The Bath

Her First Try.

Stephanie walked towards the Faculty of Medicine and waited for about two hours for Nathaniel to come out, since she has monitored his closing hour, but today seemed to be exceptionally different. Finally, she smiled as she saw him approaching her with a guy she has known to be his friend recently. She adjusted her dress and her already made up face as she started towards them hopping to close the gap.

NATH'S POV

Oh God, what a day it is today I told Ibrahim, stressful lectures and only for me to finish and meet this girl, is like today am just meant to be frustrated. Ibrahim just laughed and said "No be that una ashawo church girl, her own too much abeg, sha you na fine boy you be, na why". I just hissed and did not want to talk since she was already approaching us.

I was happy that we got admission in the same school because I really LIKED her, but now she's all so pushy at me, disturbing me at the slightest opportunity she gets, insisting that I should come see her. Not like I am not interested but I know Church members will see me and I do not want them to think in the negative, tarnishing my father's image as he has always felt I would. Also, I had to be spiritual at least to convert Ibrahim a Chief Imam's son which could be a very great achievement for me to the shame of those that think I am not a good Christian. At least I have a reasonable excuse for nor following her today.

Hi babe, " hello" she said, I hugged her but she just shook hands with Ibrahim, he told me he would wait up under the tree and I told him we would leave school together soon, so he could buy what he wants to along my path.

She was not happy as she said "Nathan, you promised you would be coming over to my place today to visit me " I even bought ingredients to cook your favourite ".

"God see temptation" I said within me before I pulled myself together and made my excuse palatable to hear. See babe, you have to bear with me please, you know am just closing now since 7am, evening Church is 5pm, and now the time is already, (i paused to check my phone) , see 4:37 I showed her. As for the food aspect, I even told Mommy Pastor to cook my favourite so I could just eat quickly before heading to Church, if I don't leave school in the next three minutes I'll be late. So please don't be annoyed, maybe some other time. Her face was with disappointment, anger and embarrassment.

STEPHANIE's POV

As he told me all that would stop him from visiting me again today, the sadness that enveloped me could actually swallow me in full, I felt so much rage that almost made me to just turn back and never ever talk to him about the issue of him coming to my place. But as the pictures of my friends flashed my memory, of them cuddling and having real exotic fun with their partners and how lonely I felt and unloved, I decided to give it another push before leaving the case till the following week. I told him how unfair he was treating this issue and how much he knew I always enjoyed his company which is why he acts proud. He just kept saying "sorry and he knew how I feel" blah blah. I decided to advise him to just lie about an extra class that came up so he would not make it to Church.

He laughed a little before talking "Stephanie, the bad girl, he said. I blushed slightly as he continued " It shouldn't surprise you that my Dad knows all my timetables including those fixed because be always wants me to call him anytime anything comes us. Even if I choose to lie, Roland would not lie." Roland is also an 100l student studying Medicine in our Church, am sure you know, my father sees it as nothing to quizz the holier- than- thou boy so I don't even dream of talking him into covering up for me" he finished. At this point, I Stephanie Omusegwa is giving up for today, no luck, I'll just have to wait till next time and increase my prayers. Alright bye I said, I won't be able to make it to Church though so see you when I do. We hugged before I waved at Ibrahim, I bent my head in disgrace that I was always on Nathaniel's heels and though he likes me he keeps pushing back.

IBRAHIM'S POV

One day, Nathaniel will rest from the troubles of this gir. She is out to take the blessings of Allah in his life and stop him from concentrating in school with this her back side. I knocked myself at the foolish thought I had towards her immediately. Almighty Allah would not allow her. I walked towards him when she finally left, extending my hands saying " Bro, eh no easy, I saw her desperate looks. Don't worry Allah will see you through this, its just a test of strength to control one's self. He laughed as he added "Jesus is enough for me, bro".

Nathaniel's phone beeped, he looked into it seeing a sweet mother, he was wowoer when he read it " Saboyeng, we have to go for an urgent meeting with other pastors at the headquarters, (I and your Father), please co ordinate the Church, we would be back soon. I think our time has come".

He kept thinking about the last sentence, "our time has come". Not able to lay his hands on the answer he hoped to get, he continued walking to meet up with Ibrahim.