The Holy Prostitute

hat there was Jesus in heaven. As though seven days’ detention were not enough, the criminals he mingled with inside the smelly overcrowded l

ket without a handle, which was surrounded by several lumps of faeces and stagnant pools of urine in one corner, served as a mobile toilet

istian, nearer Jesus who had compassionately opened the tight jaws of the law. Justice’s heavy bi

e loudest. A vast majority of Ibenga residents believed that there was the most Holy Spirit in Pastor Chansa’s church owing

hurch again so that he could commune with Jesus. The man was v

ggling with a charcoal pressing iron. His belt had faded from black to grayish brown following six years’

ooth brush before rinsing his mouth with water. He could hardly re

d women were singing and playing instruments in front of the

rolled down his forehead. It felt as if someone would order him out of the c

pews before sitting on the third one from the front row. There was only one man at the ot

r right. Ben nervously shoved away his abdomen. The woman moved to him again to create space for more people who were trooping into the church. Her body and Ben’s side touched tightly. However, the lady was obliviou

quare front edge. A big watch stood out on his right wrist where it was slightly covered by the jacket and shirt sleeves. The big

n of Gaad?” he said

of God,” the cong

pastor shouted. “Tell you

urned to Ben. Suddenly she extended her arm

ou my brothe

u my sister,”

hey are and why they are

o Ben when she smilingly turned .She he

is you

.na...name?” Ben asked while his lips

s she was in the house of the Lord. She believed nothi

they could come to church again and again. The pastor strutted down

eighbor with a hug .So turn to your neighbor and please

im. She had the task to exchange pleasantries with him. Nervou

visitor?”

. “I have come to this ch

this stranger before this huge congregation? What w

er neighbor, a lady, and the two hugged. Meanwhile, everybody else hugg

ders too. Meanwhile Ben’s abdomen remained in the same standing position, as he held her b

nstruments to the excitement of the vigorously dancing congregation. In the

shyly. “This happens in

God in here. I am very delighted to be in

ile preaching before the congregation was freed at last. When

uld stand near the door to shake hands with the individual behind him. Then the second person stood near

pastor and continued along the line of church mates. When she reached the end, she stood t

to his church again today. God bless you as you go b

sister,” replied Ben w

arted with Thelm

ce meet, Ben. He is rarely here” T

ficial hair spackled and flew about as she shook her head ostentatiously. Sh

unday. This is the house of the Lord here at Ibenga. Praise

ster,” Ben repli

owards the shopping area. The obvious topic was going to be

d me to. He lives a few houses away from us

d not know that you have known

,” Grace said ag

nd what do you mean that he is

.” Grace said again and laughed

ing about. The atmosphere was too contagious for her to inhibit laughter. Therefor

u laughing at then? Is it his dressing? The wrinkled shirt, which looks as if it has

have just met him today myself. You live near his home, in the same neighborhood. Therefore y

bout four minutes before standing up. Thelma was engulfed in the frenzy of that moment t

g other people to such suspense? What is wrong with him? Why are you so unfair to hi

while wiping tears from her face.

Thelma queried, thereby looking even m

ur neighborhood. I mean, he is the bachelor women forced to marry a pros

grown up man to marry a prostitute. Why were

was wasting babies in his particular anatomy, so he had to marry to bring them

ould not have forced a woman on him. J

bundled into a police car for kidnapping,” grace revealed to

was a result of the hug with Thelma that had particularly been mesmerizing. He wished it could be played back re

It was a moment worth reliving forever and ever. He felt very ex

e day. But no, it had to be a fleeting contact only. It had to be brief, like an introduction t

was no privilege as great as holding a beautiful girl’s body in a way of being shown Christian love. As far as Ben was con

ng couple, when they embraced. No, that would be too soon, he thought. The girl would think he had just been attending church to hunt for sex

searched all his pockets like someone who had just been robbed of all his money.

ch rumbled before he threw himself onto the bed. The

w spoonfuls of salt in a blue plastic cup near the dirty cooking-eating utensils in the corner behin

en decided to go and fetch water in two plastic c

for their turn to pump water from the borehole. Barely had Ben stood at

sica was slightly fat and taller than Melody. The former was also light in complexion with dimples flowering her face when

they had glanced at Ben. When he noti

ll down with laughter, thereby provoking the man more. When he drew closer

olish girls? Do you have bad

provoking people? Has that harlot you kidnapped not cooked yet? May be she has lazily delayed your lunch. Certainly that is the reaso

’s head. The girl ducked, bolted and stopped ten meter

r a word, let alone cough. You good for nothing ox! Actually, you are lucky. In some countries impotent men like you are bu

up and down, as if venting his anger in the machine .Soon the two containers were full. Then he left, just before

We will see,” Ben threatened w

ouse. He remembered vividly that he had left the door closed. Who cou

ped up against the wall. When Ben entered the house, he discovered that the dirty pots and plates had been washed and put neatly back to

pulled the curtain violently. He