Twirl

Chapter 15

Immediately after service, she went about saying hi to the few faces she had come to know. After a few small talks with people, she went outside of the hall with Zipporah to go get drinks and snacks down the street of the church. Zipporah was kind enough to pay for their items and Tomini thanked her happily, putting her arms around her neck. Zipporah giggled, whining about the tickle Tomini’s fingers were causing her. They walked back to the hall. Tomini tore open her sausage roll and began to eat while walking. She knew they were going to stay an extra hour or two, and she hadn’t had breakfast.

Back in church, Zipporah went off to take pictures with some others so Tomini sat in an empty chair at the back eating what was left of her snacks. She soon heard her name being called and turned her head to where the voice came from. Zion was walking up to her.

She hoped he didn’t want to further persuade her to join a unit in the church. Last Sunday, he had suggested she joined a department but she had refused gently. He had asked her why she didn’t want to, and had gone on for minutes on the importance of joining the workforce in church when she had no valid excuse for her refusal.

“Think about it,” he had said at the end, before leaving her. She had not thought about it. She did not think she could join the teens here in working for God, most of them who had grown up in church and knew much more about the Christian faith. She knew nothing, and felt small compared to the workers.

“Hi, Tomini,” came his voice, interrupting her thoughts.

"Hey Zion,” she replied, smiling sheepishly. He sat beside her and cleared his throat.

“You didn’t come for evangelism yesterday. Why? And I want a valid reason. If you don’t have one, then just say so.”

“Umm…” She was lost for words and covered up her slight embarrassment with a smile. Of course, she had no valid reason for her absence, except shyness and lack of confidence were good enough reasons to someone like Zion. Coordinated, prim and proper in everything he did and said. He was almost perfect, she thought. He would dismiss her fears or in this case, excuse, as nothing.

“Look Tomini, I won’t beat you. Just be honest with me. I know a few people must have told you I’m too serious, strict, wicked sef,” he laughed and then continued, “But you can be honest with me, dear. For real. If anything, I’d be honest with you.”

She let out a sigh and awkwardly looked around before returning her gaze to his face.

“I’m scared. I don’t know enough to preach to anyone. I only just became a Christian two weeks ago. What do I know? Plus, I’m quite shy. I don’t know.”

His eyes were narrowed as he listened to her, his face contorted in seriousness. He shifted in his seat and draped his hand on his seat.

“What makes someone a believer?” he asked. She hadn’t expected him to ask her a question, especially one such as this. He obviously knew the answer to this. Where was he going with this?

“If you believe the gospel, you become a Christian. Right?”

“Right. So what’s the gospel?”

“Umm…Jesus died to take away our sins and make us righteous. We receive new life if we believe that he died, was buried and resurrected.”

“Apt!” he said a bit loudly, putting both hands together and making a ‘clap’ sound. “Apt, apt,” he said again, this time, more quietly.

“So you know this,” he continued. “And you tell me you don’t know enough to preach to others. That’s the good news that saved you. It’s simple. You know it. You tell others this good news. Simple. You don’t have to be a Christian for years before you can confidently tell others about the love of Jesus. About your shyness, pray about it. The bible says in 2 Timothy 1 that God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of sound mind, power and love.”

She nodded and smiled, feeling like a burden had been lifted off her shoulders. He was a good counselor. She wanted to tell him that but stopped herself before the words rolled off her tongue.

Instead, she said, “Thank you, Zion. You’ve been very helpful.”

“I aim to please,” he said, humour filling his voice. “So that means I’ll be seeing you on Saturday now?”

“Yes,” she smiled.

“Okay. Would you like me to call you during the week to remind you?”

This boy was really serious, she thought.

She let out a laugh. “I won’t forget. Plus my cousin is there to remind me even if I forget.”

“Still,” he drawled. “I want to make sure that you are present on Saturday for evangelism.”

She nodded. He brought out an iphone from his pocket and she read her phone number out to him. Phone still in hand, he said, “Let me flash you now just in case you gave me a fake number.”

She laughed heartily and he joined her.

“What’s so funny?” she heard Zipporah’s voice behind her and turned.

“You’re done with your mini photo shoot?”

“Yass,” she replied excitedly and unlocked her phone before handing it over to Tomini to look at the pictures she took.

“My cue to leave,” Zion said. He was standing, a hand in his pocket. She smiled at him and he smiled back.

“Later Tomini, Zipporah.” He gave a wave and left. Immediately, Zipporah occupied the seat he had sat on, facing her friend, a glint of mischief in her eyes.

“Are you crushing on Zion?”

“What?! No! Why would you ask that?”

Zipporah was looking at her piercingly and she felt uncomfortable under her gaze.

“Girl, stop looking at me like you can read me!”

“Hmm, if you say so. But do you find him cute?”

Tomini bit her lip while shooting her a glare. “Who cares?”

Zipporah laughed loudly, hitting her thigh playfully.

“You’re being defensive so something is definitely up,” she declared, smacking her lips.
Tomini ignored her. Zion was cute, it was obvious to the eye but she didn’t have a crush on him. That he was handsome, talented, well-spoken and disciplined didn’t mean she liked him.