A Friend in Need (28)

A Friend in Need (29)

“I’m not very good at story telling but I’ll try.” Tayo started, taking the centre position in the living room as we circled around him to listen. “It all started during one Sunday service in my second year; it was as if a sudden realization of Maria dawned on me. She had being in the fellowship all along and she’d being an usher too, but it was as if I was noticing her for the first time that Sunday. Honestly, it was difficult for me to concentrate on the remaining part of the service to the point that I had to caution myself and refocus on the preaching.

“The service ended that day and I went home thinking the feeling would go away. In unexplainable terms, my heart started yearning to see her again. I anticipated the next service more than my next meal. When I took it to God in prayer, I could almost feel the Holy Spirit sit beside me and was reading a recommendation letter about her to me. The more I tried not to think about her, the more I found myself thinking about her. My eyes began to open to certain things about her, like her dedication to God’s service, her love for orderliness, and her charming personality.

A Friend in Need (27)

A Friend in Need (27)

I spent the greater part of the almost journey daydreaming again, since I wasn’t ready to share my cogitations with anyone. It seemed the road stretched longer than normal. The afternoon sun beating hard on the bus made the heat unbearable yet I managed to keep a radiant face as I listened to those who had things to say. As if in a conspiracy to prolong my suspense, the weekend travellers had caused a gridlock on the highway. But this isn’t the first time we’re passing through this route. I wondered.

When we finally reached our destination, I fronted the team. Tayo had suggested that we all meet at an eatery but I’d objected. “I would be better if we met at Mrs Okafor’s house. She may have one or two motherly pieces of advice to give.” I had said, partly because it was true, and also because I would get to see the one my heart longed for. Everyone had consented to my advice.

Maria watched me with suspicion as I made all the moves and I knew if asked, she could tell that something was fishy.

A Friend in Need (26)

A Friend in Need (26)

Repeated knocks on the door awoke me. I recognized Tayo’s voice. He wasn’t alone; I could hear Maria’s voice too. It sounded like they were praying. I checked the time on my phone and saw that it was 5 pm already. I had missed about 8 calls from both Tayo and Maria. I’d been sleeping for over 4 hours. As I got up from my knees, I remembered that I’d been dreaming too. There was another knock on the door. I sat there, silent, trying to recollect what my dream had been. Was it a good dream or a bad dream? Why did it leave me panting breathlessly?

“Femi, it is Tayo. We are waiting for you.”

“I’ll be with you shortly.” I answered from within.

A Friend in Need (25)

A Friend in Need (25)

For a moment, I felt the beating in my heart stop. A devilish numbness crawled up my arm. I stared vainly at the figure before me, contemplating unholy options that invaded my subconscious. I stared until my sight became blurred and I thought I was going to collapse, then I sneezed hard and revived.

“You and Tayo are what?!” I stood up from the chair, then sat again. I tried to keep my voice low. “Are you messing with my mind, Maria?” In addition to the surprised look on her face, she was looking scared too. She’d probably never seen me this way before. I’m not sure I’ve seen myself this way before either.

“Why would I joke with such a thing? He proposed to me some weeks ago. Is there a problem with that?” She looked so sincere. I knew it would be unwise to start telling her I’d been having a crush on her too.

A Friend in Need (24)

A Friend in Need (24)

As I made my way back home, I struggled in vain to keep myself from thinking about what could be on between Tayo and Maria, and, most importantly, what the Elder had come to discuss with Maria. I didn’t know if Tayo was also there during their discussion but I felt a strong impression that he was. The last time Elder Joshua came unexpectedly and in quick successions was when he heard about Tayo and Tolani. He had had series of after-service meetings with him in a bid to restore him in love and help him overcome his depression.

Tayo had shown significant improvement when a more matured spiritual leader stepped in to assist him, though he still makes reference to how helpful I was in getting him through those difficult times. I reminisced our early friendship days. I began to worry that something might go wrong to sour our friendship. If my guess that Tayo was also eyeing Maria turned true, then our friendship would be at stake. I could share anything or anyone with a friend, but not the woman that I claim to love.