Guy From The Bus 2

maybe this is it?

Jan 29, 2026

This one's for all of you who loved part 1 and bugged me for a part two 😂 ♥️. You're a MAJOR reason I keep showing up. Thank you.

If you've not read part one, please do so HERE, so this would be wholesome for you. 🥂

I draw in a breath before typing, as what I'm about to write is a little…heavy. It shouldn't be a big deal, but it is. I mean, I knew what it was that I signed up for, didn't I? Tell me why the layers and expressions I see surprise me, most times?

I look out the lourved window and exhale. My fingers find the jewelry box he gave me just last week and I smile. Just yesterday he had sent cookies from my favorite place, and then sent a voice note. Yes, he has a terrible singing voice, but hearing Anendlessocean’s Love Practitioner from him was like having vanilla ice cream on a very sunny day.

I had casually mentioned the song on one of our calls and he took the initiative. He learnt the song. He remembered. He listened. I smile but it doesn't reach my eyes. Things I'd always hoped Dad would do, Joshua does in a breath. He's different. Special.

Pastor Dolapo had told me to “seek watering from the Vine and stop lingering in a relationship that was headed for the rocks”, but I'd prove her wrong. Yes she has been my voice of reason and counsel for the past three years, but she's wrong on this one. This thing with ìfẹ mi will last. We'd live above every opposition.

So this is what I've become. A rebel for love. It isn't so bad though. I muster all the courage I have now and hit send on the text. The two ticks turn blue and then he starts typing. I pick up my bottle of groundnuts and begin to chew so violently, you'd think they offended me.

My phone beeps and I inhale again, before checking his text.

I thought I already told you how I feel about this. No worries though, I'd come. 

Mainly because the most beautiful girl in the world asked me to. 😊

I smile so hard at the last sentence, my insides have a little squeal party. He always knows the right things to say. Always. I text him the address and emphasize the time, so he doesn't run late. I'm the early bird in the ship, he's a slow runner. Perfect symphony.

🍀 Open minds, lifted hands,

A message that gently lands,

On the soil of people's heart,

Not yours though, just look at that.

I glance at him, hoping today would be the beginning of change. I observe his expression and I can't read it. I yearn to walk over to him and shake him, asking “hey! what's up?”, but I restrain myself. I'd just let the Lord do his work.

As I bring out my Bible and jotter, I send up silent prayers to God. Lord, let the message hit him. Minister to him. Change his life. When the altar call is made, let him come out. Save his soul so he can serve you. I have brought him to your house. Do this for me, good father…

Pastor Wale's singing jerks me out of my thoughts. As he goes on to ‘worthy worthy is the Lamb' his way into the sermon, I take a deep breath and look over to him again. He's quiet, probably taking it all in. He's scanning the room and I reach out to hold his hand, reassure him that he belongs here, but he doesn't take mine.

I'm a little hurt that he rejected my gesture but I soon snap out of it. “We’d be moving on in our series, the redemptive plan of God, today. We'd not only look at the story, we'd also touch on the implications of it. Who's ready?” He sings again and then starts.

“God offers us access to himself, through the finished work of Christ. He died for us while we were still revelling in sin and it's up to us to accept this access. It's like an invitation card. You can choose to accept it, or not. The redemptive plan of God is exemplified in Christ. He is the executor, means and finisher of said plan.”

“None of us could save ourselves. We are helpless without him. We don't present our good works to him and ask him to work with it. We bring our helplessness and darkness to him and ask him to relieve us of these burdens and give us a new life. That's it. God is good and in his goodness, he has redeemed us and will redeem all who call on his name.”

I stare at Joshua again, hoping the word is reaching him, but I'm upset to find him playing a video game. Is he really playing FIFA Street in the middle of service? I tap him lightly and gesture towards the stage. He mouths a “sorry” and looks forward now, with an expression I'd term as interest.

* * * *

‘So how was service for you?’ I ask as members huddle, sharing after-service pleasantries. He had refused to stand up for recognition as a first timer, so I figured I'd take on the role of a follow-up unit member today.

