Funto Peters is not the typical lady who follows trend. Raised in a Christian home, she believes in God’s will more often than not. The journey seems smooth. But when the tide turns, what actions will she take?
Mary loves her best friend, Funto. She holds that Funto is lucky. But when Funto takes what Mary treasures most, she is bound to react. What will she do? Will there be consequences?
Dave is a perfect gentleman, who believes in ‘God first.’ He lost his job. And his home drives toward a rock. When a supposed saviour in human form comes, what will he do? Will he buckle?
Find answers and much more in this gripping, inspiring, and mentally refreshing, book, ‘Alley of Fire'.
Excerpt:
Funto Peters stared at the appointment letter in her hands. Joy bustled through her. She hadn’t been able to still the tremendous excitement pulsating in her brain since she received the letter.
She was to resume work the following week. Who would be in her shoes and be sad? She had barely finished her mandatory national youth service. And was already offered a job in a multinational company as an account officer. She didn’t need to worry about writing and posting a thousand application letters to various organisations, with little hope of being offered a job.
She dropped on her knees and began to sing. Songs of worship and praise. She believed only God could have done this for her. It wasn’t simply because she had graduated summa cum laude. It was grace that found her. Grace of the living God. Tears streaked down her face as she lifted the letter above her head.
She began to pray after she had sung to her fill. God deserved her praise. He was her rock of support and the helper of her destiny. If there was anyone who enjoyed undiluted God’s grace, it was Funto. Thoughts of her childhood, school days, and up till the present flooded her mind. She could say confidently without mincing words that God had been good to her.
Funto rose to her feet about an hour after. She walked to the kitchen and fixed herself a light meal. She nibbled at her meal as she watched a program on television.
Her phone rang. It was Mary, her best friend. They had been friends since her second year in the university. If there was anybody she trusted and loved so much apart from her mum, it was Mary. She pressed the answer button on the phone and lifted it to her ear.
“Hello,” Funto said as soon as the phone touched her ear.
“Hi. How’re you?” Mary’s voice was calm.
“I’m fine. How about you?”
“I’m good. Funto, I’m coming over. Are you home?”
“Yes, I am.”
Mary hung up. Funto dropped the phone and continued eating her meal.
Someone knocked. Funto straightened and walked to the door. She opened the door and held it open. Mary walked through the doorway and embraced Funto. “I missed you so much,” Mary said. Sincerity twirled in her voice.
Funto threw her arms around Mary’s shoulders. “Me, too. What’s up with you? I thought you would drop by last week but you didn’t.”
They walked to the living room and sat on the nearest sofa.
“I’m sorry. I was preparing for an interview.”
“Hmm. Tell me more about it. How did it go?”
“Well, it went well. I did my best. I’m yet to receive a feedback from them though.”
“Don’t worry. They don’t have a choice than to give you the job. You’re God’s princess. You know that right?”
“Yes. Thank you. How have you been?”
“I’m fine. God has been faithful.”
“How about applying for jobs? Won’t you start? The earlier the better. If I had started the month I finished service, maybe I’d have gotten a placement now. Don’t waste any more time.”
Funto smiled. “Hmm. That reminds me. I have a surprise for you.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Wait for me.” Funto went into her room and returned with a document in her grip. “Here you go.” She dropped it on Mary’s lap.
Mary unfolded the document and read. She jumped up and rushed at Funto. “Wow! Congratulations. I’m so proud of you.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re so lucky.”
“You know I don’t like the word lucky. I’m not lucky, I’m favoured.” She raised a finger above her head. “God did it.”
“I’m so happy for you. This is good news. The type one needs to hear often.”
“Thanks, my darling.”
“But you didn’t tell me.”
“I was going to tell you actually. But when you said you were coming over, I decided to wait till you arrive.”
“Congratulations, dear.”
“Thank you. God will answer you too. You’ll get a lucrative job soon.”
“I hope. I don’t see that happening soon though.” Mary shrugged. She had finished national youth service three months before Funto. They had belonged to different batches although they finished school together. Mary hadn’t been able to secure any good job. The offers she had were nothing to write home about. Offers in places that aimed to treat her as though she never had tertiary education. And here was her friend who had just finished service and already got a job. A lucrative one for that matter.
