SILVER LININGS (Christian Romance)

18

His lips moved, releasing the words he had wished to tell her all these while, wished to tell anyone who was hurting like she was and needed words of hope like she did.

She listened, her demeanor had an air of surprise masked in pity. She was pitying him and that was what he never wanted. He had gone past the pain, past the daunting awareness that the remembrance brought–he had grown.

“The story you told at the orphanage was yours?” she asked, it was the first time she was speaking since he began to narrate.

He nodded and tried to smile. “Every cloud is silver lined.”

Jane shook her head and blinked her eyes. “Doesn't it hurt?” she asked. “The fact that you do not know your parents.”

Derek sighed and rubbed his hand over his face. “It hurts Jane terribly,” he replied, remembering the nights he cried to sleep. “I’ve placed my life in the hands of God, if the Lord wills, I'll see them.”

Jane tried to imagine the strong Derek, the smiling Derek in a corner of his bed crying.

“There is a pain in not knowing who your birth parents are. But when I remember God who used my adopted father to add colour to my life. I am grateful because it could've been worse.” he continued.

She nodded in agreement, it was a pain that cut deep. That made you realize how useless you were to the people who gave you away.

“God came for me. Showed up in ways unimaginable. ” he explained and then held her hands. “God comes for every one, the bible says whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord will be saved. It is a promise.” he said.

Jane wanted to desperately believe his words. She felt a stab of emotional pain and quickly removed her hands from Derek to wipe away the tears that were threatening to fall.  She had gone far from God and there was no redemption for her.

The water simmered and Jane put the yam slices into the pot. She chopped the onions, grinded the crayfish and poured the other ingredients.

“There’s dried fish in the fridge, I'll go get it.” Derek said and swiftly walked towards the fridge.

He walked towards her and handed the fish to her. She collected and washed it. When she was done washing, she poured it into the pot. Several minutes passed, the aroma of the food filled the air and wafted slowly into their nostrils. Derek inhaled sharply with a smile. Jane opened the pot and looked into it.

“It’s almost done. Let me get the plates.” She said and walked towards the counter.

“We did a good job. This looks yummy.” Derek said, peeping into the boiling food.

“We?” Jane laughed, trying to ease her pain. “You only washed yams.”

Derek tittered. “You don't need to remind me.”

Jane chortled and scooped a spoon of the porridge to the plate.

“Here, taste.” she said, stretching the plate to Derek.

He tasted and nodded. “This is good. You did a good job, I only cut yams.”

Jane laughed. “Thank you.”

She got the plates and they served the food and set them on trays. Jane carried the tray into the dinning and served the food on the table.  Dozie walked to the dinning immediately he perceived the aroma of the food.

“As always, Jane saves the day.” he grinned as he sat down to eat. “Thank you, Jane.”

Jane tittered. “I had a little help from Derek though. He didn't burn down the kitchen like you said.”