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| Ndidi |
Ndidi wished she could forget the hurt like she forgot her bible at home. She felt so heavy, even a downpour could learn a thing or two
Today of all days, she wished she was just a normal brethren with no responsibilities
As an usher, smiles were never supposed to be erased from her face and being cordial was a way of life.
Even when the bruises on her hands were screaming at her, even the pain reliever was ineffective.
Her head was throbbing, her feet were shaking, her heart was angry.
She hated this feeling, it was unfamiliar "Please can I get an envelope" a member asked
"Yes, have it Ma" she politely replied.
She felt like her heart had been hijacked because it seemed like blood had been replaced with a mixture of anger, pain, sadness and disappointment
Now the worst was about to happen as the bubbly head usher approached her.
"Mrs Yemisi, our fine yawo, see how you are shining, Ola must be doing really well" She winked at me
Ndidi shot her a smile "Mama, we thank God " she wanted to say more but the words were lost in transit
"Please my dear, I want you stationed at the left side of the church, ehnn just stand close to the first seat, just in case that row needs anything"
Being shot by a gun would have been preferable to the instruction she just received
"Okay Mummy"
Suddenly her legs felt heavier, her steps became slower and the tears started to knock
How??!!!
How??!!!
How could she stand beside the seat of the man who just slapped her before leaving the house?
The man who threw a fist at her like she was a punching bag
The man who labelled her as "stupid and slow" like she was an "S" brand.
Now this same man raised his hands in reverence and in hallelujah to God
She wondered if God could see the blood stains on his hands that he washed off this morning
This same man was smiling at the widow and was telling her about God's Faithfulness
This same man was her husband.
"Maybe if I had listened to Mma and married Emeka, I would not be in this mess "
"God!!! God!!! Was this a mistake? Should I have told Ola No!! When he asked me to marry him "
"But God you sef, how did you expect me to know he was a woman beater, he didn't even show any sign or was I blind? "
She thought to herself as the regrets started piling up
"This is so difficult, so so painful, if I.... "
"Ndidi!!! Ahh!!! Why are you crying? "
Linda, the church caterer ran into her
"Me!!!" she exclaimed
"I'm not crying oh"
Her hands quickly moved to her face oblivious of the fact that tears had already carved a path down her cheeks
And even the catarrh was looking for a way down
She had been so lost in her thoughts that she didn't hear the tears knocking
Trying to avoid a scene she quickly responded.
"I'm fine" she tried assuring Linda" but the church caterer who previously worked in the same firm with Ndidi didn't buy the lie
Raising a brow she said
"Okay, no problem, please come behind and help me decorate the table for the birthday cake"
She knew her friend was setting her up but she didn't mind playing along.
She would give anything not to be in the same space with Ola right now
So maybe, Linda was Godsent
but at the same time she had determined in her heart to seal her lips.
Already full of emotions, any sense of sympathy would take the lid right off.
She quietly prayed this lady wouldn't probe her with disturbing questions.
"Alright, let's go" she replied with an artificial smile.
"Use the blue ribbon, we used pink last time" Linda said as they were both fixing up the table.
"I didn't see your kids today, are they around? "
Ndidi asked cooly with a motive of easing the tension
She wanted to appear normal and easy going like she always was
Even though Linda didn't give her quick glances like she did her
Ndidi knew her caterer friend had seen through her walled heart and unsaid words.
"I hate myself"
God!!!! "what is wrong with me"
"I thought this beastly nature ended with my last relationship,I really think something is wrong with me"
Guilt filled up the empty space in Ola's heart
"Lord I hit my wife"
"I hit her"
"Mr Yemisi!!! Good morning, I thought your birthday was in March, abi am I wrong? "
"Isn't it the same day with my Chichi's birthday"
Linda interrupted his thoughts with her questions
"Ahhh!!!, Aunty Cake, how far?
"Don't mind me, I forgot, hope everyone is fine oh, how is bro Chike"
Ola asked quickly
"Uncle nice guy, we are all fine, leave all these many questions and get ready to cut your cake"
She teased him
"Okay Ma" He smartly walked to the table stand along with the other celebrants who seemed to be lagging behind.
Ola was a fine man, he was no Ronaldo but he was good to look upon
That was nothing compared to the fact that he was also in "hospitality unit"
Sometimes, he would single handedly spear head the cost of lodging very prominent ministers and figures in nice hotels.
He was a kind man in the eyes of most church members especially that of Mrs Adeyinka, the woman who lost her husband a year ago.
As far as that woman was concerned "Ola was an angel sent by God himself"
She couldn't believe it the day he walked into her house and asked if he could be responsible for all her children's school fees, even that of Adedayo who was reading medicine in the University of Ife.
He did all this without any petition from the church
This man was generous with his time too
Even with his busy schedule, he created time to visit members
If he was still single, he would have been married soon because the eyes of these single ladies would have dragged him to the altar.
"Quickly, Pastor is already calling for the cake"
Ndidi and Linda charged towards the altar
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