PECULIAR EMOTIONS

This is a fictional story of a pretty, well-disciplined young lady from a Christian home whose love life is quite different from the random love story. Her love life started even before she started loving! Her road to finding love was very crooked; she had a lot of "hard-to-believe" experiences. The only solution is to go back to her origin.......... PROLOGUE Suzan had gone to bed very late that night because of the merriment she had with her friends who graced her birthday celebration. Although she was feeling very tired, she didn't miss the popular song by Asake. She sure showed her skill in the "leg work" choreography. Her parents, among others, were very surprised, as that was not the normal Suzan they knew. Amidst people's facial reactions, she just kept on "digging" to the song, "after all, it's my 10th birthday" she thought. Grace, Esther and Ruth who are close friends to the celebrants decided to sleep over, but not without the permission of their parents while other well-wishers left for their various homes. The three jolly friend had just been admitted to the Federal Government College, Yaba Lagos after an excellent performance in their Common Entrance Examination. The three friends assisted the other domestic workers tidy up the environment, the gifts were taken to the living room where serious prayers would be rendered on them the following morning. After assisting the workers for a while, the young girls had a warm bath consecutively, and retired to the two 4/4 beds in Suzan's room. Since the party was on a Friday, during the Third Term holiday, Suzan and her friends had many things to reflect on as they talked into the night. There was discussion about the dance the other friends' dance steps, their dresses and general behaviour during the party. These young girls were ready to chat till the next morning as they were wide awake, but trust nature, it didn't waste time in rubbing it's sleepy hand on their faces, and they had no choice than to obey. Suzan, a beautiful girl of eighteen, in her first year in the University of Lagos, studying Mass Communication, was seen walking towards the Zenith Building inorder to relax while waiting for the next lecture. She suddenly stopped when she heard someone calling her pet name"Nightingale", repeatedly. She was taken aback because the name was only known to close church members of CAC, Grace Chapel. That was her parents' church in Ibadan before her father was transferred to Lagos; Suzan was dedicated to God in that church. The name, Nightingale was given to her by the Children's Choir coordinator who noted that she her voice was as pure as that of a nightingale. Suzan was very surprised to see Joel, the Children's Teacher's son who was, back then, in the Teenagers Class. They both exchange pleasantries and sat together at the Zenith Gossip Centre. Joel was a 28 year old Third Year Engineering Student, in the same prestigious University of Lagos. They both talked at length and exchanged contacts. It was Suzan's 19th birthday, (August 14th) and as usual, she woke up, singing praises and praying to God for a good life ahead. Living in the school hostel didn't prevent students to jubilate, so her friends joined her in the prayer which ended in high praises and dancing. This action was brought to an abrupt end by the sudden sound of trumpets and a chanter, singing praises of Suzan at the entrance to her block. She and her room mates rushed out to see Joel, accompanied by some staff of DIOLAV EVENTS , holding balloons, all sorts of gifts like money bouquet, frame, throw pillow etc. As if that was not enough, Joel suddenly knelt and offered Suzan an engagement ring, asking the question "will you marry me?" . She burst into a joyful tears, while the onlookers and friends displayed and chorused the popular reaction and phrase "say yes, say yes......." Suzan almost fainted as she stretched out her left hand to Joel, who held her finger to insert the ring. Then, suddenly................ "Suzan! Grace! Esther! Ruth! It's breakfast time!" Mrs Adebola gently called the girls as she tapped them. CHAPTER ONE Every First Sunday in the Christ Evangelical Ministry(CEM) at Surulere, Lagos was always a day to reckon with. It was the thanksgiving day for families and individuals; testimonies and special songs were rendered "to the glory of God, and to the shame of the devil". The Adebola family, as usual, dressed in their beautiful attire, took over the altar, as they render their special song, led by the little "Nightingale". Mr. Adebola gave glory to God on behalf of his family and also expressed his gratitude to God for escaping an accident which could have claimed his life. After Mr. Adebola's testimonies, the congregants rose up to shout three powerful hallelujah, then the Adebolas returned to their seats among the congregation. Upon returning to her class, Suzan was asked by Pastor Martins, the children's teacher, to sing praises for the offering. As usual, Suzan sang melodiously while others danced joyfully as they drop their offerings in the offering basket. After a short prayer on the offering by Pastor Martins, Joel, the Teenagers"s Ambassador came to take the offering basket to the ushers. The happy family of Adebola discussed about the thanksgiving event in the car, as Mr. Adebola drove them back home. It was just few days to resumption, so Mrs Adebola and her two children(John and Suzan) were at "Bokku Supermart" to get few things in preparation for Suzan's resumption. Suzan was all over the place, "picking and unpicking". John also used the opportunity to get some of his needs, including a Real- Madrid shirt. After shopping for an hour, the family returned home in the family car, driven by Mrs Adebola. The next day, a Sunday, Suzan was driven to her new school by her family. At the school compound, the security officials checked them in, and Suzan's belongings were taken to the girls' hostel. Her family bid her goodbye and she was left alone in company of strange but welcoming people. She moved to her room at Block A. At 7.pm, the students gathered in the dining hall for their dinner of yellow "eba" and "egusi" soup; eating solid/swallow was always the tradition on Sunday evenings. That was the first "nightmare" experienced by Suzan. She hated "swallow" with deep passion! "This is not for me", she muttered. She decided not to take her dinner while others were eager to get theirs. However, she wasn't the only student in this category, she noticed few students at the other side of the hall chatting, as they watched others, ravishing their food. Of course, it was compulsory that every student stayed in the hall, and waited till everyone finished their food. After about 45 minutes, the students returned to their different hostels. At the hostel, Suzan had a warm shower, ate some cornflakes and retired to bed. CHAPTER TWO The violent sound of the school bell woke Suzan at 5.am the following morning. Confused, she asked loudly "what's going on?". She literally forgot that she was already in school, and needed to attend an earlier morning devotion, (as against the one she did with her family at home).She had to tidy up her bed, take her bath and attend the school assembly which started at 7.30am. It suddenly dawn on her that she was no longer at home. She quickly stood up, and followed others to the hall. The morning devotion was led by Aina Bukola, the Head Girl while Mrs Smith, the Hostel Matron wrapped it up at exactly 5.30am. The students went back to their hostels, and had their bath in the spacious bathroom.