“But it was just a brief something I was checking on. It’s not like I couldn’t be bothered. That’s not the case at all!”

“Jonny, it’s been happening far too many time for you to just say it’s a little misunderstanding. She’s been complaining about it for too long for you to just trivialize it!”

Akushika walked from the kitchen into the dining room, where the voices of Jonny and the Mills-Odoi couple could be heard clashing over what had happened earlier that afternoon in the studio.

Jonny had come over to see the older couple after they called him over, having heard from Bukky, and it was clear that he refused to see the wrong he had done. And the older couple were not impressed.

“Look, Sir Remmy, it’s not deliberate ooo,” he continued to explain. “It’s just that my phone gets busy around that time-“

“And you can’t put your phone aside to just listen? Is that what you’re saying?” Remaliah asked sternly.

Jonny shook his head furiously. “No, no, no, no, it’s not like I’m ignoring her totally. It’s just a quick check, and I’m hearing everything with my ears…”

“Young man, look, that whole ‘I’m using my ears to listen’ matter is actually insulting,” Drusilla interjected. “Please, spare us that talk. When she sees you looking at your phone while she’s singing, do you think it sends any message that you’re listening in spite of what’s on your phone? No, it sends the message that what’s she doing doesn’t interest you, and that what’s on your phone is far more important!”

Remaliah shook his head. “Listen, you need to be wise in this thing called relationship. It’s not just about you. You’re with another person, and you need to factor in their opinions and feelings. If there’s something they’re not happy with, you take steps to change that thing.”

Jonny sighed. “I… I understand, but-but Sir Remmy, Maa Dru, this is not any matter. It’s just wrong timing…”

The Mills-Odoi couple sighed with exasperation almost at the same time. “Jonny, you’re not getting it, are you?” Drusilla questioned. “This is not the first time it’s happening. This is something your girl has complained about many times. It’s happened too many times for you to just say it’s a matter of wrong timing. There’s something wrong, and staying stuck in this stance of yours won’t help.”

“Hmph. See, Jonny, I hope you’re not taking that ‘this is who I am’ stance ooo,” Remaliah added. “Because that attitude is not going to help you in any relationship. I’ve been around long enough to know people who held on to that mindset and destroyed their relationships and marriages. You’re making a very big mistake if you continue to think that way. I’m telling you.”

While Jonny looked frustrated at the onslaught from the older couple, Akushika, seated at the dining table, decided it was time for her to add her voice.

“Ummm, Sir Remmy, Maa Dru, can I say something?”

The three of them turned to look at her. Remaliah shrugged. “Sure, go ahead.”

“Thank you.” She turned to Jonny. “Jonny, I just joined this family, but… this is something I noticed pretty quickly, this matter Bukky has been complaining about. And honestly, I also don’t think it’s fair to just shove this aside as just an overreaction. Because, look, I watch you two whenever you’re singing, and the reaction to each other’s performances is as clear as night and day. I sit at the back, and I made it a point to study your differing reactions, and it’s so obvious that Bukky’s super invested in your performance, and you’re not in hers.

“You know the time you guys did that gospel day thingy? I watched her while you sang that song… um, what’s it again, that Marvin Sapp song. And her reaction was just… spellbound. The girl looked truly amazed that she has a man as talented as you. I could see it, it was obvious. But when it was her turn, and she sang that Maverick City song, I was amazed to see you not as moved as the rest of us. Jonny, virtually everyone in the room was taken out by that performance. But… your facial expression made it look like you’ve seen better.

“I don’t get it, I honestly don’t. Because Bukky’s mentioned a few times how the plan is to conquer the music world together. Or… that’s not the case with you? You think she’s not good enough to work with you? I mean, if that’s the case, just feel free and say it. I don’t think there’s a problem with that. I think we’ll understand and respect you for your honesty if you say that. Because that’s what seems to be the case.”

Jonny sat back, silent for a moment. He had looked ready to fight back until those last questions came at him. Now he seemed pretty mellow. The Mills-Odoi couple watched him expectantly, waiting for him to give an answer.

A few more moments of silence passed.

“Well, Jonny, Shika asked a question. Do you think Bukky is beneath your level?” Remaliah pressed. “Is that why you’ve been doing all you’ve been doing?”

Jonny looked up at them, looked back down, then spoke.

“Umm… I… I think I need to think this over. Can I… can I go back to my apartment, please?”

