"We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose." -- Romans 8:28 (AMPC)

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It had been three days since Godswill had asked Fola out on a date where he officially tendered his desire for a relationship with her. Godswill remembered it like it was yesterday.

He couldn't forget how Fola had burst into hysterical laughter.

He was dumb-founded. Had he said a joke? Did he resemble a clown? Or what warranted her laughter?

He couldn't wrap his head around it as he pushed tissue after tissue into her hands, so she could wipe the tears seeping out of her eyes as she continued in her uncontrolled laughter.

This went on for seconds that seemed too much like a lifetime to him. She couldn't be going insane now, could she? What was so funny about what he had said? He replayed the question in his mind again.

"In the few months I have known you, I've become convinced that you're the one for me. I'd like to do life with you, if you permit. I love you and I want to love you more. Will you do me the honour of being my partner and love on this side of eternity?"

That was what he had said. And he couldn't understand the sudden outburst of laughter. And she was still laughing.

If he didn't know any better, he'd have thought she was laughing in the Spirit.

She finally calmed down and began to cough. He quickly moved to pour her a glass of water from the jug of water he had brought, among other things, for what he hoped was still a date. As she hurriedly drank the water, he patted her back and told her to slow down.

When she was done, she wiped her lips gingerly and stared at him quizzically.

"What did you say before?"

He was confused. What sort of girl is this? I said romantic words and not only did she laugh, she's still asking me to repeat them.

He sighed. Then, repeated the words slowly, as if he was speaking to a baby just learning to talk. It was like he didn't want his intent lost in transmission this time.

Fola continued to stare at him, even after he was done speaking. Then, all of a sudden, she scrambled to stand to her feet and said, "I need to go."

That was all she said. That was all he had heard in three days. He had been too stunned to make a move and by the time he had come to himself, she had left him at the beautiful park he had taken her to.

Godswill was still too confused to be angry or sad. He still didn't understand what had happened. And he hadn't called her too. He wanted to. He needed to, in fact. But he was scared of what her previous action meant for them.

He sighed again as he pound-kneaded the flour mix on the table. He could hear the whispers of his kitchen staff but he couldn't be bothered. He had more pressing things on his mind.

******

"So, you laughed like a mad woman and then just left him there?" Vwede shrieked.

Fola shut her eyes in mortification as she remembered her actions.

"I-I-I didn't know what to say na. He sprung it on me." She knew she was just trying to defend herself but it wasn't a very strong one.

"Sprung it on you? I cannot believe you, Folashade Ajani!"

Vwede was obviously exasperated but Fola didn't know what she wanted from her.

Thank God I didn't tell her I have been radio silent too.

"We have both known for sometime that he was going to propose a relationship and you even told me you were praying about it. So, what now happened? Did you at least call him after you left?"

Oh no!

"Arrrrrrghhhhhh! Fola! Why na? Sometimes, I just don't understand you," Vwede was saying.

She must have seen the look on her face.

"I just needed to regroup myself, inform Pastor Mimo and prepare to give him my answer. I have done those now."

Vwede was silent now. Then, she spoke up. "Will you call him now?"

"Yeah, I will call him today."

"Urrghhh, Fola. You should have informed him that day before leaving him in the lurch na. Only God knows what the poor guy has been going through ehn. I hope you have not reduced his feelings to ashes with this your mad woman move."

"Ahn ahn. You should be taking my side na."

"I'm sorry o. I cannot on this one. You didn't do it right, ma." Vwede crossed her arms with a frown on full display.

"Okay, okay. I agree. Pastor Mimo also chastised me. At least, give me a hug or something."

She pouted at her but Vwede still had her arms crossed. Fola slithered over to her and placed her head on Vwede's shoulder, cooing and making baby noises till Vwede broke into a smile.

Fola began to mentally rehearse what she was going to say.

I hope I didn't put him off with my behaviour. Eh God, help me.

*********

Godswill stared at his phone as if he had just finished speaking to a ghost. Fola had called and asked to meet him at the same park they visited the last time. The park where she had run off like a startled doe.

Why? I guess I'm about to receive the most devastating "no" in the history of "Nos".

Even the tone of her voice was enough to tell him so much.

Let me prepare to go, so I can get this over with. And God knows this is the last time I'm putting myself out there.

His name was about to change to Paul and he was going to embrace his singleness till death. He pulled on the spare shirt he had in his office and made for the exit.

In one hour, he arrived at the park. He parked his car properly and sat still in the car for a few seconds with his eyes shut. After a whispered prayer for strength, he alighted and walked to the exact spot of their last meeting.

