9: An unwanted surprise

It's a Sunday morning and although I should be in bed, I'm all over the place trying on clothes upon clothes.

I haven't been to Eric's place before, since he's mostly always coming over to mine. So, since he couldn't make it today, I decide to go over instead. 

The materials for my joint business with Dare have been bought the day before. I ran out of thread last night, and since it's a Sunday, hardly any shops are opened.

Once I'm done dressing up, I grab my bag, food flask. On my way out, I meet Amanda in the hallway.

"Good morning," she says.

"Good morning."

"I see you're also on your way to church."

I spot the Bible in her hand. "Oh. No, I'm on my way to a friend's."

"So you won't be going to church today?"

"I go to church on Saturdays."

"Really? But I don't see you leave your house on Saturdays."

Is this one spying on me?

"That's because my kind of church isn't around this place," I tell her.

"Ah. Debby. Debby." She gives me a suspicious look.

"I'm serious," I say, laughing.

"You know lying is a sin."

"Why would I lie to you about something like that?"

She shrugs. "I don't know. You tell me."

I let out a faint chuckle. "I'm being honest. I go to church on Saturdays. Haven't you heard of people that do?"

"Well, I have."

"See."

"But the fact that your church isn't around here doesn't mean you shouldn't go to church."

"True. But my church is different and I'm used to it. I can't go anywhere else and feel comfortable."

"Hmm!"

"I'm serious!"

"Okay. I want to invite you to my own church. I'm not sure it's like your church, but I can promise you you'll like it there."

Scrunching up a part of my face, I scratch my neck. "I just told you—"

"I know what you said, but give us a chance. Lord's Fellowship is a place for everyone. Trust me."

I really don't want to go, but turning her down will only make it look like I've been lying the whole time. Like I just didn't want to go to church.

"Okay," I give in. "But not today. I already planned to go see a friend of mine."

"No problem. Next week Sunday. We always start 9 am sharp."

"Okay. Take care then." I'm on my way out when I see Diamond coming up with Annie.

They're both dressed in long, Ankara dresses of different colours, and I'm sure they're coming back from morning mass — since the two of them are Catholics. Aside from their religious beliefs being the same, they're both very different characters who get along well. 

"Hey, Annie.”

"Sup, Debby. You're just on your way to church?" She asks.

"This one that's a pagan," Diamond says.

"Diamond!" Annie exclaims, although chuckling.

I shoot Diamond a glare. "I'm not a pagan.”

"How many times have you gone to church since you resumed?" Diamond asks me.

"She said her church isn't around here," Amanda tells them.

"Abegi. This one will just be giving excuses," Diamond says and enters the house.

Annie climbs the rest of the stairs and comes to me. "Don't listen to her. That girl has no filter, so her words always sound harsh."

Annie's explanation does nothing to ease my mind as my frown deepens.

"That's why I don't even like that girl," Amanda says. "She's too rude."

"If you like, like me, do I care?" Diamond shouts as she comes out of her room and heads our way as Amanda begins to climb down. "See her. Holy Mary, mother of Jesus. Na you go go heaven sef."

"Ashawo!" Amanda calls back.

"Your papa!" Diamond widens ten of her fingers and points them at Amanda.

"Diamond, it's okay," Annie says and I start to leave too. "Debby, bye-bye o."

I simply nod and keep going.

"Diamond," I hear Annie try to call her to order.

"Abegi," Diamond snaps.

***

Following the directions Eric texted me, I get to his place but don't enter because he said to wait at the gate.

My back is turned to the closed gate when I hear it being opened. Upon turning, I'm shocked to see Mariam.

She looks me up and down, her fixed, long eyelashes sweeping the air as she sneers. "Even in university, you're still following my boyfriend up and down.”

...

Words/phrases and their meaning:

* Abegi: please!

* Na you go go heaven sef: you'll be the one to go to heaven

* Ashawo: prostitute