“You will get a job soon, Mary. I’ve always told you not to entertain doubt. Pray and confess God’s promises for you. You’ll be surprised.”
“Thank you.”
Funto was probably right. She had been a prayer champion in school. Apart from studying, church activities took most of her time. She was always in one group or the other in church. Mary sighed. “I’ll pray more.”
It wasn’t that Mary didn’t pray. She did as much as she could. That shouldn’t even deter her from getting a job. Except the angel in charge of processing prayers was partial, Mary thought.
“How about your business? My smart entrepreneur.”
“Don’t let us talk about it. It’s so annoying. People buy goods and refuse to pay. And that wouldn’t stop them from using what you sold to them. I remember a lady I sold a pair of sandals to. Each time I asked her to pay up, she told me to be patient and threatened to return the sandals as she hadn’t started using them.”
“Really?”
“Yes. One day, I bumped into her and saw the sandals on her feet. They had been stitched in a few places and the sole had almost disappeared. Overuse syndrome.”
Funto laughed. “Seriously? So what did she say? Or didn’t you ask her for the payment?”
“That’s the funniest part.” Mary smiled. “She wanted to hurry away but I disallowed her. I asked her for my money after exchanging pleasantries with her. She told me she didn’t like the sandals. I was like, ‘Are you kidding me? You don’t like the sandals and you wore them out?’”
Funto giggled. “I think you should stop selling on credit. Only sell to serious-minded people who will pay.”
“Easy for you to say. It’s not a child’s play to get customers. Majority of the ones I get express profound interest, deposit an amount for the goods, and make promises to pay up. Some do, many don’t. I wouldn’t know who would keep the promises and those who wouldn’t. They all have genuine looks and right words.”
“You need to watch it all the same. You can’t become indebted in the name of trying to sell stuffs. If you’re not careful, to accumulate gain in business will be difficult. Take your stance and maintain it. Those who will buy surely will. And ensure you pray as much as possible about your business. May God enlarge your coast.”
“Amen. Thanks, dear.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Won’t you entertain me? I’m famished.”
A hearty smile lifted Funto’s lips. “You must be kidding me. You’d better go into the kitchen and cook yourself something. I had just finished eating noodles when you came in.”
Mary grimaced. “Lazy bones. Is this how you’ll treat your in-laws when they come around?” She straightened. “Be more hospitable, Funto.”
Funto chuckled. “Naughty you. You know my brother is not around to take sides. Don’t make me pounce on you. It won’t be funny.”
“You risk being woefully defeated.” Mary laughed. She was right. Mary was almost twice Funto’s size.
“Says who?” Funto sneered. “Strength isn’t always determined by size.”
Mary walked to the kitchen. “When last have you heard from Dave?” She turned her head and glanced at her friend.
“Well, it’s been a while. Last two weeks, I think.”
“He called me yesterday. Told me to extend his greetings to you.”
“All right. Say my hello to him whenever he calls again.”
“Why can’t you call him as well? After all, he’s our best friend. He complained you don’t reach out to him at all. That’s not so good. You should add checking on him to your to-do list.”
Funto cocked an eyebrow. “So he called to report me to you?”
“Not exactly. He only mentioned it in passing.”
“All right. I’ll give it a thought.”
“Funto, you express nonchalance sometimes. Dave was the best friend we had in common in school. He never stopped communicating with us even afterwards. And you couldn’t even return his call for once. That’s not so good. You don’t even call me as much as I call you. You just climb a mountain and expect your friends to drag along. That’s not fair.”
“Are you angry at such a trivial matter?”
“Hear yourself. Trivial my foot.” Mary walked back and resumed her seat.
“Okay, my mistake. I’m sorry. I’ll do more. Forgive me. I’m apologising to you and Dave. I’ll turn a new leaf.”
Mary scrunched her nose. “I hope so. Now that you have a job. Being busy will be the excuse.”
“Mary! It’s okay. I promise I’ll do my best.”
“You had better.”
Funto smiled. “Let me cook you something to eat.”
“Now you’re talking. Good girl. I can see the new leaf springing from the matrix…”
“Thank you,” Funto cut in and pulled Mary’s hand. “Let’s go together. That will be more fun.” She dragged her along, both laughing hysterically.
