Soteria’s POV
We walked toward Pastor Olive together.
For some reason, my steps felt slower the closer we got to her. It was not fear exactly. It was awareness. Like I was about to sit in front of someone who could see beyond what I was saying.
Pastor Olive turned fully toward us as we approached. She had kind observant eyes.
“Hi, Soteria,” she said warmly. “I’ve heard so much about you.”
I blinked in surprise. “Hi, ma. It’s so nice to finally meet you.”
Her smile widened. “The pleasure is mine.”
“I really enjoyed the last hangout we had,” I continued. “And your teaching on the love of God. It stayed with me.”
“Oh really?” she asked gently.
“Yes, ma. Especially when you talked about how God’s love is not earned. That part… I’ve been thinking about it.”
She nodded slowly, like she understood more than I was saying.
“First of all,” she added, “your name is beautiful. Soteria. How did you get it?”
I smiled, softening immediately.
“My mum’s late friend was named Soteria. The day I was born was her birthday. She passed that same day. My mum always says she didn’t want her best friend to be forgotten, so she gave me the name.”
Pastor Olive’s expression shifted tenderly. “That’s such a beautiful and weighty story. I’m sorry about your mum’s loss.”
“Thank you, ma,” I replied quietly. “She speaks of her with so much love.”
“That’s powerful,” she said. “Names carry memory. And yours means salvation. That is not just any name.”
Salvation.
I had never really paused to think about that.
She gestured toward the chairs nearby. “Let’s sit.”
We sat. Naya sat behind me, almost excited. I glanced at her briefly and smiled before turning back to Pastor Olive.
“Naya mentioned you have some questions,” she said.
I laughed softly. “Ma, I have many questions.”
“That’s a good place to start,” she replied.
“After reading David and Goliath’s story. I began reading about David and Jonathan,” I began. “Their friendship confused me at some point. The covenant. The loyalty. The way Jonathan protected David even though it meant going against his father. I kept wondering, how do you love someone like that? How do you recognize God’s will when it conflicts with family?”
She listened without interrupting.
“Naya explained a bit,” I continued, “but there are still things I don’t fully understand. And it’s not just that story. There are so many parts of the Bible I read and feel like I’m only scratching the surface.”
“That’s honest,” Pastor Olive said gently. “And honesty is beautiful before God.”
“I don’t know if it’s okay for us to meet separately sometime,” I added quickly. “Maybe talk more. I don’t want to disturb you, ma.”
She chuckled softly. “You are not disturbing me. Today may not be convenient because it’s late, but we can schedule something during the week. Or even start with a call. Growth takes conversation.”
My shoulders relaxed. “Oh my God, ma. I would appreciate that so much.”
“Did you enjoy today’s service?” she asked.
“Yes, ma. I really did. Pastor Uzo’s teaching was… it felt direct.”
She nodded. “He’s a solid teacher. He has shaped a lot of us.”
There was a brief pause before she asked, “Is this your first time in church?”
“Not exactly,” I said carefully. “I was born into a Christian family. But my parents are not very consistent with church. We go occasionally. I know about God. I believe in God. But…” I hesitated.
“But?” she prompted gently.
“I feel like I only know Him on the surface,” I admitted quietly. “Like I know about Him. But I’m not sure I really know Him.”
The words felt vulnerable leaving my mouth.
“I’ve been reading more recently,” I continued. “And it’s like something is waking up in me. Like there’s a hunger I didn’t know I had.”
Pastor Olive’s face lit up. “Glory to God.”
I almost laughed at how genuinely excited she looked.
“We have been praying for souls,” she said. “For hearts that are open. And I believe God is drawing you intentionally.”
My chest felt warm again.
“Alright,” she said, practical again. “Let me get your contact.”
I recited my number. She saved it and immediately dialed me.
My phone buzzed in my hand.
“That’s me,” she smiled. “Now you have mine.”
“Thank you, ma.”
“We will schedule a proper session. But for now, I want to encourage you to join our foundation class.”
“Foundation class?” I repeated.
“Yes. It’s where we teach the basics properly. Salvation, your identity in Christ. How to pray and study the Word. It will ground you.”
My eyes widened slightly. “Really?”
“Yes. And after that, you can move into membership and discipleship classes.”
I felt almost overwhelmed.
“And we’ll schedule baptism as well,” she added gently. “Rededication also is very necessary.”
I blinked.
Rededication.
