My Syndrome by ZOE Eternal

MY SYNDROME
Published by ZOE eternal

Written by Precious E. Elabor
My Syndrome
Published by: ZOE eternal

Written by: Precious E. Elabor
Tel: 07037893132
COPYRIGHT © 2021 Precious E. Elabor
Facebook: ZOE eternal
This book is the original copy of the writer handed down to her
by the HOLY SPIRIT. Therefore do not edit or change the
content of this story or the Author’s Name. Do not
reproduce without the Author’s permission.
APPRECIATION
I Thank God for the gift of the Holy Spirit who has served as
my best friend and inspiration, who has spoken and given me
the privilege to hear and be a writer under His tutorship.
Special thanks to my mentor MRS. OPEYEMI AKINTUNDE, for

her unconditional love for God and for being a pace setter for
me in the world of writing.
I appreciate my parents Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Elabor for

grooming me in the way of the Lord and for believing in me.
Thanks to my younger brother Osasenaga E. Elabor, who
never withholds from telling me all that teenagers are going
through. Thanks to all members of my family for their
individual contributions.
Thanks to all my brethren in faith who keeps praying for me

and help sharpening my love and knowledge of God. Special
thanks to Miss Aghosa Abide, Mr. Aghosa Luminous, Mr.
Olatunde Fajoye, Paul Nzubechukwu Ani, Zainab Mukhtar,
Juwah Abigail, Maduka Precious, Evans Imafidon, Aniete
Francis, Israel Alagba, Atijere Happy, Winner N. , Emmanuella,
Divine Favour A. Miracle E. Isoken O. among others. Thanks
to Mr. & Mrs Oluwaseun Daniel for pushing me into taking
steps towards my vision.
Special thanks to all who pick up my books to read them, I love

and appreciate you all.
John 12:43
For they loved the praise of men more than the praise
of God.
MY SYNDROME
Part One
Victory laid in her bathtub in tears as she reminisce on the times
when every decision was made on her behalf and she had nothing
to worry about suffering repercussions. She still couldn’t
understand what life was, one time it is all beautiful and rosy, yet
another time is all tough and painful.
Growing up all seems so hard now, coming with making decisions

that wouldn’t just hurt one if made wrongly but also hurt others who
she regards as her loved ones. She was in no way concerned about
the happiness or joy that those who were not in support of her
happiness would feel.
She sat up in the bathtub trying to wipe off her tears and wanting
to put herself together, life just wasn’t all rosy and she wished
people could see that without her explaining herself to them.
In the outward view everything seemed perfect with her, young

ladies even go on to the wish they were her, saying words like “God
when?”, “Am I a stick?” and so on.
Some even fondly tell her that they would kill to be in her shoes;
working at the place where she works, earning the salary she
earned monthly and definitely having a guy like Westley in their
lives.
She jokingly laughs at their remark but deep down she hated her
life. She hated the fact that people influenced all the decisions she
make concerning her life but also did not want to bring herself to
make the current decision on ground either, there has to be
someone other than herself to be blamed when it backfires.
However, she knew she needed to make decisions if she would be
able to enjoy her life.
In reality she needed to get away from all she was going through.
“The perfect life” they call it..
This perfect lifestyle is about to take her life if she doesn’t take a
break from it to reflect on how it all started and how she could
change it all or at least make the right decision in the situation she
now finds herself.
She needed a break desperately and had decided right there in

the bathtub that she was going to have one, she was going to give
herself a week break or a long break till she was finally herself.
Having decided on what to do, she got up from the now empty
bathtub, went across to the standing shower, turned on the heater
and had a quick warm bath in an effort to wash off any thing that
would distract her plans.
She wore her bathrobe and walked out of the bath room into her
bed room. She picked up her phone from the bed were it later, to
reserve a suite at The Angel’s lodge, a place she was becoming
accustomed with, it was across town and she needed to fly there.
She searched on her app for an available flight for that day to the
town where the lodge was located. 10:50, the flight time read, she
checked her phone and realized she had two hours before the flight
would take off
‘well, that will do’ she said to herself aloud as she booked the flight.
Watch out for part 2

Please do not edit or change the content of this story or the
Author’s name…..
MY SYNDROME
Part Two
She took hold of her luggage, placing it on the bed, she searched
through her closet for suitable clothes for the weather and in a quick
one she got all packed up and ready to leave.
Nearly forgetting she was still in her bathrobe, she laughed at

herself observing how she looked in the full stand mirror in her
closet, as she thought ‘no wonder people forget to take off their hair
nets or change their bathroom slippers before going out’
She had just too much on her mind....
Missing her flight and having to go by a bus, would worsen her state
of mind. She hurried into a black jeans trouser, a yellow shirt, black
sneakers and held a black jacket at hand, just in case it was
needed.
She took another quick glance at her sitting room, a small

comfortable but expensively furnished room, everywhere in her
house was expensively furnished anyway.
Another glance at her Rolex wristwatch told her she had an hour to
get to the airport. She closed the door to her sitting room seeing
that everything was in place.
Her cab arrived just in time, she boarded it and sat back relaxed,
certain she would get to the airport on time, since she didn’t live so
far from it... her place indeed was a choice location.
She looked outside the window as she realized that the car had
gotten to the airport, she alighted from the car, took her luggage
and headed into the airport.
It was exactly 30 minutes before her flight would take off when she
finished clearing herself and handing over her luggage for pass.
Her flight number was announced and she boarded the flight.
Settling down into her seat, she looked by her right as she was
sitting on the seat nearest to the window, to see who it was that sat
next to her.
It wasn’t a familiar face, and for that she was grateful. She said Hi
to the lady who looked gorgeously dressed and seemed to be in
her mid thirties and on a business trip.