‘It was chill. Your pastor knows how to exegete. He seems pretty cool too. I didn't know pastors wore leather jackets”, he replies and I almost roll my eyes. I need more. A testimony, a word, maybe a vision he had during the sermon. Not this vague talk.

As we prepare to leave, a lady I believe is from the protocol unit waves and begins to walk towards us. I greet, introducing myself and she does the same. I elbow Joshua, prompting him to speak too. “Goodness, you're stunning!” he says out loud, and I shoot him a confused look.

He sure must be referring to me, not the sweet lady in the green jumpsuit? She walks away, sensing the growing tension and I follow suit, marching to the car.

* * * *

‘What was that about?’ I ask as soon as he settles into the driver seat, trying not to explode. “What was what about?” he returns, putting on his seat belt. I'm not violent, but I feel like pinching his earlobes so hard right now.

‘The flirting. The comment you made. What was that about?’ I ask, yelling now. “Ohh, that. It was just a harmless compliment. Don't tell me you're all worked up about it? Come on Fola. You're better than this.” He turns the ignition on, staring straight ahead.

I only stare, wondering how a man could be this way. Here today, there tomorrow. Normal this minute, crazy the next. Oh chim.

* * * *

“We’re here” he says as soon as he parks in front of my gate. I grab my purse and make to walk out the door when he grabs my hand. “Don’t tell me you're still upset? Fola Dollars. My sponsor. Sugar. So you were going to leave? Alright I'm sorry. No bye-bye kiss?”

I scoff. The guy had quite the nerve, asking for a kiss as if everything was perfect. As if I haven't made it clear, time after time, that there would be no such gestures in our relationship. ‘Good night. Go and meet the stunning lady, ask her to kiss you’, I say, hoping it bites his soul.

"The experience can't be the same. It won't be the same. It's you I want” he retorts, laughing loudly. At that, I walk out, slamming the door in his face. He follows, pleading again for his ‘joke’. I yank his hand away but my insides are starting to melt. Starting to make excuses for him.

And as he begins another round of apology, I look up and ask myself the much needed question.

How, and why did I get myself into this?

✍🏽Vital endings, hopeful beginnings?

TWO MONTHS LATER. . .

I sit at my desk, fumbling with the end of my shorts. ‘This is it’, I mumble. There was no going back now, if I hit send. PD had instructed me sternly to do this, take the first step to freedom. And as much as I agree with her, I sure want to fight back.

This could work out. Is it so impossible? My fingers over the keypad now, and I finally hit send. PD would be proud and relieved that I was finally listening to her, after my six-month refusal.

His text comes in and I read slowly, gauging his reaction.

Sure we can talk, arẹwà. What's up?

I gulp down my orange juice, preparing for the tension that's about to come. I start typing, pause a few times, and finally send the message.

I don't think I can do this anymore. This thing with you. 

I'm sorry I even let us come this far. We should never have started this. We're incompatible on the matter of faith, and that's a big deal for me. 

I truly hope you understand and beyond that, I pray that you one day accept the life of Christ. Please take care. 


Love,
Fola.

My eyes start to pool and I make no effort to stop the tears. I remind myself that this was for the best and brace myself to read what he just sent.

I kinda knew you'd one day do this. I just assumed you'd be more open-minded.

I wish you well too, Fola. Too bad you're not willing to fight for our love.

But it's chill though.

My head’s spinning at his reply. What was chill about this? There's literally a throbbing ache in my heart right now. My tears are pouring in torrents, right now.

I know that I've made the right decision, but it still hurts. God sure is smiling on me now, but this still stings. I pick my phone to call PD. She picks at the first ring and I ramble without a break.

‘You’d be fine Fola. You will. I'm here', she reassures me and I hope for the life of me, that she’s right.

🍃 THE END.

💭 Again, I'm so interested in your thoughts. What are your comments?

Your Safe Haven 💜

Discussion about this post

Ready for more?