Lessons from Funke's Experience

Funke is a young beautiful girl from the western part of Nigeria. She came from a very poor home and had no support to further her education to tertiary level. Her father lost his job when she was a teen while her
mother is a petty trader whose sales could only provide meals for the family. Funke was a happy and cheerful person despite the financial challenges they faced.
After completing secondary school at the age of seventeen, Funke got a job in a supermarket as an attendant with a salary below minimum wage. This was her very first exposure and she enjoyed the attention she was receiving from her male customers who were so fond of her. One of such friends is Michael who loved tipping her each time he does his shopping.
Funke bagan to develop interest in Michael. Michael is a young and handsome man in his late twenties. One very evening, Funke summoned courage to ask Michael for his residential address that she wished to pay him a visit on weekend. That very weekend was wonderful for Funke because she was treated well and was given much money that she would have made working for a whole year. What amazed the young girl was that they were not even dating nor had sex for Michael to be giving her such awesome amount of money.
Shortly, a sweet relationship sparked up between the two and Michael kept giving her more than she needed including a brand new car on her eighteenth birthday. She resigned from her work and began to support her parents and her younger siblings. This was a dream come true for the family and they all loved Michael.
Funke began to pressurize Michael to make love to her. They had dated for over a year and Michael refused making love to her even when she tries seducing him. At times, he will strip and romance her but will never penetrate. Funke was so curious to know how it felt like since she was still a virgin and Michael her first boyfriend. There was a hidden truth which Michael had been keeping away from her which was who ever Michael slept with must dies in less than six weeks. This is as a result of a wealth ritual which Michael had done few years ago and the only remedy for his victims to survive is by him sacrificing himself in exchange for their life. He renews his charm once a year by making love to a woman and then use a white handkerchief given to him by his cult to wipe off the girl’s vaginal fluid for ritual. Michael had a good heart so he tried to withstand the pressure coming from women everywhere he went. It was a common thing to see woman aggressively chasing after rich and good looking young men without considering their source of wealth. Money and evil ruled the society and true love existed no more.
The pressure became so much that Michael had to tell Funke what he had done to his sexual life in exchange for financial success. Michael’s intention was to marry and adopt children. If Funke could stay after knowing his secret, he will marry her. This was a hard discussion to make between Funke and her family. Considering the bank of wealth standing before them, she accepted and got married to Michael.
At the age of twenty, Funke was made the managing Director of an Event Center which was among the biggest in the city. She became too famous and highly respected. Within, she felt totally empty because she was not living a fulfilled married life. It wasn’t easy for her to bear whenever she sees other women getting pregnant and bearing children. At times, she will wish she could return back to her previous life when she could live without fears and worries.
Finally, Funke confided in her church priest to find solutions to their problem. The priest organized a seven day fasting and prayers for them. After the spiritual exercise, they were asked to try. That night was scary instead of been pleasurable for Funke. She was standing the chance of loosing her virginity and life or surviving to bear children. They made a long prayer before they began to make love. Two weeks later, Funke suddenly became very dizzy and was taken to hospital for checkup. The result confirmed she was about two weeks pregnant. The doctor placed her on some medication and she regained fitness. A small get together was organized which both family members and friends gathered to celebrated God love and mercy for the two couples. Shortly, she fainted one evening after she had finished preparing dinning, she slumped and faint. Michael rushed her to the hospital immediately. He was scared that it could be as a result of the ritual. The priest encouraged them to be steadfast in the Lord and keep praying.
Test medical results from her doctors confirmed she had no signs of any illness but still could not respond to treatment. She was later moved from the hospital to a church far from the city to seek spiritual healing. Michael and her mother stood firm by her side throughout this period. Two weeks gone and still no improvement. Michael went back to his cult to seek an alternative way to spare Funke’s life. He was warned that the only way which can never be changed was for him to sacrifice his life for her to live. Michael went to his lawyer and willed bulk of his property to Funke and the rest to his siblings. He went back to his cult to sacrifice himself. His thumb was cut and his blood was collected for the sacrifice. After the sacrifice, he left healthy and fit but knew he will die soon because the oracle never failed to take what belonged to him in due time. Funke suddenly recovered from the illness and returned back to her normal life. Funke taught she was healed by prayers because Michael never told her about the sacrifice that saved her life.
As time past by, Michael began to have nightmares in which he saw spirits of death coming to take him. This was to notify him to hurry up and complete everything left undone on earth before going to rest. He took his wife on a walk one evening along the garden at the rear of the compound. They got to a spot and he told her that this area is a special place where he should be laid to rest. His burial should be the hottest in town. He went on to say that his casket and the robe that will be put on him should be decorated with gold. Michael’s speech terrified Funke so he assured her that they will leave long to see their grand children. Michael began to spend much time with Funke than ever. He bought her lovely presents and took her out often like he had not done for a time due to tight business schedule. They made sweet love virtually every night without fears. Funke admired these sudden changes in her husband’s attitude towards her. She enjoyed it so much and wished it would last forever.
Time came for Michael to depart. That night, Funke served Michael’s favourite meal and they ate together as usual. Later, they made romantic love like never before in various corners of the house. Funke got so tired and slept earlier than Michael. Michael picked up his expensive robe which he bought during one of his tours to Saudi Arabia. He wore a golden chain and bangle to decorate himself for his death. He lay back beside his wife and slept in peace. Michael’s death came as a shock to people because he did not fall sick. There were rumours that he was into a secret cult because of his early achievements and the nature of his death. Michael’s death was unbearable to Funke and many who were close to him. Funke missed him dearly and could mourn him till they meet to part no more.