THE ACIDIC TONGUE.

Princess! Princess!! Princess!!! "You are very selfish". Comfort retorted in an angry voice.

What! I was taken aback, then I became embarrassed. This was a gathering of Christian Corpers, we were all sharing ideas, on how to move the fellowship forward. 

I suggested that it will be good if we can come to my end once in a while to have fellowship in my apartment because I live far away from others.

I live in the traditional part of the town which was far away from others. I sometimes feel very lonely, with the others far away. As a corpers posted to the far north, far away from my Ekiti state, it was not easy at all. 

I could not speak Hausa, the few words I learned in the camp, I use to buy things in the market. Words like: Ina kwana- Good morning. Na wan? -  How much? It was quite difficult living in a new environment. The people though friendly find it difficult to communicate with me. They will say: Ba a Hausa meaning Cannot speak Hausa.  Sometimes they will ask you: Akwai Hausa? meaning Can you speak Hausa? I will always reply Ba bu meaning No or  Kadan Kadan meaning A little.

When opportunity presented itself, I decided to grab it and gave my suggestion. But it did not go down well with my friend, Comfort.

What embarrassed me more was the fact that we were not just ladies but men were there. Brother Isaiah was there, Brother Bukola and a host of others. I felt embarrassed, humiliated. I was so humbled that I couldn't say a word till we all left.

At another time, we were together with some ladies gisting, when suddenly she shouted on Elizabeth with an acidic tongue. That one was very angry that she went out immediately.

There was another time, we were together talking, after a wonderful fellowship time, on the “Holy Spirit”. Abundance said, “ the Holy Spirit is my helper, my lovely friend”. Comfort said, “ No, the Holy Spirit cannot be a friend talk more of a helper of a lazy girl like you. Ah! You are lazy, I mean you are lazy. I wonder what kind of Man will marry you.

These were critical, unkind, cutting words, Comfort spoke to our friend, Abundance. Everyone was shocked to hear her. We tried as much as possible to endure her but she was making me feel uncomfortable. I became burdened for her. 

I decided to call my friends one day to share my opinion. We all agreed she has become toxic. I told them living with her is becoming unbearable. She talks to people anyhow, she has no control of the tongue. She opens her mouth to insult people. She is rude, arrogant, and censorious. She finds fault at all times even when she could let go. I told them that she was suffering from the complex. I mean inferiority complex. She tries to cover it up by playing superior. She is deeply wounded, hurt; she is slowly dying inside. A hurting fellow will hurt deeply. She needs help. Help, she must get. We are friends, she desperately needs us to help her out. She cannot help herself, she was getting out of control. Sometimes, she throws tantrums. Who will help the acidic tongue, the censorious lady?

Comfort is beautiful in form and appearance. She studied Architecture at one of the most prestigious universities in Nigeria. She is young and she finished school early. She is very intelligent, loves the Lord. She was our secretary in the Christian Corpers Fellowship. She is respected in the fellowship. She carries herself with dignity and decor. You wouldn't know she is toxic unless you come close to her. She has an imposing personality. It may be difficult to talk to her, but

I determined we talk to her. Having expressed my feelings without reservation, I told them we need to earnestly pray for her and later talk to her. I was convinced in my spirit that she needed our help. She is drowning and a drowning man can sink one if we are not careful. She may end up making all of us bitter. We also might become critical, insensitive, and toxic like her. She must be saved!

The prayer for comfort began as we all started praying for her in our prayers. Whenever we had the opportunity, we prayed together for her. It seems whenever you make a good move the devil challenges it. Never give up at all. ( Men should always pray and never faint). 

Discouragement set in when Praise, a roommate of hers came back from a journey to her home. From her narration, as soon as she was stepping into the house in which they live together; Comfort started, Ah! Who do we have here? I taught you have relocated to Abuja? I know you love good things. Hmm! What did you bring? Don't tell me you did not bring anything. That will be very selfish of you. What did you bring? Did you bring Garri Ijebu? (a special cassava flakes made in Ijebu.) I hope you did not forget elubo ( yam flour). Hmmm, she is not even saying a word.

Praise was demoralized. She couldn't utter a word. She was very tired having travelled for over 18 hours on the road. She came only to be greeted or should I say slammed by an acidic tongue.

According to her, she went inside, took her bath, and went to sleep. Silence is the best answer. Silence is golden, I will always say. That was how she overcame the pain. Of course, she was demoralized and stopped praying for her. The others too were not keen in praying for her again. 

She became our tormentor. She continued tormenting us. The price for becoming her friends. I believe then, that God was using her to prune us, make us better and better. He was using our friend to teach us patience. Let patience have her perfect work that we may be perfect entirely, lacking nothing. On my part, I decided to sit her down and talk to her.

One day, what a glorious day, I believe the heavens were opened. She gave us a talk in the fellowship. After the fellowship, I appreciated her talk. Her topic was: “Never give up”. I was blessed with those powerful words. She quoted a lot of scriptures to buttress her point. I was encouraged. While I was talking to her, it dawned on me very strongly that this was the opportunity I was waiting for. It was my chance. It was my time to speak to her about her “acidic tongue”.