章 4: Virgin Mary
Kathleen was roused from her sleep by the sound of her ringtone. She didn't need to check the caller's Identity to know who was calling.
She decided to say her morning prayers and have her quiet time before returning her mother's call, so she simply put her phone on aeroplane mode and picked up her Bible.
An hour later, she picked it up and decided she was ready to face her mother. "Good morning, mummy," She greeted.
"So you still remember I am your mother? I thought you were going to avoid my calls forever," She started.
"Mummy, please don't start," Kathleen said with a sigh as she rubbed her eyes with her fingers.
"Don't start what? Since you avoided my calls all through the week, claiming you were busy with work, I decided to call you very early since today is Saturday. Or do you want to tell me you work on weekends, too?" She asked sarcastically.
"Okay, I'm listening," Kathleen told her politely.
"When are you getting married? You will be 29 soon o, next year you will be 30. Nowadays, men don't like marrying old women when they can get fresh young ones o."
"God's time is the best. What do you want me to do? Should I go and start chasing men?" Kathleen asked impatiently.
"God's time is the best kwa? I'm the one that gave birth to you in church, so don't think you can preach to me. You are a fine girl, I know many men are coming after you. Stop doing shakara or whatever it is that you are doing!" her mother said in a high-pitched voice.
"I'm not doing shakara. I'm waiting to hear what God has to say," Kathleen explained, making her mother shriek angrily.
"What do you want him to say? Bia this girl, don't make me come to that Lagos. You want your younger ones to get married before you?" She asked, determined to win the argument this time.
"It doesn't matter who gets married first. Please, I have a lot to do today; let us talk another time. How is Isioma's body? Did you receive the money I sent?" she asked, changing the subject.
"You are changing the subject, abi? Okay o. Don't say I didn't advise you o. Isioma is fine. Thank you for the money," Her mother said in resignation before disconnecting the call.
God, what should I do? Kathleen asked, gripping her Bible to herself.
Kathleen quickly remembered Jeremiah 29:11 and relaxed her mind.
She wasn't going to allow pressure from her mother or her age to make her step out of God's plan for her life. She told herself as she stood up and decided to continue her daily activities.
Later that morning, she received a call from her friend Sharon, who had brought her to Lagos.
Sharon had housed her all through her first year in Lagos, before she had been able to move out to her own place.
"Babe, how far? Person nuh dey use eye see you again o!" Sharon exclaimed.
"Nuh be so na. Thank God you brought me to Lagos. You know how the hustle for this place be," Kathleen explained with a sigh.
"So that was the reason you forgot my birthday?" Sharon asked with mild annoyance.
"Oh, God! I'm so so sorry. It totally escaped my mind. Let me make it up to you," Kathleen offered apologetically.
"Yes o! It's because I want you to make it up to me. That's why I called. There is this movie showing in the cinema that I want to watch. And I want to watch it this evening. My boyfriend has said he can't go to the cinema just to watch a Nollywood movie, so I said let me call you," Sharon said, making Kathleen laugh.
"You have a new boyfriend again? Don't you get tired of jumping from one man to another? Anyway, I'm going for choir rehearsals this evening," Kathleen explained.
"You and this your churchy lifestyle, sef, I thought living in Lagos would have changed that, but the village girl in you has refused to change. If you miss rehearsal one day, you go die?" Sharon asked with mild annoyance.
"Please try to understand. I'm supposed to lead the chorus in church tomorrow. Why don't I meet you up at the mall near your house? So we can eat and catch up, and then I will give you money for the movie? Maybe buy two tickets so you can watch the movie with another friend?" Kathleen pleaded, making Sharon sigh.
"Virgin Mary, I'm at my boyfriend's house right now, so you will have to meet me at the mall in Ikeja. When are you coming?" She asked, her voice calmer now.
"Let's make it 1PM so I can leave in time for rehearsal. Thank you. I love you plenty," Kathleen said before ending the call.
The time was past 10:30AM, so she decided to leave the remaining chores for later so she would be able to meet up with Sharon.
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