Chapter Forty-seven
While Amara waited for Michael to finish so they could leave, brother Emma approached her and took the empty seat on her left since Ada was seated on her right.
"Did you enjoy the service?" He asked with a wide smile, and Amara smiled back.
"Yes, I did, even though I felt eyes on me for most of it."
Ada rolled her eyes inwardly as she stood, wanting to excuse them. "I saw a bookshop outside when we came in. I'm coming. Let me go and check for a book there," she said before walking away.
"I wonder why Nigerians always say I'm coming when we are actually leaving," Emma said, making Amara laugh.
"Well, that is Nigerian English for you."
"I suppose you couldn't hang out with me this weekend because of work and your friend," Emma said, changing the subject. "How about we hang out one of these days this week?"
Amara looked at Emma but didn't respond. She liked him, but not in the way that he liked her, and she was flattered that, despite hearing about her past, he was still interested in her, but she didn't want to give him false hope or waste his time.
"Brother Emma, why do you want to hang out with me? Are you interested in me?" She asked without mincing words.
Emma looked momentarily taken aback by her directness, but then he smiled. "Is it that obvious?"
Amara shook her head, "Not exactly… maybe it is," she said on second thought.
"To tell you the truth, I've always liked you. I've liked you since the first time you walked into this church, but back then, things just ended between me and my girlfriend, and I didn't want to just jump into a relationship when I wasn't sure I'd moved on, and then I didn't really know how to go about it. Now that you're back, I wanted us to spend some time together and get to know each other outside church before telling you how I feel," he explained.
"Are you sure you heard everything I told the choristers yesterday?"
His brows pulled together. "Yes. Why?"
"And your mind has not changed?" She asked curiously.
He shrugged. "Is it supposed to? You're still the same person with a broader experience of life."
Amara sighed softly. "I'm flattered. Honestly, I am," she started, "but I'm not exactly ready for a relationship right now, and even if I was, I don't want to do anything without asking God first. I know it's not a marriage proposal, but I'd rather pray before dating anyone."
"We can pray about it, and also talk to the pastor. Although I told Pastor Michael about my interest in you…"
"You told him?" Amara asked in surprise.
"Yes. I told him after the service on Wednesday when I asked him to let me drop you off."
"What did he tell you?" Amara asked curiously, wondering why Michael had not mentioned it to her.
"He said he didn't want to be involved in it," Emma said, and Amara tried not to frown.
What was the meaning of that response? She wondered as she looked up, and just then she saw Michael staring at them as he approached.
"I'll pray about it," Amara told Emma just as Michael stopped in front of them.
"Are you ready to leave now?" Amara asked Michael as he looked from her to Emma.
"Yes. Where is Ada?" Michael asked as both Emma and Amara rose.
"She's at the bookshop," Amara said, while Michael glanced at Emma.
"Brother Emma, how are you?" Michael asked, and Emma smiled.
"I'm fine, sir. I heard about how you saved sister Amara and how you and your mother have been looking out for her. Thank you so much, sir. God bless you."
Michael looked from Amara to Emma, wondering if that was what they'd been discussing and why it seemed like Emma was thanking him for helping him take care of his wife in his absence.
"God saved her, not me. Thank you for the prayers," Michael murmured.
"Alright, sister Amara. I will call you later. Don't forget to pray about it," he said before walking away.
"What are you praying about?" Michael asked Amara after Emma walked away.
"About his interest in me," Amara said, looking at him, "which he told you about but you didn't bother to tell me."
"Why will I tell you that? Am I his errand boy? Besides, he didn't ask me to tell you anything. He only confided in me about it," Michael said defensively, "let's go."
Amara wished she could ask him if he was interested in her as easily as she'd just asked Emma, but she couldn't. Maybe it was because she was scared of the response; she just couldn't bring herself to do that.
While Michael went to start the car and reverse, Amara went to find Ada at the book shop. When Ada saw Amara approaching, she rolled her eyes.
"You and your brother Emma done talk finish?"
Amara looked at her curiously, "Why do you look like you don't like him?"
"I don't hate or dislike him. I just prefer Pastor Michael. And I don't want to become friends with him now, then when you break his heart and follow Michael, I will now be like one of those stupid guys that like to call their friend's side chick 'our wife' when they know there is no road there."
Amara laughed at her explanation. "But you didn't call him our husband, na."
"If I act like I like him, he will think you like him too, and that I like him because you told me nice things about him. You don't know that's how people think?" Ada asked, and Amara sighed dramatically.
"Abeg, I'm not ready for your lecture. Let's go. Michael is waiting in the car," Amara said, and together they went to join Michael.
As they got into the car, Michael turned to look at Ada, "I hope you enjoyed the service?"
"I did. I enjoyed the prayer session you led more," Ada said sweetly, and Michael chuckled while Amara scoffed and rolled her eyes.
"Thank you. I hope you'll be around for a while?" Michael asked as he drove the car.