MY SYNDROME
Part Three
The lady smiled at Victory and exchanged pleasantries with her,
she introduced herself as Mrs. Bridget, a managing partner at one
of the country’s fastest growing companies.
She seemed interesting and Victory thought to herself that she

could make do with a distraction during the short flight, she needed
to have her mind cleared before the plane arrives at its destination.
So she gave in to the discussion, learning quickly about the

company Mrs. Bridget worked with, about Bridget’s family and
interest.
For one Bridget though a talker was an interesting talker, she is

one of those few persons who could make one buy an insurance
policy in one conversation that the person had decided not to buy
before then.
She was a smooth talker and one that interested Victory. As the
pilot announced that they were about to land, Victory brought out
the notepad she always took along with her, and asked Bridget for
her number.
Bridget script down her mobile number as well as her office

address. She waved her a quick good bye at Victory as she rushed
to catch a taxi, Victory smiled and waved back promising to give
her a call.
What interested Victory the most about this woman was her life
style, she was a Christian, intelligent successful wife and mother of
two kids who were doing well in school. She was enjoying her
marriage, her job and ultimately as she said, her relationship with
Jesus.
This was nothing like the life Victory was living. She took a deep
breadth as she flagged down a taxi.
She arrived at the Lodge in good time, just about time when
workers quickly crabbed lunch at the fast food close to the lodge.
She saw groups of persons of middle age settled down in a table
for five outside the eatery, taking their lunch.
Which simply meant the place was full inside, she decided she
would hold on the urge of wanting to have lunch till the mid-day
rush hour was over.

MY SYNDROME
Part Four
She walked into the lodge, amazed at how the place had
transformed in the few years she had not been there. She went
straight to the reception area, wrote down her details and was
directed to her reserved suite.
Entering the suite, she carefully placed her luggage and her hand
bag beside the bed, went across the room to the window.
She allowed her joy to escape through a broad smile, knowing that
it was her best spot in the room as it revealed the park close to the
lodge. The park was always full especially on weekends with lively
children and couples catching fun.
She flung the blue curtains open to allow the sun light escape into
the room. She opened the window allowing fresh air through,
although there was a functioning air condition in the room, she has
always been a fan of natural air.
Taking a deep breadth in, she returned to the bed side, pulled off
her jacket which she had put on before boarding the plane earlier,
hugged it in the dresser provided in the room, pulled off her shoes
and eased herself into the room slippers the lodge provided.
She wanted to take a quick shower but decided against it, the lunch
rush would have been over and a lunch would do her a lot of good.
Deciding on what to do next, she searched her bag for her wallet,
took it out, picked up her phone with other hand and wore back her
shoes.
She went out to have lunch at “The Frendas”. Getting there, she
sat at a table for two, and signalled the waiter to come over. she
made her order of an hamburger, a plate of fries, two chicken
drumsticks, a glass of cold orange juice, a glass of water and
ketchup to go with the fries.
She thought of the times she had eaten in this particular place. Her
favourite thing about this place was the aroma, it smelled of sweet
food and fresh fruit juice, next to that was the graceful way they
treated their guests.
The meal served her was attractive and appealing to her famished
self.

MY SYNDROME
Part Five
She enjoyed her sumptuous meal. Eating made her realize how
hungry she was, the trouble she felt that morning had made her to
skip breakfast.
She still wasn’t ready yet to think about her troubles. She ate quietly
and afterwards returned to her lodge, where she fell on the bed due
to exhaustion and went to sleep.
She didnt realized how deep she slept so quickly until she was
awaken abruptly by the vibration from her phone, picking up the
phone to check who the caller was, she noticed the time and
realized it was pass 7pm.
She jerked up, realizing that she had fallen asleep, she wasn’t
ready to speak with her mum who was the caller, she decided to
put off the call till tomorrow.
She called for room service ordering a dinner and went to the
bathroom to take the long awaited bath.
Coming out of the bathroom she heard the dumbbell, it was the
room delivery lady who placed her food on the side table. She
dressed into her night wear and sat for dinner.
Dinner was a plate of fried rice, well seasoned chicken gizzards, a
plate of creamed salad, a can of her favourite orange juice and a
bottle of water.
After dinner, she clicked on the call button again so that the dishes
could be cleared. When that was done, she looked out through the
window, at the now cleared park.
It was passed 9 and the park was quiet as only a handful couples
walked hand in hand through it, that could be her, she thought, if
only she was happy with the person she was with.
She took a deep breadth again and closed the window as well as
put down the curtain. It was a cold evening and there was no need
to put on the air condition, if possible she would ask for an heater.
She put on the Television set and relaxed on the sofa closed to the
bed for a better view. She scanned through the channels but none
interested her. So she put the television off.
Maybe it was because her mind was clouded. She thought as not
even her favourite TV show, interested her. She stood up from the
sofa tiredly and laid on the bed.
Tomorrow will be a nice day to start dealing with things. She closed
her eyes, begging on sleep to steal her away as quickly as it could.
MY SYNDROME
Part Six
She sat half awake as she heard the dumbbell ring again. She
struggled out of bed, put on her night rope, glanced at the big brown
wall clock which read 15 pass 8am.
She opened the door, shaking off the sleep that was trying to steal
its way through her eye lids. “good morning” she said to the lady in
front of the door.
“Good morning Miss, sorry to disturb. I was told you requested that
your breakfast be brought to your room at 8:15am daily.”
Victory smiled at the lady and stepped aside from the door, giving
her space into the room so she could place the food on the glassed
round table at the side of the bed. She thanked her as she took her
leave.
Shutting the door behind her, Victory whispered a good morning

