That night, the silence continued in our apartment. We were still ignoring and avoiding each other.
When I went to the living room to check if I left my phone there, I saw Linda already there, sitting stiffly at the edge of the couch, her phone in her hand but her eyes unfocused. She didn't look up. I didn't speak. I simply walked past her and into the kitchen.
Today is Sunday night, which means movie night and discussion after the movie. That's our tradition. No matter how chaotic the week has been, Sunday nights belong to us.
After attending our respective churches during the day - churches we do not even want to attend.
I attend church programs because my mother forces and emotionally blackmails me into going. Linda attends because Lucas is a church goer, I chuckled when I remember what she always say every Sunday morning when she have to get ready to leave for church " what we do for love"…
we are not atheists,In fact, we pray every morning and every evening, we believe in God, we just are not church people.
As long as Pastor Jeff remains the pastor at my mom's church, I will always hate going there and I do not have a choice, so, every Sunday, I have to sit three pews from the front and watch an impure man preach about God and purity which irks me, my mind drifted to the day my hatred for him started, I was fifteen, I was waiting for my mom to finish the women's meeting so we could go home after Sunday service as usual when pastor Jeff called me into his office.
I remember the way I stiffened and the room suddenly felt smaller, from the door closing to how I went home to wash the part his disgusting hands touched on my body, I didn't know much then but I know I felt irritated and I knew it was inappropriate if he hadn't heard my mum calling for me and finally let me go I wondered what else would have happened that day, I shuddered, I attend that church every Sunday with one thought… I want pastor Jeff dead!
But how do someone explain that to my mother who believes and trust her pastors so much?
Today's movie night schedule was to watch Judge Judy — Linda's favorite. I think she loves the discussions that come after each case more than the show itself. But judging from the mood in the house, there might not be any discussion tonight.
The aroma of Jollof rice filled the apartment which made my tummy grumble I knew immediately she had cooked. She only makes that particular rice when she's trying to soften me up, well, hard luck because I don't think I will be forgiving her soon.
After scooping some into my plate, I went to the dining table to eat quietly.
"Kate… are you still angry at me? Tonight is movie night and it's Judge Judy," Linda said in a low voice. "Is the rice delicious? I made it specially for you."
I didn't look at her. "I know. And is there anyone else in this room you would have made it for?"
Ohhh. So this is what this is? A form of apology.
No. I won't give in this time.
She sighed softly. "Okay. I am sorry. I know what I did was wrong. That's why I apologized immediately I came in. And I admit it's because we weren't on speaking terms that I didn't tell you about the trip."
She walked closer and hugged me from behind.
"I am so sorry, Kate."
My hands tightened around my spoon.
"No, I won't accept your apology, Linda. You really hurt my feelings. I also admit I was wrong about calling you controlling, and I apologize for that. But what you did… that was the height of it all."
"Katie, Katie," she said gently, resting her chin on my shoulder. "I am sorry about everything. It's me- your soul sister, your love from day one."
I tried to hold on to my anger, but- somehow she disarmed me.
"Alright, miss, don't break my neck," I muttered. "Apology accepted. But don't do that again. And you know you're silly, right? You were going to apologize with food?"
She pulled back, smiling sheepishly. "Tell me it didn't work."
"You sly!" I laughed despite myself. "It worked a bit. But I had to let you know you cannot always bribe your way out of things."
"Alright, lessons learnt," she said dramatically. "Now that you're done eating and no longer angry, can we go and watch Judge Judy?"
"Just one sec…"
My phone screen lit up in my hand.
Incoming call: Richard.
My heart screamed for joy despite myself.
"Uhm… uhm…" Linda cleared her throat. "I will wait for you." She walked to the living room, sat on the couch, and started scrolling through her phone. I know she's itching to talk, but she doesn't want to annoy me.
I picked up my phone and answered, then slipped into my room, closing the door behind me.
"I want to hear whatever reasonable excuse you have for ghosting me after asking me to be your girlfriend, Richard," I said firmly.
There was a pause on the other end.
"I am sorry, Katie. I really am," he said. "I've been really busy since that day. I wasn't even in the country. I just got back."
I leaned against my door.
"You weren't in the country," I repeated slowly. "And you couldn't send one message? One text? Richard, you asked me to be your girlfriend."
"I know. And I meant it, but I had an emergency…business emergency, I have been in and out of board meetings since ce the day we met, I am so sorry, what time will you be free tomorrow so we can meet up and talk?" He asked
Silence stretched between us.
"Uhm…I have to meet up with my leather supplier tomorrow but I should be free by 5pm"
" okay, we should meet at lovers Garden then" He hesitated "….I have to go now,Good night babe"
" Goodnight "