Something inside me stirred again.
“Ma…” I started slowly, “I would really love that.”
“Good,” she said warmly. “Don’t be a stranger. Come on Sunday. Let’s see how we plug you in.”
“I will,” I said without hesitation.
She stood and pulled me into a brief hug.
“Welcome home,” she whispered.
That word did something to me.
Welcome home.
When we finished, she hugged Naya too. “You’re doing well,” she told her. “Keep growing.”
Naya beamed.
As we walked away, I turned to her almost immediately.
“Oh my God,” I said under my breath. “I loved that.”
Naya grinned. “I knew you would.”
“I’m joining foundation class,” I added quickly.
“Yes!” she squealed softly. “That’s amazing.”
“I didn’t even know churches had structured classes like that.”
“They do here,” she said. “I finished mine recently. I had to rededicate my life too.”
“You?” I asked in surprise.
She nodded. “I stopped going to church for a while. Some things happened. I stayed connected online but I knew I needed to recommit fully. I got baptized again. Now I’m doing my membership class.”
“That’s beautiful,” I said sincerely.
“That’s why I can proudly bring you,” she laughed.
We walked out toward the car.
Akila was already seated in the driver’s seat.
But something felt different immediately.
His posture was rigid and his expression was neutral.
Too neutral.
I slowed slightly before getting in.
“Hi,” I said lightly as I opened the back door.
He nodded once.
“Is everything okay?” Naya asked him casually as she entered the front seat.
“Yes,” he replied.
I frowned slightly but said nothing.
The ride back was quieter than the one before service.
It was not tense. Just… restrained.
I tried not to overthink it.
Maybe he was tired.
Maybe he was processing the message.
When we reached my house, he stopped the car and I stepped out.
“Thank you for today,” I said softly.
He nodded again. “Goodnight.”
I hesitated.
For some reason, I wanted him to say more.
He didn’t.
Naya waved enthusiastically from the passenger seat. “Call me!”
“I will,” I laughed.
AkilaHyel’s POV
After we dropped Soteria off, by the time I got home, the silence hit me immediately.
Too quiet.
The kind of quiet that doesn’t just sit. It presses. It drags thoughts out of you whether you like it or not.
And I didn’t want to think about her.
Didn’t want to replay her voice. Or her face. Or the way something in me had almost… leaned toward her.
So I reached for something familiar.
Something safe.
I called my mum.
She picked on the first ring.
“AkilaHyel! Ɗana!” her voice burst through, full and alive. “So you still remember you have a mother?”
I huffed a small laugh, dropping my bag on the chair. “Good evening, Mummy.”
“Evening kenan? It’s almost night. Where have you been hiding since?”
“Work.”
“You people and this your work,” she grumbled. “If it’s not parade, it’s operation. Don’t forget you’re still somebody’s child o.”
Something about the way she said it… settled me.
It always does.
“I haven’t heard your voice in a while,” she added, softer now. “Are you okay?”
I hesitated for half a second. “I’m fine.”
That silence on her end stretched just long enough.
“Are you sure?”
Before I could answer, she said, “Let me add your sisters.”
I shook my head slightly. No escape.
The call expanded.
Wandi joined first and immediately I could hear chaos behind her.
“Uncle Akila! Uncle Akila!!” the twins screamed into the phone before she even greeted properly.
I leaned back on the couch, already smiling. “Where are my soldiers?”
“They are not soldiers o,” Wandi said, laughing. “They are full-time terrorists.”
“Mummy!” one of the twins shouted, breathless. “Uncle is laughing!”
“Of course he’s laughing,” Mum said proudly. “His heart is soft for you people.”
I didn’t respond to that.
Wandi continued, “They started preschool last week. You need to see them forming big girls now. Attitude has entered.”
“Send pictures.”
“I sent it on the family group!”
“I haven’t checked.”
“Yes, because Mr. Military doesn’t have time for civilians,” another voice cut in.
Kwaala.
I smiled. “How are you, Kwaala?.”
“I am tired,” she said bluntly. “I am on Night shift. But I can’t miss the family gist.”
Mum sighed dramatically. “See my children. One in the Nigerian Army, one in the Navy abroad. God will protect you people. You are making your father proud.”
That word—father—sat quietly in my chest.
“Amen,” we all said.
Kwaala wasn’t done. “So, Captain… What’s new? Or is it still work, work, work?”
“Still work.”
