Yejide episode 9

Yejide episode 9

When the program was getting to the end, the first timers were asked to be on their feet as they wanted to welcome and recognize them. Yejide tried as much as she could to remain seated but when she glanced at mama ejima who had been watching her, she stood up. With hands stretching towards her, she shook as many hands as she couldn’t count. They were all so happy and welcoming that it actually made her smile.

The program finally came to an end and after the church had warmed Yejide with their hospitality, she sat at a corner waiting for mama ejima. Mama ejima on the other hand was with some of the members of the church who were at a corner, hands entwined to each other and praying. They prayed for a while and then got dismissed. Just as mama ejima was walking towards Yejide who was already standing up from where she sat, mama ejima was stopped by another woman who seemed to stir up a very important conversation with her. At this point, Yejide became a little impatient. She had started squeezing her face when Kelechi, the leader of her group discussion during the program walked up to her.

“Hi, sister Yejide right?” he said, smiling widely at Yejide.

“Yes” Yejide said, trying to fake a smile.

“I’m Kelechi. Nice to meet you and you are welcome to our church.”

“Thank you.”

“I hope we will see you some other time. We are always happy to receive new members.”

Yejide didn’t know what to say so she smiled and nodded in response. In her mind, she had hoped that the conversation would end there so she could go home with mama ejima but mama ejima didn’t seem to be done with her conversation.

“So you live around here?”

“Yes I do.”

“Oh great! That’s nice. I live around here too.”

Just when he said that, mama ejima was seen walking towards them.

“Okay, it’s nice to meet you Yejide. Have a nice day. Have a nice day ma.” Kelechi said after bowing at mama ejima as a sign of respect.

“Have a nice day Kelechi. Greet your mum for me.”

Mama ejima looked at Yejide and smiled just after Kelechi left. She apologized for keeping her waiting and so they left the church together. When they were on their way home, they saw Kelechi again driving by, who called out and asked if they needed a lift home. Yejide had hesitated because she didn’t feel comfortable so mama ejima told him that they were fine before waving him off. Mama ejima didn’t bring it up because she felt it was normal when you didn’t know someone so they got into the bus after waiting a few minutes at the bus stop and headed home. During their ride home, mama ejima had asked Yejide if she enjoyed the service. She nodded her head and told her that it was okay.

When they got home, Yejide went into her flat and didn’t see Dupe as usual. Dupe wasn’t the stay at home type so it wasn’t surprising. Yejide looked at the time and saw that it was past two in the afternoon. She hadn’t spoken to Eric neither had he called her so she went over to her bed and laid down. Bringing out the food they had shared at the church, she grabbed one of the spoons that was in,side the bowl just beside her and started eating. When she was done eating, she laid on her bed and immediately the electricity power came on . She smiled as she saw the ceiling fan rolling before getting comfortable in bed, then falling asleep.

After two days, Yejide got a call from a number whose name was not saved on her phone. She picked it up and heard the sound of a familiar voice.

“Good afternoon sister Yejide, this is Kelechi from faith sanctuary.”

“Oh good afternoon.”

“How are you doing today?”

“I’m fine, thank you.”

“Sorry to disturb you. I’m part of the follow up team so I just called to check up on you. I hope everything is fine.”

“Yes everything is fine, thank you.”

“Okay. We missed you in church on Sunday and wanted to know if everything is okay.”

“Eh yes, I couldn’t come. Everything is fine”

“Okay. We will be expecting you soon, sister Yejide. Thanks for your time. Do have a blessed week.”

As the call ended, Dupe who had been staring at Yejide throughout the call broke out in laughter and said;

“Let me guess, na your church people. You see why I don’t like accepting all these church invitations.”

“No be my church people na. Abi oo. And I was trying to avoid all these.”
“Stay there! This is just day one.”

Episode 10

Later in the afternoon the next Sunday, Yejide got another call from the same number(Kelechi’s) in which she ignored. According to her, she wasn’t ready to have a long conversation of her explaining why she couldn’t come to church. She also didn’t want to seem rude so she thought that it was the best thing to do. When the call ended, Kelechi who had been calling Yejide dialed her number again but he received no response so he quit calling and went on to do other things. He only hoped Yejide was okay. Kelechi was to go see mama ejima the next day so because he knew she lived in the same area as Yejide, he decided to use the opportunity to ask about her when he got there.

