"Bro Chuks" Nkechi called. Chuks looked back to see who was calling him. He didn't know much people in the church except for Amaka who proved to be his good friend within few hours of meeting each other. "I thought you have gone" Nkechi said. Chuks felt like someone caught red-handed while cheating on his partner. He didn't know what to say. "A bird at hand worth more than millions in the bush" He said to himself. Before him was a beautiful lady who willingly asked them to "go". Although, he was not sure where they were going to, but he was optimistic that it would all turn out in his favour. But still, he didn't want to cast away the birds in the bush incase the one at hand escapes. "Yes. I'm still around" Chuks replied."But we are leaving now" He added. Nkechi looked surprised. Not just because Amaka was willing and eager to go out with a guy, apart from Bro Steve, but also because she couldn't fathom how the two of them became close to that extent. She didn't bother to say a word to Amaka, apart from the plansantries they exchanged earlier. She and Amaka were never in good terms with each other. Infact, one would not be wrong to say that Nkechi resigned as the Choir Secretary because of Amaka. The two of them were consistently fighting and arguing over unnneccessary issues during rehearsals, and most of their issues were mainly because of the way Amaka acted proud, every now and then. When she couldn't bear it anymore, she resigned from the team, and refused to join them back despite several pleadings from every member of the Choir, and even the Pastor. "Are you going home now?" Nkechi asked. Chuks could not answer the question because he didn't know where they were heading to. He looked at Amaka as if to get a clue on where their destination was. But Amaka's face was as blank as the sky. "Yes" Chuks eventually said. Nkechi felt a little unease about their togetherness. She felt a strong feeling in her that Amaka was up to something, but she didn't know how best to ascertain her feeling because she was not close to Chuks. She only knew him when she attended to him as a first timer. "Can I quickly have a word with you?" Nkechi asked, disregarding Amaka. Chuks didn't know what to say. He observed that the two ladies were not talking to each other. "We are going now. You would see him on Tuesday. He has promised to be attending our church." Amaka said, and after that, she pulled Chuks along. Chuks was so surprised by what happened between the two girls. "Why didn't you allow me listen to what she has to say?" Chuks said, when they got to the church's gate. "Don't mind her. She wants to talk you into joining her own department in the church" Amaka replied, smiling. Chuks replied with a smile too, feeling like a superstar who is being fought over by two beautiful ladies. "So, where are we going now?" Chuks asked. "To your house. I want to know you house. I don't want to go home now" Amaka replied. "I hope there is no problem with that?" Amaka added. "Oh! No problem at all." He replied, smiling, and feeling on top of the world.
"Bro. Steve, don't talk like that" One of the church Elders said. "Why will I not talk like that?" Steve asked. "How should I talk?" He added. "See, this has been the normal practice for so many years." The Pastor tried to educate Steve. "Well, I don't know how long you have been doing this, but all I know is that it is wrong" Steve responded. "There are several unfinished projects the church need to execute. Yet, you are here sharing the church's income among yourselves. I'm highly disappointed in you all." He added. "Steve. See, before we brought you into this forum some months ago, we had doubts about you. But, Elder Lade assured us that you would cooperate." Another Elder tried to convince him. "What are we dragging here self? If he doesn't want his own share, let's share it among ourselves" Elder Lade suggested, and everybody agreed. Steve looked and them, shook his head, and left the Pastor's office, slamming the door behind him heavily.
"Amaka, I'm very sorry. It was not deliberate. It was the devil's handwork." Chuks said, as he knelt before Amaka, begging her. Endless tears rolled down Amaka's face, and Chuks could not help but wonder if she was not the one who initiated the whole thing in the first place. When they got to his house, he offered her a bottle of cold soft drink he went to buy on credit from his regular customer. He didn't want to unpack the package given to him at the church in front of Amaka. He showed her his pictures and they talked about several things, among which was how he learned how to play the Talking Drum. All of a sudden, Amaka asked him if he could dance, and his response was positive to the question. It was from the dance Chuks didn't know how and what happened. He only knew he just had sex with a total stranger, and he feared for himself. His fear was not because he had sex, because having sex with girls was his usual practice and desire. But, the sex was too easy to get, and after the sex, he felt like a house that has just been dispossessed of all its properties. He felt like a used item. But, how could he say it? How could he tell the lady crying before him that it was all her fault. He had to act like a man, and apologize to the crying lady, but deep down in his heart, he regretted everything. "Goooooaaaaaal" some football fans roared and screamed so loud. Chuks' mind went to the game he played on his favourite team, but he knew he had to console the crying lady. He didn't know if his team was winning or loosing. "It's OK. Stop crying" Chuks said, as he took his mind of the football match. "We can even still date na" He added. "Date who? Date who?" Amaka asked twice. "Oh! I have suffered" She said, as she started another round of tears. As she cried, she picked up her things and stormed out of the room. "Wait na." Chuks said, as he hurriedly wore his trousers.
"Hello! Bro Steve. It's me" Amaka said to Bro Steve at the other end of the phone. Her face was already bright and radiant, as she added a touch of smile to it. "Are you at home?" She asked. She kept quiet for some seconds before replying, "oh! No problem. I just want to visit you". There was another silence. "OK. I'm on my way now" She said, as she ended the call.
(c) 2016. Austus Ofmat Nwanne
The truth is that, there are so many of them around us, and the most shocking thing is that, they are everywhere. They are where we least expect them to be. They are even in some churches simply because the Pastors and Elders of the church have made the altar cold enough for them to come in, and not just to come in, but to also dwell in our mist. THEY ARE AMONG US. What becomes the fate of Steve as Amaka is on her way to his house. I wish I could tell you now. But, hang on till I bring the next episode your way. Takie. Don't forget to Nominate me in the on-going Nigeria Writers Award. Follow this link ( http://tyobstacle.blogspot.com.ng/2016/07/nominate-me-for-nigeria-writers-award.html ) to see how to nominate me.
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OFMAT AUSTUS NWANNE
Inspirational Speaker/Media Consultant,
Swift24 Multimedia Services.
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