Something to Think About…

If my mom’s voice didn’t snap me out of whatever nightmare I was reliving, I wouldn’t have known I was still standing by the doorway, in front of a murderer called my pastor.

“Who is that Olajumoke?” Mum asked one more time.

I stepped out of the way, my back on the door, as Mum walked closer to where I was. A look of surprise on her face when she saw Pastor Richard, she pulled me out of the way to greet him.

“Pastor Richard, good morning. How are you, sir?” She smiled at him and looked at me. “Why were you blocking the way for him to enter?” She scolded, then told me to enter the house so she could give more space for him to enter. “Come in, pastor,” she ushered him in.

‘If only you knew,’ I say to myself, and I watch him walk into our home in the same gentle manner he does whenever he’s in church.

Memories of the previous night flashed through my mind, and I held my breath for a second.

He stopped in front of me, and I could feel the air slowly leaving me in fear.

“What happened? Are you okay?” he asked kindly. His eyes were the kindest you’d ever see. Who could ever believe...

“She was just leaving for work." Mum interrupted my train of thoughts, and I walked away from him to ease my breathing and sat on one of the dining chairs because my legs felt like jelly now. "Pastor, this one that you came in early; hope all is well?” she asked when he sat on the chair in front of me.

I could feel his eyes on me. Boring holes in my head, but I couldn’t keep eye contact with him because I was too scared to meet them. I just couldn’t.

My mom sat beside me thankfully, and I could feel safe for a minute.

“Oh, nothing, mummy Jumi. You heard about the tragic incident that occurred yesterday?” he asked.

I looked up at lighting speed at him and caught his eyes on me again, as if accessing me and every reaction I made. I lowered my head again and let my fingers entwine together. An attempt to calm my nerves.

"Yes, oo, I and Jumi were just talking about what we saw on the news this morning before she said she was leaving for work.” I looked at the sad but unbelievable look on my mother’s face as she shook her head. “All these evils happening around us, eh, chai." She shook her head again.

“May GOD see us through,” he prayed, and Mum answered with ‘Amen’. “I actually came here to check on Jumi.” My eyes went wide open, and my heart hammered against my chest when he said that.

‘JESUS! He knows’ My eyes felt like they would cry a river soon, and I just kept my head down, knowing that my end is coming soon.

“Jumi, answer the pastor,” my mom nudged me, and I looked at her with a scared but confused look. “What happened? Are you okay?” She asked, worry evident in her tone.

“I don’t feel well,” I whispered and closed my mouth so a sob wouldn’t erupt out of my lips and giveaway my fears.

“I thought as much, ever since you came home at midnight, you were acting strange,” Mum noted.

“Really?” Pastor Richard asked. I let out a breath of air and then turned to look at him with a weak smile I managed to put on my lips.

“Yes, I... I was just tired." I chuckled to seem like it was a normal tired day for me. “The craziness at the market was really something.” I swallowed the lump in my throat and prayed he bought that.

He nodded his head, and I didn’t miss the small smile on his lips that was gone as fast as they came.

“I came to check to be sure you’re okay and that the evil didn’t meet you on the way,” he said.

“I didn’t know something like that happened if Mum hadn’t been watching the news this morning.” I guess he doesn’t know; I know. I have to keep it that way then.

“So, you were walking to the house at that odd hour. Alone?”

“I waited for the bus to come for almost an extra hour, but it didn't, and the couple by the bus stop were already leaving. I didn’t want to be out that late, so I walked the remaining way home. Because Falenrin Street is very quiet at night, I took Delrani Way instead. It was longer but much safer.” I shrugged and tried to relax so I wouldn’t give away my true feelings.

The alley where the murder occurred is around Falenrin Street, so telling him this would get me off the hook at least.

I could see him visibly relax before he asked again.

“Hope it was a safe journey back home?” he asked, and I nodded in response. “I am glad to know that. Just be careful next time, and if you don’t get a bus in time or don’t have someone to accompany you late at night, watch the midweek service online. GOD wouldn’t want you to put yourself in danger all in the name of service,” he said, and I nodded my head.

“Thank you for checking in, pastor,” he said, standing to his feet after acknowledging my appreciation.

He prayed with us, and I found it so hard to respond, Amen, but had to when my mom pinched me hard on the arm. I escorted him to the door and thanked him again, still maintaining the weak, fake smile on my lips.

“Make sure you take enough rest, okay? And don’t get where you are supposed not to go to. Especially when you don’t feel too well,” he completed when he saw my face change at his words.

“I will, pastor,” I said and closed the door when he turned to leave finally. I leaned my back on the door and let out a huff of air. “GOD help me,” I muttered and walked to the living room to sit with my mom. She was already watching her usual YV series on Africa Magic.

I sat there in silence, just thinking about a lot of things. The buzzing of my phone took me out of my train of thought, and I checked to see it was a message from an unknown number. I unlocked my phone to see the body of the message and felt chills run down my spine.

“I know you know. Eyes are on you.”