Episode 4 – The Slow Beginning
Valerie did not join the media team that week. Or the next. She told herself she needed to “pray about it,” but really, she was buying time. Time to observe and guard. Time to make sure whatever this was didn’t outrun her wisdom.
Still, on Sunday, she found herself arriving earlier than usual. She told Tammy it was to avoid traffic. Tammy didn’t believe her.
“My dear,” Tammy said as they stepped into the auditorium, “if you like, be pretending. I know anticipation when I see it.”
Valerie ignored her and walked toward the middle rows. She did not look toward the media stand immediately. She refused to.
But awareness is a stubborn thing. She could feel him there. And when she finally glanced up - just briefly - he was already looking in her direction. When their eyes met this time, neither looked away too quickly. It felt less accidental now.
***
After service, she tried to leave quickly. Tried. But as she stepped toward the exit, a voice called gently behind her.
“Valerie.”
Her name in his voice did something strange to her pulse. She turned. Purity was walking toward her, camera bag slung over one shoulder.
Up close, he seemed even calmer than before.
“Hi,” he said.
“Hi.”
A small silence settled between them.
“I didn’t see you sign up last week,” he said lightly.
She folded her arms loosely. “I like to think before committing.”
A hint of a smile touched his lips. “That’s wise.” She studied him for a second. “You commit easily?”
“To service? Yes.”
“And to… other things?” His eyes held hers.
“I don’t start what I’m not prepared to steward.” Her breath caught slightly. Was he trying to flirt with her???.
She swallowed. “That’s… good.” He nodded once. “Can we sit for a minute?” It was a request.
She hesitated. Her instinct was to retreat. To stay unentangled. But her spirit felt calm.
“Okay.”
They walked toward a quieter corner of the church compound where a few plastic chairs sat under a small canopy. Lagos sun filtered through the trees, warming the concrete beneath them. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Cars drove past outside the gate. A generator hummed faintly in the background.
“I don’t think we’ve properly acknowledged how strange this is,” he said finally.
She let out a small breath of laughter. “The airport?”
“Twice.”
“And the flight.”
“And now here.”
She looked down at her hands. “I don’t believe in forcing meaning onto things.”
“Neither do I.” Silence again.
“I’m not usually… open,” she admitted quietly.
“To?”
“To new people.” His gaze softened, but he didn’t interrupt.
“I like structure. I like knowing what I’m walking into.”
“That makes sense.” He replied
She glanced up at him. “Does it?”
“Yes.” He leaned back slightly. “You seem like someone who’s had to protect herself.”
His words landed too close to home. She stiffened slightly. “Why would you say that?”
“You don’t respond emotionally,” he said gently. “You respond thoughtfully. Like you measure everything first.” Her chest tightened. He sees too much.
She shifted in her seat. “And you? What do you do?”
“I listen first.”
She almost smiled. “Dangerous trait.”
“It prevents regret.”
Their eyes held again. Longer this time. Something unspoken flickered between them. Attraction. Yes. But deeper than that, compatibility of pace.
“Can I ask you something?” he said. She hesitated. “Depends.” He smiled slightly. “Fair.”
He took a breath. “What scares you most about relationships?” Her body went still. That was not surface-level conversation.
She could lie. She could deflect. But something about his tone made honesty feel… safe.
“Absence,” she said quietly. He didn’t respond immediately.
“Emotional absence,” she clarified. “Being present physically but unavailable spiritually or emotionally.”
His eyes darkened slightly with understanding. “That’s specific.”
“It is.”
“Personal?” She looked away toward the church gate.
“My father was a pastor.” The words came flat and Measured.
“He loved God,” she continued. “But he didn’t know how to love us.”
The generator hum seemed louder suddenly. Purity felt something shift in his chest. He didn’t rush to defend pastors. He didn’t offer spiritual clichés. He just listened.
“My mother left,” she finished softly.
“I’m sorry,” he said gently. She nodded once.
