Chapter 3: An Unexpected Spark
980 Words
Joshua didn't believe in forcing connection.
He believed in sowing seeds—in conversation, in prayer, in how he carried himself. So after Bhola's sharp rejection, he didn't chase her down, didn't find her on social media, didn't ask around.
He simply let her be.
He prayed for her when she came to mind. Nothing more.
Still, it didn't stop him from wondering about her.
There was something about her eyes—so guarded, so tired. As if they'd seen too much for someone her age. And that made him want to treat her with even more care.
He sensed that she didn't need a flirt or a fixer.
She needed peace.
Campus Fellowship Night~~
A week passed~~~
The Friday night fellowship gathering had become a staple for Christian students. The room buzzed with laughter and chatter, guitars being tuned, and the sound of tea being poured into styrofoam cups.
Joshua arrived early to help set up chairs and string colourful lights across the room.
Andre elbowed him as they worked. "So. Word is you crushed that purity culture debate."
Joshua shrugged. "Just spoke what I believe."
"And you caught someone's eye while doing it," Andre added with a smirk.
Joshua raised an eyebrow.
Andre gestured across the room. "Her."
Bhola walked in, notebook pressed to her chest, eyes scanning the room for a place to sit. She wore a long rust-colored cardigan, glasses perched low on her nose, and an expression that said I'm not here to make friends.
Joshua nodded politely when their eyes met—nothing more. No smile. No double-take.
Just a respectful acknowledgement.
Bhola felt it. And somehow, it disarmed her more than if he had tried to charm her.
Sister Lorraine stood at the front with her ancient bible and fiery gaze.
"Tonight," she said, "we talk about healing."
Joshua leaned forward slightly in his chair.
Bhola felt her chest tighten.
"Some of you," Sister Lorraine continued, "have mastered church culture. You know when to raise your hands. You know the words. But inside, you're still bleeding from old wounds."
She paced slowly.
"God didn't bring you to Wildwood just to get a degree. He brought you here to meet Him again. To heal. And to stop letting the past define your future."
Bhola's eyes filled.
Sister Lorraine's voice dropped. "And for some of you, the very thing you've been rejecting might be the thing God sent to help you see Him."
Joshua closed his eyes and whispered, "Amen."
Bhola looked at him from across the room. Her heart thudded, confused and unsettled.
After the message, students broke into small groups. By what seemed like coincidence, it just so happened that she and Joshua ended up in the same discussion group, along with Janelle, Andre, and two freshmen named Liam and Sophia.
The leader of the circle, a senior named Malachi, posed the question:
"What's one thing God is asking you to surrender in this season?"
There was silence.
Then, surprisingly, Bhola spoke first.
"My pride," she said softly. "I've been... protecting myself in the name of wisdom. But sometimes it's just fear. And I know God's asking me to trust Him again. Even if people failed me."
Everyone nodded gently. Janelle reached for her hand.
Joshua spoke next.
"My timeline," he said. "I have ideas of what life is supposed to look like. Ministry. Marriage. Legacy. But I'm learning not to rush God. Just walk with Him."
There was something simple and beautiful in the way he said it.
Bhola didn't want to be moved.
But her heart stirred.
Afterwards~~
The group broke up. Some stayed for snacks and chatter; others left. Bhola lingered by the side table, pouring hot water into a paper cup with a green tea bag.
Joshua approached slowly, not invading her space.
"Hey," he said gently.
She turned. "Hi."
"No agenda. Just wanted to say... thank you. For sharing tonight. It spoke to me."
Bhola tilted her head slightly. "Really?"
He nodded. "Fear can dress up like wisdom. That's a real word."
She bit her lip. "Yeah, well... I'm still learning how to tell them apart."
He smiled softly. "Me too."
There was a pause.
Then she asked, "Why theology?"
Joshua blinked, surprised. "You mean, why am I here?"
"Yeah."
He shrugged. "God called me to study deeper. Not to get smarter. Just to get rooted. I want to pastor someday... but not from a place of performance. From wholeness."
Bhola stared at him. "You're very... different."
He chuckled. "I get that a lot."
"I mean, I've heard all the right words before. From the wrong men."
Joshua nodded. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be. You didn't hurt me."
"No, but I carry their reputation in the minds of women like you. That matters."
That stunned her.
He continued, "I can't earn your trust. But if God allows it, I'd like to honour it."
Bhola's heart beat faster than a speeding bullet.
She swallowed hard. "You don't even know me."
"Not yet," he said. "But I'm willing to learn. Even if it's just as your brother in Christ."
She didn't know what to say. So she didn't.
Instead, she just nodded slowly and whispered, "Goodnight, Joshua."
He smiled. "Goodnight, Bhola."
Later That Night~~
In her dorm room, Bhola sat on her bed staring at the ceiling. Janelle leaned in from across the room.
"So...?"
"So what?"
"Don't play dumb. Something shifted tonight."
Bhola hesitated.
"...I don't know. He's not like the others. But that's what scares me."
Janelle nodded. "Let God take the wheel, girl. You don't always have to drive the bus."
End of chapter 3 ~~~
Joshua's Prayer Journal
"Day 8. Bhola shared in the group today. Something cracked open. I'm not falling—I'm discerning. And she's not a project. She's a person. Lord, let me be faithful in friendship before I ever think of anything more."
- Writer
