Veronica was not only a true Christian, she was lovelier than he had given her credit for. When she returned in the evening, they went for a walk and he professed his love for her in a tremulous voice. He had never been so afraid of rejection in his life. The beautiful woman who brought him to this humbling realization also made him feel like a king when she accepted his proposal.
“Veronica, I want to marry you. I’m done with being stupid.”
She laughed. “I knew you would come back one day.”
They spent the evening discussing each other. He told her the pastor’s stand, and she agreed he couldn’t follow such a path.
“You’ll keep running.” She shook her head. “I know he won’t want to see you around him either. So you need to find another church and lay low. With time, the story will come out, and you can make amends.”
Her opinion about his next direction was just as simple and helpful.
“We have some contract jobs in my office. I can make enquiries.”
Dele grabbed her hand. “I will appreciate this. Thank you. I don’t mind any job. I will work as your messenger or cleaner.”
She giggled. “They are junior and middle management contract jobs, sir.”
Within a day and a half, Dele’s life took a new turn. He kept telling himself he would never have known he could make something of his mess if he hadn’t taken a leap of faith. Being with Veronica became the highlight of his life, and by the end of a month he could pay for his own accommodation, a small room much like Veronica’s brother had.
His life took shape in the twinkle of an eye, and he had his dignity back. With hindsight, Pastor Goodwill allowed him to tell his testimony in his church and to apologize, though it didn’t go so well. Many people felt offended and manipulated.
“People will forgive and forget with time, don’t worry,” Veronica assured him in her customary way. “And Shakira’s boxes arrived today. It’s just the right time. The way God works.”
“Yes, I guess.” He cleared his throat. “Maybe I can be allowed to make the presentation of the cartons. Save face.”
Veronica nudged him. “Pastor will make the announcement. Loosen up. People forgive. Anyone could have fallen into the temptation.”
“I hope so.”
She greeted a few of her friends even as some unforgiving members strolled by with canny remarks. “By the time the boxes are opened and the gifts are shared on Sunday, people will be thanking you for bringing her.”
He smirked. “Amen.”
She didn’t have a car, but they had plans to buy one soon. As they got to the main road to catch a taxi, she tapped him. “Do you mind going on to your place? I’ll catch up later. I need to get something from the evening market.”
It was after the mid-week evening service, and they would have gone to her house or his for dinner.
“What do you need to buy at this late hour?”
“Dried fish. I made the soup without it.” She cringed. “I’m sorry. Go on. I’ll catch up with you.”
He winked. “Let me come with you. It’s not like I’ll have dinner before you return.”
“Aww, thanks, dear.”
The evening market was sometimes open until almost midnight, but it filled up pretty quickly, and one could find as many things as in the day market. Dele hung around as Veronica haggled with the fish seller—until he caught a glimpse of a most unlikely person.
Glory.
He grabbed Veronica’s hand. “Are you done? I see someone I know.” He kept his gaze on Omote’s sister, afraid she would disappear.
“I’m done. Yes.” Veronica collected her bagged fish and said, “Shall we?”
“The lady over there. In the next stall with the man. I know her.”
“Should we go over and—”
“No. We follow them. They mustn’t—she must not see me.” He whispered in her ears, and her eyes bulged. “Yes.”
“Come behind me then.”