greeting to God and herself.
“up and thankful” she said as she rushed to the bathroom to take
her bath as she hated cold breakfast.
Sitting before her breakfast of four toasted bread, two fried eggs,
two hot dogs and bacon, sweet corn and a mug of warm chocolate
tea with a glass of extra milk and sugar on another side. She sat
and enjoyed her sumptuous meal.
She got up from her breakfast position and took the receiver to put
a call across to the receptionist that she was done with her
breakfast. As soon as she heard the dumbbell ring she picked up
her bag and flung it across her shoulders ready to go on her first
adventure to reflecting on the past in order to conquer her fears
and move on with her life. She closed the door behind her after the
room service had picked up the now empty breakfast tray.
She walked across the lawn of the lodge over to the beach area
behind the lodge. On her way there she saw a family struggling to
pack up all they had stocked in the boot of their car for their picnic
that morning. It felt funny to her as it brought back memories of her
childhood life with her family especially times with her older sisters.
She stared at the family for a while before moving on, she
remembered always looking forward to times spent on the beach.
She loved the water and the fresh air, it takes all the worries away,
no wonder it still seemed to be number one place for retreat or self
reflection.
She glanced once more at the family as she walked past them
wishing things could go back to how it used to be, when she worried
about nothing but had all things decided on her behalf by her older
siblings and parents, although now that seems to be the foundation
of her problem but it was sure sweet while it lasted.
She walked into the park, searched for an empty shaded seat close
to the sea, she found one in no distant time. Placing her bag on the
floor beside the chair, she took a deep long breadth in. Fresh air,
fresh sea air.... it brought back a lot of memories
She sat back and stared at the sea, expecting something to happen
but at the same time expecting nothing in particular, maybe a wave,
maybe calmness, maybe a boat, maybe an airplane flying across,
maybe children playing in the water... just anything would do to help
her believe she was at the right place doing the right thing...

MY SYNDROME
Part Seven
The water brought back memories of her playing with her older
sisters at the beach back home, building sand castles, her parents
telling them to stay away from the water or from going deep into
the water. She remembered how she used to admire surfers, how
skilled they were in the water, how she wished she would one day
be able to overcome her fear of water and be able to surf.
She could vividly remember her parents after an hour of building

sand castles calling them to the shade to have snacks.. hmm..
there were all sorts of snacks provided.
Some other times she went to the beach with girls her age for picnic
either from church or from the community.. but that was long before
life got busier and serious, now she no longer had time to have
good and healthy fun... all she saw people doing for fun was
partying, clubbing, drinking, smoking, going into debt to please
people that didn’t care and others which didn’t seem to be fun to
her.
Why will a person go into debt, live above their earnings in order to
have what they call “fun”, in order to please people, in order to
belong. In this generation of hers, one cannot call friends over to
one's house to treat them to a good home made meal, you have to
take them to a fancy eatery in order to prove a point.
The one that got her the most is all the debt people go into just to
have a grand wedding ceremony, “it’s once in a lifetime” they say,
forgetting that the once in a life time event takes some persons over
five years to pay back, “what is the use of having a grand wedding
and eating poorly in your new home for the first few years of your
marriage?”
She still haven’t been able to wrap her head around it. A generation
that likes to show off what did not possess on social media,
deceiving other persons to asking “God when?” questions
Well, although she had never been a fan of living above her means,
being financially literature, she has for a long time lived to please
people, she is what you can call a special people pleaser. so who
was she to judge them?
Looking ahead of her she saw a group of surfers approaching the

shore, she smiled not knowing people still did this especially on a
week day.
She took her hat from her bag and wore it to prevent sunlight from
entering her eyes when it approaches.
It was a calm morning and the cool breeze was doing its work on
her skin.. she smiled and relaxed back as the surfers passed by
her.
One had the complexion and built of her very first boyfriend in the
University, his name (her ex) was Fredrick but he was popularly
known on campus as Fremo. She had not really liked him because
of the group of persons that flocked around him, so when he asked
her out, she was bent on declining not untill she got to her room to
tell her roommates about it.....

MY SYNDROME
Part Eight
Her roommates who were fans of Fremo were thrilled that he asked
her out, they were excited that they would have access to free
tickets to events which he will be attending and even get to take a
picture with him.
They told her she had to say Yes to him, that she would be the
most popular girl and they the most popular couple on campus.
They told her she would have everything as he would ensure his
girlfriend lacks nothing good and moreover, she was old enough to
have a boyfriend and had no prospective person they liked better...
Her relationship with Fremo was more of a room thing than of her
own choice. She finally said yes to him after so much pressure from
her roomies... Thereafter, they choose the clothes she wore for all
her classes and outings with him, they even influenced their place
for outing.
It disgust her to think now of the fact that they were also the ones
who pushed her into having sex with Fremo against her will. They
set her up and planned it all.
Well, they were not the first to start controlling her life or making
decisions on her behalf, her older sisters did. There was a time in
her life where they did not allow her go out with them except they
helped her choose her clothes, shoes and hairstyle, they even
chose location for her birthday parties.
Her relationship with Fremo did not last long as they soon got tired
of themselves, the same roommates were the ones who brought
videos to her telling her that he was having an affair with other girls
and that they should break up or rather she should break up with
him.
She wondered why they did not show her all these before they
started dating.. like did they have to wait for them to have a sexual
relationship first? Well, she believed they had something to gain
from the relationship, everyone was working to get something in
their pockets.
It didn’t take long before they matched her up with someone else,
someone who was done with his tertiary education, wealthier and
who had admired her during one of her outings with Fremo.
Now she understands why they wanted more and they had to use
her to get it, fixing her up with the new guy, Israel was one of their
means to getting all the goodies she returns to the room with.
Well, that is humans for you they all claim to have your best interest
in heart, meanwhile they are all looking out for what they can get
out of the occasion. She is grateful she was wise enough then not
to have sexual relationship with Israel, of whose relationship did
not last as well.
She felt a crunch in her tummy, and returned back to reality.
Looking at her wrist watch, she shook her head at how time flied, it
was 2Pm in the Afternoon already.

