
‘’Hope he is not coming to ask me again if I have an answer for him.’’
When he was done with the meeting, he met me where I was seated and took a seat beside me.
He greeted me as usual and we exchanged pleasantries.
"How was your day? I hope it wasn't stressful."
"Not really, I only had a few practical works and some assignments to submit, I think I can
manage" I replied.
"So how far with our discussion?" He was direct.
"Which discussion?" I pretended as if I didn't understand.
"I am talking about my proposal, Jasmine; I really do love you.”
He bent his back and gesticulated with his hands to drive home his advances.
“You are the flower I need in my life like your name implies", he said.
"Brother Samuel, please give me more time, I need to pray more and get the leading from God.
You know marriage is not a Joke, it is serious business".
"You are right, and I know that too. I will give you more time dear, I am sure I’m not the only
one on the application list right?" He smiled as he said those words.
"Which application list are you talking about?"
"You know what I mean. You ladies are the real bosses; you can keep us waiting for as long as
you want”.
"Well not everyone does that, and I think you brothers need to be more patient too."
Samuel smiled and shook his head.
"Anyway, my birthday is next week, and I will love to celebrate it with you.”
Seeing my questioning look, he added, “If it is okay with you".
"Are you having a birthday party or what?" I asked him pointedly.
"Not really a party. I just want to celebrate with you alone".
Few moments of silence passed between the two of us as he waited for my response.
I thought about giving him an answer immediately but realized it was wiser to think it over for a
while.
"Well, I will give it a thought and get back to you later” I finally spoke.
“I can't promise anything right now".
"Please take your time, my love” He implored.
“It will make me the happiest man on earth if you can find time to come."
I started getting quite uncomfortable with his tone and choice of words and I told him so.
"Please Brother Samuel don't call me your love just yet. It makes me feel uncomfortable"
"Okay dear, I will try".
"Thank you" I glanced at my wristwatch and saw it was time for our fellowship’s EXCO
meeting.
I was secretly happy for the meeting as he couldn’t see me off to my hostel as he did on other
days.
I needed some time away from him to gather my thoughts.
After one week, I had already forgotten about Samuel’s birthday.
I didn’t deliberately push it off my mind. I was too preoccupied with school work, Fresher’s
tutorial and fellowship activities.
He called a day to his birthday and asked about my decision.
“Hello Jasmine, hope I will see you tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow? But we do not have service tomorrow.” I was clearly lost.
He needed no prophet to tell him I had forgotten completely.
"Are you serious?”
“I can't believe you have forgotten my birthday so soon, Jasmine" he sounded angry.
It was only then I remembered the talk we had and his invitation.
"I am so sorry, I didn't mean to forget” I tried to apologize.
“I have been quite busy lately"
"I am very disappointed, how could you forget even after I begged you.”
“So what is your decision now? Am I going to see you tomorrow?" He added.
I knew I couldn't just say ‘No’. I had already disappointed him by forgetting his birthday.
I wanted to be a little considerate.
So I reluctantly gave him a ‘Yes’.
"Wow!” He became ecstatic.
“Thanks so much Jasmine, I can't wait to see you tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow must be my best birthday ever!” He declared joyfully.
Till past 11pm that night, I still couldn’t sleep.
My mind became troubled at something I couldn’t quite grasp.
"Why am I feeling so restless and troubled" I thought as I tossed from side to side on my bed.
“But it is only a birthday.” I reassured myself, “We would probably go to a restaurant, or watch a
movie and talk for a while.”
“It shouldn't be a big deal.” I finally convinced myself and soon, I drifted off to sleep.
When I woke up the next day, I felt doubly disturbed. I had my quiet time and spent an extra
minute to pray that God order my steps and give me peace of mind. I went for my classes and the
day was more hectic than usual. After a six-hour practical and an impromptu test, I was so tired I
wished I could just head for my room and sleep for a while, but I couldn’t.
Samuel had called earlier that day to remind me of our proposed meeting. I also used the
opportunity to give him my birthday wishes and promised I would make it. So when I got to my
room around 4pm all I could do was take a cold shower, change into one of my favourite flare
gowns and pack my hair into a ponytail. As I headed out again, I locked the door with the room’s
padlock since none of my roommates was back from class.
I got to Brother Samuel's hostel around 5pm and he was visibly happy to see me. But when he
opened his arms wide to hug me, I gave him a hand shake and a smile instead. I wished him a
happy birthday once again, and he ushered me through the door of his hostel and into his room.
He offered me a seat on a plastic chair in the room and introduced me to his roommate, Segun.
They were both in their final year and had known each other from childhood. Segun left the
room few minutes after I came. He bade me goodbye and said he wanted to go home so he could
tend to his sick mother. I wished him a safe journey and prayed that his mom recovered. When
he was out of sight, Samuel told me more about Segun.
“His family and mine used to live in the same flat many years ago before his father died.”
“His mum couldn't cope with the house rent and school fees and they had to move out of that
house to a more affordable house; it was just a single room they all lived in.”
“His mum had to do a lot of odd jobs like housemaid and cleaner to provide for her children. But
see now, when the result of her work is about to pay off, the hard labor is beginning to tell on her
health.”
I felt pity for Segun and his mum as Samuel narrated.
“I just pray she gets better so she can reap the fruit of her labour.” I managed to say when
Samuel was done. Samuel stood up and opened the small refrigerator in the corner of his room.
"Do you care for a drink? I have malt, fruit juice and coke."
"I will prefer water; cold water will just be fine" I was trying to cut down on my sugar
consumption
He brought out a cold bottle of water from the fridge and took a cup from the tray on top of the
fridge.
“How was your day?” He asked as he set the liquid on a table.
"It was hectic; normal school stuffs. Nothing much..." I replied.
"So where are we going for the birthday celebration?" I asked him as I took a sip from the cold
water.
My dry throat cooled as the water dripped into my system. I took another sip and set the cup
down.
"Don't be in a hurry, you will find out soon enough." Samuel replied.
''Okay. No problem." It was the last I could remember.