“Hmm,” Wandi hummed. “Nothing else?”
I narrowed my eyes slightly. “Explain your question.”
“Nothing o,” she laughed. “Just asking normally.”
Mum didn’t even pretend. “Are there no good girls around you?”
“Mummy…”
“What? Am I not allowed to ask? All your mates are settling down.”
Kwaala laughed. “Leave him. You know he behaves like a retired old man already.”
“See?” Wandi added. “Even his voice is serious. No joy.”
“I’m ending this call,” I said dryly.
“You will not end anything,” Mum snapped. “You will answer the question.”
Before I could respond, the twins grabbed the phone again.
“Uncle! Uncle! We drew something for you!”
“What did you draw?”
“It’s you!”
They turned the phone toward the drawing.
A stick figure.
With very large arms.
I blinked. “…Why are my hands like that?”
“That’s because you’re strong,” one of them said, completely serious.
I laughed.
Not the controlled kind.
A real one.
It came out of me before I could stop it—deep, free, unfiltered.
For a few minutes, it was just noise. Laughter and teasing. The twins were arguing over who loves me more.
Then Naya walked in.
“Is that Mummy?”
“Yes o!” Mum answered immediately. “Come and greet me!”
Naya slipped into the call like she had been there from the start—laughing, greeting, asking questions, and joking with Kwaala about discipline in the Navy versus Army.
I watched her quietly.
She has a way of making things light without trying.
After a while, Mum prayed for us.
“God, will protect you my children. He will guard your hearts. He will keep you focused. Nothing will distract you from His purpose in Jesus name.”
I swallowed slightly.
“Amen,” we all said.
The call ended slowly, like always.
Dragging it out like it could reduce distance.
When it finally went quiet, the house felt still again.
But not as heavy.
Naya squeezed my shoulder. She studied me for a second but didn’t push.
“Go and rest, Yaro”
When she left, I stayed there for a while.
Then I went to my room, locked the door and knelt beside my bed.
And this time… I didn’t have anything to hide behind.
“God…” my voice came out low.
“I don’t want distractions.”
That part came easily.
“I don’t want anything that pulls my heart away from You. I want to focus. I want to build this properly.”
I paused.
Because the next part wasn’t as clean.
“I’ve been carrying too much.”
My throat tightened.
“I don’t even know when I stopped being your son.”
“I don’t even know when I decided that walls were safer.”
My father’s face came into my mind.
“The day we lost him…” I exhaled slowly. “Something in me changed. And I never went back.”
My voice dropped.
“I learned that love can disappear in one phone call.”
That one truth had stayed with me.
“And I don’t want to live like that forever.”
My hands tightened slightly.
“I don’t want to keep pushing people away because I’m afraid I’ll lose them too.”
That was the truth.
“I miss him,” I whispered.
That broke something.
The tears came quietly, steady.
Just… release.
“I’m tired of being strong all the time.”
My shoulders shook once.
Then stilled.
“Help my heart. It is really heavy. I am tired of carrying all these burdens alone. I really need you.”
That was all I had left.
At some point, I didn’t remember lying down.
Sleep just took me.
The dream didn’t feel like a dream.
It felt… intentional.
I was standing in a space that didn’t have edges. No ground I could define. Just light, soft, endless, calm.
Then a child stood in front of me.
I couldn’t see the face clearly, but I wasn’t afraid.
The child stretched out a hand.
A flower rested in the palm.
It looked ordinary. Almost too simple to matter.
Fragile.
I hesitated.
Because taking something fragile means responsibility.
It means care. It means risk.
Still… I reached out.
The moment I touched it, it bloomed.
Petals burst open in layers—gold, deep red, blue, violet. The colors are too rich to be natural. Light moved through it like it was alive.
Like it had been waiting for permission.
Something shifted in my chest and the child stepped back.
And for a brief second… everything felt familiar.
Then I woke up.
The room was dark and my face was still wet.
I sat up slowly.
“God…” I whispered. “What was that?”
The image stayed.
Clear and unshaken.
Was it my heart?
Something I’ve kept closed?
Something waiting for me to stop holding it so tightly?
Or…
I exhaled slowly.
I didn’t finish that thought.
“Give me clarity,” I murmured. “Help me, Lord.”
I lay back down.
“I really do not understand this dream but whatever you’re trying to say, hello me understand it.”
Morning came like it always does.
By the time I was dressed, I had already pushed most of the night aside.