MY SYNDROME
Part Nine
She stood up calmly and packed her bag full with the things she
came to the park with, but ended up not using. Picking up the bag
from the floor, she headed out of the park to go grab an hamburger,
French fries, chicken and juice from where she calls the best, the
McDonalds for lunch.
It took her fifteen minutes with a taxi to get there, she contemplated
eating there but decided at the end to have it over at her suite,
where she did be more comfortable.
She picked up the nylon from the canteen and headed to the door
to board another taxi heading back to the lodge.
Getting to her room, she opened the door, put her bag down,
changed into her room slippers, wash her hands and settled down
for her meal. She prayed over it and ate with great contentment.
She switched the television on for a late afternoon program, surfing

between channels, she decided on what to watch. Laid back on the
bed and was drawn again to her past this time to when she gave
her life to Christ at the age of twelve.
She had been born by Christian parents and had always attended
church services but that day was different, she felt a stronger force
over her but it came with peace. She was not afraid but was rather
not able to understand how she felt.
She remembered crying during the meeting. Rushing out during the
altar call giving her life to Christ and accepting him as her Lord and
personal Saviour. She had a feeling she was not able to shake off
even after week.
She was glad that she was now fully a child of God and did go
around telling people that God loves them. She became well known
amongst her friends after that experience as either Jesus’ lover or
Christ addict.
She didn’t understand what they meant but could remember their
class teacher telling them that addiction was bad and dangerous to
their life and health but failed to say being a Christ addict makes
life all the better as it means you love Christ and was interested in
all that concerns him.
It wasn’t a Christian school so she ought not to have expected too

much from them but she was young and scared so she never asked
but assume that Christ addiction was wrong. In church, addiction
was also taught to be bad, maybe they should have said addiction
was bad except Christ addiction.
She began the process of stopping all the things she did that made
people feel she was a Christ addict and gradually before she
entered the University, she lost the connection.
MY SYNDROME
Part Ten
Her thoughts were disturbed by the sound of the dumbbell of her
room, she glanced at the clock which read 7Pm, time was indeed
leaving her behind..
“coming” she responded to the person behind the door who she
assumed was the room service attendant bringing her dinner which
she ordered for earlier that morning while placing order for
breakfast.
She stood up to unlock the door and as she guessed it was the
room attendant, she gave room for her to move into the room to
drop the dish on her bed. She thanked her for the delivering and
locked the door.
Without looking at the closed dish, she headed to the bathroom for
a quick shower and returned back feeling refreshed. She glanced
at the wall clock again, this time realizing that no one in particular
was keeping track of her time.
We sometimes get worked out over nothing, we feel someone

somewhere expects something from us or expect us to have
advanced to a certain level at a certain time or age. We put
ourselves under unhealthy pressure.
‘how can I say am taking a time out to reflect and yet keep checking
the time and having my heart miss one beat when I realize the time
is moving fast like I have a job interview to meet up with.
She realized that it was this self imposed unhealthy pressure that
caused most parents not to create time to spend with their kids.
They are busy both at work and at home. Time with family is spent
on receiving business calls.
You find lack of communication between married spouses, cause

they spend all their time working, making money, than
communicating and when the marriage can no longer work out they
feel it just one blow somewhere that caused it, not realizing that
lack of communication has made them loose touch.
Imagine them not going through a day without hearing from each
other at least twice while they were still dating but as soon as they
get married they claim there are so much bills to pay, so much work
to be done, which of course is true, but there is time for everything.
Time to work, time to make money, time for family, time with
spouse, time to rest, time to meditate, etc. And no two persons can
spend time doing the exact things all the time, they become copy
cats.
That is what she feels her generation has become, a generation

that tries to meet up with the standard of the society and demands
of the people, a generation lacking balance, a generation that is not
sure of what they need but do all they do because someone
somewhere said they could do it.
To be sincere she feels no different from this generation she talks
about, she is just like every other person not knowing where to
place her priority, but depending on people to define who she is or
should be...

MY SYNDROME
Part Eleven
Sitting and expecting someone to define her life and tell her the
amount of time she should spend on the things she does...
Someone comes today and say invest all your time at work, bury
yourself in work until you get to the very top, another tells her to
settle down in marriage so she can give birth on time, yet another
say have fun babe, you deserve nothing but the best, still another
say rest in the lord and have him decide your faith...
Oooh did she forget to add those who say rest in the Lord but work
while depending on him???.. There is the set that are bent on
comparing her to girls her age grade; the good, the bad and the
ugly..
And they all seem to come on different days, just when she feels
she was settling in with one advice, another comes knocking on the
door and it keeps rolling in leaving her confused. It took her time
to realize they are all trying to get themselves together as well...
They all wanted to play a role in her big story so they gave all sorts
of advice, some not meant for her good while others gave innocent
advice... she remembered one advice that someone once gave her
“ you should wear heels more often to work, pencil heels, it will give
you an edge over others, it gives this boss lady kind of vibe and
makes you more attractive and respected”
She listened to the lady who gave her this advice, and tried to
comply, however on the very first day she tried wearing the pencil
heels to work, she was disgusted by the sound it made in the quiet
office as it drew too much attention to her.
Something for no reason happened to the elevator and she had to

