Never Stranded (2)

A Short Story Series by MojoyinolaJesu Yewande

*

Soon after they all had retired for the night, Evelyn was still awake. 

She had chatted with Chris on phone for about 30 minutes before they both wished each other a pleasant night's rest.

Evelyn remembered what happened barely an hour ago, the conversation with Mr Duro about not staying in the same room with her fiancé. 

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"You are already engaged to be married, so why not?", their host asked. The man seemed to be trying to wrap his head around what he just heard Christopher say.

"Well, it's like you said sir, we're engaged to be married, but not yet married, so...". 

Christopher had guessed that he and Evelyn's boundaries to ensure sexual abstinence till marriage would sound absurd too many- he and Evelyn had a fair share of such awkward situations. As opposed to the world's reality of pre-marital sex that it was no big deal for most not to abstain from pre-marital sex, they both felt those born of God should make it as priority.

"Like I said, there are only 3 bedrooms in this flat, one for myself and my wife, one for my two daughters. The third is used for guests", their host emphasized.

"Why don't I stay with your daughters?" , Evelyn cut in.

"We love our space, thank you!", the first daughter named Vanessa interrupted.

"It's just for a night, sweetheart", her mom added, gently rubbing her shoulders.

"That's alright." Mr Duro smiled. "I hope you don't mind staying in the guest room alone then?" he asked facing Christopher.

"Not really, sir, but I'm also fine with the couch, if you don't mind, sir?" Christopher quickly added. He could just sleep in the living room, he thought.

"That, I do mind", he chuckled. "I'd rather you were very comfortable and stayed in the guest room."

"Alright, thank you sir".

"Okay, that's settled then", Their hosts smiles satisfactorily.

"Oh! And thanks once again for the amazing meal", he rubbed his tummy playfully, "I enjoyed every bit of it". At that, they all laughed. 

"Well I told you my wife was a good cook", Mr Duro added, as his wife, Sarah smiled.

"You are welcome." Mr Chris continued. "You must have really enjoyed the food because you both have thanked me before three times now".

"That's because we are really grateful for your hospitality. God bless you Sir and Ma".

------

She smiled as she relived the memory of something that happened one time they had been together alone in Church and not even behind closed doors. This was how she knew they couldn't take chances. That could be a disaster! She thought.

She remembered a time Chris had come to Ibadan as was his routine. He did his best to visit his fiancée as often as possible, that was twice every month, since he lived in Lagos and worked as a Sales representative. Evelyn worked as an administrator at an hospital in Ibadan. She and Chris had come to Evelyn's church in Ibadan together one evening to pray and discuss their plans on what God was sending them to do next.

It wasn't the first time they prayed together, they often did that, both online and offline at different places, depending on the urgency or the need to, which was due to their commitment to loving God and expanding His Kingdom here on earth. They considered this a necessity and were committed to it becoming a reality everywhere they found themselves.

They had just finished a powerful prayer session and had sat down to discuss after sensing peace and clarity on their next assignment. They were alone behind the Church chapel. Evelyn seemed to have been bothered about one of the teenagers she had been mentoring, who had reached her earlier on phone. The boy had JAMB exams very early the next morning and his aunt wasn't ready to give him transport fare to the exam center.

"I promised to take him there, though that means I would be late for work, since my place of work is on a different direction entirely from his exam center. I just can't let him forfeit the paper." Evelyn sounded like she was trying to convince Chris she had to.

"How about I help drop him off, since I'd be traveling back to Lagos tomorrow and I would be passing his route?"

 Evelyn was elated.

"The boy has met me once before in your company, he should be able to trust me." Chris added.

"Oh my! You are a darling. I would really appreciate it. Thank you so much". Evelyn was relieved and excited.

"You're welcome. I'm your knight in shining armour after all and I must live up to it right? Besides I'm a nice guy." He teased.

"Don't flatter yourself." Evelyn blushed. "I would just call to inform Chuks about you coming in my stead".

"Sure". Chris smiled feeling like a hero.

Evelyn blushed even more, her gaze holding his. "You are just so Amazing!"

"You could kiss me if you are feeling so touched, you know?" He teases further, knowing she wouldn't, since they'd agreed to let it wait till they reached the altar. Though some part of him wanted her to. The next thing he knew was that she did, only it was his left eye she had kissed.

It had been a wrong move because it seemed to have aroused Christopher to lean in for a kiss-they were both vulnerable. Evelyn stopped him before their lips touched.

"No...no", she said faintly. She pulled back hesitantly, some part of her also wished they could kiss.

"No?" Chris was a little surprised. "What do you mean ,no? You kissed me first".

"I was emotional, I wasn't thinking", she defended.

"Are you kidding?" Her response had sounded odd to Christopher. "That's a tease, leading me on then saying 'No!' Besides it's just a kiss, it's not like it's sex. We are in the Church premise, not behind closed doors. Just once! Just 3 seconds, we would have the longer kiss at the altar..."