The Painful Pleasure (TPP)
EPISODE 13
It was a Sunday, lectures were going to start the following day, and since I came to school, I had not gone to church, two Sundays had passed already. My mum is a very devoted Christian, thank God money is not the criteria for being a deaconess in my church, she wouldn’t have had the chance. She had taught me not to miss any Sunday service, as it is written “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” My mother had taught me to go to church 52 Sundays a year, 53 if possible, but what exactly was wrong with me, I couldn’t figure out what was going on with me.
I decided to go to church, I talked Mayowa into going with me and he agreed. So we decided to go to ‘Church of Christ’. It was a popular church then, known for quick and short services. The day ‘holy spirit takes control’, and they have to stay longer than usual, that is when they use up to two hours. Since most students do not like long services, this church had so many members.
The service was meant to start by 10am and end latest by 12pm. Mayowa and I got to church around 10:30, as a protocol member gently led us to our seat. The sitting was strictly on a ‘sit as you come’ basis. It was a praise and worship session, the lady leading was so blessed. As at the time we entered, she was singing the song: “We give you all the glory. . . We worship you our lord . . . you are worthy to be praised. . . You are alpha, and omega”. The song really touched me, as I lifted my hands to reference God as the beginning and the end of my life.
There was a lady just there beside me with a pair of glasses on, whose ‘part’ was very correct and loud. I know about music, as I can play the keyboard, the drum set quite well, and I can also sing. The lady caught my attention, she had a pair of glasses on, and she lifted up both hands, singing from the depth of her hearth. “Well, that shouldn’t distract my worship.” I said to myself. I continued, as I was thinking back on what God has done for me, success, provision, and grace. All I could do was to thank him. It was time to dance, I danced like there was no tomorrow, I was so happy to be in the presence of God, I knew I had done what’s right.
Then the lady leading the praises said “hold a person beside you and say (singing) we are going higher, we are going higher. . . ” I held the lady with glasses I had been admiring all the while. Well, she didn’t see any thing wrong with it as we both sang the song.
The sermon came on, the pastor preached on the topic “he’s able”. The pastor showed us the power of God, and the ability of God to do all things for us, and through us. He used Ephesians 3:20 as his anchor text. It was a wonderful message. I can never forget it.
The pastor concluded the message, and the ‘first-timers’ were asked to stand up for recognition. Mayowa and i stood up, and to my surprise, the lady beside me stood up too.
The Painful Pleasure (TPP)
EPISODE 14
So many other first timers stood up, we were celebrated, and we were asked to follow a guy who gave us a form to fill. The form has a part asking whether or not we would like to Join the church, if we would like to Join the work force, and what unit we would like to Join. Mayowa filled No/Nil all through, he never liked church anyways. I filled yes all through, and I answered that I wanted to join the choir. The girl did the same, so I was forced to talk to her. “You sing pretty well.” I said to her. She looked at me, trying to be sure that I was talking to her. “You mean me?” She asked. “Yes, you.” I answered.
Mayowa was already getting angry with the whole situation, because he doesn’t like ‘church-girls’, so he didn’t really like the fact that I was talking to her. Since he filled ‘No’, that he didn’t want to join the church, he didn’t have to wait for any extra meeting. He told me he was going already, then I said bye to him. So the girl answered me. “that I chose to join the choir, doesn’t mean I can sing. Wait! Were you peeping into my form? I denied briskly. ” No, it was when you were singing beside me that I heard your voice, and discovered that you sing so well.” She looked at me suprisingly and said “during that awesome worship, you were noticing someone’s voice?” I answered immediately. “No, it’s not like that, I’m just so sensitive to sound”. . .
We continued the conversation. . .
Me: So what part do you take exactly?
The girl: I take all parts, but I mainly take alto
Me: Wow that’s just like me, but the difference is that I’m more comfortable taking tenor.
The girl: That’s really great. I’m Aramide, what’s your name?
Me: Please pardon my manners, I’m Dapo. It’s really nice meeting you.
Aramide: The pleasure is all mine. You are in what department?
Me: MCB, what about you?
Aramide: English Language. . .
We were going to continue the conversation, but some guys came to address us, to tell us about becoming a member, a ‘worker’ and other things like that.
Immediately after the meeting, we prayed, and when I opened my eyes, I didn’t see Aramide. Where she went, I didn’t know. I just took my bible, and started going to my hostel. Right there and then, I knew I had fallen in love. Aramide is so beautiful, she speaks softly. She isn’t like Sandra who talks like a parrot. She’s God fearing, and she is nice too. I knew it was too early to conclude, but that was my conclusion.
I took a bus and headed straight to my hostel, since I was going to start lectures the following day.
Now I have Sandra, my lousy, saucy friend, Moji my FDF, then Aramide whom I really love.
Tbc
