“You have to go back home and speak with Saze. You can’t hide from him forever.”

Tayo ran a hand over his face as he let out a frustrated sigh. Of course, Dad was going to push him back into the lion’s den. He hated having uncomfortable discussions such as this. Look what Saze was putting him through.

“I know, dad.”

“You’re much calmer now so you’ll approach it with a clear head. Saze is not the enemy here. The devil is. Don’t fight him like he is. He needs to be restored in love.”

“Yes, dad,” he nodded, the weight from earlier occupying his heart again.

Pastor Nnadi patted his shoulder and shoved him gently.

“You know I love it when you call me dad.”

Tayo’s heart melted at the warmth radiating from his smile.

“You’re the best dad. I love you, sir.”

“Love you, too, son.”

Pastor Nnadi took his hands and led them in a brief prayer. With more words of encouragement and a bowl of jollof rice, he was sent off to the dreaded job – talk to Saze. He shook his head as he imagined hitting him hard across the face.

***
Kaima raised her phone above the plate of toast, eggs and baked beans as she tried to get a good shot. After several shutter clicks in different angles, she smiled satisfactorily as she stared at the pictures. She posted one of them on her Instagram stories with a “good morning” sticker. She carried her followers along on days she had interesting things to do. On other days, she just posted videos and pictures of her food, skincare routine, drive to work and probably share other people’s posts. Today, a teens’ program was being held at church. It was scheduled to start at 10am and it was already 8. She had to be out of the house by 9 latest.

Footstep sounds made their way to her ears. She turned her head to see her brother, Ike, jogging down the stairs. He walked in long strides to her side and bent to plant a kiss on her right cheek. She put her hand around his neck and ruffled his hair.

“Hey sis- the most beautiful woman I know.”

Kaima raised a brow in question.

“Yimu,” she lifted her nose in disbelief. “What happened to Fikayo?”

Her brother groaned, obviously uncomfortable with the comment.

She smiled in triumph, which disappeared the moment Ike grabbed a sausage off her plate and threw it into his mouth. Kaima was up in a flash, chasing him around the dining. He had a field day dribbling her. In no time, she was breathing heavily, exhausted and very annoyed at Ike. She slumped on her seat and resumed eating, her tea cooler than it had been when the trouble maker struck.

“My tea is cold now, ehn, Ikechukwu, see what you caused.”

“You started it, Kay, so don’t put the blame on me.”

She took a sip, more like a gulp of her tea before spewing what she hoped will aggravate him.

“How? It’s old news that you’re in love with Fikayo and I don’t mind having her as my sister-in-law.”

As expected, his embarrassment was evident or was it shyness?

“Kaima, stop. Not this early morning. You better eat fast and start getting ready for church so you won’t be late. I won’t wait for you.”

“Is that a threat or a weak attempt to change the subject?” She wiggled her eyebrows. “Or you can’t wait to see her today, yeah?”

He rolled his eyes, shaking his head.

“He can’t deny it now,” said her little sister, the baby of the house from the top of the stairs.

“I love your jeans, Koko, and your earrings really brought out your cute face,” Ike complimented, as Kosi sped down the stairs.

Kaima shook her head. Her baby sister was too energetic.

“Really?” her face lit up. “Fiks actually dashed me these earrings,” she touched them as she spoke.

Ike shook his head in disbelief.

“Must you people mention her name?”

“No, for real, she gave me these. You know she doesn’t really fancy earrings.”

Kosi sat beside her sister, reached out and took a sip of her tea.

“I liked them on her,” Kosi continued.

“So, I begged her for them and she happily gave them up.”

“I’m sure he knows his babe more than any one of us,” Kaima smirks, feeding Kosi a forkful of eggs.

“So you can allow this smallie drink your tea, abi? If it’s me, problem.”
Kosi and Kaima shared a look, then burst into laughter.

“Always changing the subject. Chai. Anyway, it doesn’t change anything. You’re still in love and I think she likes you back.”

“Chikaima!”

***
Tayo woke up with heaviness in his chest, his throat clogged. He did not have the talk with Saze the night before. Silence had been lingering in the tiny space they shared. None of them had said a word to the other. Each man had kept to himself. He hated it. He hated the tensed air tangible in the room, the unspoken words hanging in the air. His anger was still present but so was his love for Saze. He wanted to know what had been going on with his best friend but it seemed his mouth had been glued.