The next evening, Kelechi went over to see mama ejima and as planned used the medium to ask about Yejide a few minutes into their conversation. Mama ejima said she hadn’t seen Yejide in two days but she was sure she was fine. They discussed a few other things concerning their church before it was time for Kelechi to leave. Mama ejima had gone back in after following him to his car when another car pulled up in front of where his was parked. Kelechi was still standing outside but beside his car when he saw Yejide step out of the car in a very short revealing dress. Kelechi quickly got into his car hoping that he hadn’t been seen by Yejide. He watched as Eric, the guy Yejide had been going out on dates with went around to hug her. But before their hugging session ended, Eric tapped Yejide on the butt and Kelechi who was watching this raised an eyebrow in surprise especially when she smiled back at Eric. Kelechi couldn’t help but feel hurt within him. It was after Eric had driven off that Kelechi decided to step out. He was going to leave before but he thought to say something to Yejide before leaving. He got out and called out to her before she could go in through the gates. Yejide heard her name and turned around to find Kelechi standing beside her. She jolted back in shock because she wasn’t expecting to see him.

“Are you following me?” she asked with her face revealing anger and embarrassment.

“No I’m not Ye…sister Yejide. I came to see mama ejima.”

“Oh okay. Once you enter, you will see her house by the right. The second to the last place is where she stays. Just knock, if she no dey, Abigail go answer.”

“I have actually seen her. I just wanted to greet you. I asked about you because I couldn’t reach you yesterday.”

“Sir I’m fine. Something was wrong with my phone yesterday.”

“Okay, I understand. Was that your…..” Kelechi who was referring to Eric said without completing his statement expecting her to complete it.

“My what?” Yejide replied even though she understood what he was trying to say.

“Never mind.” Kelechi said.

Kelechi who didn’t know what else to say to Yejide bade her goodnight and watched as she walked in through the gates. He prayed in silence and asked God to give him the wisdom to speak to her. He had felt in his heart that Yejide needed to be introduced to God. Something unusual was pulling him to her. The first time he had seen her, he had immediately found an interest in her. He felt she needed help and wanted to do as much as he could to help her. Kelechi went back home that night with a heavy heart but as he got home, he went on his knees and prayed to God about it. He pleaded God to give him understanding and the grace to be used to reach out to Yejide.

After about two months since the last day Yejide and Kelechi came in contact, Kelechi picked up his phone and dialed Yejide’s number. He hadn’t contacted her because he believed that God knew why he told him not to contact her until the last day of that month. Yejide’s phone rang as she was just coming in from her outing. She looked at the caller ID and saw that the number wasn’t saved on her phone neither did she recall a number like that. She answered the call on the third ring and found out that it was Kelechi. She rolled her eyes immediately he introduced himself. Kelechi went on to ask about her well being and if she was okay. He also told Yeijde that he wasn’t calling as a church worker but only to greet her and know if she had been okay. Yejide got angry and told him that she was fine and didn’t need him to check up on her but he responded by telling her that he only wanted to be a friend even though Yejide interpreted it as more than a friend. She yelled at him to leave her alone because she was not interested in him and already had a boyfriend (Yejide had gotten into a relationsh¡p with Eric a month before even though she was still a pr-stitute). Kelechi who didn’t expect Yejide’s rage or statement tried to get her to understand that he was not looking for a relationsh¡p because he already had a fiancé was cut short when Yejide ended the call. He tried calling her back but as expected she ignored his calls. He sent her a text message and apologized for getting her angry. In his text message, he indicated that he was in a relationsh¡p as well as he had a fiancé but that he only wanted to be a friend and nothing more. Of course Yejide didn’t think guys really meant friends whenever they said so. She thought that just like the other men she had met, he meant more than just friends. She didn’t reply the messages after she read them.

A week later, Kelechi called Yejide again and this time Dupe was around her. When Yejide saw the call and frowned her face, Dupe who was seated beside her asked why she was frowning. She showed her who was calling and immediately Dupe collected the phone from her and answered the call.

“Oga Kelechi abi na Kilishi, my friend say e no want. She no like you. Make you leave am alone. Wetin sef. Leave Yejide alone na.” And with this, Dupe ended the call. Yejide smiled and thanked Dupe when he didn’t call back even though she felt a little guilty. Meanwhile Kelechi back at home was becoming frustrated. He knew that God had given him an assignment concerning Yejide but he was finding it hærd to even have a conversation with her. He prayed and asked God for his help. The next day, something drastic happened to Yejide. She got hit by a speeding car when she was about to cross the road.

To be contiuned