My Friendly Enemy Chp II

Chapter Two: A Sunday Morning Promise Sunday mornings in our neighbourhood always began the same way.Before the first rays of sunlight stretched across the rooftops, the streets would already be alive with the sounds of roosters crowing, women sweeping their compounds, and gospel songs drifting from different homes. The aroma of fried eggs, akara, and hot tea floated through the cool morning air, announcing that it was another day dedicated to worship.Inside our little home, my adopted mother had been awake long before dawn.She moved gracefully from the kitchen to the sitting room, making sure everything was ready before we left for church. As always, she laid my neatly ironed clothes on the bed and called out gently."Clement... wake up, my son. We don't want to be late for service."I slowly opened my eyes and stretched lazily.Instead of getting dressed immediately, the first thought that crossed my mind was Andrew."Mummy," I asked, rubbing my sleepy eyes, "is Andrew ready?"She paused for a moment before answering."I don't know. Why?""I want to go to church with him today."She smiled faintly."No, dear. Andrew attends his parents' church, and we're going to ours."I folded my arms immediately."Then let Andrew come with us.""Clement..."I shook my head stubbornly."If I can't go with Andrew, then I'm not going to church."My adopted mother sighed deeply. She knew that look on my face. It was the same look I wore whenever I had already made up my mind.She knelt beside me and gently held my shoulders."My son, every family worships where they choose. Andrew has to go with his parents, just as you will go with me."I pouted."No! I want Andrew."She tried every possible way to persuade me. She promised to buy me biscuits after church. She reminded me of my Sunday school friends. She even told me the choir would be singing my favourite hymn that morning.Nothing worked.Instead, I crossed my arms tighter and sat on the floor."I'm not moving unless Andrew comes."Minutes passed.I refused to wear my clothes.I refused breakfast.I refused to listen.My adopted mother looked at me with a mixture of frustration and helplessness before letting out a long sigh."You are as stubborn as a goat," she murmured with a smile that barely hid her exhaustion.Knowing she had run out of options, she wrapped her headscarf properly and walked next door to the Ikebukwu family's house.I quietly followed behind her.Mrs. Ikebukwu welcomed us warmly."Good morning, Sister. Happy Sunday.""Happy Sunday," my mother replied politely.Soon, Mr. Ikebukwu joined them in the sitting room, adjusting the collar of his neatly pressed shirt."I hope everything is alright?" he asked.My adopted mother smiled awkwardly before glancing at me."It is this boy."Both couples turned to look at me."Clement has refused to attend church this morning."Mr. Ikebukwu raised an eyebrow."Why?""Because he insists that he must either attend your church with Andrew or Andrew should come with us."The room fell silent for a brief moment.Then Mr. Ikebukwu burst into laughter."So that's the problem?"Even Mrs. Ikebukwu chuckled."Our boys are truly inseparable."Andrew, who had been standing quietly behind the curtain listening to the conversation, came running into the sitting room with excitement written all over his face."Really? I can go with Clement?"Before anyone could answer, he had already grabbed my hand.I smiled from ear to ear.My adopted mother, however, didn't smile.Deep inside her heart, she felt uneasy.The strange feeling she had always carried about Andrew returned stronger than ever.She looked at the two of us—our tiny hands tightly locked together, our innocent faces glowing with excitement—and silently whispered a prayer."Lord........ if this friendship is not meant for him, please separate them before it destroys my son."No one heard those words.Not Andrew.Not Mr. and Mrs. Ikebukwu.And certainly not me.To me, it was simply another joyful Sunday with my best friend.Little did I know that the woman praying silently beside me could already see a danger my childish heart was too innocent to recognize.

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