Invitation

"Are you going somewhere?" Maria inquired as she watched Bella get dressed that morning which was not typical of her, it's been ages since she attend any church Sunday service.

"As you can see babe, I'm going to church," Bella replied as she applied concealer to the well-carved eyebrow she drew on her face.

 Maria's eyes almost popped out of its socket as she made the statement.

 "Are you serious?"

 

 "Why are you surprised because I said I'm going to church? I'm not the worst sinner on earth you know." She gushed as she took her lips in so that the lipstick can spread widely on her lips.

 

 "Come on, that's not what I mean. I'm just surprised that's all. This kind of change is impressive! I'm happy that you're considering this move. 

   Just hurry up so that we can get there on time, remember going late to church is not appropriate." Maria prodded.

 

 "Spoiler alert, I'm not going to your Church." She uttered with an impish look on her face.

  

 "Oh!" 

 

 "Yeah, Richard invited me to their church so I'm going there this morning."

 

 "Oh! I get it now." Maria blurted nodding her head in an upward and downward gesture.

 

 "So, are you going to church because of Mr. Richard?"

 

 "How does that concern you?" She questioned rolling her eyes.

 

 "Gosh! Bella, you're gradually losing your mind. What the hell is going on in your head."

 

 "What are you trying to insinuate? Are you not the one that has been cajoling me all this while to go to church? And now that I have decided to heed your advice, you are complaining again. Please, just let me be." Bella shrieked.

  

 "I'm not complaining, I'm only worried about you, I hope you're not falling for that man because you know it's a "No Go Area."

  He's a very disciplined man and you of all people know that he maintains his stand for Purity and holiness even before marriage. So what's making you think he can consider you now that he's married and blessed with adorable kids?" 

 

 "Maria, I don't care! You can continue to bluff till you're blue in the face, I don't care. Where did you even get that weird idea from? 

 Can't I associate with my school Dad anymore because he's happily married?" She questioned with a menacing threat.

 

 "Don't misconstrue my word, I'm not saying you should not associate with him but you need to know your limit and be cautious so that you won't trip. Remember when you were very close he wasn't married then but now, you need to know your limit, you have boundaries that you must not cross."

 

 "Maria, just let me be. I'm not a kid and I know what's good for me. So keep your sermon to yourself." Bella shunned.

 

  "Okay." Maria sighed in defeat.

  

  "Whatever, I'm off to church. Please pray for me." Bella said as she picked up her bag and placed it across her shoulder.

  

  "You're going to church so you should pray for yourself," Maria retorted.

  

  "I'm not going there to pray okay!" Bella said with a sly smile as she head towards the door. Maria shook her head ruefully and let out a frantic sigh before walking outside too.

  

  * * * *

     As she got down from the cab, she paid the cab man and head towards the entrance of the church. 

     It was a very big church, the building was magnificent, and fleets of cars were neatly parked in the garage.

     

 Bella sighed wearily, "if not because of my predicament, I would have come here with my car, these cars here can't even compete with the ones I have before."  Bella snorted as she remembered how her life used to be before the incident. 

     

     As she stepped inside the church, one of the usher standing ushered her to a sit that was almost close to the back because everywhere was filled up already. It was a big church indeed!

     

     She settled down in her seat, looking around hoping she would get a glimpse of Mr. Richard.

     She sighed in defeat after eye-searching everywhere and couldn't see him.

     

      "Why have I not seen this man or his wife? I hope I have not missed my way." She thought as she picked up her phone and checked the name of the church again but It was still correct.

      

     " Why can't I find him?" She pondered.

     

     She was gradually losing her patience, "I will leave once they're done with their sermon." She concluded within her.

     

    As the pastor was preaching the word of God, he was filled with so much energy and zeal as he talked about the topic. "Life after death. It was a vital, inevitable, and heart-grabbing topic that made everywhere oddly silent and tensed.

    

     The congregation listened with rapt attention, allowing the message he was preaching to sink in. 

