SUNNY WEDNESDAYS: ATINUKE (Chapter Six)

BACKSEAT

She kept it at a minimal, Bugo wiped her face with a detox facial wipe, the cool fabric a small relief to the warmth of her skin. With a quick swipe, she applied a glossy lip gloss, its sheen catching the light as she dabbed it on. Her eyes, tired and distant, were bathed in the remnants of mascara, the uneven streaks from last night's hasty application now partially dried and stubbornly clinging to her lashes.

She grabbed her only nice dress, her floral adire mini gown, its vibrant colors a stark contrast to the dullness of her surroundings, and pulled it over her head, feeling the fabric settle against her body like a faint promise of something better.

Bugo exhaled deeply, a sigh of both frustration and confusion.

 What had possessed her to speak with Madam Atinuke in the first place? More so, what had led her to accept the invitation? A wave of regret washed over her as she grabbed the flyer from the broken-legged dresser. Its edges were curling, but the words were still legible. 

She folded it once and tucked it into her pocket, then headed for the back door, choosing to avoid Baba Salami. She wasn’t in the mood for his snide remarks this morning. After all, she was only two months behind on her rent, nothing that warranted his harsh words, in her opinion.

The walk to the church felt long, but she arrived unnoticed. As she pushed open the door, she slipped inside, careful to blend into the shadows. 

The church, humble and unassuming, appeared decent enough. The interior of the church was simple, yet it exuded a quiet reverence, the kind of stillness that made you feel as though time itself slowed down. The air was cool, with a slight mustiness that spoke of years of worship and prayer held within these walls. 

The quiet hum of voices murmured through the room as the small congregation sat, heads bowed, lost in their own thoughts and prayers.

 The building, though simple, felt like a refuge from the outside world, a place where time paused, and the world’s noise softened into the background.

Her heart sank when Madam Atinuke spotted her. The woman’s warm smile felt like a spotlight in a room full of strangers. Bugo’s stomach twisted. She wanted to remain invisible, to hide, but Madam Atinuke waved energetically, her presence demanding attention.

Bugo’s first instinct was to pretend she hadn’t seen her, to melt back into the anonymity of the room. But before she could slip away, a gentle tap on her shoulder broke her resolve. She turned slowly, the weight of her decision to come here suddenly feeling much heavier than before.

“Ma'am, we have a special seat for you in front,”

Bugo smiled and knew it was Madam Atinuke's handiwork that she was taken from the backseat.

She saw her smiling and muttered a greeting, “Bugo, I am so glad to see you”

She muttered her appreciation again, she was a bit amused, it was either Madam Atinuke was used to her errant behaviour or she just intentionally ignored it.

ππππππ

Her spirit felt lifted, the worship session was uplifting and she was grateful she obliged Madam Atinuke's invite.

She felt the trickle of tears and heard herself say “God, you are good,”

Atinuke knew Bugo was a tough nut to crack, but she also knew it was not her place to crack the nut, it was God’s place, she was going to propel her to the nutcracker.

She saw when Bugo had hidden, avoiding her gaze, she saw when Bugo had grumbled when the usher had reached out to Bugo to nudge her forward.

But now, Bugo was smiling with tears trickling down her eyes, singing praises.

She was so glad and gave thanks to God.