Tayo heaved a sigh as he rolled his sleeves up to his elbow. It was Friday, finally, and Friday had come to a much needed end. He couldn't wait to take a cold shower and scrub the day's stress off his skin. He didn't like his job but he needed it. Without it, he wouldn't be able to fend for himself. Going back to his family house wasn't an option. His father would be glad to spit in his face and throw him out like he was garbage. He knew for sure he was no longer welcome at home. Since leaving his family's church for another seven years ago, their relationship had been strained. Not even his mother could convince his father to continue paying his school fees. If not for his Pastor, Pastor Nnadi, who took him as a son, he'd have been stranded. Now, at 24, he was contemplating going back home and begging his father. He barely had enough to sustain himself.

He let out a breath, mumbling, "God will take care of you, Adetayo."

He waved and greeted a few colleagues on his way out. Squeezing a two hundred naira note into the security guard's wrinkled hand, he wished the old man a happy weekend. The man beamed, removed his cap and saluted him, his teeth on full display. It was funny how two hundred naira could make someone that happy.

Two buses and one motorcycle later, he wiped sweat off his forehead, silently thanking God traffic had been light. On a normal day, he wouldn't have been home this early. He didn't plan to be an accountant for much longer. Once the Church's membership grew and their finances boosted, he'll resign.

"This tie," he mumbled, loosening it. He ascended the short steps leading to the Boys' quarters he shared with his best friend and co-Pastor, Nosaze. It had a medium-sized room that doubled as their parlour, a tiny kitchen, bathroom and toilet.

He couldn't perceive any aroma today, which was unusual. Nosaze usually came back home before him, as his work place wasn't as far as his, and cooked dinner for both of them. He loved flavourful aromas teasing his nose, knowing the food being cooked was for his eating pleasure.

He unlocked the door and stepped in. The sight before him shook him and he gently placed his laptop bag on the only couch in the room before it slipped off his shoulders in shock. There need not be another causality. The sound of the door must have alerted the couples entangled on the bed as they jumped off each other, shock written all over their faces.

"Nosaze!" his voice carried the weight of the emotions coursing through him. His hands shook slightly as he fixed his eyes on the half naked lady, Osas, a member of his worship team.

"Osas!" She pulled the blanket over her chest, bending to pick up her discarded dress.

"Tayo, it's not what it looks like."

Tayo laughed drily, shaking his head in disbelief. How else could one explain what his precious eyes had just seen?

Osas had worn her dress now and was hastily putting on her sandals. In a minute, she was running out the door, her bag hanging on her shoulder. Nosaze sat at the edge of the bed in nothing but his boxers, head in his hands.

"Nosaze," Tayo called out, letting out a breath. His heart was thudding, his body trembling. It was hard to believe. His best friend, his partner in ministry, tangled with a sister in bed.

"Nosaze, look at me!"

Slowly, he raised his head and met his eyes.

"My God!" He ran a hand down his face.

"I didn't even know you were seeing Osas." Silence ensued. "Kai!" Tayo exclaimed. "If you were struggling with temptations, you could have confided in me, Saze. Not this. Not this, Saze."

Nosaze averted his gaze. "Tayo, you're literally perfect. It's hard to keep up with you. The last thing I want to do share my struggle with sexual sin with you."

"Listen to yourself, Saze. Have I ever, ever, for one day, judged you?" Tayo's throat was clogged, his eyes pooling with tears. Why did he have an urge to cry? If anyone should cry, it should be Nosaze and not him. "And if I'm too perfect to be confided in, what happened to Pastor Nnadi or Dipo or even Pastor Nath. We have a strong supportive community."

"It's not that simple."

"Nosa, can you hear yourself?"

As their eyes met again, Tayo let the tears flow freely.

"I'm sorry, Tayo. I know it's not enough but I am. If it's any consolation, this is the first time things ever escalated."

"Are you hearing yourself, Saze? Escalated...meaning you've been treading on dangerous grounds, fueling your sexual desires?"

Nosaze's voice rose as he stood.

"You see why I didn't want to tell you, Tayo. You see why I can't share my struggles with you. You're judging me right now."

Tayo's voice rose also. "I'm not judging you, Saze. I'm telling you the truth."

Nosaze scoffed. "You are, Tayo. Not everyone is a saint like PT." Tayo could hear the mockery in his tone and it added fuel to his already flaming anger.

"Saze, you are a man of God. But you are a Christian, first, dead to sin and alive in Christ. This is not expected of you."

"Listen, Tayo, I don't need you to preach to me, okay? Sunday is two days from now. Your congregation will gather before you. Preach to them, okay? I know I messed up. I don't need you throwing it in my face."

His voice softened as he wiped his eyes, swallowing back the tears.

"I'm not throwing it in your face, Saze. You're my brother, my best guy. I'm allowed to feel disappointed."

"We didn't even go all the way."

"You would have, if I hadn't walked in."

"I swear, Tayo, we haven't had sex. We only kissed and touched and...did things. Gosh," he face palmed.

"We'll talk about this later. But I can't stay here tonight. I can't...sleep on this same bed," Tayo calmly said, his eye on their bed, the spot he had found Osas and Nosaze, eating each other's faces.

"Listen bro, you don't have to leave. I'll change the sheets, okay?"

