PART 8
“NWALA: THE BITTERSWEET STORY”
©️ Opeyemi Akintunde.
As Inspired by the LIVING WORD.
Worker’s prayer meeting was from 6:30am to 6:55am before service kicks off by 7:00am.
I was totally avoiding Reuben’s courtesy smile. I could count over seven times he tried locking eyes with me accompanied with the intentional courtesy smile, but I would intentionally look past him.
The moment the prayer meeting ended I started running to my duty post.
The hospitality roaster had been sent on the group chat the previous day, so I knew where I was headed, but Reuben was determined.
“Nwala!” Reuben called.
I couldn’t pretend not to hear.
Simultaneously, I couldn’t help but notice the surprising gazes of potential wife materials of Bro Reuben.
“Can I have a minute please?” He called out.
Oh my! It felt like the whole workers’ squad went silent. My mother’s piercing eyes were giving me chills.
“Sure Sir” I said emphasizing the title…
I walked like I had bricks under the sole of my feet…
“Good morning Nwala…”
“Good morning Sir Reuben” I replied
“Oh my Goodness, do I have white beards already?” He asked
“I don’t look at your face, so I can’t tell” I replied
“But you are staring at me right now”
“You think? I am actually looking but not seeing”.
Reuben let out an almost loud amused laughter.
“I just wanted to say thank you for honouring my request for lunch and friendship” He said like a gentleman that he was
“You already sent that as a text” I replied still looking past him.
“Which you didn’t respond to” He pointed out
“I am not a phone person” I replied
“I have been texting everyday since that day, I hope you got all my messages?”
“Yes I did, but Sir can we make this friendship a little bit discreet so I don’t become the enemies of all the single ladies in this church who have made marrying you their prayer request?”
“Wow, you flatter me, I don’t think anyone notices me in that way here?”
I laughed like a crazy person; it was a sarcastic laughter…
“Who am I that would make me that worthy?” He said still feigning ignorance
“Is this a joke? Are you seriously playing with me? Which single lady won’t want to be married to Bishop Acme’s first son, potential General Overseer? We are talking Influence and Affluence… Sir, you are a prayer request for most single ladies in this church, including some mothers” I stated the fact.
“But how come I don’t have such effect on you?” He cut in sharply but quietly.
“Because I am committed to a handsome, God fearing man like you” I said and like something from a movie, I heard a voice call my name… A voice I knew so well, only that I was hearing it in the wrong place and at the wrong time…
“Nwala”
I turned and I saw Daniel walking towards me looking sharp. I could see a few long throat sisters looking lustfully at him. I stood like a fool in between two handsome men, one was fair and the other dark like me…
“Daniel! What are you doing here?” I asked faking a smile
“I hope I came early, I checked the service time online. I Saw It starts by 7:00am and you know how I hate to show up late” There was brief silence…, but Reuben broke it…
“Hello Sir, Good morning Sir” He stretched his hand for a handshake. I saw tension in Daniel’s eye. I needed to make light the situation we were in…
“Oh Daniel, this is my Bishop’s son, Pastor Reuben. He is in the hospitality unit like me, so we were just discussing our duty post… and Pastor, this is my… my… I know in church we ought not to use the word boyfriend… but he is my boyfriend, soon to be fiancée, he is yet to put a ring to it…” I said trying to be a smart girl.
“Oh … Nice… Nice to meet you sir” Reuben said
“Oh thanks… I hope you are not interested in her, because she is all mine” Daniel said as a matter of fact
Reuben replied with a smile.
“Daniel, What’s that? Why would pastor Reuben be interested in me when I am to be married to you… Don’t be insecure” I said quickly
“Praise the Lord!” Pastor Tim said from the altar indicating it was time for service.
“Thank God!” I said out loud unconsciously as I dragged Daniel away from Reuben…
“What are you doing here?” I asked
“Following your advice to come get born again openly in your church”
My mouth flew open in surprise.
” Dee, That was a sarcastic statement” I said in almost a scream
‘Well, I didn’t receive it as one”
“Well, it is… So please kindly leave the church now” I pleaded
“Leave? Am I missing something here…?”Daniel asked giving a playful stern look. He gave me a bow and walked away from me going for a seat in front.
My heart was pounding so loud I could hear in my ears.
To be continued…