take the stairs that day while returning home and as you can guess
the heel broke and she sustained a slight fraction in her right ankle.
The lady saw her wearing a flat the following week and came up to
her, asking why she wasn’t doing like she was advice and the story
was told her. Victory was amazed by what the lady said next
“ ah ah you should not have started with the very pencilled heel,
you could have started with a wedge.. do that next time”
‘next time, did she just say next time?’ Victory wondered in anger.
MY SYNDROME
Part Twelve
She laughed as the memories kept coming back to her mind.
Pushing aside the now empty dish, she pulled back into the bed,
said her night prayers and went to bed.
“say Yes”, “say Yes”, “say Yes”
She jumped out of bed sweating, it was the same dream she has
had for the umpteenth time since that big day.. she keeps having
night mares of people beckoning on her to say yes, people tearing
her apart and demanding that she responds to them even when
she is bleeding and needs help herself.
This dream keeps her reminded of the story of the man who had
one bread as his last meal and his neighbour came knocking at his
door demanding for his bread that he needed it and because he
couldn’t refuse he gave his bread out, only to go by the house of
his neighbour whom came to ask for his bread later that day and
realized he was having a feast...
He came to the knowledge that the man had a table full of meal
and the only meal he lacked was bread and came running to him
who had bread and nothing else, because he knew he had the
syndrome of always saying Yes even if he knows that the person
asking did not need it.
She wiped the perspiration off her face with the back of her palm...
The big day they all called it but to her it was her worse day and
the journey to realizing the kind of life she had been living.
She rose up from her bed to pull the curtains apart and allow light
flood the room. Had a long shower as fear crippled her from taking
steps.
After about an hour she moved into the room not wanting to go
outside her suite. Her breakfast had been delivered earlier and by
the time she came out of the bathroom, the coffee was definitely
cold. ‘ I could heat that up or make a fresh order’ she thought
THE BIG DAY

Everyone around her especially her colleagues at work, her older
siblings, friends and even parents considers the day Westley
proposed to her as the big day...
Westley is her boss at work, he is in his early thirties, a rich,

handsome guy who is both hot tempered, impatient, arrogant and
feels everyone should worship him.
Victory avoided him at all cost especially when she discovered he

had picked interest in not just her work but in her. She didn’t want
anything to do with him other than for work purpose.
Her keeping away did not make him stop making advances, he
even started making it quite obvious around the office, sending her
flowers and cards. He made it clear to her that he wasn’t interested
in just being her friend or having a relationship with her but wanted
to make her his forever, he wants to marry her.
At work she became very uncomfortable as there were rumours

around every table about them, all the more reason she didn’t want
to welcome the friendship let alone what he was suggesting.

MY SYNDROME
Part Thirteen
The day
Her phone was ringing non-stop and she finally decided to get up
from bed to pick up the phone. She smiled as she saw the caller
identity “big sis Favour”, it was one of her older sisters and it is
obvious why she called as early as 5am that morning.
It was the 5th day of July and it was Victory’s birthday... as she
expected, she heard the soft voice of Favour over the phone
wishing her a happy birthday as soon as she picked up the call.
She was excited to hear her sister’s voice and after a brief wish and
prayer, Favour told her that since it was a Saturday and a day off
work, that she did like to have dinner with her later that evening.
Victory at first objected to it as she had plans to stay indoor and

order food and have people come over but after much persuasion
from Favour she finally agreed to her request and Favour promised
to send the details and advised that Victory should dress in her
best.
Victory wasn’t disturbed by that as she had always known her sister
to be a fashion lover who only moves with those who knew fashion
and wear them, she really did not care who you wear, just you dress
and smell good is enough for her.
She hung the call when Favour was done talking. Checking her
phone she found several calls she had missed and text messages,
one of which was from Westley.
She smiled as she imagined people staying up late at night just to

wish her well, she sat up and began replying messages, this took
her till 7am.
Favour sent the details and Victory worked towards having dinner
with her beloved sister. she spent her morning searching for the
right outfit, the right shoes to go with them and bag to match.
Moreover, it was her birthday so she wanted to look her best. She
was grateful that Favour did not get to pick the colour of her outfit
or the exact outfit she should put on like she normally did. When
she finally got it all ready, she smiled at herself.
She spent the remaining part of her day relaxing, replying

messages, eating and being thankful to God for another year
added to her age, it wasn’t easy but he did it for her and to that she
was grateful.

MY SYNDROME
Part Fourteen
At about past 4pm she began to dress up and at 6pm the bolt
arrived to pick her up. She arrived at the venue described in the
details sent to her and quickly placed a call through to Favour who
informed her that she was in the fast food already and that she
could come in.
She stepped into the fast food and was amazed at how beautiful
the place looked, the room was beautiful decorated, spacious and
smelt nice. She smiled as she saw Favour wave at her from one
end of the room.
Getting to their table, she gave her older sister a big hug, knowing
fully well that it must have cost her a lot of trouble to reserve a table
there for them. She did not want to take for granted all the troubles
she must have gone to do that.
She sat down and they got talking while the waiter served them
their meal. As she was about to take her first spoon full of the
delicacy served her, she heard the music changed into a softer one
and saw Favour smiling sheepishly into the space behind her.
She followed her sister’s gaze and it meant with that of Westley
who was standing behind her with a ring in his hand. She stood up
but was unable to move as she felt sick in her stomach. A lot was
going through her mind.
A part of her told her told her it was a dream and he wouldn’t be so
dumb as to go ahead with what she now saw even when she had
turned him down continuously.
She tried pinching herself but then realized it was real, so real and
even more real when she saw all her colleagues and friends come
out of their hidings and surrounded him with the “would you marry
me” write-up
The first thing that crossed her mind was how rude he was, first he
didn’t listen to her and secondly, he so feels that she is his
entitlement that he couldn’t knee or say the word himself but
expected her to just jump into his arms.
She was disgusted by his attitude but decided to swallow it down,

she looked behind to see her sister and saw the end to end smile
of her sister, no one seemed to be seeing what she was seeing.
She was set to walk past him and began to do that when he quickly
went on one knee and spoke for the first time to her that evening
“Victory accept my proposal”
Wow she thought, no “please marry me” or “will you marry me”
instead he was giving her a command like he was telling her to
carry out a job at work.
She looked back at him about to turn him down when her thought
became over shadowed by the scream of people all around her
Say yes
Victory say yes
Yes Yes Yes
Please say yes