Remaliah’s facial expression conveyed that of a man ready to pin the boy down until he gave an answer. A gentle touch on the arm and a look from Drusilla, though, and his expression softened. Her glance said all it needed to say.

“Fine, fine. Go think it over,” he said. “You can go.”

The most sullen look on his face, Jonny rose up and quietly left the apartment.

Remaliah shook his head as the door shut. “I really hope that boy’s going to reason up. This selfishness of his is not helping anyone.”

“Hmmm, I hope so too. Because Bukky is really angry this time. With the way she was talking earlier today, it looks like she’s ready to end it kraaa with him,” Drusilla commented.

“Same here oo, Maa Dru,” Akushika mentioned. “When we were coming back, she was saying the same thing.”

“Hmmm. Well, let’s see what happens. If it’s all about him and he doesn’t mind losing her, he should tell us, so we know this family of ours is losing a member. Hmm, Shika, selfishness, eh. One of the easiest ways to kill a relationship…”

***

“Is it any wonder why Jesus clashed with them so often? He came to reveal the heart of the Father, that Elohim is a God of mercy and compassion who for all His majesty and awesomeness has no qualms with making us His own. This was nowhere on the agenda of the Pharisees; it was all about self-righteousness and harsh treatment of those who didn’t measure up to their standards…”

“Hmm. ‘Elements Of A Toxic Pharisee Spirit’. The way this message touched me when I first heard it,” Remaliah commented as he drove home from church, with Drusilla riding shotgun, and Akushika in the backseat.

“It’s deep oo. Very powerful message,” Drusilla agreed. “Trust Pastor Basare to hit you with something deep.”

Akushika sat quietly in the backseat, listening to the message. Even though they attended a Methodist church, Remaliah seemed to have quite a liking for this pastor’s sermons, as they listened to at least one every week in the car. She couldn’t deny it, though, the man of God knew how to hit home with his preaching.

The three continued to listen to the sermon as they made their way home. Upon arriving at the flat, they saw Jonny coming down the stairs.

“Hm. Bra Jonny,” Remaliah quipped as he drove into his usual parking spot. “I’m sure he’s still thinking.”

“Mm-hmm. Well, whatever he’s thinking about, it had better be good,” Drusilla remarked, unbuckling her seat belt as the engine was switched off.

The three got out of the car to find Jonny walking towards them.

“Um, good afternoon, Sir Remmy. Good afternoon, Maa Dru. Good afternoon, Shika,” he greeted meekly.

Remaliah faced him, an eyebrow raised. “Hello, Jonny. This polite greeting di33, it’s been a while,” he quipped. “Is everything alright?”

Jonny took a deep breath. “Ummm, about yesterday… I’ve had time to think, and I… I realize you were all right. I dunno what came over me, but… I’ve been cruel to Bukky, and I’m sorry. I wanna change. I want her back. But… she’s blocked me. I don’t know what to do…”

Drusilla, who had come to stand next to her husband, nodded. “So now you’ve seen what we were saying?”

Jonny nodded. “Yes, yes. And I’m sorry for the way I was speaking last night. I don’t know why I did, I just… too much pride in me, and…”

“It’s okay, Jonny, it’s okay,” Drusilla consoled him, her motherly side kicking in as she patted him on the shoulder. “What matters is that you’ve seen where you went wrong, and you want to make amends. Now let’s go inside and straighten this out. And let me speak to Bukky and try and convince her…”

Rubbing her baby bump, Akushika couldn’t help but crack a smirk. Vintage Maa Dru.

As she led Jonny to the staircase, Remaliah, who was walking with Akushika, whispered to her, “The way I wanted to stretch the boy before we get to this point. I should have remembered the woman I’m married to.”

Akushika stifled a giggle. “At least, he’s seen his wrong, so it’s okay, please,” she whispered back. “He’s usually very headstrong with this matter, so this should count for something.”

Remaliah sighed and shrugged. “Yeah, you’re right. Well, let’s see how best we can get them back together.”

“Sure,” Akushika agreed. From the look of things, a possible reconciliation was not too far away. All they needed was for Bukky to agree to it, then this relationship would be fixed.

I hope Bukky agrees. Because the way she was talking last night, it was so obvious she doesn’t even wanna hear his voice. But then, who can say no to Maa Dru? Let’s hope it works out well…

Looks like Jonny is coming back to his senses. Well, let’s see if he can convince Bukky to forgive him for his inconsiderate behaviour…