Dad wouldn’t be proud, he said to himself. But it isn’t easy

His eyes roamed the room, in search of Saze. He wasn’t in there. He stood up, stretched and looked out the window. There he was on the veranda, his mouth moving swiftly as he paced the small space. He was praying. Tayo sighed, not knowing how to feel. At least, Saze was finding his way back to God while he remained rooted in stubbornness and anger.

But Saze was in the wrong. He should be the one to try to mend things

You are his brother. Love keeps no record of wrong. Love forgives

The Holy Spirit sometimes had bitter truth to dish out and he loathed hearing it.

He sighed again, contemplating joining him in his prayers. He had a nudge to pray on his own till Saze came back in. He would try.

Holy Spirit, help me

Minutes later, the door opened and Saze stepped in. Tayo breathed heavily, continuing his prayer internally.

“I-“

“Saze-“

They both began. Saze chuckled and that eased some of the tension as Tayo’s lips spread in an unsure smile.

“You go first,” they simultaneously said.

This time, Tayo’s laughter came out unrestricted, flowing alongside Saze’s. Saze approached him and sat by his side, clearing his throat awkwardly. The laughter had died down, now replaced with a heavy silence.

“Hey Saze. There’s no judgement here.”

Amen, Tayo internally said. He couldn’t say he didn’t judge. He just prayed for the grace not to. They were all saved by grace, not the works of their hands after all.

With a distant look in his eyes, Saze recounted the origin of his struggle with sexual sin.

“I started watching porn at fourteen. My brother- Saye, you know him, umm, He was a fresher in the university then. Had left home, seen things I hadn’t.”

There was a smile on his face, albeit sad.  “He was home for the holidays. I opened the door to Saye’s room without knocking one evening. He was watching porn. I saw a snippet and even though he pushed me out of his room, I was already curious. The little I had seen made me curious and I explored that curiosity”

“Tayo,” he called, his voice breaking slightly. “I am a broken mess. I don’t know if I can be fixed. It’s been ten years and I’m still bound to this spell, still engrossed in viewing sexual images and masturbating. Osas was a willing party to explore my fantasies with. You know, a new believer, still learning to cling to a new life. She’s struggling to let go of her sinful past and as her pastor, I pulled her back into it instead of building her up in her newly-found faith.”

Saze’s eyes were now glossy with tears. Tayo himself had the urge to weep.

“I’m broken, Tayo.”

He broke down in tears, his shoulders shaking. Tears were streaming down his face with intensity. Tayo pulled him into a tight embrace, shedding a few tears, too. They remained in each other’s arms for minutes before Saze drew back. Tayo wondered what to do to help his brother. He began speaking in tongues under his breath, asking the Holy Spirit for help. He was confused. Soon, Saze joined him in praying in tongues, still weeping. Tayo could see his brokenness and it broke him.

***
Kaima sighed softly as another group of teenagers approached her. The teens program ended a few minutes ago but the hall was still filled with teenagers and a few adults. She took turns in hugging them and exchanging pleasantries, full of smiles as usual. She was exhausted but this was what she signed up for when she chose to become a teen’s teacher.

Many of them, especially the girls loved to chat with her after service. Sometimes, they had stories of school, home or their social lives to tell. Other times, they wanted to take videos and pictures with her for their Instagram stories and feeds. Once she settled down to go through her phone after service, she’d be bombarded with notifications of story mentions and tags.

“Sis, what do you use on your skin?” Tari asked.

Kaima told her.

“Why don’t you post a skincare routine video on IG? It would be really nice,” Zoe advised.

Zoe was her brother, Ike’s childhood friend. Her family had been with the Church for many years. She was more like her sister.

“I will consider it, love. These days, I hardly have time to film but on one of these weekends, I’ll try and batch film.”

“We can come help you out,” Sayo chipped in, excitement evident in her tone.

“Speak for yourself, madam,” Tari said, rolling her eyes. “Count me out.”

“Whatever,” Sayo dismissed with the wave of a hand. “So, Sister Kaima, what do you think? I don’t even mind modelling for your styling videos o. I dey for you,” she grinned.