MY SYNDROME
Part Fifteen
The “say yes” sounded like a blowing trumpet and seemed like she
would be consumed by the voices if she attempted not to follow
their instruction.
It made her remember a video that went viral when an army man
was proposing to his girl in front of other army officers... hmmm she
did better say yes
But how could someone who you do not have a one-on-one

relationship with, ask you to marry him before the most important
people in your life?
It made her wonder if he knows about her syndrome, if he knew

she was approval addicted, if he knew she was scared of people
not approving of her decision and for that reason always took the
advice of other persons...
Or was the blood rushing from her eyes and the bleeding in her
heart seen by him, cause she indeed was bleeding now that her
syndrome had been discovered by someone she didn’t like or wish
to spend the rest of her life with
Her nightmare was about to come to pass... as she looked around
to see those surrounding her and forcing her by their words to start
a journey of which she did not intend starting.
She was drawn back to reality by his soft voice “please Victory,
don’t turn me down in front of these persons, those at work will no
longer respect me nor would they like you, please accept my
proposal”
Well, he never seizes to amaze her, how could he plead with so

much pride and even go as far as blackmailing her?... he definitely
knew of her syndrome and was taking advantage of it
Sadly she thought to herself to accept his proposal in order not to

break the number of hearts begging her...
Now she can boldly say to people who go around saying “say yes”
to a proposal for a person they did not know all in the name of he
is romantic “grand romantic gesture” and asked her out in front of
the world, that they were wrong in doing that and that their acts
could lead to the frustration of another person.
She finally forced a smile on her face and nodded a yes to his
proposal and everyone got so excited like they were being paid
their thirteenth salary of the year, she couldn’t tell why they felt so
happy over something she was already feeling is a cage, a second
after saying yes.
Her birthday was celebrated that night lavishly and he was gentle
enough to drop her at home when the party ended that night. Well,
not before telling her that her official duty as his fiancée will begin
the following day being Sunday.

MY SYNDROME
Part Sixteen
He told her they had to attend his church service and after which
go for a meeting and a dinner with his friends later that night
together. She was shocked but too tired to question him...
‘maybe because its our first official time together and he wants to
introduce me to his friends’ she made excuses for him.
The meetings never ended not until she took this one week off to
reflect. It was just one meeting to another and seemed more like a
show off meeting or business meeting with elderly clients that loved
to do business with responsible young men preferably married men
or those in a serious relationship.
The very next morning, her parents call was the first she did receive
by pass 6am, they called to confirm that the man that engaged her
was her rich boss and were so excited.
It seemed like everyone but her was excited about this supposedly
“good news” ... they all seem like they would be there if something
goes wrong or that they were going into the marital home with her.
What would she do in order not to disappoint these persons? How

would she go on with someone she did not like enough to spend
the rest of her life with? How would she be happy if she says no
and all those she loves turns their backs on her?
She can remember clearly how he showed her off to the young
guys in one of his meetings. How he got angry when she had
conversations with other guys during other meetings or how he
prevented them from having long conversations other than a casual
greeting with her...
She was confused, she did not want to keep up with his attitude,
insecurity and arrogance but too scared to walk out of the now
popular relationship. what would she do?
These and plenty more flooded her mind, as she dressed up for the
church service that morning...
Present day She sat up on her bed staring at the cold mug of tea
in her hand, she still had not taken her breakfast but had spaced
out... fear crept into her again as she remembered the last scene
that broke her down and lead to her taking a break from work.

MY SYNDROME
Part Seventeen
Westley had walked into her office that morning, locking the door
behind him. He walked to her desk and sat on it. She lifted her head
to know what the issue was,
He told her that he had an issue with them both coming with
different cars to work, that as a couple they ought to come to the
office in same car so as not to get people talking.
She kept mute for some seconds trying to reason from his point of
view and not wanting to offend him or create a scene in the office
“can’t we talk about this later?” she asked
“no we can’t, I want us to discuss about it here and now, don’t worry
about the files you ought to submit this morning, I will extend the
deadline for you”
“the deadline is not the issue, am almost done with the work, I mean
its a work environment and people might be listening or watching
us closely”
“all the more reason I want us to discuss about it here so you would
place in mind that they are watching us closely, and we don’t want
them to make up a story about this right?”
‘There he goes again, taking advantage of her weakness, seeing

her syndrome and smashing on it, hurting and blackmailing her,
with him it was more of do you know what people will say more than
because it is right we do it or ask what she wanted, which by the
way is to forget that all these ever happened’ she thought before
speaking
“okay if you say so”
She continued... “ I didn’t want to stress you knowing that you have
a lot to do at work and asking you to pick me up wouldn’t be so
easy for you as we live in opposite directions to the office, I don’t
think you can make do with that extra stress
Picking me up daily to work simply means you need to drop me

back, that’s way stressful and in days you close late I would have
to wait for you to finish up before leaving the office for home” she
said in an effort to convince him that it wasn’t a good idea
He smirked like he was telling her that she wasn’t good at doing
the convincing
“ first I am not complaining and secondly I meant we living together”

The words sent a blow on her cheek, did he really just ask her to
move into his apartment with him?
He went on “ don’t you think that will be better for us? At least you
won’t have to worry about stressing me and about what people will
say about us coming from different houses and I wouldn’t have to
worry if you are fine or not”

