[Story] Too late – S01 E19

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 19

Charles always look forward to having a nice time with Elena. The truth is that she is fun to be with. She was not only beautiful but intelligent. She has vast knowledge about things or idea they share. When he sits with her, his eyes follows all her gestures and movement.

Funny enough, when Elena told him to look for a church where God’s word is rightly divided, Charles chose GOSPEL TRUTH BIBLE CHURCH – The church Elena attends. So far, he is not a bench warmer.

In the church, he discovered that most brothers are interested in Elena. The calibres of brothers frightens him. Sometimes he asks himself if he has a chance with her.

Charles also noticed that Elena never wear clothes that exposes sensitive parts of her body. She dresses decently and modestly.

“My body is God’s temple and I should treat it with respect. I don’t need to be naked to get a husband” She would say to Charles.

Charles would close early from work just to have few hours of talk with Elena. Elena had never visited him alone. She was always in the company of her brother, Chima. He had wanted to express his feelings to her, but the presence of her brother always restraints him. He also remembered that Elena always say:

“Don’t always be in a haste to take any decision. Decision taken in haste is disastrous. If God isn’t aware or part of your decision, then it’s not worth it”

On this Thursday, Charles instructed the driver to drive to church. The church was having a praise night. As chairman of the committee for the programme, he had to join others to make preparations. Invitation had been sent to many churches and gospel artistes. He wouldn’t want disappointment and embarrassment.

The driver parked the car in front of the church and while he stepped down, he instructed the driver not to wait for him. Charles had a short meeting with his team to put a finishing touch to their preparation. Exhausted, Charles stood up to go home and refreshen himself before returning to the church. Brother Ignatius rushed to him stopping him from leaving the church premises.

“I have wanted to talk to you about something that has been bothering me” He said standing opposite Charles.

“Really?”

“Yes!”

“What is it?”I hope there’s no problem?

Bro Ignatius cleared his throat and rubbed his hands together.

“It’s about your sister”

“My sister?”

“Yes!, Elena”

“Ooh!”

He had never told anyone Elena was his sister. Why was Ignatius referring to him as her brother.

“I have thought of how to bare my heart to you. Elena has captured my heart”

“I see”

“Since these few days, I have been praying about her and I am convinced she is my wife. Infact, God spoke to me audibly that she is my wife”

Charles began to sweat. Why would God say this to Ignatius when he knew, him, Charles was in love with her. He tried so hard to listen to what Ignatius was saying.

“…I want the pastor to be aware of my feelings. I am telling you because I don’t want you to be taken unaware” He said still rubbing his palms together.

“If God has spoken, who am I to question him” Charles told him.

“It was audible. Very clear”

“Hmmm!, Should I tell her what you said?”

“Of course. Put in words for me then I…”

“Alright”

Bro Ignatius thanked him for his time. He left but Charles still stood there. He had wanted to go home and rest a little before returning to the church.

When he stepped out of the church, he had tears in his eyes. He was moody.

“I have lost Elena” He muttered.

Charles managed to get home. He was destabilized though. He refreshened himself, ate and rested a little before finding his way back to church. So worried and distracted was he that he floated throughout the night. He had the urge to drag Elena and express his feelings.

Elena kept glancing at him and asking what the problem was and his response was “Nothing”.

The programme ended 4:15pm. People whose houses were close by risked it home. For others like Elena and Charles, they remained in the church until it was safe to go home. Elena’s brother slept on a chair, while Elena and Charles took plastic chairs outside like some others. As soon as he sat on the chair, he sighed deep.

“You are tensed Charles. Is there a problem?. You have been like this since yesterday. Did I do anything wrong. Tell me and I will apologize” She said.

“You have done nothing wrong Elena. I am stressed” He said forcing a smile.

Elena studied his face then smiled.

“Cheer up Charles”

She began to say funny things to loosen him up and succeeded and in no time, Charles was laughing hilariously. Heads began to turn towards their direction.

“By the way, Bro Ignatius thinks you are my sister. He told me he is convinced that you are his wife”

“I don’t get it” She said frowning.

“Well, he has been praying about marriage, and according to him, God spoke to him and said you are his wife”

Charles studied her face for reactions. She kept quiet and began to rub her palms together.

“He is informing the pastor”

“God is not an author of confusion Charles. If God spoke to him, then He should speak to me also. He should tell me Ignatius is my husband. Until then, I am not moved. I need to pray about it” She said.

It then dawned on Charles that never for once had he asked God if Elena was the right partner for him. He had been so carried away by his feelings for her that he never enquired from God. He knew God was never going to mislead him. Both of them chatted until it was safe to go home.

On Saturday, Elena returned to her place of primary assignment. For Charles, it was as if the light has been put off again. The day before she was to return, Charles visited her at home with a big bag. His driver helped him carry the bag inside.

“I bought these for you. You will need them”

Elena opened the bag and laughed.

“I know the things you like and I want your mouth to be busy” He said laughing.

She zipped the bag and went to him. She gave him a teddy bear hug and her tears fell on his shoulders.

“I will miss you Charles” She whispered then disengaged herself.

Before he could respond, her aunty came out and scolded Elena for not allowing Charles have his seat.