Michael got home late after dropping off Amara. The house was quiet as he walked in. He kicked off his shoes and went straight to the dining table to set down his bag of takeout before going to his room to freshen up.
As the water ran over his face, the images of the day replayed in his head—Amara's teary eyes, the way she said she wasn't ready, and the silent ride back. He sighed, dragging his hand across his face.
'What am I supposed to do now, Lord?' he thought as he changed into a fresh boxer, not bothering to wear a shirt.
He went back to the dining table and opened his food pack. It was pineapple fried rice. He picked up his spoon. But after a few bites, he pushed the food away. He didn't have an appetite.
With a sigh, he packed the food back neatly and slid it into the freezer, deciding to eat it tomorrow.
As he lay on his bed, his arms tucked behind his head, he prayed softly, his voice low but earnest.
"Holy Spirit, please help me. I don't know what to do. I've obeyed. I'm ready to marry Amara, but she says she isn't even ready for a relationship. What do I do? Do I wait? Do I let go? Lord, guide me."
His heart stilled when a quiet voice came into his spirit, gentle and firm:
'Be patient.'
Michael sighed softly and closed his eyes. "If that's what You want, Lord… then I'll wait. I'll be patient."
Peace settled over him then, and he reached for his Bible on the nightstand. He opened it and began to study slowly, letting the words sink into his soul.
Just as he was underlining a verse, his phone vibrated. He smiled faintly when he saw that it was his sister, and he received the call when he remembered that she had said she'd call.
"Lover boy, how far? Can you talk now?" she asked, her tone light but probing.
"You have mind to call me again after you almost caused trouble earlier?" He asked, and she giggled.
"That was a joke jor! Any way, how was your outing? Are you in a good mood? Should I talk now or later?" she teased.
Michael sighed, shaking his head. "I'm okay. Just talk."
"You haven't told me how the outing was. Where did you people go to?" She pressed.
"I was studying my Bible when you called. I only accepted the call because I remembered you said you'd call. So, talk let me go back to what I was doing," Michael said, not wanting to talk about the date.
Before she could respond, another call buzzed in. It was Pastor Dele.
Michael frowned, wondering why Pastor Dele was calling him. "Debbie, I have another call. I'll send you some money, or you can text me the amount you need, since it's as if you're afraid to say it. I need to take this call."
Deborah chuckled, thinking it was Amara who was calling. "Fine. I'll text you. Greet my sister in-law for me," she said before hanging up.
Michael received the call. "Good evening, sir."
"Michael," Pastor Dele's voice was calm. "Are you okay? Are you at home?"
"Yes, I'm at home. Why?"
"You're not with Sister Amara?"
Michael raised his brows. "With Amara? Why will I be with Amara at this time of the night? She's at her place. I'm about to go to bed."
A sigh came through the phone. "Alright. I'll come see you at the pharmacy tomorrow. I'll also use the chance to see Amara."
"That's fine, sir," Michael replied. His brows were pulled together even after the strange call ended as he wondered why Pastor Dele would think he was with Amara.
The next morning, Michael was supervising the arrangement of stock on the pharmacy shelves when Pastor Dele stepped in.
He quickly went to him and greeted him warmly. "Good morning, sir."
They shook hands and exchanged pleasantries as Michael led him to his office.
"Why did you really call me last night to ask if I was with Amara?" Michael asked after they had settled in their seats and were done with small talk.
"I heard you were at the cinema with Amara yesterday," Pastor Dele said, his tone casual but his eyes watchful.
Michael nodded. "Yes. I told you before that I wanted to get to know her better."
Pastor Dele leaned back, nodding thoughtfully. "It would have been better if you had told me about the outing beforehand. That way, I could defend you better."
Michael tilted his head. "Defend me to whom? Was it Deacon Oleju who reported to you?"
"It was his wife," Pastor Dele admitted. "She asked me to check on you so you wouldn't fall into sin because you were hanging out with someone of questionable character."
