SUNNY WEDNESDAYS: IVIE (III)

 

"Ma, you should be resting. I didn’t hear you come in.” Rita’s voice was soft but laced with concern as she looked up from her task. Ivie smiled, a hint of warmth in her expression as she reached into the fridge, pulling out the last bit of cookie dough ice cream. She gestured to Rita to join her, a silent invitation that felt like comfort in the midst of their busy lives.

“And you shouldn’t be cleaning my apartment, You’ve done so much already Rita,” 

Rita was carefully folding the blankets and placing them into the washing machine just across the hallway. The machine hummed quietly, and through the open door, the view of the glittering five-star resort beyond the balcony was visible, its lights twinkling like stars.

Ivie smiled as she handed over the spoon. Rita eagerly dug into the rich, creamy ice cream. "And I intend to do more, Ma. Don’t try to stop me," Rita added with a grin. Ivie raised her hands in mock surrender, her laughter filling the room.

"I would like to take you up on your offer," Ivie said, her tone shifting with a quiet sincerity. Rita paused, spoon halfway to her mouth. "What offer, Ma?" she asked, puzzled.

"I’d love to attend service with you this week, if you don’t mind," Ivie’s voice held a gentle warmth, a quiet resolve beneath her words. Rita’s face lit up, her eyes sparkling with joy. Without thinking, she leapt from her seat and let out an excited yelp.

Ivie chuckled heartily, watching her assistant, who had quickly become more than just a colleague, someone integral to her own personal journey. "This is great news, Ma'am! We can’t wait to have you!" Rita exclaimed, her enthusiasm filling the room. She puffed out her chest proudly, as if the invitation were the greatest triumph. "I’m confident that once you step into the sanctuary, the love will be so overwhelming that you’ll be an instant member."

Ivie laughed again, setting aside the empty container of cookie dough ice cream and scooping a generous portion of chocolate-coated ice cream instead. She nodded with a smile, “If you say so.”

ππππππ

As Rita danced into their room, humming softly to herself, Tunde looked up from where he had been sitting. He raised an eyebrow, his smirk teasing. "Is this going to be another one of those stories about you and your boss?" he asked knowingly, his voice rich with humor.

Without missing a beat, Rita launched herself into her husband’s arms, her laughter bubbling over as she planted a kiss on his cheek, playful and filled with excitement. "Even greater news, babe! My boss has agreed to come to church with me. She just said it out of the blue!" Her eyes sparkled with joy, her heart racing with the happiness of the unexpected moment. Tunde grinned, trying to dodge the barrage of kisses she showered on him. "Out of the blue?" he asked, amused.

"Yeah!" Rita continued, her voice animated. "We were sitting there, enjoying a bowl of chocolate raisin ice cream, and she just blurted it out." Tunde gazed at his petite, dark-skinned wife with a soft smile. He gently took her neatly manicured hands in his, his eyes filled with understanding. "You sowed a seed of love," he said softly. "And that’s what Jesus Christ is all about. She wants to meet your God."

Rita’s heart swelled as his words sank in. She had truly represented the love of Christ to Ivie, never once judging her, never engaging in the gossip of her colleagues about Ivie’s troubled marriage. Instead, she had shown her nothing but love and support.

Tunde’s words, his steady encouragement, had kept her grounded in her mission. "Thank you, baby," Rita whispered, her voice full of gratitude. "Thank you for always encouraging me to do this. I couldn’t have been consistent without you."

With a loving squeeze, she wrapped her arms around him. Tunde laughed, his voice a joyful sound as he tried to wiggle free from her embrace. "Oh my, Rita, don’t suffocate me now!" he chuckled, struggling for air as she squeezed him even tighter.