For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. --Isaiah 55:8‭-‬9 (AMPC)

Bolu was very sure she had weird thoughts running through her mind because of the amused look on her face. He also didn't miss the way she stabilized the tray in her hands like she couldn't afford to let it fall. All of a sudden, she looked down at her tray and he watched as a scowl formed on her lovely face. 

What did I do báyìí? 

Does she think I did it on purpose? 

While his mind ran amuck with different thoughts, he watched amusement, seriousness, and an emotion between pleasure and displeasure cross her face. 

He cleared his throat. "What's wrong?" 

"My drumstick is a Picasso."

"Uhn?" Of all the things he had been expecting, that was not even on the list. 

"It's making a very distinct oil painting on your nice-looking kaftan," she said. 

Bolu didn't know when laughter bubbled out of him. The entire restaurant occupants turned to stare at him and for a moment, he thought the music stopped too with a distinctive cawing sound in the background. 

He shifted on his feet and stepped away from her. It was only then he realized he still had his hands on her arms. He quickly dropped them while apologizing to her. 

"I'm sorry for staining your clothes," she apologized. If he didn't know better, she looked like she wanted to laugh despite the seriousness she displayed. 

"It's fine. It would serve as a reminder of you, if it doesn't wash off."

She gasped. "It wasn't me. It was the drumstick."

She made an open show of gesturing towards the peppered piece of chicken on her plate. It felt like she was afraid of it. 

This time, he did all he could to stop himself from bellowing with laughter. He shook his head before he asked.
" Can I join you at your table after I get my meal?" 

"What makes you think I'm alone?" she challenged. 

"If you weren't, whoever you were with would have come to meet us or tried to catch your attention."

He looked around the restaurant. "And no one came to us. Neither is anyone trying to get your attention. Your eyes have been on me the whole time."

He watched her open her mouth to say something but she just closed it after a while and shook her head. 

"You're very full of yourself though," she declared without any venom. 

He laughed again, silently this time. 

"Correction. I'm filled with the Holy Ghost."

"You're funny," she said dryly. 

"You didn't answer my question though."

She was quiet for a few seconds before saying, "Yes, you can."

He didn't know when he fist pumped the air. "Alright. Let me get my food and I will join you shortly."

He turned with a smile on his face. 

**********

Amanda stared after the guy as he made his way to the food counter to get his meal. She shook her head and quickly made her way to the corner she had found. 

Thank God it wasn't taken while that guy was talking to me. She thought as she settled to eat. 

Should I wait for him? Or start eating? 

Her stomach growled in reply and that was all she needed as she dug into her meal. After a spoon of the coconut rice, she shut her eyes as she chewed hungrily. 

This is a taste of heaven. 

Uh? She could almost see the Holy Spirit roll his eyes at her. 

Sorry, sir. I meant goodness. A taste of goodness. 

Better. 

She laughed and was still laughing when the young man joined her. 

"Something must be really funny. And you didn't wait for me," he stated as his eyes flitted to her spoon heaped with rice, with an expression that looked like a pout. 

Amused, she only continued chewing her food. He shook his head in reply, shut his eyes as he whispered a short prayer and picked up his cutlery to eat the plate of yamarita he had bought. 

He took a bite before he spoke up. "What church do you attend?" 

"Christ's Life Church."

"You attend CLC?" he asked, dropping his cutlery. 

I just said that, didn't I? 

"Yes, I do."

"Wow! I do too, most Sundays."

He must have seen her raised brow because he added, "When I don't have to be in my parent's church."

"Hmmmm."

"I'm in the middle of getting their permission to attend CLC fully."

He still needs permission?

Wait first. How old is this guy? 

"Yes, I still need permission. And I'm in my late 20s."

Amanda had been told and she knew she couldn't hide the thoughts on her mind from her face but she didn't know he would be able to read her so accurately. Was he a mind-reader?

She spluttered at his reply. 

"Are you okay?" he asked as he poured her a glass of water. 

She nodded yes. 

He's younger than I am! 

Any crushing thoughts she had been nursing began to develop wings as they flew out of her mind. 

"Thank you," she said as she collected the napkin he passed to her. 

"Sorry, dear." He smiled. 

Dear? Dear?! Who is his dear? What disrespect? Hdgsjjdwijbdnddola! 

Her mind was screaming and her brain was telling her to relax. 

"Are you okay? He asked again. 

Amanda mustered up the most plastic smile she could and flashed it at him. 

"I'm alright. Thank you."

She bowed her head to continue her food. 

********

The atmosphere around their table was icy and Bolu didn't know what to make of it. One moment, she was telling jokes and laughing. The next, she was so focused on her meal that he almost asked her if the piece of chicken had annoyed her in its previous life. However, he knew the moment of jokes had passed. 

She definitely doesn't know how to pretend. That's a great quality to have.

He tried to fire up the conversation but she looked like she was in pain talking to him, so he relented. When they were done, she excused herself to the restroom and left him to his thoughts. 

The year was almost over and he remembered the bravado he had displayed when he told his family to give him till the new year. 

And that new year is in a few weeks. 

Christmas was in the air and everywhere he turned to was a not-so-subtle reminder about his need to make a decision. However, the one thing that baffled him was that even with that pressing need in his mind, he still had space to worry about the lady he had been sharing a table with for the past few minutes who hadn't still returned from the restroom. 

Maybe it was his confidence that God would sort him out that gave him rest. He knew God always came through for him even if it was at the last hour and it wouldn't be different now. 

All he needed to concentrate on was why his madam had turned icy in split second. 

My madam? Where did that come from? 

He shook his head as he dabbed at his lips with the napkin and took a sip of his juice. 

We didn't even exchange names. Wow, Bolu. Just wow. 

******

There's no need to treat him like that, Amanda. 

"I know," she said, staring at her reflection in the mirror as she stood before the washhand basin. 

"I just don't know how to act, now that I know he may be way younger than I am."

But it's not like he promised to marry you. This is just a seemingly harmless young man trying to be your friend. 

"But we all know what comes from friendship between opposite sexes."

If her brain had eyes, it would be rolling by now. Don't be so old-fashioned. Besides, even if that is the case, shouldn't you just go with the flow? 

"That's just it. I don't have the time to go with the flow. My mum expects me to be married this Christmas and popping babies by the New Year."

That's not possible. 

"I know." She sighed again. 

Cut him some slack. Another voice said. 

She knew that voice. She sighed again, washed her hands for the second time and made her way out of the restroom.