CHAPTER 33 “CORDELIA”

©️ Opeyemi Akintunde
As Inspired by the DEEP ONE

I waited endlessly, my ears tuned to every sound in the corridor, my body jerking at the faintest footsteps. But the door never opened. The silence stretched into the dawn until my eyes burned with exhaustion.

By morning, I dragged myself up, determined to be at devotion before anyone could ask questions. I had rehearsed my smile, my bow, my lines. I was ready to play the part. But as I reached for the door, someone blocked my way. Father’s P.A. His eyes were cold, sharp, too knowing.

“Father says you should stay indoors today,” he said flatly.

No greeting. No smile. Just an order.

My stomach twisted. Fear clawed at me. Why? Why now? Was he I stepped back slowly, murmuring, “Alright.” The P.A. turned and left, leaving me with a locked chest of dread. I sat on the bed, whispering under my breath, God, what is Father
planning?

He is unpredictable. He is playing a game. But I will
stick to mine. Lord, help me to conquer this Haman. My eyes fell on the Bible The Fold had given us. I knew there were
small alterations in its text…Father’s subtle manipulations…but I needed the Word. I needed Esther. I opened to the book and began to read.

“Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise…” (Esther 4:16)

Esther’s voice leapt from the page into my chest. Three days of fasting. She had sent word through her uncle to call her people to pray. I imagined her trembling hands, her racing heart, her tears at night.

She was a woman, not an angel. She must have wished for a quiet life, a godly husband, not to be paraded in a pagan palace. But destiny had demanded her courage. I closed my eyes, clutching the Bible.

Oh Lord, how do I send word to Tijesuni? To my family? How do I call for fasting when I am locked in here?

My mind raced. The phone. The Chef’s phone. I had seen it under the pillow. If I could slip into the hostel during devotion, I could send a message.

A short one, even one missed call might be enough. I sprang to my feet, but as I reached the door, my hand froze on
the knob. For Father to deliberately order me to stay indoors, was this a trap? Was he watching to test my obedience? If I disobeyed, would he declare my heart “below standard” and feed me to the fire?

I withdrew my hand, trembling. I sat back down with the Bible and read on. “So Esther arose, and stood in the inner court of the king’s house, over against the king’s house: and the king sat upon his royal throne… and when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight…” (Esther 5:1–2) Esther had been wise. Patient. Tactical.

She did not storm into the king’s presence with fire in her eyes. She stood with grace. She waited for favour. Then I read further:

“So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared. And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition? … Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is… if I have found favour… let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for
them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath said.” (Esther 5:5–8)

I let out a shaky laugh through my tears. Esther had stretched it. She had patience enough to invite Haman twice before setting him up. She curled around him like a serpent, letting him believe he was winning, before striking. I leaned back against the wall, whispering, “That’s it, Lord. I must
be as wise as the serpent and as harmless as the dove. I must let

Father believe I am nothing but a woman eager to please. I must curl around him like a serpent before I finish him.” “But before that Lord, give me direction.. how do I conquer this
man, how do I bring clean water to replace the dirty water he has been giving the people to drink…?”

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