"Useless? How?" He queried, astonished at her question. Her mood swings were endless. Excited this moment, depressed the next.
"You know, my dad suddenly giving the position to Williams..." She was saying at the other end. He could detect the clear tone of frustration.
"Natasha you're not useless. Your dad's action shouldn't define your identity. You're a Child of the Most High God."
"I'm not a Child of God either... It's been really long I stepped foot in a church" She blurted out.
"Really?...I thought you attended...Renewal...Assembly" He faltered.
"That was just a cover up. I only went there once..." She replied slowly.
"Babe...attending church is essential for a Christian and I'm not comfortable that you lied to me." Kingsley was serious.
"I'm sorry but what if I'm not needed there? God will never associate with a sinner like me"
"Who have you been listening to?That's not possible! It's your Father's house!!" He screamed. He felt like shaking some sense into her.
"Babe, I'm sorry..."
"I'm sorry too...I shouldn't have shouted on you...but please, promise me one thing" He replied tenderly.
"What...?"
"That before you sleep, you'll read Luke 5:31-32..." He stated.
"...."
"Babe? Are you there?"
"Okay..." She replied unsure, yet, mentally noting the verse.
"Thank you" He responded, immediately veering to another topic.
When they finally ended the call, she was no longer interested in the movie show. Switching off her television, she reached out for her notepad. Somehow, she wanted to know what the verse said even though she was scared it will reveal her shortcomings.
She picked her Bible from where it laid untouched in one of her table drawers.
"Dear Lord, forgive your daughter" She whispered, emotionally flipping it open.
"Jesus answered them, "Healthy people don't need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent."
Tears brimmed her eyelids...
***
He hoped she will take a look at the Bible verses but more than that, he was bothered about the problems their relationship faced. To begin with, her father never supported their affair. It was bad to have an in-law who didn't have your good intentions at heart and worse, if he was someone outstanding.
Mr Barnett with his level of popularity and fame, could mend and break.
He scrolled through his feed, an attempt to discourage himself from the thoughts and questions on his mind. A comment here and there, and he was still troubled. Nothing held his interest. Rather, it added further to his depression as a newly married couple, flaunted their wedding pictures. He hissed in dissatisfaction.
Paulina looked up, attempting to speak, but his facial expressions dissuaded her. Kingsley when at his lowest end, could utter some undeserving words. Therefore, she decided to let him be.
He ate quietly, his mind still painting pictures of everything that could ever go wrong.
"What if he's not good enough?"
"What if Natasha can't hold on to her father's criticism?"
"What if Williams decides to really take things further?"
"What if...?"
"What are you thinking about?" Paulina asked as he came into the kitchen. She couldn't help herself any longer. He stole a look at her, taking a bottle of water from the fridge.
"Brother..."
"Sister..." He replied, taking one large gulp. She smiled.
"You've been disturbed since the call..." She stated.
Kingsley looked at her again. His eyes searching.
"Could she ever understand what really disturbed his mind? What he was going through and provide a solution? She was only a girl, 16 years of age, what words could she have for a troubled young man in a relationship?" He reasoned, leaning on the kitchen counter.
"I know you're overwhelmed with Natasha's fame and popularity. You don't have to be. If you love each other, that's enough, Big Bro." She replied with a smile.
"The problem is...it doesn't always work like that...Mr Barnett doesn't like me, one bit" He countered, expecting her to see reason.
"Who owns Mr Barnett's heart?" Paulina asked as he dropped his shoulders in defeat.
"Lina, I'm aware but sometimes it can be really overwhelming...God is truly in charge but...Can't we be free to love whoever we want to?" Kingsley replied helplessly.
For a moment, sympathy flashed through her eyes. She didn't know what to say.
"Sometimes Lina, I feel like I made a mistake...." He continued, his tone laced with anxiety.
"...Perharps, I should have taken some time to reason, get myself together... It's not that easy to shoulder someone's problems when you're still battling with yours..." He further explained.
"Maybe you're relying on your strength alone. With your strength you could fail. When we depend on God, he helps us" She assured, patting his shoulders.
He nodded, as she walked away. He pondered on her wise words.
At that moment, he looked like a lost and frightened puppy. For one who had just encouraged someone to read some verses in the scripture, he needed some reassurance himself.
He sighed, reaching out for another bottle of water. As he tasted the chilliness that came with it, he hoped it will drown out every negative thought that wasn't supposed to be in him.
***
Natasha awoke the next morning at 9, pretty late for someone who had every intention to be productive.
She stared at the ceiling, her mind still troubled from the previous night. Inspecting the patch on her pillow, recalling how she had cried herself to sleep, soothing herself with the hope, that dawn might usher in some good news except that now the weather was a bit dull for a Saturday morning.
She rolled to the other side of the bed, picking her phone from the table. Switching it on, she saw some missed calls.
One from Ruth. Two from her Hero.
She rang Kingsley first.
"Hi"
"Sleepy head...how are you?" He responded with a smile.
"I'm just getting myself. Last night was miserable" She replied sitting up, her gaze settling briefly on her reflection. The glass was truthful, she was indeed pathetic.
"Babe..." He called out, noting the silence.
"What? Is everything okay?" She was startled.
"I love you" He replied.
"Thank you" She blushed scarlet.
"I was thinking we should have our anniversary this afternoon..." He continued, smiling at the customer, who had just gotten her cup of coffee.
"Really?" She simpered.
"Yes...do you have any objections?" He asked carefully.
"No...not at all, I'm excited" She spoke out loud, grinning widely.
"Should we make it 2pm? I already spoke to Rick" He replied, taking another order from an elderly man.
"Okay Boo. 2pm it is" She replied.
"As much as I want to talk with you, the customers are about to bite" He stated.
She giggled. Every atom of sadness in her had been replaced with a glowing hope.
"I love you, Natasha"
"I love you too King" She replied as the line clicked dead.
"Yes!" She leaped, raising her right hand in triumph quickly texting a reply to the heart emoji, he sent to her chat box.
The door creaked open slowly.
"What do you want for breakfast ma'am?"
"Nothing Samantha" Natasha replied hugging her pillow. She didn't look twice at the young woman who retraced her steps with a knowing smile.
"Only a man's love would make a woman glow like a million stars" Samantha thought to herself, recalling her boss facial expression.
She called Ruth. The latter communicated with apprehension. The information was surprisingly good but suspicious. Rita had agreed to continue with the contract...