CHOOSING.

8.Careful, there.

I couldn't remember when last I hah had so much fun. Well into the night I played game after game, some I lost miserably while some I was really good. Well past midnight we decided it was time we left. On the way home I kept smiling like a lunatic. Ombachi insisted on holding my hand all the way, am not so proud to say it made me giddy with excitement. At my door, he turned towards me to bid me a goodnight. However, I couldn't have seen it coming. He bent down and pecked me on the lips right before he walked away leaving my jaw hanging dangerously close to the ground. A good ten minutes later I hadn't gathered my wits yet. I physically had to shake my head to stir myself out of my stupor. That was my first kiss! Yes, I know. I was turning twenty in a few months but I had never had experience with men. And he just stole my first kiss, well peck but still...

Am not sure how I got into bed or when I fell asleep. I woke up midmorning on a beautiful Saturday, made me some breakfast and did my laundry. I tried my best to ignore what had happened earlier on but that was near impossible with my thoughts alternating from crazy happy thoughts to deep anxiety. 'Dear God, what did I get myself into?' I whispered. And just like that I made a huge realisation. I couldn't remember when last I made a decent prayer. I was slipping, and fast. I decided there and then I needed to do something before I found myself swept away by a flood of sin. First, I would start by going to the fellowship meeting that started in an hour at church. I had avoided it for too long but not anymore.

To say people were shocked to see me at the fellowship would be an understatement. They looked like they had seen a ghost and didn't bother to hide their staring. 'Hello, staring is rude. And you don't have to look so shocked, okay? So I don't come here often, so what?' I ranted in my head right before I settled next to Caleb who was the only one happy to see me. Though Cathy looked a little happy herself but I ignored the smile she shot me. I was still mad at her.

When the fellowship came to an end, people got out of the chapel in groups chatting away. I felt out of place until Caleb came by my side and walked with me. He was smiling delicately at me and I noticed that he was a little closer than was necessary but wafts of his spray distracted me from his proximity.

"How is your portrait going?" I asked to start a conversation.

"Really great, your idea is the best. I don't know where you have been all my life as I struggled with hard projects," he replied happily. I thought he was exaggerating but the sincere look on his face melted my heart. This guy was so sweet.

"Thank you, but it was just a lucky guess," I tried to tell him.

"Imagine that!" He exclaimed. "A lucky guess brought up such a wonderful piece of art. What if you really put your heart into it? It would be marvelous," he said with a dreamy smile on his face. "You're marvelous," he mumbled and I almost missed it. My eyes widened as my lips formed a silent 'oh'. I felt a flutter in my chest until a certain person popped into my mind, Ombachi, and my face fell. Things were taking shape of a love triangle faster than I could see it coming.

"Hey, look who we have here," a masculine voice shook me out of my thoughts. Right there in front of me stood the guy from the previous night, my dart partner. Next to him stood Cathy with a puzzled look on her face. "I didn't know you were s church girl with the way you were throwing darts last night at The Pelican," he said confusedly.

"The Pelican?" Cathy shouted nearly loud enough to damage my ears. "Soni, you didn't," she told me before turning to the unknown guy, " who was she with?" She asked him.

"No..." I tried to defend myself but was cut off.

"Some tall guy full of muscle," he quickly said. "Quite handsome if I may say so myself." Caleb besides me sucked in a breath and quickly excused himself. I didn't miss the look of hurt on his face right before he walked away. This was bad.

"Soni, I need to talk to you, now." Cathy demanded leaving no room for discussion. She dragged me away to a corner and I couldn't help feeling this getting a habit. "You went out with that guy to a nightclub? Why would you that?" Her voice was not angry as I had expected, not even accusing, just concerned.

"I owed him a favour. Nothing happened," I said. Well, at least nothing happened unless you counted the kiss but that was not important.

"I may have come out hard on you but I don't want to see you getting hurt. You're my friend and I care. I trust your judgement but even the purest souls ate sometimes attracted to the allure of darkness." Her words made me finally realise just how much I still wanted her as my friend.

"I know, trust me I do, Cathy. "And you're right you know. At first I thought we were just friends but its getting confusing. I don't even know what to think anymore. Then there is Caleb, he is being really sweet and with him I find myself opening up to him. I don't know..." I trailed off.

"Hey, its okay," she soothed pulling me in for a hug. "It may all me new and confusing but dou you what would help? Prayer. It is the oldest most foolproof problem solver. Just pray honey," she pulled away to look in my face, " and it'll be fine. Careful, there. Don't let go."