The weekend invitation.
543 Words
Two months passed.
What had started as a simple f*******: friendship had grown into something neither Collins nor Ruth expected.
Every morning began with a message.
Every night ended with a phone call.
If one of them became busy and couldn't reply for an hour, the other would worry.
They had become each other's daily routine.
One Saturday morning, Collins was arranging cartons at work when his phone vibrated.
Ruth: Good morning. Have you eaten?
Collins smiled before replying.
"Not yet. I'm still at work."
"Don't skip breakfast. Promise me you'll eat before noon."
He laughed quietly.
"Yes, madam."
His colleague, Musa, noticed the smile on Collins' face.
"My friend," Musa said, nudging him. "Who is making you smile like this every day?"
Collins tried to hide his phone.
"It's nothing."
Musa laughed.
"It's never 'nothing.' Is she your girlfriend?"
Collins paused before answering.
"I don't know... but I think I'm beginning to love her."
Musa stopped smiling.
"You've never met her?"
"No."
"My brother, be careful. The internet is full of surprises."
Collins nodded.
"I know. But Ruth is different."
---
That evening, Collins returned home and sat quietly on his balcony.
He looked at the stars.
His heart told him it was time.
He picked up his phone and called Ruth.
After a few rings, she answered.
"Hello, Collins."
"Hi, Ruth."
"You sound serious."
"I am."
There was a brief silence.
"I've been thinking about something for a while."
"What is it?"
"I think... it's time we meet."
Ruth didn't answer immediately.
She looked out of her own window, her heart beating faster.
"I was wondering when you would say that."
Collins smiled.
"So... will you?"
She hesitated.
"To be honest, I'm nervous."
"I understand."
"But if we don't meet, we'll never know whether what we have is real."
Ruth smiled softly.
"You always know the right thing to say."
"I'll come."
Collins sat upright.
"Really?"
"Yes."
He couldn't hide his excitement.
"When?"
"This Friday."
"I'll take the evening bus and spend the weekend."
Collins stood up and thanked God under his breath.
"I'll be waiting."
---
As soon as the call ended, Collins began making plans.
He cleaned every corner of his apartment.
He washed his curtains.
He bought new bedsheets.
He even borrowed a flower vase from his neighbor to make the room look more welcoming.
His elderly landlady smiled as she watched him sweeping the compound.
"Collins," she called.
"Yes, Mama?"
"Who is coming?"
He laughed shyly.
"A friend."
The old woman chuckled.
"Hmm... may God bless whatever this friendship becomes."
"Amen," Collins replied with a smile.
---
Meanwhile, Ruth packed a small travel bag.
Her best friend, Esther, noticed.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm traveling this weekend."
"To see who?"
Ruth smiled.
"A friend."
Esther folded her arms.
"A f*******: friend?"
Ruth nodded.
Esther became serious.
"Please be careful. Send me the address before you leave, and call me when you arrive."
"I promise."
That night, Ruth knelt beside her bed.
"Lord... if Collins is truly the man You've prepared for me, let this journey bring peace. But if he isn't, protect me and bring me safely home."
She whispered "Amen" and went to bed, unaware that this weekend would become the turning point of her life.
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