HE FEELS TOO

Richard slid his feet into his shoes, excited about the day stretched out ahead of him. He was going to the movies to catch up with a couple of friends he had not seen since the ASUU strike started. Not that the movies was his favorite place to go or that he had particularly missed his friends. But he had heard Rachel, Mide’s cousin would be there too. He had liked the girl the first time he met her, and he felt this was going to be a good opportunity to push further with her. Besides, the outing would be a healthy distraction. His house was beginning to drive him crazy.

He switched off the lights and was about to leave his room when he felt a familiar tug at his heart. He looked back, wondering what he was missing. He saw his Bible on the floor near his bed and for a second, he felt like going to pick it up and maybe say a few words of prayer to God before leaving, but time was going and he had friends to catch up with.

When was the last time you caught up with Me? A voice within him asked.

He ignored the voice and left the house.

His friends were happy to see him. They said he looked like he was enjoying the strike because he had put on weight. He greeted them and tried to catch up on what was happening in their lives, but all the while, his eyes stayed on Rachel. Her head was bowed over her phone and she scrolled away mindlessly.

Mide noticed Richard’s attraction to his cousin and now jabbed his elbow into his ribs. “Guy, if you’re interested in her, you should actually talk to her. Instead of gaping like a moron.”

Richard licked his lips nervously and traded places with Bovi so he could be nearer her.

“Hello, I’m Richard.” He greeted her. “Nice outfit.”

She looked up from her phone, acknowledged his presence and turned her attention back to the device.

Richard was not discouraged by the cold welcome. He was a good conversationalist and he had stalked her Instagram page long enough to know her interests.  “So, I learned you—“

He was five seconds into the conversation when she held up her hand and turned aside to take a phone call.

Ouch. Why did that sting so much?

When she came back, he and his friends were already in the theatre with popcorn. She sat down beside him with a sigh and her presence did funny things to his heart. He handed her a small pack of popcorn he had bought for her.

She looked at his hand as if he was giving her a bowl of earthworms. Shaking her head, she pulled out her phone and got busy again.

It was the second blow to his pride and Richard almost winced at her coldness.

He made three more passes to her after that, and it was either she gave him a cold reply or completely ignored him.

His confidence eroded, Richard gave up and decided to focus on the movie rather than the pretty lady beside him who did not care if he existed or not. The girl was just rude.

Same as you. He heard the Holy Spirit say to him.

What? I’m not as impolite as her. He protested silently.

Do you know how many passes I’ve made at you this morning alone? You ignored every single one of them.

Guilt hugged him. The Holy Spirit did have a point. What was he even doing chasing a girl’s attention when his relationship with God was on life support? He was sure if he put in half the effort he had used to try to win Rachel’s attention into his relationship with God, his life would make more sense.

“Okay, I agree. I’m sorry, God. What do you want me to do now?”

Get out of here and go to your church’s outreach to the slums, Richard.

He had skipped the outreach because time out with his friends had seemed more appealing to him. Now, he wasn’t so sure. He stood obediently and bade his friends goodbye. He was not surprised Rachel did not notice him leave.