Kaima laughed. “Sha-baby, I love you, sweetheart. Sure, you can model some outfits for me.”

“So you don’t love me?” Zoe pouted playfully.

“Abi o,” Tari folded her arms on her chest, feigning displeasure. “It’s only Sayo you love.”

Kaima laughed, bending slightly. She absolutely loved spending time with these girls. From a distance, she caught Bella walking in their direction, her phone aimed at them.

“Hey girls,” she yelled energetically.

The girls who were backing her turned to her, putting up a show by cat-walking, dancing, laughing and teasing each other. Kaima was sure she would see the videos on Bella’s IG stories. Her Instagram handle was @thecutebella and she had about five thousand followers.

As expected, Bella came to her side, pulled her into a tight side hug, her phone raised in front of them, recording the moment. Kaima tried her best to express excitement.

“Hey sis. You look so fine.”

“Thanks, love.”

She stopped recording, pressing her phone. The girls chatted animatedly with each other and she took that as her cue to escape.

“Alright girls. We’ll catch up later. I need to go.”

They all hugged her and she saw Zoe recording.

These children, she muttered. Must everything go on the gram?

You put everything on the gram too, Kaima

Well not everything sha

She wagged a finger at Zoe.

“Hey madam Zee, don’t put me on your stories oh. You people are using me to get followers abi?”

“Yes now,” Bella said. “Please when I tag you, add the stories to yours so your people can follow me abeg.”

Shaking her head, she bid them goodbye. She knew Zoe would come to the house later on. She attended a brief meeting with the other teachers and teen’s pastor afterwards. Ike was delaying she and Kosi, taking pictures and gisting.

“You’ll see each other tomorrow na. IK please let’s go home. I want to sleep.”

“Be going now.”

He continued his conversation with Abdul and Zoe. She wanted to stone him with her slippers or pull his big ears till he screamed for help.

“Are you hearing yourself? You’re with the car keys and you know I can’t drive.”

“Exactly. So wait.”

Zoe was showing him something on her phone.

“Hey, Zoe, Abdul, all of you are ignoring me abi?”

“Kaima chill now. See how you’re squeezing your face,” Abdul chuckled, coming to her side. He tugged at her cheek. “Smile now.”

She slapped his hand away.

“Aw,” he yelled, obviously exaggerating the pain. “Ah ahn, Kay.”

He blew his hand, his face contorted in feign pain.

She shook her head at his antics and looked around. The hall was almost empty. Where was Kosi?

She voiced her thoughts out.

“Bathroom,” Zoe replied, still engrossed in whatever she and Ike were viewing.

“Ikechukwu, why are you wasting my time?”

“You’re in hot pepper soup, man,” Abdul said. “She called your full name.”

Ike finally looked up at her.

“Sorry, Kay. Fikayo is actually helping Mrs. Cole tie her gele. She’s going for a party from here.”

Mrs. Cole was one of the teens’ teachers, a beautiful petite lady in her mid-thirties who always had a joke at the tip of her tongue.

“Eh ehn, I don’t understand. How does that affect us?”

“We’re waiting for Fikayo. We’re all going back to the house.”

She nodded in understanding, taking her seat on a chair nearby.

“I didn’t know Fiks could tie gele o.”

“Yeah, she just learnt that this holiday.”

“Oh, that’s nice.”

“Kaima, Fikayo can tie gele for you and you can take pictures for your page. You know, something different from your usual,” Zoe said.

Kaima nodded in approval. Zoe always had brilliant ideas.

Fikayo joined them at that moment.

“You’re not a bastard. They were just gossiping about you now now now,” Abdul said to her.

Fikayo smiled and rolled her eyes.

“Abdul, really?”

She said hi to Kaima and grabbed her bag from Zoe.

“Don’t mind this olodo,” Zoe slapped the back of Abdul’s head, sticking her tongue out at him.

Kaima watched the pair argue and rile each other up in amusement. Fikayo was saying something she couldn’t hear to Ike and a smile found its way to Kaima’s lips when Ike reached out to remove a thread from Fikayo’s braids. She pulled her phone out and took a picture of them.

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