     Some were feeling remorseful as they went on their knees and started wailing, pleading for forgiveness. Of course, the topic he was talking about was heart-capturing. 

     Well, Bella's mind has wandered far away, she wasn't interested in the sermon and did not bother to listen, she wasn't there for that. She only agreed to come to church because the invitation was from, Mr. Richard and now she can't even find him.

    

    "What's the point of coming here, if I won't see him?" She lamented.

    

     After the sermon, it was time for offering. As the choir was singing different kinds of praises song, everyone was dancing and moving with the rhythm of the song. It was turn for the row she was sitting on to dance forward and drop their tithe. 

     At the pulse of the moment, her eyes traveled to the altar and she saw Mr. Richard in a white Tuxedo looking as handsome as ever, with his normal low-cut hairstyle on his head. He was sitting in the midst of some pastors like him.

     "Oh! I forgot he's a pastor. He's not expected to sit amid the congregation and I have been stressing myself all this while." She murmured as a smile formed on her face, she almost concur with her subconscious mind that was urging her to call him and make him notice that she honored his invitation.

     

      After seeing Mr. Richard, her mind calmed down a bit and she decided to keep calm since she has seen what she was looking for, "I don't mind waiting here till dawn. What matters most is that he's here with me and that's enough."

      

      After the service was over, people were trooping out in groups laughing and giggling at the conversation they were making.

      

      "Hey hubby, have you seen Bella around the premises?" She asked as she walked up to him.

      

  "Yeah I did, I saw her in the midst of the crowd earlier." He replied as he glanced around because everywhere was still crowdy.

   

 "Oh! There she is." Stella said as she spotted Bella amongst the crowd.

 

    They walked up to her; "Hey Bella, it's good to see you in our church today. I'm so delighted you decide to come." Richard said.

 "Oh, it's not as if I'm doing you a favor by coming here. I came here to have an encounter with Christ and I believe he will ease all my burden." She replied with an innocent look.

       

 "Wow, I like your sense of reasoning. Hope you enjoyed the service?" Stella asked.

       

 "Yes, I did. It was awesome."

 "That's good to hear. Let me leave you guys to talk, while I go pick up the kids from the children's church." Stella uttered.

 "Okay." 

"We will be waiting for you in the car."

 "Okay," Richard replied and she flashed him a smile before walking away.

        

 "So, I was thinking if you would like to meet one of our counselors" Richard began.

 "Counselor?"Bella queried.

       

       "Yes, you can probably share whatever it is that is bothering you with them, and remember a problem shared is half problem solved. They'll give you the necessary advice and help you with prayers too." Richard coaxed.

       

  On a norm, she would have rejected the offer without hesitation but she can't find herself saying no to his request.

  

 "But why do I need a counselor?" She asked as she managed to find her voice.

       

  "Bella, you need a counselor to share your problems with. You only look strong and fierce but beneath that gruff exterior lies a wounded soul still finding it hard to get back to her feet, so I guess it's better to share it with them since neither I nor my wife can help you in this predicament. 

 It's better to let people that are experts in this aspect help you and pray for you." He expatiated.

 

   Bella gave him a long look with a series of thoughts running through her mind, she felt hurt by the statement he made saying; he can't be of help, what did he mean by that?" She thought.

       

  "Bella, you're not saying anything," he said bringing her back to reality.

       

  She was startled a little bit. "Oh! I'm just considering some things, can I ask you a question?"

       

 "Yeah, go ahead and ask me," he urged.

  "Why are you so keen on my matter? I mean, I can take care of myself and it's obvious that I'm trying to bounce back. So why the concern?" She asked with a shrug.

       

"Yeah, I know it's true. You're an a****n and I'm proud of you but strong people need help, remember we're human and there is something we can't handle alone."

       "Okay fine, let's go since you insist." She blurted.

       

       "Yeah, her office is over there. Let's go see her."