WHERE THE LOTUS GROWS

YES, I'M A CHURCH GIRL

Karen lay on her bed and closed her eyes remembering yesterday, the day she had spent Taiwo and the connection she knew they had both felt. She was attracted to him; there was no doubt about that. But, could she really go into a relationship with him now that she was contemplating going back home? The best thing was to start trying to keep her distance from him now so that it would be easier for both of them when she eventually left. That was the rational decision but deep down she knew that she couldn't bring herself to stay away from him. No, he was like a magnet and she iron, he attracted her and she was attracted to him.

Pulling herself off the bed grudgingly, she changed into a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt. Dragging a comb through her hair seemed like too much stress so she tied it up and went over to Grace's house across the street.

"Good morning ma. A Happy New Month to you and yours." She smiled, taking a bow for the fun of it.

"Thanks dear. How are you?" It was Grace who opened the door and greeted her with a hug. "I'm fine. What about the boys?"

"They're still in bed. Please come in." she followed Grace in and took a seat in her modest living room. "I'll go and get them. Give me a minute."

"There's really no need to wake them. It's Saturday after all and it's just a bit past 10 o'clock. Let them sleep in peace. I know that they stayed up very late for me last night."

"That's true. Okay then. The cake they ordered is in the kitchen." Karen followed her into the kitchen to get the cake. It was a vanilla cake with double layers of chocolate icing. "Oh my God, it looks too good to eat."

"Well, that's what it was made for. Just make sure to take a picture before you dig in."

"Thank you. I will. Give the boys my love and tell them I'll come by later."

"No problem dear. Bye." She waved a goodbye to Grace and walked back to her house beaming, box of cake in hand.

Stowing it in the fridge for later, she reached for her phone to call and invite Taiwo for a single's meet in her church on Wednesday. She knew that no matter the attraction between them or how compatible she felt they were, 'the believer and non-believer could not be unequally yoked together'. She had heard that some weeks ago in Foundation Bible Church's bible study which she had been attending every Saturday evening. The instant she left church, she had prayed to God to help her reach out to him if they met again and the next Sunday, she ran into him at the restaurant. She hadn't needed any coaxing to do so and had succeeded in getting him to attend her church for two consecutive Sundays now. She watched him closely and noticed how he listened with rapt attention to the preacher and took notes every now and then, and she knew that God was working his miracle. She called him hopefully and he picked up the phone on the first ring.

"Taiwo, hi. I want to invite you to the monthly single's meet at church on Wednesday." Karen said, holding her breath as she waited for his answer."This week?" he asked.

"Yes." She was still holding her breath.

"I'll be away at a hearing in Ilorin till Wednesday but I'll try to make it. What time is it?"

"Six to seven-thirty in the evening." Karen answered, waiting; waiting for his answer. Please, please, please say yes.

"Okay. I'll try to be there but I can't promise."

"That's fine. I really hope you can make it though." She said, finally letting out the breath she had been holding. Thank God. "I hope so too. I have to go now, work calls. Take care of yourself, okay?"

"Thanks. I will. Bye."

She really hoped that he would be able to make it because she knew that God was doing something in his life and that he wanted her to reach out to him.