The screeching tires were the last thing Kola heard before the impact of the cars colliding made everything turn black.

Amongst the cars that Kola had, he had chosen the Black Prado to take him and his friends—Timi, Rhoda, and Sylvia—out this weekend. The night air filled the car as the windows were rolled down, the speakers blasting music from the radio.

“Guys, we should all go for service together tomorrow,” Timi said, lowering the volume of the music.

“Timi, since when did you start going to church?” Rhoda asked, peeking at him from behind the driver’s seat in shock.

“I recently reconnected with a former classmate from secondary school. He spoke to me about Jesus and how important it is to have a relationship with God. I went to church last week, and it was okay,” Timi replied.

The other passengers exchanged confused glances at Timi’s announcement.

“Is it not me and you that have been coming to Club 121 for the past three weeks? You didn’t say anything about church then. Now, when we’ve planned to stay out late, you’re bringing this up?” Kola scoffed.

“See, that was me before, not me today. Jesus is real, and He is willing to help those who want to know Him,” Timi said with conviction.

“Hm. Timi, this one you’re talking now is foreign, abeg. Talk something we know,” Sylvia muttered.

“If it’s church, we can go next week. Don’t worry,” Rhoda added dismissively.

“But we are not sure about next week. It’s tomorrow that we pray God will help us to see,” Timi insisted.

“Abeg, abeg, abeg, Timi, it’s enough. Are you saying you want us to die? I’ve not married, I’ve not done anything in this life yet. Abeg, abeg, abeg,” Rhoda said dramatically.

“You never know…” Timi murmured.

“Okay, Timi, we have heard you. We will follow you next week if you’re going. It’s okay,” Kola said, trying to end the conversation.

Timi said nothing more.

The highways were relatively free, and Kola increased the car’s speed. The traffic lights littered along their way to the club made the distance seem far. At one stop, Kola was about to move the car forward at the sight of the green light when, out of nowhere, a car swerved at high speed from the left into their lane.

The girls screamed, and Timi shouted in alarm as the collision proved fatal. The impact crushed the vehicles, and amidst the chaos, Kola bore the worst of it.

“Help! Help!” voices called out.

A crowd gathered around the wreckage, trying to drag the passengers out, fearing an explosion. Kola looked severely injured, prompting an urgent call for an ambulance.

Kola looked down at his body, his mind spinning. He was both there and not there—seeing his lifeless form sprawled across the seat while his friends frantically tried to resuscitate him. Panic gripped him, but before he could process what was happening, everything changed.

Suddenly, he stood before the gates of a magnificent palace. The towering, glistening gold gates opened only to those wearing pure white garments. Drawn forward, he stepped in alongside them, his surroundings shifting.

He was speechless, overwhelmed by the breathtaking beauty before him. The path led to the palace door, and only then did he realize—it was a wedding. The vibrant flowers, the priceless jewels, and the majestic decorations all spoke of the unfathomable riches of this kingdom.

Everywhere, people greeted one another with radiant smiles, their joy so profound it felt tangible. They spoke as though reuniting after a long separation, their voices filled with warmth. But Kola knew no one. He continued walking, taking everything in.

Upon entering the grand banquet hall, he was awestruck by the lavish arrangement before him. Everything exuded majesty and splendour, unlike anything he had ever seen. Then, a presence greater than all else filled the room. The King had arrived.

“But when the king came in to see the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed [appropriately] in wedding clothes, and he said, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without wearing the wedding clothes [that were provided for you]?’ And the man was speechless and without excuse. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him into the darkness outside; in that place, there will be weeping [over sorrow and pain] and grinding of teeth [over distress and anger].’ For many are called (invited, summoned), but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:11-14, AMP)