One Wrong Turn

Episode 9

We got to church quite early, as it is our usual tradition. The compound was already bubbling with life. Different brands of cars packed around, reflecting the social status of the parishioners.

The entire compound was saturated with human activities, hawkers and petty traders displayed their wares anywere it would be visible.

People walking to and fro the walk ways, dressed in different attires. Some were simple and elegant like me, others were extravagant and flashy. Some modest and decent, others wild and provocative.

This was a typical Sunday service, the good, the bad and the ugly all meet here, some to worship the lord, some for entirely different reasons.

Which group do I belong to? I wasn’t sure anymore. I used to be a good girl, but the thoughts that have preoccupied my mind for the past two days, makes me doubt my own self.

Normally, everyone will go his seperate way as soon as we arrived. My mum and dad would find a seat, Osas will meet up with the man servants, while i join the alter girls. Ighalo was always a freelancer.

As i alighted from the car, i made towards the entrance to the church hall.

“did you not hear what i said this morning”? My dad said rather loudly.

“you are sitting next to me hence forth”

I did not want to cause a scene, so i stoped and waited for them.
My parents had a knack for picking seats at the front. This means i had to walk almost the entire length of the hall. The different eyes staring at me made me shy. I notice men, old and young staring at my butt, or looking up at my cleavage. I scanned through the audience hoping to catch sight of Ehis.

Mid way through the hall, i spotted Ruth among the crowd. I fixed my eyes firmly on her, hoping she would turn towards my direction.

She sighted me from her position. I’m very sure she would have come towards me, if my parents weren’t in front of me. My mum hated Ruth and Hannah. They weren’t the most decent of girls anyway.

She made a sign with her hand, to notify me that she will get in touch.

I marched along with my parents, with my head up high, trying not to notice the eyes starring at me.

We got a seat at the front row and settled in, waiting for service to start. Friends and wellwishers stoped by to greet my parents. I was really uncomfortable sitting beside them.

My eyes kept roving about the hall, hoping to see Ehis. He was nowhere to be found.

I turned round, to look directly behind me, i scanned face after face discreetly.

A little tap on my shoulder brought me back to my senses. I turned round to see who it was.

It was Osato, my little friend. Though just 10 years old, he was a little too smart for his age.
His mother is a friend of our family.

He greeted my mum and dad, and sat quietly beside me. Osato has always been fond of me. We had developed quite a bond. His sitting close to me did not raise any suspicions.

I could feel him nudging me with his arm several times, so thought the space between us was too tight for him.

I tried to move away a little. Just then, i noticed his palm outstretched, between our tights. There was a neatly folded sheet of paper on it.
This has to be a message, i was sure of it.
I looked side ways towards my parents, they were deeply involved in a discussion with the catechist.

I snatched the note from Osato’s palm, and hurriedly tucked it inside my bible.

Osato got up, and hopped away. His mission had been completed.

I opened my bible slowly, looking for the page were i had hidden the note.

I spotted the white paper, and pretended to be reading my bible. The message was short, but It’s very content excited me.