My phone rang just as I picked my keys.
Captain Effiom.
I frowned slightly and answered.
“Old man!” his voice came through immediately.
“What’s up?” I said.
“I need your help.”
“No.”
“You didn’t even hear….”
“I’m not free.”
“You are free,” he said confidently. “Don’t lie.”
I sighed. “Effiom.”
“Please,” he cut in. “I sent a document through one of your junior guys this morning. It is very important.”
“And?”
“I was supposed to give it to my dad directly, but… I traveled.”
I shook my head. “Of course you did.”
“I went on a weekend getaway,” he said proudly. “With my babe. You understand nau.”
“I don’t.”
“Abeg nau. Just help me drop it at the house. Give it to my sister or my mum.”
My grip on the phone tightened slightly.
Soteria??
I kept my voice flat. “I’m not available.”
“Akila.”
I didn’t reply to him.
“Please.”
I closed my eyes briefly.
“…Fine.”
“Ah! My guy!” he laughed. “God bless you, old man.”
“Na you sabi.”
“All you need to do is just drop it and go. No stress. Thank you, my gee.”
I ended the call.
And stood there for a second longer than necessary.
The drive felt longer than usual.
Not because of traffic but because of awareness.
Too much of it.
I noticed everything, the road, the turns, the rhythm of my own breathing.
And underneath all of that…
My heartbeat. It was steady but louder than it should be.
I tightened my grip on the steering wheel.
It was because of the unplanned errand and the disruption it caused.
Nothing else.
Definitely not because I was going to see her.
Effiom’s sister.
That’s all she was.
I had even thought briefly about getting her number from Naya.
Just to call ahead so she can meet me outside her house to get the file.
But I dismissed it immediately.
Naya would taunt me and I didn’t have that energy.
So I drove to their house and after the security check, I was allowed access.
I parked. Turned off the engine and sat there for a second.
Then I stepped out with the file in hand.
As I approached the house, voices reached me.
One of them was Soteria.
I recognized it instantly.
The other sounded like a man.
I slowed slightly.
They were talking and then they went quiet.
And for reasons I didn’t immediately understand…
My chest tightened. I quickly opened the door.
Soteria’s POV
The house was unusually quiet that evening.
Dad and Mum had gone out together. They went to see some senior military friend whose daughter just got married. They had traveled when the wedding happened, so this was their formal congratulations visit. Daddy mentioned something about the man being a superintendent or holding some high rank. I didn’t even catch it properly. Once it involved uniforms and titles, my brain automatically switched off.
So it was just me and the maids.
I was upstairs, half-lying on my bed, scrolling without really seeing anything. My mind kept drifting to church, Pastor Olive, foundation class, Akila’s stiff face, the way he barely looked at me before driving off.
Then I heard my name.
“Soteria!”
I frowned.
“Soteria!”
I sat up. That was not one of the maids.
“SOTERIA!”
I hissed and walked toward the balcony. “Why are you shouting my name like that?!”
Ayoola.
Of course.
Security must have let him in.
I hurried downstairs before he embarrassed me further.
By the time I reached the living room, he had already stepped inside, his energy filling the space before his body did.
“Why are you shouting my name from the gate?” I snapped. “Security did not call to say you were downstairs. They opened for you because they know you. So what is all this drama?”
He laughed. Not the playful kind.
“Oh, you’re asking me what the drama is all about right?”
I blinked. “Yes. What is it?”
“So I’m a fool, abi? Am I an idiot?”
I folded my arms slowly. “Excuse me?”
“You’ve not been picking my calls. You’ve not replied to my texts. WhatsApp, blue tick, nothing. You canceled the boat cruise without explanation. I was ready! You just toss me around like I’m nothing. What is the meaning of this rubbish?”
His voice was rising.
“I’ve been patient,” he continued. “Very patient.”
“Calm down,” I said quietly.
“Don’t tell me to calm down!” he barked.
“Don’t raise your voice at me.”
“I will raise my voice at you! I will speak to you how I deem fit because you’ve been treating me like a fool!”
My heart started beating faster not out of fear but out of irritation.
“And the reason I’ve been quiet is because I love you. But does that give you the right to treat me like an idiot? If you don’t want this relationship again, just tell me! I’m done! I’m tired of looking stupid!”
Something in me snapped.
“Yes.”
He paused.
“Yes, what?”
“I don’t want this relationship again.”