"Just a couple of days. I wanted to spend some time with Amara since it's been a long time since we saw each other like this. By the way, Amara told me all about what you did for her. Thank you. Your type is rare. May God bless you with a very good woman. Your own will not spoil," she prayed.
"Amen. Thank you," Michael said, glancing at Amara, who was listening silently.
"So, how did you both become friends?" Michael asked curiously.
"We've known each other since we were kids. We grew up together, so we've always been friends. I know everything about Amara, and I can tell you she's a very good girl even though shakara full her body and sometimes she acts like her head is not too correct," Ada said, and this time Amara turned in her seat to glare at her.
"Is that what they asked you? Simple question, you're saying what nobody asked you. What concerns Amara is a good girl and her head is not too correct with how did you both become friends?" Amara asked with a scowl.
"You see what I mean? See her bad character in action?" Ada asked Michael, making him laugh.
Amara eyed him, wondering why he was laughing this way now that he was talking to Ada, and his face was tight earlier.
Ignoring both of them, Amara took out her phone and focused on scrolling through her Instagram feed, while Ada continued to gist with Michael.
When they arrived at the house, Michael turned to Amara, "I'll pick you up by 2…"
"Are we still going out?" She asked, surprised that he had barely said a word to her but wanted to take her out.
"Did we change plans?" Michael asked back, then, without waiting for her to respond, he turned to Ada, "I'll pick the two of you. Let's see a movie and hang out together," he said, and Ada smiled at him.
"I've never been to the cinema before. I'd really like that. Thank you," she said before coming down, but Amara remained in the car.
"Give me the house key," Ada said, and left after Amara handed it to her.
"Don't you want to get down?" Michael asked Amara.
"No. I want us to talk. I'm not hanging out with you until we clear some things…"
"What are we clearing?" Michael asked, leaning back against the door as he watched her with amusement.
"Let's first talk about last night. Why were you angry with me because of what I told the choristers?"
"I wasn't angry. Upset would be a more fitting word. I was upset you exposed yourself that way. Was that why you had to say all of that to me?" Michael asked, and she hesitated.
"I know I probably said something I shouldn't have said, but…"
"Probably?" Michael asked, raising a brow.
"Okay. I'm sorry I said what I said that way. I just didn't like that it seemed like you were ashamed of me. I thought we'd crossed that stage in our friendship," she said, and Michael raised a brow.
"Which friendship are you talking about? Do you avoid your friends for days? Would I have seen you if I wasn't waiting for you outside yesterday?"
Amara frowned. "Why are you bringing that up? That's not what we are talking about."
"Go inside, Amara. Go and meet your friend. I'll pick you up by 2," Michael said, but she still did not move. "What again?"
"We are not done talking," Amara said stubbornly, and he sighed.
"Okay. What do you want to talk about this time?" He asked patiently, still watching her.
"Why did you say I'm very annoying in your text?"
"Are you not annoying?" Michael retorted.
"You were annoyed because of what I said last night?" She asked, and he nodded slowly.
"Yes. Very annoyed. I didn't even want to talk to you again," he admitted.
Amara didn't say anything for a while; her heart was beating fast. "I'm sorry I said that. I didn't mean it. I value our friendship and don't want us to stop being friends."
"I've heard you," Michael said, then sighed, "I'm sorry I was very upset and gave you the impression that I was ashamed of you…"
"But weren't you upset because you're ashamed of me?" She asked, and Michael paused momentarily as he considered her question.
"I can't explain the reason right now. I'll explain when I believe the time is right," he said, and she nodded.
They were silent for a moment, and then she asked, "So, do you want to know about my discussion with Brother Emma?"
Michael resisted the urge to frown. Why was she suddenly bringing that up? "No. I'm not interested."
"Why not?"
"Why should I be interested? Besides, I already know enough. You both want to pray about it, am I wrong?"
"No. He heard about what I said yesterday, and he doesn't mind being in a relationship with me."
"Good for you both," Michael muttered.
"Will you join us in prayers?" Amara asked, and Michael glared at her.
"As what?" He asked, annoyed that she'd ask him that.
She smiled. "As my friend who is a pastor. I'm sure God speaks to you. You should join me in prayer and ask God if brother Emma is the right person for me."
"I'm not praying. Go and ask Pastor Dele to pray with you."
"Why not? Are you not…"
"Amara, I said I'm not praying. Leave me alone. In fact, get down. I need to go home and get ready. Time is going."
Amara didn't miss the annoyance in his voice this time, and it occurred to her now that maybe Ada was right. Maybe Michael did like her and was jealous.
"Why are you sounding like you're upset? I thought we were cool now? By the way, can I invite brother Emma to join us so that all of us can hang out together?" She asked, wanting to see what he would say.
When Michael glared at her again, she laughed out loud, feeling lighter now that she confirmed he was jealous.
"Why are you looking at me like that because of a simple yes or no question? I'm going inside now. See you later," she said with a wide smile as she got out of the car.
As Michael watched her go, he shut his eyes and prayed for patience to deal with her because she was testing his patience, and he was beginning to act less and less like a pastor around her.