Forgotten Souls

Chapter 8: A Baptism And Dreams Come True

It didn’t take long for Zaylee to get a hold of the full time preacher at the congregation where we assembled every week. The moment he heard I wanted to be immersed, he immediately told Zaylee that he will be waiting for us. 15 minutes later, I was confessing that Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God and that I now want to live my life for Him.

The water was freezing to say the least. It sure did shock the sin right out of me when the preacher immersed me into the water. I felt different somehow. Happier. Based on the smile plastered on Zaylee’s face, she was definitely happy too. Her excitement and joy was contagious. The minute I exited the changing rooms, she engulfed me in one of the best hugs I’ve ever had.

“Welcome to the family Bray, I’m so happy to have you as a brother in the Lord”

I could feel my cheeks reddening because of the way she was looking at me, but I just couldn’t care. At that moment, I would have done just about anything to have her look at me like this more often. Her eyes shone with unshed tears but what was more evident, was the genuine adoration I could see in her eyes.

“Thank you Zay, if it wasn’t for you then I might have never stood here tonight, saved and a member of the Lord’s church.”

“We have to celebrate this! You gave your life to Christ, let’s go do something to celebrate. I know this great place that makes Nutella flavoured  milkshakes, it’s to die for!”

“You had me at Nutella. Let’s go baby girl.” She smiled at me with another dashing smile. After we bid our farewells to the preacher, we got into the car to go to the roadhouse. If you told me a year ago that I would be immersed today, fully believing in God and being happier than I’ve ever been, then I would’ve laughed straight in your face.”

We ordered our milkshakes along with a medium sized pizza and then I drove us over to a beautiful drop off where you could see the entire city’s lights shining. We climbed onto the bonnet of my BMW and sat in silence eating our pizza and drinking our milkshakes. This entire night was perfect. I certainly didn’t regret a thing.

“You know Zay, I really do appreciate you. I cannot express how glad I am that it was next to my car that you decided to stand that night.”

“Well Bray, I really do appreciate you too. You have done so much for me and I can never thank you enough for your kindness and hospitality. I really do wish we could stay like this forever.”

Her confession shocked me, and before even thinking my actions though, I grasped her hand. She pried her attention away from the beautiful view and instead looked at me with a look that I could not quite understand. “Zay.. I.. I know you barely know me, but I do want to get to know you. I want to know all of you. Let’s stay like this, let’s stay us. Will you.. Will you consider being my girlfriend? I really do like you Zaylee. Please give me a chance to make you as happy as you have made me since you set foot in my apartment.”

She was silent. Too silent. I got nervous, thinking that maybe she wasn’t ready to hear my feelings for her yet. Maybe I rushed her. I don’t want her moving away from me again. Anxiously I lifted my eyes too meet hers, only to be met with a bright smile and teary eyes. “I really like you too Bray, I have for some time now. I was so scared that my feelings weren’t reciprocated, but now.. now I know I was worried for nothing.”

“Sooooo..” I drew out the word as I nervously continued, “Is that a yes? Do you want to be my girl?”

She suddenly hugged me and whispered into my ear, “yes Bray, I definitely want to be your girl.” It truly did feel like I was floating on cloud nine the moment those words slipped from her mouth. She wanted to be with me. The girl of my dreams actually wanted to be my girl.

After staying at the drop off for another hour, we left for home. The drive was silent but it was comfortable. It was something I always admired about her, she never made the silence around us feel awkward. Our silence spoke a million words that we didn’t even have to say to one another. How did I get so lucky?