Chapter 1:A stranger in the pew
The church was full. Drums, tambourine, sweating people. Pastor Joshua,tall, well built, calm eyes in a simple black suit mounts the pulpit.
"Ye, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I'll fear no evil. For thou art with me, thy rod and staff they comfort me" pastor Joshua began his sermon, reading the words slowly as if allowing the words ring in the hearts of his members.
"Brethren, God is saying to someone thus morning, though you may not see me, I am here. The Psalmist knew this and that was why he sang to God. Many times, it seems as though God is not there, when we go through the fire, it is as if God is silent and at that time, all we want to hear God loudly, we want to see him clearly. But someone said something profound, it is in the midst of our hardest, when we feel God is absent, that is when he speaks even loudest. That is when his presence is crystal. So tonight, God is saying, I love you, I am here for you,I will stand by you."
Then he saw her, Lily.Light skinned, red lipstick, bone straight hair, iPhone in hand. She met his gaze and she looked away. Her phone beeps. A text message.
"Tunde: Tonight. 250k, my place." she smiles.
"Brethren, God is still waiting for us to accept him. To accept his presence and to wait for his right time. Let's bow our heads as we pray." pastor Joshua completed his sermon with a word of prayer.
****
The apartment was surprisingly neat for two women whose lives often felt anything but. Located on the second floor of a quiet residential building, it was small but comfortable, carrying the warmth of a place that had become a refuge from the harsh realities outside.
As Lily pushed the door open, the familiar scent of vanilla air freshener and freshly brewed coffee greeted them. The living room was modestly furnished with a charcoal-gray sectional sofa facing a television mounted on a cream-colored wall. A glass coffee table sat in the center, scattered with fashion magazines, a half-burned scented candle, and a bowl of candy that neither woman ever admitted to buying.
Soft gold curtains framed the large window overlooking the city street below. During the day, sunlight filled the room, but now the evening lights from nearby buildings cast a gentle glow through the glass. A plush rug covered most of the tiled floor, adding warmth to the space.
A small bookshelf stood in one corner beside a thriving potted plant, while framed artwork decorated the walls. To a stranger, it looked like the apartment of two ordinary young women trying to build a life for themselves.
Lily kicked off her heels and dropped onto the sofa with a dramatic sigh.
"Don't ever take me to that church, in fact,any church at all." she muttered.
Her friend, Ife, laughed as she tossed her handbag onto an armchair. "You survived, didn't you?"
Lily rolled her eyes, but her thoughts drifted back to the church—and to the pastor whose eyes had briefly met hers before she quickly looked away.
"That pastor stared at me almost throughout the sermon" Lily said, the moment not wanting to leave her head.
"You're a p********e, Lily"
"Is it written on my forehead?" she asked pointing to her forehead.
"The guy is fine, you can try"
"I have no business with a pastor" she picking up her bag and making her way to her bedroom.
"You're cooking, I am spending the night at Tunde's" she left to her room
Ife smiled at her sheepishly. "Ashawo" she whispered.
1.Ashawo: prostitute