MY SYNDROME
Part Eighteen
She was speechless, she couldn’t believe what he was suggesting,
will people not even talk more when they see this?.. she told him
she had no immediate answer for him and needed to think about
it.
Not really because she planned to think about it but more about
her trying to save her neck and not create a scene and give gist to
the company’s gossip groups.
Getting home that evening she sent him a message that she
needed a week break from work to reflect on what she wanted and
he did not fail to grant her the break she needed.
He did ask of where she plan on spending the break and doing
what, to that she had no answer to as she had not decided what
she wanted.
Present day she stood up from the bed to heat up the tea so she
could have her breakfast although it was fast approaching lunch,
so it was more like having a brunch.
She shook her head as she realized the kind of life that she had
been living. While growing up, she had wanted to study business
administration as she hoped to own her business empire but was
forced by her parents to study banking and finance, which she goes
through the daily routine not loving what she does.
Meeting Bridget on the plane reminded her of who she wanted to

be...
She bowed her head and asked God in tears to please take the
wheel of her life because she was about to crash, she wasn’t in the
job she loved, she wasn’t with the man she loves, she wasn’t living
a life she loved or is happy with, she needed his help badly
“lord I am sorry for waiting this long before coming back to you, am
sorry for going far in this journey without you Lord, am sorry for
believing that I could do it all by myself, am sorry for not letting you
influence all my decisions, am sorry for always putting you last in
my plans, for putting you at the boot of my car always, for letting
people control my life, for letting my syndrome to be my weakness,
Am sorry for being approval addicted, am just sorry...” she prayed

as she broke down in tears, unable to control the weeping or speak
any further words. She was broken
Sleep took hold of her in her crying state and she had a dream
A dream about the woman who the elders brought to Jesus and
were going to stone to death for the sin of adultery. She saw how
Jesus asked that the elder who was without sin to first cast the
stone, but none was without sin and as such left the woman alone
and Jesus told her that He himself will not judge her but she should
go and sin no more.
In that same dream, she saw another vision of a woman being

dragged by a mob, they wanted to tear her apart cause she did not
adopt the culture they all believed in, but help came her way from
above.
She woke up from her dream, thankful and tearful, it simply meant
that Jesus had accepted her back into his arms and will help lead
her in the right way from hence forth.

MY SYNDROME
Part Nineteen
She sang praises unto him, feeling peace all the way...
But that isn’t all it takes to be out of the trap she had fallen into. It
is one thing to hear from God and yet another to carry out his
instructions and the latter is much harder.
She began to study her bible and praying daily that the Lord would
give her the strength and wisdom to make the right decision not
based on the approval of people but on God's approval.
She came across a quote in one of her search and studies that
read “I would rather seek after God's approval than the approval of
the rest of the world, cause not all that seems right in the eyes of
the crowd is right in the eyes of Father, be wise”
She knew that moment that she had to return home to face
Westley, to tell him how she felt, and as well to face the rest of the
world. She did not forget also that she had to move away from her
current place of work, not because Wesley was her boss but
because she did not like what she was doing.
The following morning, she packed up her bags, wishing she could
hide forever but knowing fully well that God will not approve of her
hiding at the lodge longer than that day.
She booked and boarded her flight back home. Getting home she
met a ton of messages awaiting her but refused to be pressured
into forgetting her main reason of returning home. As soon as she
settled in, she put a call through to Westley asking that they meet.
Westley was excited to hear her voice and supposed that the
reason she asked them to meet was so she could tell him that she
had thought it through and now comfortable with living in the same
flat with him until they get married, told her they could meet by 4pm
in her house.
He was so confident that he was coming to help her move few of

her things out to his place. She refused and asked that they meet
in an eatery or a park or somewhere else but not her place or his.
She refused to call or return the calls of her parents, siblings or

friends who she was sure will try to talk her out of her next move.
She kept praying as she dressed up for the meeting.
Getting to the agreed place of meeting, she sat down and ordered
a glass of juice, while waiting for Westley to arrive. On his arrival,
she allowed him to feel comfortable first before proceeding.
“Westley,” she called
“Honey, you mean” He corrected with a smirk

She refused to be carried away or allow anger or irritation get hold
of her. She took a deep breath and continued, avoiding calling him
his name or what he asked that she called him.
“I want to thank you first for letting me have a week break from work
and town, I enjoyed my trip and it gave me a lot of time to reflect
on things, things that involves us...” she paused briefly
“My pleasure” He said

MY SYNDROME
Part Twenty
“While I was out, I discovered something and I want to share it with
you, I do hope you would understand and accept my decision. I
discovered that I had a syndrome and I believe you knew about it,
I had the syndrome of doing whatever people said I should do,
whether I liked it or think its good for me or not...
This includes accepting your proposal. I don’t believe we are

compatible with each other, I actually had told you so many times
that I wasn’t interested in any relationship other than employer and
employee relationship with you, but that has changed now too..”
He cut her short, “what are you saying?”
She demonstrated by pulling the engagement ring off her finger

and placing it in his opened palm,
“I can’t marry you Westley, am sorry. Marriage is for a life time and
I do not want to live the rest of my life in regret or anger but I want
to get married to someone whom I love and wish to see every
morning when I wake up, a praying partner, a talking partner, a
friend, someone who would not use my weakness against me,
someone who would push me to love the Lord the more, someone
who I would not be scared of sharing things with and definitely
someone who wouldn’t push me around or control my every single
move”
She could see the anger in his eyes, she could tell he was building
a wall of defence and getting ready to fire her with his loaded gun
while protecting himself from being hit
“I still don’t get you or wish to get you.. Victory everyone knows we
are getting married soon, your parents and mine are very excited
about our engagement, clients are going into business with me
because we are a power couple, we are compactable so where are
all these excuses coming from?” he said sounding emotional
She took a deep breath again asking God silently to help her not to
fall back on her syndrome, “ Am not saying you are a bad person,
am saying we can’t get married, cause we are not compatible in my
own terms, and yes our parents are excited but they are not the
ones getting married so please help me tell your parents and
colleagues at work that the engagement has been called off, I
would have wanted it the other way but I will never be happy if I
did”
“But my Pastor approves of you” he said
“But the Lord doesn’t approve of us being together”
“Which Lord? Do you want to tell me you know the lord more than
my pastor?” He said visibly shaking in anger
“No I don’t, but I know the Lord loves me and he has a plan for me
and that plan is to prosper me, so he looks out for mine best
interest. Sorry, Westley you can’t change my mind, its over”
He was about to start raising his voice on her but advised himself
against it so as not to draw attention to their table.

