VESSEL

I shoveled a spoonful of Colostone ice cream into my mouth and grinned as Alfred sulked. He still refused to tell me what Mum had said to him. I tried not to laugh, but his sad puppy face was priceless. Honestly, he should be glad, between Mum and Funke, he had people keeping him in check. “Heyyy, cheer up. You brought me out to make me happy, don’t go all moody on me.” I flicked my spoon, sending a perfect shot of ice cream onto his white Polo. “Heyyy!” he flared. “Heyyy yourself,” I mimicked with exaggerated annoyance, then stood to leave. “Where are you going?” “Home.”  “Home?” “Yes. I don’t like jerks.” As I brushed past him, he tugged my arm, smiling. “Sit.”  I gave him a look. He chuckled. “Please sit.” I obeyed, smug at the sweet mess melting on his Polo. “I’ll get you for that,” he warned. “God didn’t teach you to revenge.” “I’m getting a lot of lectures these days. I must really suck at being a believer.” “Amen, brother.” He snickered and dabbed a bit of ice cream ont...

After a sweaty workout session, I stretched for the eleventh time, bones popping in protest. Wrapping a towel around myself, I paused the YouTube exercise video and dug into a bag of cheese-flavored chips while scrolling through my contacts. “Pick up, Funke,” I muttered as I dialed. "What’s popping?” came her cheerful voice. I laughed. “Someone’s happy.” “Yea, gist me, joor.” “About what?” “I’m coming over.” “Fine, bring your history notes. We’ve got catch-up to do.” She groaned dramatically. “Ah, nerdiest nerd of them all.” I laughed heartily and hopped into the shower.      Minutes later, the doorbell rang. I sprinted downstairs before Mum could get it. My smile froze the moment I opened the door. “What’s he doing here?” Alfred grinned like the troublemaker he was, pushing past me into the house as if he owned it. “Why did you bring him?” I hissed at Funke. “Don’t blame me. You know Alfred,” she said, hands raised in surrender. Of course, I did. Alfred’s persuasive char...

I tried to listen attentively as our borrowed History lecturer droned on, but my eyes kept drifting toward the couple seated just ahead of me. They whispered, exchanged folded notes, and giggled like two children who had just discovered a secret. Lord, please help me to focus, I prayed silently, before quickly switching seats. With that little distraction out of sight, I finally managed to concentrate. “So, we’ll continue from there next week by God’s grace,” Miss Bolanle concluded with a small smile. “Please endeavor to research on the precolonial masters, okay?” “Yes, ma,” the class chorused in unison.            –--–----------––––––––----------------------------------- Philippians 4:19 . “What should we do now?” Funke yawned beside me as we left the lecture hall. We had the rest of the day free until our usual study session at 4 p.m., which gave us plenty of idle time to fill. My stomach groaned before I could respond. “Let’s grab lunch.” Funke’s face l...

  Psalm 23 . Groaning, I rolled my heavy self to the left side of the bed. With one eye barely open, I reached for my Bible, careful not to mistake it for my novel — both were the same size and often tricked my sleepy mind. My lips parted, whispering softly as my eyes traced the verses: " The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Closing my Bible gently, I breathed a prayer of thanks before slipping into my favorite sky-blue pajamas...