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THIS IS THE story my father told us about his life. Though you might find it funny and somewhat unbelievable. My paternal grand dad wasn't such a great father to his son, my father. He married two wives and he gave all his attentions to my step grandma and her children. My father being the only child of his mum decided not to depend on his father for anything. He began to hustle as a young boy to feed his poor mom. He did many hard jobs. He even hawked on the street. He suffered as a child. He even worked as a bus driver under someone. You won't believe this but the first house my dad built was built when he was still a bus driver. No one even knew he was the owner of that house till when the house was completed and opened, you should know the feeling. That was his first step to success. My father made a lot of money as a young man yet no one knew he worth anything because of how he dresses. My father said that suffering have thought him to be humble. I then got where he was driving at. He was using the parable of the suffered dad to teach us humility.

I didn't think we had the same fate with my dad, you know his father was not a great father, mine was a great father, maybe sometimes, but I didn't need to work hard. My dad already does that for me. Let me skip this part for now and focus more on the talent show.

I was still attending the choir club meetings with my whole heart. My friends have stopped their queries and mock over that. Everyone has gotten used to that including me. Some teachers were now seeing me as a changed boy. But I was not a changed boy towards my hate for ladies. But do you know one thing, the love for my mother has increased to 90% while for my dad may be has increased by half percent making it 53½%. Then for girls, I think it increased to 3% though for Stephanie was 5%; No-no-no, it's not what you are thinking, I mean, I gotta like her small so I could be able to associate with her, it's natural. Besides Stephanie had been preaching good about me to my parents making them proud of me.

Aunty Somto has gotten used to me and in many occasions has chosen me to perform for the choir club with Stephanie but one of my worst days was the day she told me to lead the worship in the assembly with Stephanie. Though the day I was to lead the worship was still three days ahead but it kept me thinking. Some have started seeing Stephanie and I like you know... and it was not good at all, though it was just a matter of some weeks and everything would be over. But now, leading the assembly with Stephanie would be a catastrophe; Oh God help me.

My friends have severally asked me if I was dating Stephanie and I would just frown to it and everything would pace back again. Now if they see both of us leading a worship in the assembly, frowning won't ever solve it, nothing will. Now while facing the headache of leading the assembly, another most disastrous thing happened a day to the day I was to lead it.

My friends and I were in the classroom and behold, Stephanie appeared. "Good day everyone." she greeted as some murmured a reply.

"Josh!" she started. "Have you told your friends that you and I would be leading the assembly tomorrow in worship and praise?"

"Wonderful!" Henry exclaimed mockingly.

"Josh my guy." James said tapping my shoulder as I stood up speechless in shock.

"You see," she started again. "Josh is really a gifted singer, he has a very sweet voice and since he decided on his own to join the choir club without much persuasions, he has discovered his gift and now he enjoys it."

With this statement, I could project what Henry's mind was saying, "So guy you lied to us, Christian boy, you should have told us you have repented." I was cut short of my thought by Paul.

"Wow!" Paul exclaimed as he claps. "Congratulations Joshua Peters, the professional gifted choir master."

All the atmosphere was so mocking, I felt like I've been eviscerated. I wished that moment that I never existed. I knew Kasala don burst, big wahala dey for my head now.

"Thank you, thank you," I said cracking a wry smile as I reached for Stephanie's hand. "Come let's go."

I dragged her with me out of the class as my friends laid a loud laughter on me. I was so furious and I couldn't control my anger.

"See Stephanie," I said as I stopped a few meters away from my class. "I don't want you disturbing my life. Please stop coming to my class. We only have business in the choir club, apart from that, nothing else. I don't like you at all. Your dressing and everything about you makes me sick."

As I said this, I could see soft tears forming in Stephanie's eyes as she slightly opened her mouth in shock which made her more pretty. In no time, the tears rolled down her cheeks forming a line on her face. She gently wiped the tears and turned to leave, she then turned back again and looked straight at me, then she left. That was my first time of seeing Stephanie sad. I must have really hurt her with my harsh words. You won't believe this but it wasn't like Anny's case, I felt pity for her and my conscience began judging me. I don't know how to tell you this but my love for Stephanie grew to 55% at that instance; don't tell anyone.

This is insane, throughout that day, I couldn't relax my mind. I felt like I've committed the worst crime ever. I felt sorry for Steph. I couldn't even eat my dinner, I couldn't sleep. I wasn't myself all through the night. I've never felt this way before especially for someone not to talk of a girl. But I was sure I was not in love with Steph; just that am feeling sorry for her, that's all.

Early the next morning, I carried my bicycle and rode straight to Stephanie's house. On reaching the gate, I knocked and Stephanie opened the gate, my heart skipped a bit on seeing her then for a second I became shocked. For the very first time, I saw Stephanie wore a show back gown that barely touched her knee. She was so beautiful in it. I then realized Stephanie was the most beautiful girl I've ever known.

"Hi Josh!" she said with a smile which made me feel more guilty. I didn't know how or what to reply her with. For some seconds I thought of what to say; she didn't appear angry, just smiles that kept stinging my heart.

"Hi!" I finally managed to say.

"This one you came to my house this early morning, hope there's no problem?"

"No there is no problem, well maybe there is?"

"What is it?" She asked looking so curious that kept me wondering.

"It just that ehm – it just…"

"What?" she asked smiling. "Come on tell me, I'm not a ghost this one you look as if you're scared."

"Stephanie I'm so sorry," I finally said with courage. "I'm so sorry for how I spoke to you yesterday, I know you felt so bad and I never meant to hurt you, please forgive me." I held her hand then I quickly realized myself and let go of her hand.

"It okay," she replied and held my own hand. "I forgave you since. I knew you acted out of anger."

"I know but I shouldn't have spoken to you in such a manner." I said looking straight into her sparkling eyes.

"All is forgiven." she concluded.

"Thanks," I said smiling. "You are such an angel."

"Hmm!" she mused with traces of shyness hidden in her smiles. "Thank you."

"Ok, you're welcome. Let me now go home and prepare, you know we are to lead the assembly in worship today."

"Okay, see you at school."

"Alright." I said as I climbed my bicycle and rode off happily.

Now my mind was at ease. I reached school almost late but in time to lead the worship. Everyone was marveled at our voice and it seemed to me the Holy ghost came down not for me but for Stephanie. I was not worthy for the Holy ghost to come down for. Throughout that day, I was happy. I even pecked my granny when I got home. I played with her, asked her many questions. It was unlike me, I was even surprised at myself. What's wrong with me? I kept asking myself.