MY SYNDROME
Part Twenty-One
She shook her head marvelled at how the Lord had just saved her,
with that kind of anger she is sure that he could raise his hand to
smack her, she was grateful she didn’t agree to meet at her place.
Moving her chair backwards she said, “that's my final decision and
I do hope you accept it, I pray that God helps you find someone
who is more compatible with you.”
“Why not you, Victory? It is you I want, I have boosted before many
with you, so why not you? Why don’t we do this, get married then
divorce after two years? Is that not better?”
She couldn’t believe her ears, she knew she had to leave before
she expressed anger, so she calmly but firmly said “I don’t wish to
marry someone I won’t spend my life with and expect my
resignation letter on your desk, first thing on Monday morning.” She
walked out
She prayed that her legs won’t become too weak or feeble to hold
her as she walked out or that she won’t feel guilty by his emotional
blackmail of tears rolling down his cheeks, to accept his terms as
she had always done.
Before she got home she received calls from her siblings and
parents, apparently he has called them pleasing with them to help
persuade her.
She couldn’t believe he would go that far just to have her for two
years and then divorce her and take her back to square one, she
had cause to believe he wasn’t interested in having a child from
their union, what a messed up life, she thought.
She reaffirmed her decision to them and told them firmly to respect
her decision, as she is bent on not changing her mind or returning
to her place of work.
There is also the third stage, the stage of asking yourself if you are
sure you did the right thing, the stage where your mind torments
you that you had done the wrong thing and that you were too hasty
to make the decision.
So it is one thing to hear from God, another to make decision and

yet another to live by the decision you have made.

MY SYNDROME
Part Twenty-Two
It was hard and yet easy for Victory, this is because she had a battle
in her mind, whenever she thought of the fact that Jesus was okay
with her decision she felt peace, but whenever she thinks people
are not okay with the decision, she feels disturbed and uncertain.
However, she gradually overcame it relying on Jesus the author

and the finisher of her faith, it was already finished by Jesus on the
cross, all she had to do was find herself in Christ and that she did
daily, abiding in Christ and Christ in her.
It took long but she finally learned to live with her decision and
guess what? people got used to it as well, and all gradually forgot
about it. That’s people for you, when something new comes, they
let go of the old.
She is still faced with making new decisions everyday but its much
more easier for her now that she relies on Jesus daily.. Guess
what?
Victory met with the man God had ordained for her, someone she
would spend the rest of her life here on earth with.
The scripture tells us:

Galatians 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I
seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be
the servant of Christ.
1 Thessalonians 2:4 But as we were allowed of God to be put

in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing
men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
2 Timothy 2:15 Concentrate on doing your best for God, work

you won’t be ashamed of, laying out the truth plain and simple.
Therefore let the word of the Lord dwell in you richly, guiding your
path and showing you the way that you should go daily, do not
concentrate on the approval of men but the approval of God, also,
do not wait to be in a dilemma or trouble before asking God for help
, ensure he is number one on your plan list.
Say no to Approval Addiction

Say no to MY SYNDROME
Say Yes to JESUS
God bless you


My Syndrome by ZOE Eternal

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My Syndrome by ZOE Eternal

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MY SYNDROME

Published by ZOE eternal

Published by: ZOE eternal

COPYRIGHT © 2021 Precious E. Elabor

Facebook: ZOE eternal

Special thanks to my mentor MRS. OPEYEMI AKINTUNDE, for

I appreciate my parents Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Elabor for

Thanks to all my brethren in faith who keeps praying for me

Special thanks to all who pick up my books to read them, I love

Growing up all seems so hard now, coming with making decisions

In the outward view everything seemed perfect with her, young

She needed a break desperately and had decided right there in

Watch out for part 2

Nearly forgetting she was still in her bathrobe, she laughed at

She had just too much on her mind....

She took another quick glance at her sitting room, a small

Watch out for part 3

She seemed interesting and Victory thought to herself that she

So she gave in to the discussion, learning quickly about the

For one Bridget though a talker was an interesting talker, she is

Bridget script down her mobile number as well as her office

Watch out for part 4

Watch out for part 5

Shutting the door behind her, Victory whispered a good morning

Watch out for part 7

She could vividly remember her parents after an hour of building

Looking ahead of her she saw a group of surfers approaching the

Watch out for part 8

Watch out for part 9

She switched the television on for a late afternoon program, surfing

It wasn’t a Christian school so she ought not to have expected too

We sometimes get worked out over nothing, we feel someone

You find lack of communication between married spouses, cause

That is what she feels her generation has become, a generation

Watch out for part 11

Something for no reason happened to the elevator and she had to

“say Yes”, “say Yes”, “say Yes”

THE BIG DAY

Westley is her boss at work, he is in his early thirties, a rich,

Victory avoided him at all cost especially when she discovered he

At work she became very uncomfortable as there were rumours

Watch out for part 13

Victory at first objected to it as she had plans to stay indoor and

She smiled as she imagined people staying up late at night just to

She spent the remaining part of her day relaxing, replying

Watch out for part 14

She was disgusted by his attitude but decided to swallow it down,

Watch out for part 15

But how could someone who you do not have a one-on-one

It made her wonder if he knows about her syndrome, if he knew

Well, he never seizes to amaze her, how could he plead with so

Sadly she thought to herself to accept his proposal in order not to

Watch out for part 16

What would she do in order not to disappoint these persons? How

Watch out for part 17

“can’t we talk about this later?” she asked

‘There he goes again, taking advantage of her weakness, seeing

“okay if you say so”

Picking me up daily to work simply means you need to drop me

“ first I am not complaining and secondly I meant we living together”

Watch out for part 18

Meeting Bridget on the plane reminded her of who she wanted to

Am sorry for being approval addicted, am just sorry...” she prayed

In that same dream, she saw another vision of a woman being