Tayo shook his head, ashamed for and of his friend. Where would he even begin to process all these? "Saze, you don't sound sober at all. You seem okay with this."

"I can't kill myself, man."

Tayo shot him a distasteful look, willing himself to remain calm. This brother of his deserved a punch – one that would break his nose or dislocate his jaw.

Breathe, Adetayo. Two wrongs won't make a right.

***

Tayo rapped his fist on the black metal gate before it occurred to him that there was a door bell. Pressing his fore finger on it, he waited anxiously, playing with the strap of the backpack he had packed in a hurry before sprinting out of his house. He hoped someone was home. He rang the bell multiple times but there was no answer. He pulled out his phone from his left trouser pocket, sighing, as he chided himself for not calling before leaving.

Putting a call through to the man he now called Dad, he rubbed his fist against his forehead. The headache he left home with had intensified.

"Hey dad," he said, when Pastor Nnadi picked up.

"Hey son." Tayo could hear the smile in his voice.

"I just got to the house. I rang the door bell but no one answered."

"Call your siblings. My wife isn't home but I'm certain the girls are home."

"Okay, dad. I'm sorry for not informing you ahead of time. This evening has been a lot. I just had to leave home and clear my head elsewhere."

"You've got me worried, now." Tayo's heart melted at the concern evident in his voice. "We'll talk when I get home. It's your house. Do as you like. Make sure you eat and rest."

"Yes, dad."

"Love you, son."

"Love you, too, sir."

Kaima picked on the second ring and he informed her he was outside. He had always wondered why they didn't employ a gate-keeper. A few minutes later, the pedestrian gate opened revealing Kaima in an oversized t-shirt and shorts, her tightly coiled hair pulled into a messy bun. Her face was bare of makeup but she looked beautiful still. Her skin was so smooth, he wanted to reach out and caress her cheek. Before his thoughts strayed further, he stepped in, pulled her into a side hug while exchanging pleasantries. Her hair smelt fruity, like a blend of coconut and citrus and something else he couldn't pinpoint. He asked what she put in her hair.

A smile graced her face.

"What do you need that info for?"

"Chikaima, just tell me."

She shook her head, brushing a hand on her hair.

"Coconut oil, shea butter, argan oil, leave-in conditioner, banana conditioner, oh how could I forget water? Tea tree oil, olive oil, lavender oil, sweet almond oil, black castor oil-"

Tayo put a hand up, "It's okay o, madam. I've heard enough."

Kaima chuckled, pulling his hand as they continued to the front door. He felt a tingling sensation at the contact.

Get it together, Tayo

"Are you home alone?" They were in now.

"Koko is in her room watching-"

"Netflix," he completed, shaking his head in amusement.

"You know her now. Book, she won't read. I hope her results this term will be a bit impressive."

Tayo said nothing as he settled down on a sofa, watching Kaima turn the TV on. She began flipping through channels.

"What do you want to watch PT? DSTV is boring these days."

He gave her a questioning look laced with humour. "When did you start calling me that?"

Kaima smirked. "You've always complained that I don't respect you. Now that I am, you're still complaining."

"I like the disrespectful Kaima better."

She reached for a pillow and flung it at him. He dodged it, laughing till his belly hurt. Kaima, on the other hand, maintained her feign anger.

"Go and get me food, smallie. Daddy said you should feed me."

She eyed him playfully, a long, dramatic hiss following. "When you're ready to eat, find your way to the kitchen."

Tayo shook his head in mock bewilderment. "Chai! You don't know your mate again, abi."

Kaima rolled her eyes. "You're only two years older."

"You can't buy that in the market, dear."

"You're so annoying, Tayo."

Tayo sat up, covering a yawn with his palm.

"It's Brother Tayo to you."

A million arguments and one steaming plate of jollof rice and grilled fish later, he binge watched series with Kosi and Kaima while waiting for Pastor Nnadi to arrive.

***

Pastor Nnadi's wife, Pastor Fayo, arrived first. Stress was evident all over her and Tayo told her so, advising that she took a weekend off her hectic event planning job to rest and rejuvenate.

"I want to look this gorgeous when stressed sha. PF, share your skincare routine."

"Leave me, my friend. I know I look horrible."

Tayo chuckled. "I'm sure dad thinks otherwise."

Pastor Fayo turned to Kaima, instructing her to retrieve bulgur jollof from the freezer and heat it up for her. She went upstairs while Tayo followed Kaima into the kitchen.

As she washed her hands at the sink, she said, "I didn't ask for your help, Tayo."

"I'm not rendering it," he smirked. He knew just what to say to rile her up. Kosi's loud laughter rang behind him. She walked further into the kitchen and high-fived him, sticking her tongue out at her sister who was now facing them.

After a few minutes of annoying the hell out of Kaima, Tayo and Kosi went back to their Netflix series. He felt at peace here. He had laughed more in the last few hours than he had in the past one month. Maybe he needed to come around more and relive himself of his heavy burdens...even if it was just for some hours. The image of Osas and Nosaze kissing and fondling each other flashed in his mind. It felt surreal. Anger, confusion, betrayal, shock – he was feeling all of these and some that he couldn't explain with words. How could Saze have done that? Kosi hit his shoulder, bursting into loud laughter. At least something was funny.

...

Something new for you, my precious reader. Thank you for reading. This story will be an interesting ride. See you in the next chapter!