Her Innocuous Ways

Chapter six

Her Innocuous Ways

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It was half past six in the evening when the "Married To Be" group Bible study ended. The pastor had spoken extensively about the importance of love, commitment, wisdom and an effective prayer life as keys in having a successful relationship and marriage.

Taking the pain to evaluate what she has with Pharez, she realized she has found him lacking in more than than one way.. He was lacking in commitment, their conversations have become brief, most time, on the lighter mood and so on.

They only time she discovered Pharez seem interested and paid her his undivided attention was whenever she's talking about her friends.

She'd found herself wishing he'd be interested in her day too and just not enthralled by the news of how her friends days went. She had missed him terribly.

Its funny how she found herself listening and switching from one radio station to another in search of love songs and programs.

The last time Pharez called her was a fortnight ago. He'd call to know if her friend Dara has anybody in her life.

Sensing the urgency in his voice, she'd told him all she knew about Dara and her no "boo" life.

"Sister Lara.. Please, the counselling team together with the pastor wants to meet with you before you leave the church today." Mr Oyeyemi, a porky almost neckless youth coordinator announced.

"OK sir", she replied politely moving closer to greet them.

Pastor Akanni Abel Anako was a youth friendly pastor who sometimes refers to himself as Mr Triple A. He was a well respected man of God and Lara was honored to meet him and the team of counselors.

" Good evening Sirs and Mas", Lara greeted them bending her knees in respectful gestures.

"Sister Lara.. Please, have your seat." Pastor said pointing to the closest unoccupied chair.

After much discussion with the pastor and the counselors, she was advised to suspend her coming to the " Married To Be" group meetings and face her studies.

Thanks to Pharez and his "am sorry babe", she had to answer no or I don't know to many of the questions the Church counselors asked her.

Mrs Ayegun did nothing to help with her ridiculous questions. She was the one who asked her when Pharez proposed marriage to her. She felt so humiliated as she parted her lips to find herself stammering, " He.. He didn't ask me to marry him directly Ma.I know he loves me and I love him too Ma. The idea of proposing marriage now I believe somehow scares him. "

The following questions were nothing to write home about. Gathering her Bible and the little dignity left of her she left the Church premises for her compound.

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"Chacha, its been over two weeks now since you've spoken to Lara. Please, tell me what is going on."

Chacha wasn't a bad friend. She has just has a reputation to protect. She had been disappointed to see the video that had gone viral on WhatsApp and discovered it was Lara.. Lara, her supposed friend dancing shamelessly with a group of guys poking at her flesh mercilessly.

"Daramola! "I'll hate for you to hear it from me. Ask saint Lara, am sure she'd gladly explain what happened to you."

The look on Chacha face was serious.. So serious that Dara suspected what ever had transpired between Lara and Chacha must be something really bad.

"Hey guys, where's Lara?" Becca one Lara's rude neighbors asked them.

The silence was broken by Chacha who excused herself to meet her class rep.

When Dara couldn't stand the endless hissing and blabbing of Becca, she told her she knew nothing of Lara's whereabouts.

"If you see her, ehn, abeg tell am say my slipper cut. Make she com give me my sandal."

"Excuse me!" Dara interrupted her. She couldn't bear it. Even if things has gone sour, Lara would never stoop so low to collect something from Becca or her classless clique.

Sighting Lara from afar, Becca called her name and strolled towards her.

Few minutes later, Dara stood transfixed as she watched the scene where Lara gave Becca the sandal she wore in exchange for a cut slipper.

"Lara Dalton, you are finished!" She said under her breathe. Shaking her head at the duo, she walked away from the most shocking scene of her day.