It was like someone poured cold water on him.
His face changed immediately. The anger drained and confusion took its place.
“What?”
“I’m tired,” I said, surprisingly calm. “You’re choking me.”
He staggered back slightly and dropped into the black leather chair beside the console table.
“Soteria… wait. Hold on. What are you saying?”
“You heard me.”
“Okay, okay, okay,” he said quickly, hands raised. “Let’s calm down.”
“You’re the one who needs to calm down. I’m calm.”
“No, no,” he rushed, standing again. “We’re both emotional. Let’s breathe.”
“I’m breathing.”
He stepped closer and grabbed my hand.
I pulled it away.
He grabbed it again, tighter this time.
“Please,” he said, his voice softer now. “Okay. I know I shouted. I was wrong. I’m sorry. I’m not done. I don’t want this relationship over. I love you. Baby, if you leave me, I will die. Literally.”
I stared at him irritated.
“Why would you die?”
His eyes widened.
“We’ve been together for three years,” I continued. “It will be four soon. That’s not a lifetime. Is that enough for you to die?”
“Whag?” he repeated incredulously. “You say that like it’s two days!”
“So?”
His face fell again.
“What value are we adding to each other’s lives?” I asked quietly.
He blinked.
“What?”
“What value?” I pressed. “What are we building? We party. We drink. We smoke sometimes. We travel. We post online. We have sex all the time. But what are we building?”
He stared like I was speaking Greek.
“Even my business,” I continued, “you’re not involved in it. My NGO outreach, you barely ask about it. You just want vibes. The good life and cruise.”
“Are you serious right now?”
“Yes.”
He ran his hands through his hair. “So what, you’ve suddenly become… what? Serious?”
“I’m tired of this phase,” I said honestly. “I want something more. Something better.”
“Okay!” he said quickly. “If that’s the problem, we’ll change! Whatever you want. No more partying. We’ll stop.”
“I didn’t say no more partying.” I still enjoyed partying.
“Okay, we will reduce it!”
“It’s not about that.”
“Then what?” he demanded.
“There should be depth,” I said. “There should be growth. Not just noise. There are days we can enjoy solitude. Conversation. Quiet.”
“Anything you want!” he said desperately. “If you want us indoors, fine. If you want to be peaceful together, we’ll be peaceful! If you want marriage….”
“Whoa,” I cut in. “Calm down.”
“You don’t want marriage?”
“You know that I’m not ready for marriage.”
His face tightened again. “You’re kidding.”
“No.”
“Are you still on this ‘I need time’ thing?”
“Yes. And you pushing it is part of the problem.”
He exhaled sharply.
“Okay,” he said, trying to steady himself. “Fine. Whatever you want. Even if you want us to move in together.”
I looked at him like he had lost his mind.
“Move in together with who?”
“With me!”
“My house is fine for me,” I said flatly. “Ayo, please just go.”
“What?”
“I need to rest.”
“Rest from what? From me?”
“I don’t even know,” I admitted. “I just… I need space.”
“You’re choking me,” I added softly.
That word hit him.
“Choking you?” he repeated.
“Yes.”
He stepped closer again. I stepped back.
“Would you leave me alone?”
I turned to walk away.
And that’s when he grabbed me.
Not violently but firmly.
“Soteria,” he said, pulling me back toward him.
“Ayo, let go—”
But he didn’t.
He kissed me. It was sudden, intense and familiar.
And that was the problem.
My body remembered him before my mind could protest.
Three years is not three days.
His hand slid to my waist. My breath hitched. My fingers instinctively gripped his shirt. My resistance weakened in that dangerous, confusing way it does when history and habit collide.
For a second, just a second, I responded.
Then I saw movement from the corner of my eye.
The door opened and someone had entered.
I froze immediately.
My heart stopped.
Slowly, from my peripheral vision, I saw him.
AkilaHyel.
He was standing there.
Still and watching. His eyes looked cold.
Everything inside me went cold.
I pushed Ayo away instantly.
The air shifted.
And in that suspended second, I didn’t know what to do.
Somebody play me “Fire on the Mountain”
Ayo!!! Are you a bedbug???
God abeg!!!
Now that Akila is trying to be soft.
See y’all on Monday 🤭🤭
Ahhh, how will we make Akila understand like this? 🥺🥺
Omoooo x20
Mess up 🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️
The devil is a bastaaaaaaarrrrrddddddd