What he saw stunned him. There was Fola, already seated on a blanket with food and fruits arranged on the blanket. She had a mellow look on her face.

Wow. Feed the man and place him in misery. I guess the full feeling of food would soften the impact of the rejection. Tch.

He didn't know why but a picture of a bowl filled with foam crossed his mind. Then, he saw a huge stone being dropped in the bowl of foam.

That's exactly it.

He tried his best to smile as he approached her. She hurried to her feet as she waved at him. Again, with that look on her face. 

"Hey," she greeted.

"Hey," he answered.

She appeared unsettled, so he tried to begin a conversation.

With a cheerfulness he didn't feel, he asked, "Are we expecting a crowd here? All these food cannot be forjust the two of us."

She only scrunched up her nose at him. "Let's eat first. And you and I know you can make a level plain out of this mountain. You take the move-the-mountain mandate very seriously."

With a look of feigned ignorance, he spoke, "I don't know what you are talking about."

"Yeah, right. You don't."

********

Fola watched as Godswill picked at his dessert, red velvet cake layered with whipped cream. This was the second time she'd see him like that. She knew she had to say what she needed to say, regardless of what his reaction would be.

"Godswill."

"Yeah." She watched as he looked up. He glanced at her before he took his eyes off.

She inhaled. "I'm so sorry for taking off so abruptly the last time we were here. I know that it must have taken you quite a lot to say the words you did and be vulnerable enough to share your feelings, especially since you told me about your history with ladies. I'm really sorry."

He was silent as he gazed at her again. It was like he wanted to know what she was thinking so he could know what to say.

He smiled, then looked away again. "It's fine. You must have had your reasons."

That's not his usual smile.

Ah, what did you expect, Madam of hysterical laughter and abrupt departure? Another part of her whispered.

That got her quiet for a few seconds.

"I'm sorry for being radio silent too for three whole days before calling. It won't happen again."

******

Again? What does she mean by again?

Godswill was so sure he had his questions written on his face. Unless she means as friends. That must be it.

He smiled, one that didn't quite reach his eyes as was becoming his custom.

"I would be honoured to be your partner and love on this side of eternity."

"Pardon?" I am gonna get whiplash because of this lady.

She repeated herself and added. "That's my answer."

Godswill didn't know what to do. He just sat still with his fork poised at the perfect angle in his red velvet parfait. All of a sudden, he jerked with the fork still attached to his hand and cake splattered on Fola's face.

Everything was finished.

********

This had to be the most hilarious reaction to beginning a relationship.

As she reached for the pack of wipes in her bag, she spoke. "You must have really been offended and upset with my reaction the last time. Because this is priceless."

That seemed to bring him out of the trance he was in because he suddenly picked up one more piece of wipe and joined in wiping her face.

"I am so sorry, Fola," he mumbled as he cleaned the gooey mix of cake and whipped cream off her face.

They quietly cleaned and packed up the rest of the food since they were done. Fola waited till they were done and tried to lighten the atmosphere.

She made a show of moving all the food and water out of the way and watched as Godswill spluttered.

"That's not fair, Fola."

"Ah, well. I'm just cleaning up the area. Nothing wrong with that."

He rolled his eyes and they both dissolved into silence again.

"So what do you—?"

"Thank you for—."

They both spoke up simultaneously. They laughed again.

"Let me go first," Godswill said.

Fola nodded.

"Thank you for saying "yes" to me. To us. I'll do my utmost and best under God to love you how He wants me to."

Fola was smiling so much, her cheeks were beginning to protest. And she was so sure her eyes had almost disappeared into slits.

"And thank you for being patient with me and choosing to love me too. I choose to love you, my will of God." She winked.

This was where she needed to be. Right here, right now.

Her everything good moments were here and she made a promise to enjoy it to the fullest.

*******

For the first time in a long time, he was glad that his parents named him Godswill. Now, someone was happily calling him her will of God.

Will of God. Ah, I didn't have to become a Paul after all. Godswill is just perfect.

********

A sprinkle of awkwardness filtered into the atmosphere and they didn't quite know what to do. So, they just stared at each other with all the love brimming in their eyes and almost spilling out. Like they could read each other's mind, they moved to hug each other. A warm hug that spoke of promises made to be kept.

They both whispered a word of thanks to God for His everything good. Even though it didn't come at the time they expected or in the form or manner or person they had thought of, they were thankful for God's intervention and for bringing them together.

They both basked in the love of God they had experienced and still experiencing, and thanked Him for leading them to each other.

THE END...

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