A Break Apart

CHAPTER 21. Born Again

I had been uneasy and quite skeptical about William's spiritual journey, even when he was committed to his one-on-one short term catechism lessons with the church's Catechist. It wasn't until he showed up at church, clothed in white, did I feel at ease, and it wasn't until the priest poured the water on his head as he baptised him with the Holy Trinity did I totally feel at ease. All the while, it was as though the devil was waiting at a dark corner for the last minute, prior to the declaration, to snatch his soul. But he failed, to God be the glory.

"I look like a ghost in Nollywood movies." William made fun of his white button-up shirt and trouser, and Mum and I laughed. We were all outside the church.

"Congratulations," Mum told him again.

"Thanks, uh... Aunt?" he said, not sure what to call her.

"Whoa!" I made a stop sign with my palms, pausing the fast reality of their god-relationship. "Slow down."

They both laughed at my reaction.

"Someone is jealous," Mum said to me, and then she faced him. "You can call me that, son."

My eyes widened. "Son?"

William smirked at me. "Don't worry, sweetheart"—I frowned for the millionth time at the pet name—"the relationship is spiritual, not biological. And I thought you were happy for me," he said, with a pretentious pity look.

"Of course I am!" I exaggerated a cheer face, which then turned neutral. "I just didn't think it was going to be this, weird..." I cringed.

"Get used to it, baby." Mum gave me a hug I couldn't catch. "See you around, William." She threw a curt wave at him, with a glint of mischief in her eyes. I squinted my eyes, trying to get what hint she was trying to pass as William waved back, with a smile that said he got the hint.

"Wait," I said, finally getting the hint as she made a run to her car. "You're leaving without me?" I yelled.

"William will take you home. I'm going to the store!" I watched her enter her car, shut the door and drove off.

I stood with my mouth open.

"Coming or not?"

I turned around, and he had that smirk I hated to see on his face.

"Like I have a choice," I said as I walked past him to his car, breathing out a puff of disbelieve over Mum's injustice.

"You're dropping me off at my house," I ordered, not wanting any one of his surprises. He had just gotten to the driver's side of his car, and I was facing him from the passenger's side.

"I'm the one driving, so that's for me to decide," he said as he made to insert his car key in the car door hole.

"My house," I said, in a more demanding tone, and when he smirked at me, I sighed, hoping he would adhere to my request as we both got in.

"Seatbelt." He informed, wearing his.

"We're not going far, so I don't see wh—"

He jerked the car, causing me to draw forward, and then backward with an uncontrollable force that my forehead nearly made an impact with the dashboard. I gaped in shock, and then turned towards him in anger.

"What's wrong with you?" I spat.

"Teaching you the importance of safety," he said and turned to me with a smirk, and then he leaned closer. "You look really pretty when you're mad."

Resisting that weird feeling his closeness and gaze brought, I quickly looked away and began pulling out my seatbelt. He laughed, and waited until I had locked myself in before he started the car and drove out of the church premises.