Dera just got back from work. She had her bath and was about to eat food when she heard a ringing sound from her phone. She checked the caller and it was Julius.

“Hello bro Julius. Good evening sir,”

“Hello Dera. How are you?”

“Very well, thank you and you?”

“I’m good. Thanks. How was your day?”

“My day was good but stressful. My sales person’s are stressing me out. You would tell them to do something but they  will do the other. I’m fed up” Dera complained.

“No one should stress you for me o. They ought to know that you are so dear to me. I won’t permit anyone to stress you,” Julius told her

Dera smiled.

“How is your Sunday evening going to be? I hope you don’t mind sparing me some minutes of your time . We can visit an eatery for some ice cream or go and see some movies. Whichever is your choice. Please don’t say no,”Julius requested.

“I’m afraid, I have to say ‘no’. Please, bear with me,” Dera told him.

“I know you have a very busy schedule but you can still spare me some minutes. Even if it’s not this Sunday.” Julius pleaded.

“It’s okay. Let’s see how it goes’ Dera answered.

When she ended the call, Dera sat still for some minutes thinking about Julius. Though she felt that Julius was a nice person, she was trying to be careful because of what she passed through in the hands of Clem.

She later decided to put the thought of Julius aside and prepare for choir practice.

When she got to church, the choir members had already started the rehearsal for the day. When they rounded off, the choir master brought Dera out and introduced her as a new member. 

There were shouts  of joy everywhere. All the members of the choir shook hands with her. The closing prayer was said and everyone dispersed. The choir master told Dera to wait so that he could drop her off. Both of them were living in the same area.

While they were going home, Okey asked Dera a series of questions which Dera happily supplied all the answers.

He bade her farewell when they got to her destination and continued with his journey.

As he was driving home, he continued thinking about Dera. He felt Dera was godly and humble. To crown it all, she was very beautiful. The thought of making Dera his wife occurred to him. However, he decided to pray and seek the face of God concerning it.

Okey was one of the young men that people really loved in the church. He was God fearing and humble. Many of the girls in church tried to outdo themselves in a bid to get his attention. Some even joined the choir because of him. But okey have been very careful with them. He doesn’t allow them to visit him at home. Some of the girls got tired and decided to move on with their lives while some are still hoping that Okey will consider them.

Some of the girls who saw Dera enter  Okey’s  car concluded that they must be in a relationship. One of them was Julius’ younger sister; Oge. When she got home, she decided to discuss it with her brother.

“Brother, something happened in church this evening.”

Julius ignored her and continued with the book he was reading.

“Brother, I am talking to you”

“I’m listening to you,” Julius answered while still concentrating on the book that he was reading.

“Brother, how can you say you are listening while you are reading a book. You’re not even looking at me.” Oge protested.

“Is it not my ears that I use to hear?  Is it my eyes? It’s okay if you can talk to me. Just make sure that it is not gossip,” Julius warned  her even as she closed the book he was reading.

“It is about a lady who recently joined our church. Her name is Dera.”

“Did you say Dera? Please talk to me. What happened to her?” Julius asked in a way that made her sister suspicious.

“Brother what is going on. Do you know her?”

“What kind of question is that? You accused me of not listening to you. Now, I decided to show interest in what you are saying and you are complaining again. What do you want?”

“Don’t be offended. It’s just that you responded in a way that shows that you are interested in her,”

Julius gave Oge a bombastic side eye and she quickly apologized.

“Brother I’m sorry please forgive me,”

“It’s okay. Please say what you want to say. I need to continue reading”

“Thank you. I noticed that our choir master treated her in a special way. I feel that something is going on between them”

“Are you talking about Okey?”

“Yes. I’m talking about your friend, Okey.”

“Something like what?”

“I don’t really know . Maybe he wants to marry her.”

“Very soon, I will stop you from attending that choir,” Julius threatened.

“What is my offense,” Oge asked in agitation.

“Your offense is that you are not doing anything tangible there. Are you there to sing or to gossip? You don’t know how to mind your business.”

“Brother I don’t gossip. I mind my business. It’s just that I thought that you were interested in her. That is why I decided to let you know what is going on.”

Julius suddenly behaved like a child that was caught stealing.

“Truly I Love her. I didn’t know that you noticed it.” Julius admitted.

“If you love her, then go for her. I can even help you talk to her.” Oge offered.

“Will you shut up and get out of here? I don’t blame you. You want to help me and talk to her”

Throughout the night, Julius could not sleep. He kept on thinking about Dera. He made up his mind to pop the question without further delay. The only challenge was that Okey was his friend.  He decided that the best thing to do is to quickly tell Okey that he is interested in Dera.