“I’ve always told myself I would never marry a pastor,” she added, almost as an afterthought. The statement hung between them. He inhaled slowly.
“Do you believe calling always equals neglect?” She looked at him sharply.
“No.”
“But you fear it might.”
“Yes.” Their honesty felt almost too intimate for two people still technically strangers. “What about you?” she asked. “What’s your story?”
He leaned forward slightly, elbows resting on his knees.
“I left God at fifteen.” Her eyebrows lifted.
“Completely?”
“For a while.”
“Why?”
“I thought I could build something better without Him.” She studied him carefully.
“And?” He exhaled. “I was wrong.” A faint smile touched her lips.
“What brought you back?”
“Emptiness,” he said simply. “And mercy.” She felt something warm spread through her chest. They were exchanging testimony. And somehow that felt intimate.
Her phone buzzed.
Tammy of life.
She ignored it. He noticed but didn’t comment.
“I don’t want to assume anything,” he said carefully. “But I’d like to get to know you.” Her heartbeat quickened. There it is. Direct and Clear.
She looked at him steadily. “To what end?” His answer came without hesitation.
“Intentional friendship.” The phrase settled softly.
Intentional Friendship. She inhaled slowly.
“Friendship I can do,” she said. A subtle relief crossed his face. “Good.”
He reached into his pocket. “Can I have your number?”
Her instinct flared. Guard.
But she silenced it. She typed her number into his phone. He dialed immediately so she’d have his. Her phone vibrated in her hand.
Unknown number.
She saved it as:
Purity Media.
Just in case she needed emotional distance later. He noticed the name over her shoulder and smiled slightly. “Media?”
She shrugged lightly. “It’s accurate.”
“For now,” he said quietly. Her pulse jumped at the subtle weight in those two words.
For now.
Before she could respond, Tammy appeared dramatically.
“Ah ah! So this is where you people are hiding.” Valerie stood quickly. “We were just talking.”
Tammy extended her hand to Purity boldly. “I’m Tammy. Valerie’s roommate and official life advisor.” He shook her hand, amused. “Purity.”
“Hmm,” Tammy eyed him. “You look responsible.”
He laughed softly. “I try.”
As they walked toward the gate, Tammy slowed down deliberately so Valerie and Purity walked slightly ahead.
“So,” he said quietly, “can I call you later?” Her stomach flipped unexpectedly.
“Yes.”
“What time works?” She appreciated that question.
“After nine.”
“Okay.” They reached the gate. Traffic roared outside. As she stepped into the Uber with Tammy, she glanced back once. He was still standing there. Watching.
Her phone buzzed.
A text. She opened it.
Purity Media:
It was good talking to you today. Thank you for being honest.
Her chest tightened slightly. She typed back slowly.
Thank you for listening.
Three dots appeared almost immediately.
Purity Media:
I’ll call at 9.
She stared at the screen longer than necessary. And for the first time in a long time… Valerie felt the quiet beginning of something she couldn’t fully control- a soft, deliberate unfolding of connection.
And at exactly 9:02 p.m., her phone began to ring. She stared at the screen for two full seconds before answering. Her heart beating louder than her logic.
“Hello?”
And the sound of his voice in the quiet of her room felt closer than church courtyards and airport terminals ever had.
“Hi, Valerie.” Her pulse softened.
“Hi.”
And neither of them knew yet… That friendship was about to become something far more dangerous to their carefully guarded hearts.
To be continued…
Authors note: Ndi VP shippers!!! Are you seeing what I’m seeing???
Osikwa ije love😂😂 Let’s see how it goes sha.
Who else just loves how soft Purity is? The man is giving “Romantic Christian Man” vibes.
If you’re yet to read episode 1-3. It’s up on my profile. Go enjoyyy and leave a comment.
the ship has sailed! 🎊🎊🎊
“He loved God, but he didn’t know how to love us.” I felt the impact of these words. Valerie really had it rough. I love how Purity just listened to her. That was my favourite scene in this chapter or episode, as you like to call it.