Michael shook his head, a wry smile touching his lips. "I'm not surprised. However, I wish people would learn to mind their own business rather than judging others. She's not my problem, anyway. My issue now is that I told Amara about my intentions, but she said she isn't ready."
Pastor Dele's brows lifted. "You told her you want to marry her? How did you move from not wanting her to declaring your intentions to marry her? Besides, why didn't you tell me as your pastor? You are the youth pastor. You know the church's rules when it comes to courtship."
Michael sighed deeply, rubbing the back of his neck. "Honestly, I didn't plan to do that. It just happened. I don't even know why I did it. But I figured I could marry her and help her become the kind of woman I want her to be."
Pastor Dele raised a brow. "The kind of woman you want her to be? Or the kind of woman God wants her to be? You are not meant to shape her into what you want. She's meant to be the kind of woman God wants her to be for you. Your role is to support her growth, not change her."
Michael lowered his eyes. "You are right. So, what do you think I should do now?"
"Why are you asking me? Go and ask God."
"I already did. He said I should be patient."
"If He answered you already, what then do you want me to tell you?" Pastor Dele asked, then his face turned serious. "By the way, you should know that Brother Emma came to see me yesterday. He declared his intention to marry Amara."
Michael's head snapped up, a frown tightening his features. "What's even wrong with him? Where is he rushing to?"
The pastor chuckled. "Probably the same place you were rushing to."
Michael leaned forward. "So, what did you tell him?"
"I told him I'd pray about it," Pastor Dele replied calmly.
Michael frowned deeper. "Why didn't you tell him Amara already has someone?"
"Does she already have someone? I'm praying about it," Pastor Dele said simply. "Two men have shown interest in her. I can't give either of you the go-ahead until I hear from God myself. That's my duty as her pastor and spiritual head. And I won't assume you're the right man for her just because you're a pastor or because we're close."
Michael's lips curved slowly, his admiration of the man growing. "Again, you have a point. I wish all pastors were as upright as you. I respect you for that, sir."
Pastor Dele smiled faintly, then leaned forward. "Speaking about pastors, I received a call from Pastor David yesterday. He asked about Amara."
Michael's frown returned instantly when he thought about the senior pastor who had invited him to minister at the vigil where he met Amara. "What did he say?"
"He wanted to know how she was doing and where she lives now. He said he feels guilty about how he handled things before and wants to visit her with his wife."
Michael's stomach twisted. "And he didn't call me? What did you tell him? Did you give him her address?"
"No. I wanted to ask her first. It didn't feel right to hand out her address when I haven't even visited her myself. But I told him she is fine and explained that she was a member of my church before she backslid, but God brought her back, and now she's becoming committed again, so he doesn't have to worry," Pastor Dele explained.
Michael shook his head firmly. "Please don't give him the address."
"Why not?"
"I can't explain it. But something about Pastor David makes me very uncomfortable."
Pastor Dele sighed and nodded slowly. "It is well. However, going forward, you should be cautious about associating with Amara publicly until the situation is clearer. Wait until we can make a courtship announcement in church," he said, then chuckled, "I can already imagine how the sisters in church will react to the announcement. Especially Sister Faith."
Michael chuckled dryly. "I don't care about them. I just want to change Amara's mind and get her to marry me. The more I know her, the more I like her."
Pastor Dele laughed, pointing at him. "What God cannot do does not really exist. I recall you once saying you could never date someone without a BSc degree. See how God has humbled you."
"That she doesn't have it now doesn't mean she won't have it later," Michael said defensively.
Pastor Dele laughed harder, "Your tune has changed. Praise God." He rose to his feet. "I have more members to visit. Let me check on Amara before I head out."
"You want to check on Amara? Should I join you?" Michael offered eagerly, as he had yet to hear from Amara or see her, despite texting her before going to bed and even that morning when he woke up.
"If you follow me to see her, will you join me in visiting the other members?" Pastor Dele asked, and Michael smiled sheepishly.
"Thanks for stopping by. Have a lovely day, sir. And next time, tell your church members to mind their business," Michael said with a wave, and Pastor Dele laughed as he walked out of the office.