Life in SHA as an SS3 student has been fun. Dina and Silvy are the best friends one could ever ask for.
It's been two weeks. I feel a little giddy about Vic. Now that my perfect distraction (Jeremy) is gone, I'm going to have to struggle with my feelings for Victor alone now.
The battle keeps going. It's hard, but I can pull through... I hope.
It's another Sunday. Having parents who attend The Redeemed Christian Church Of God (RCCG) in Nigeria and also who are workers, means you can't escape the church. Although my dad is in Lagos, he still calls to make sure we don't miss church services or fellowships.
I pick out a dress and a flat shoe. I tie a turban firmly around my head. Your hair must be covered properly in my church. I grab my bag and jewelry.
Bummi and I head off to church after my mom. She left us to come later cause my dressing was taking too much time.
After dropping Bummi off in her class, I head to the teen's class. I'm a bit new here so I only have a few friends. Okay, maybe just a handful.
When I get to the class, it's a bit empty. I take a sit in the third row and the class slowly fills up. Soon the whole third role is filled up till the only vacant space is the seat next to me on my left.
A figure walks into the classroom and when I turn around to see who it is, my gaze gets glued to the teenage boy who just walked in. He seems a bit well known as some people start calling out to him as he walks by.
After admiring his dressing, I face my front so it doesn't look like I'm starring. After a few seconds, someone occupies the seat beside me. I look to my side and I find the boy sitting there.
I don't talk to him as he had turned to his back and is now talking to the two girls who are sitting behind us. One of which I later get to discover is his sister.
The teacher soon comes in and begins to preach against abortion.
"It's a sin. If a girl gets pregnant, she has to give birth to the child! Cause abortion is murder!.. So to avoid abortion, avoid s*x!! " the teacher begins to 'teach'.
I am irritated by this mentality and my throat is itching to spit out my objection. I am known to be outspoken, but lately, I have been quiet and I'm enjoying being in ghost mode.
"Under no circumstance should a girl abort. No matter the name it's called. It's a sin! " the teacher continues.
I begin to get more and more uncomfortable with this teacher's point of view and I so badly want to counter her.
"You're wrong! " I mumble under my breath.
"How is she wrong? " I hear someone question I look up to see it's the teenage boy.
"She's wrong. Abortion can be permitted. " I reply.
"Why and how? " he queries.
"Well, a rape victim should be allowed to flush her system to avoid pregnancy, and also if the sperm has already fused with the egg and it's a few days old, I don't see a rape victim aborting that a crime.
I for one may never be able to love the result of my assault. So why bring forth what I can't love? Won't that be a bigger sin?
The first part of a human to be formed is the heart. To me if the sperm and egg are flushed out before they form a heart. The key point of humanity, then it's alright to 'abort'" I reply saying the last word with an air quote. I face front not knowing if I was clear enough but happy I spoke my mind.
"True. " He replies after a few seconds of thought.
"I'm Jacob by the way." He says holding out his hand for a handshake.
"I'm Jade. " I replied taking his hand.
The teacher sees us talking and asks me to air my view. I kindly rise and do so. Most of the teenagers agree with me but the teacher has a few objections which she refuses to state to save time.
After service, I meet up with Jacob's sister Amy to join the choir. She says it's fine and gives me days to show up.
I gladly accept and I walk back home feeling quite proud of myself for being able to speak my mind and find people who agree.
I attend the first choir rehearsal after school on Wednesday and I find Jacob there. We soon begin singing and I'm amazed by his voice. I'm personally into guys who can sing/dance, have long nails, do sports, are older than I am and a few other kinds of stuff,ff, and Jacob, knowing how to sing is one check on that list.
He seems impressed when I start to sing as well and we conclude the rehearsal on a successful note.
Soon Jacob and I begin to talk. He is older, wiser, and more experienced than I am. He is 17 and I am 16 but that still counts. He is funny, lively, talented, and spiffy. Also, he is done with Senior School.
Having a friend like him makes church more fun. His sister Amy is an amazing person too. She is free, funny, and what not?
They are both older than I am and are perfect company. Soon I had found another place I want to be asides in the comfort of my bed. I never want an opportunity to miss church because of them.
It's a Saturday. I have been sleeping all day and I forgot about choir practice. Bummi had run off to church to meet her friends. The church is a stone throw away from our home so...
I am still snug in bed when my phone begins to buzz. I lazily pick it up and find an unknown number displayed on its screen. I pick the call and a familiar voice fills my ears.
"Bummi says you haven't taken a shower since morning. " The voice informs confusing to shoot to full gear in my head.
"Hun? Who's this? " I question in confusion.
"It's Jacob" The voice informs. At the mention of his name, I jump off the bed in excitement, and every form of sleep vanishes from my eyes. Hold up.
" Did I give you my number?" I inquire.
"Nah. I got it from Amy" He replies.
"Now better go take a shower. We are waiting for you," he says and I can't help but laugh.
"I can't believe Bummi told you guys that. " I replied rubbing my palm against my forehead.
"Well, she did. " He replies laughing.
"Fine. I'm coming. " I reply smiling from the heart.
"Better bath before you come here o" He warns before hanging up. Causing me to laugh.
I feel flattered that a boy went the extra mile to get my number. It may be nothing or mean nothing to him, but to me it is. For a broken girl like me, it means a lot.
I take a few seconds to think of Jacob. Smiling stupidly to myself before running into my bathroom to take a shower.
The church has become a place I always want to go and to be honest, Jacob is the reason. He is just perfect. Everything I could ever wish for in a guy. He is just like that last puzzle piece I needed to get my life back on track.
I had lost contact with Nathan and Faith. Faith's phone most likely got stolen and I think Nathan just forgot me.
However, after meeting Jacob, I always feel happy and bubbly inside. Even Bummi has noticed the sudden rise in my morale.
Now my little Bummi is finally Ten years old, and her brain works faster than a computer. She's figured on her own that Jacob is the reason I never miss a choir rehearsal or program even if I don't like it.
Jacob is that one friend that can help you laugh away most of your worries.
I remember once in church, I was so weak I couldn't stand when the teacher asked us to.
"Are you pregnant? Come on get up. " He scolded playfully.
"Yes I'm pregnant and you are the father. " I replied jokingly.
"Ah. That's no problem. " He replied to my surprise and we both started laughing.
Ever since then, I kept saying I'm carrying his child and he calls me his wife while I call him my husband.
I also remember once I was pushed and almost fell on my face but he caught me by my stomach. I apologized for stepping on him by accident and he just dismissed it.
"No problem. I felt my baby kick. I have a healthy child" He remarked causing me to laugh.
Jacob just somehow managed to make himself the light I needed. The perfect distraction from my messed-up life.
The thing is; Jacob is nothing like Jeremy, Nathaniel, or Victor. He is much more and I'm glad I got to meet him.
Even without being there, memories of him make me smile. I like everything about him. He makes me confident and positive.
In less than a year, Jacob made himself my perfect prince charming.