SUNNY WEDNESDAYS (ATINUKE)

      

FRONT ROW

"We believe that our God is faithful and through his faithfulness, we enjoy the manifold gift of grace," the Guest Pastor pranced as he delivered his message titled 'The Manifold Grace of God'.

Her rosy cheeks was her distinctive feature as it enhanced the big round glasses that reached the tip of her nose.

 With her elfin height, Mama Thembe jumped, held unto her pink feather straw hat before it could jump off her cornrows and chorused "Hallelujah! ! ! The Word works, Glory."

Atinuke smiled as she watched her.

 Mama Thembe, and her hats of many colours and styles, was a spice to look forward to every Sunday Service, she retraced her focus on the sermon.

^^^^^^

"A, Wait up," Mama Thembe moved easily through the crowd that had gathered immediately service closed. 

"Where are you rushing to na, don't you know it is wrong to make Mama T out of breath? You women walk so hurriedly out of church, how do you expect a man to catch up ehen?" Her prayer team lead said in between trying to catch her breath.

"Nowhere Mama T," She smiled as she curtsied.

"Hmmm okay oh, it is not as if you are expecting a brother's visit," Mama Thembe voiced out and looked everywhere else apart from Atinuke's face.

She knew the conversation was heading in that direction hence her avoidance of Mama Thembe severally during Sunday Service.

"I want to introduce you to the newest member of the Prayer Band Unit,"

"Mama T, I am quite in a hurry, do I have to meet the person soon?

Mama Thembe pretended she hadn't heard Atinuke's complaint and brought Bidemi closer.

"Mr Bidemi Dairo, it is my pleasure to introduce you to Miss Atinuke Remi, our assistant prayer team lead, she will intimate you on what we require regarding the logistics for the conference in August,"

She smiled as she stared into the chocolate cream skinned man with the most beautiful midnight eyes she had ever seen and muttered a "you are welcome Sir, I believe that you are in the right place for a breakthrough, we are delighted to have you fellowship with us at God's Dwelling Herald Ministry,"

"I believe so too," Mr Bidemi Dairo smiled as he beheld God’s magnificent creation right in front of him.

^^^^^^

"Demi, I am home,"

"You are indeed home," Bidemi picked her up and gave her a spin.

She yelped as she enjoyed the spin "Mr smooth words,"

She smiled as she welcomed the embrace he offered.

"How did the meeting go," the chubby muscled arms smiled as he settled into the embrace.

"It was divine, God took total control, we have officially been infused into their processes and trust Judi, she is already prepping ideas for the upcoming event" She stretched into his arms and sat on their twin couch still wrapped in his embrace.

"As she should," Demi nodded knowingly as he stroked his medium sized goatee.

Atinuke stared back into those midnight eyes that captivated her three years ago, "I obviously knew that you would support her, all you workaholics,"

Demi raised a brow as he gave a hearty laugh, "see who is talking," 

"Leave me, I am not the supporting Judi and her one billion creative ideas," She shifted her attention to the animation that was about to commence. 

She yelped as she felt her husband's fingers on her waist, she giggled and laughed as Bidemi Dairo, her husband of three years, tickled her.

They relieved their youthfulness as they ran about the living room like little adolescents.

^^^^^^

She sniffed as she picked up the smell of rotten eggshells oozing from the dustbin situated close to the gas pump at the filling station.

She hated this job, she muttered as she picked up the overflowing dustbin grudgingly and stepped through the back door of the restroom to dispose it contents into the big wastebin.

The smell of cheap cigarette mixed with the rotten eggshells as she stepped out the back door of the station, she knew immediately that Musa was at it again,

 "Musa, well done oh, by 12pm you dey smoke, so until the dirty flood station before you go know say na you suppose clear am, abi?"

The fair skinned scraggy looking guy in his oversized station uniform popped a sweet smile and hurriedly stepped on the cigarette he currently was puffing, "Sorry na, no shout na, I promise I go make it up to you, please na"

She raised her out of shape razor eyebrows and shifted away from his playful embrace "na you know,"

Washing her hands in the not so clean sink in the bathroom, she noticed a familiar face waiting at her pump.

She really did not know why she hated Atinuke, all she knew was that she didn't like attending to her, maybe because she reflected all that she dreamed of but could never be. She e took an extra minute expecting Atinuke to move towards another fuel attendant but she didn't. 

Finally accepting her lot, she came out and walked to her pump.

"Bugo, Bugo, how are you today," Atinuke said as she flashed a big smile. She was taken aback by the pleasantries and chose to keep quiet.

"How much fuel you wan buy"

"At least answer me na"

"I no get all the time, I Don hear, I dey fine," She said with a grumble.

"I wan invite you for women hangout wey they happen for my church by weekend,"

Bugo stared in disbelief "Mama, abeg tell me how much fuel you wan buy,"

"Half tank, I go love to see you at the program this weekend,"

"I dey work, no time,"

"I fit come pick you, na for evening and I know say na morning shift you dey do on Saturday,"

Sensing the resilience in Atinuke's voice, Bugo hurriedly agreed "Okay, I Don hear,"

"I go come around 5pm,"

Getting impatient she barked at Atinuke, "I Don hear na," She lightly slammed Atinuke's fuel cover.

Not being fazed one bit, Atinuke smiled "can't wait to see you, take care oh"

As Atinuke drove off, Bugo was stunned, what had gotten into this woman, she was surprised at her doggedness and a smile crept up into her almond shaped chin and she laughed heartily to the surprise of many stunned colleagues of her.

Bugo had never laughed so much.