Sister Deborah

EPISODE 1: ACCIDENT.

SISTER_DEBORAH

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

» Author: Samuel Frederick.
» Contact details: 09131069475, 08103663884.
» Samuelfrederick20@gmail.com
» Ayordayle@gmail.com
» Facebook: Sam Freddy.
» Instagram: @ayordayle

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EPISODE 1: ACCIDENT.

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Tuesday services are one of my favorites among our church programs, especially because of one reason—one major reason—Sister Deborah.

I couldn’t remember the last time I missed any church service just because of her, just to hear her soprano, angelic voice and to see her beautiful, dimpled smile.

I always ensured that I reserved a seat at the front row where I could easily have a good, clear view of her spotless fair complexion, her long black braided hair and her adorable straight legs; exactly most of what I wanted in a woman—she had it all.

She didn’t have the typical hourglass figure, but her shape could pass for modelling if she wanted to. Her eyes. God. Her eyes were amazing. I hadn’t really been that close to her, but from what I’d seen in the one time she walked past me, she had a pair of bright black orbs that I’d spend an eternity staring at. In fact, eternity was an understatement. I could go on and on with this, but I’d rather just draw the line here.

Shifting the spotlight to myself, I’d rather say that I’m somewhat attractive in my own way—at least, judging from the compliments I’ve gotten from people. I wasn’t fair like Deborah but my dark skin was perfect. I liked my average height, even though, deep down, I desired better. I had a slim but fit structure and facially, I looked like Korede Bello, the talented Nigerian singer. Except for the cute dimples, though.

However, aside from all of that, Deborah had not for once noticed me, neither had I made any move or attempt at approaching her. I always had this ecstatic feeling of boldness to talk to her in my imaginations, but when the time comes, my heart fails me terribly. I couldn’t do it. I wasn’t bold enough to.

I mean, I didn’t think I was in Deborah’s league, anyway. Why would she opt for someone like me when she had better options in campus?

“Chineche!”

That was Timi’s voice, a friend of mine, calling me over and over again, but I chose to ignore him.

“Chinecherem!” He called again, tapping me on my shoulder this time around. “Guy!”

Annoyed, I turned to him with a stern face and asked, “What?!”

He looked rather dazed at my response.

“I don dey call you since sey make we go house na, but you no wan answer me.” He said. “Service don close na!”

I hissed and ignored him, returning my gaze to its initial position.

Timi tapped me again, harder. “Chineche no be you I dey follow talk?” he sounded frustrated. Yet, I ghosted him.

Then, instinctively, he trailed my gaze and sighed and said under his breath, “No wonder.”

“So you still haven’t given up on that girl?” He said, a tilt to his voice. “If you like her this much, why don’t you just man up, walk up to her and tell her?”

“You think it’s that easy?” I responded, still locking my eyes on target.

“Are you afraid of her?”

That was Timi’s next question that made me turn to him instantly.

“Afraid of her?” I cackled. “Why would I be afraid of her?”

“I don’t know? I have a reason for asking because, the Chineche I know would never take this long to woo a girl he likes. I’ve always known you to be a sharp, rugged boy over the years who doesn’t take no for an answer. A bonafide go-getter in his prime. What suddenly happened?” Timi said. “You don change finish, boss.”

In a logical sense, he had some iota of truth in what he said. I had truly changed, a whole lot.

“I just can’t understand either,” I answered, heaving a sigh. “It’s just that when it comes to Deborah, everything turns around. Everything changes! It feels entirely different.”

“Then talk to her!” Timi chipped in. I looked at him with an avid stare, processing his advice in my head carefully, before emitting another sigh and averting my eyes from his face to Deborah’s.

“Timi, I can’t. You won’t understand.” I surrendered, springing to my feet. “Let’s go home, bro.”

Timi looked at me with a complex gaze, obviously surprised at my cowardice.

“Chineche this is so unlike you,” he said, rising to his feet too. “Where is the man I know? The lion I held up high?”

I ignored his remark with a slight shrug, walking to the exit door. Timi followed behind me regardless.

Just close to the exit was where the choir podium was situated, which meant that I would have to pass through that same spot, close to Deborah. I could see some choristers waiting behind, talking and laughing, probably preparing for a practice session as usual. I could see Deborah too, standing with a plate of food and a bottled water trapped in the pit of her elbow as she ate hurriedly, simultaneously laughing and talking to her colleagues.

I bowed my head as I passed behind her, making my way to the exit as calmly as I could. I could almost taste her cologne—the usual unique perfume I’d grown to love whenever I passed near her. It had an enchanting scent combined with the appealing colors of the yellow and black uniform she wore today, which happened to be her choir attire.

A few steps away to the exit, as I walked further, like a bolt of lightning, practically out of the blue, someone pushed me forcefully and I stumbled and staggered, almost tripping down on the tiled ground. I lost balance and moved frantically to grab on to anything I could see, only to end up colliding heavily with someone’s figure behind me.

The plate she was holding slipped off from her hands and fell, as well as the bottled water did. It shattered on the floor and the water spilled fast too.

I raised my head with plain shock, realizing I had just bumped into Deborah. I noticed dots of stew all over her shirt that’d messed it up. She looked even more shocked than I was at that moment.

“My goodness! I am s-s-so sorry,” I stuttered frightfully, fidgeting, due to the unlikely look she had.

Then, instinctively, I looked back to see Timi standing nearby, watching us. He had pushed me intentionally; I could tell from the dubious look on his face.

He smiled and winked at me immediately, and then he burst into uncontrollable laughter, knowing that he’d just trapped me in a tight spot.

Lord help me, because I’ll so kill Timi today!