...But God said So

Chapter 17: The Next Weekend

By the time the doctor signed the discharge papers, Lily was already tired.

Not of the hospital.

Of people.

Of questions.

Of the strange thoughts that had followed her around for days.

Mostly, she was tired of hearing Pastor Joshua's voice in her head.

"God has not abandoned you."

Annoying man.

Very annoying man.

"Lily."

She looked up.

Ife was standing beside the hospital bed, moving much slower than usual.

"You ready?"

"No."

Ife blinked.

"What?"

"I said no."

"Lily."

"I'm tired."

"So am I."

"Then let's live here."

Ife stared at her.

Lily kept a straight face.

"You're not funny."

"I know."

A few signatures later, they were finally free.

Lily grabbed Ife's bag before she could protest.

"Let's go."

"I can carry it."

"No, you can't."

"I can."

"You nearly fainted."

"That was days ago."

"You still fainted."

Ife rolled her eyes but allowed Lily to carry the bag.

Their apartment looked exactly the same.

Small.

Comfortable.

Lived in.

Home.

The moment they stepped inside, Ife dropped her handbag and stretched.

"Oh, thank God."

Lily laughed.

"You've been discharged for thirty seconds."

"And I'm already happier."

Ife sank onto the couch dramatically.

"I missed this couch."

"You've only been gone a few days."

"That's enough."

Lily carried her bag into the room.

When she returned, she found Ife still sprawled across the couch.

"You look ridiculous."

"I almost died."

"You were dehydrated."

"Same thing."

Lily laughed despite herself.

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then Ife sat up.

The smile on her face faded.

"Lily."

The tone caught her attention.

"What?"

"Thank you."

Lily frowned immediately.

"For what?"

"For staying."

Silence.

"For taking care of me."

Lily looked away.

"It wasn't a big deal."

"It was to me."

Lily shrugged.

"You would've done the same."

"I know."

Another silence settled between them.

Softer this time.

The kind that only existed between people who had survived life together.

"You barely slept."

Lily rolled her eyes.

"Don't start."

"You barely left the hospital."

"Someone had to make sure you didn't die."

Ife smiled.

Emotion flickered briefly across her face.

"You know you're family, right?"

Lily froze for half a second.

Then immediately reached for a cushion.

"Don't make this emotional."

The cushion hit Ife squarely in the face.

She laughed.

"You love me."

"Unfortunately."

"You do."

"Unfortunately."

Their laughter filled the apartment.

And for the first time in days, things felt normal.

At least for a moment.

Then Ife suddenly sat up.

"Oh."

Lily immediately frowned.

"What?"

"My parents."

"No."

"My parents."

"No."

"They've been calling."

Lily groaned.

"Ignore them."

"I can't."

"Why?"

"Because they're my parents."

"They'll survive."

"No, they won't."

Lily threw another cushion.

"You're dramatic."

"I'm realistic."

Ife reached for her phone.

A second later, she froze.

"Oh no."

"What?"

"My mother sent voice notes."

Lily immediately started laughing.

"You're finished."

"No."

"You're finished."

"Pray for me."

Lily laughed harder.

Ife opened the first voice note.

Her mother's voice filled the room.

"My daughter, praise God for your recovery. Your father and I have been praying. We are thinking of coming to Abuja next weekend to see you..."

Both women froze.

The room went silent.

Slowly.

Very slowly.

Ife lowered the phone.

Lily stared at her.

Ife stared at Lily.

Nobody spoke.

Then—

"Next weekend?"

"Apparently."

"To visit?"

"Apparently."

Lily closed her eyes.

"No."

Ife dropped back onto the couch.

"No."

The two women sat in silence.

Because they both knew what this meant.

Questions.

Expectations.

Church.

Appearances.

More lies.

More pretending.

Lily rubbed her forehead.

"I don't have the strength for this."

"Neither do I."

The room fell quiet again.

A few moments later, Ife glanced at her.

"You know..."

Lily didn't like that tone.

"What?"

"At least if they come, we'll have to go to church."

Lily threw the second cushion.

Harder this time.

Ife laughed.

"Too soon?"

"Very."

"Okay."

Lily shook her head.

Then stood and headed for the kitchen.

But before she reached the doorway, a familiar voice echoed through her mind.

"God has not abandoned you."

She froze.

Just for a second.

Then continued walking.

Determined to ignore it.

Unfortunately, ignoring it was becoming more difficult every day.