The First Time He Came to Church With Me
ABOUT US - Episode 9
It was a slow Saturday afternoon. I was on my couch, laptop in front of me, editing some content for my church’s Mid-Year Thanksgiving service. The media team had a lot on deck for the next day, flyers, post service reels, and volunteer coordination. Olamide was sprawled out comfortably beside me, flipping through Netflix like he was searching for the meaning of life, but not really paying attention. Just being there, keeping me company while I worked.
Then, out of nowhere, he said, “I want to come to church with you tomorrow.”
I paused and looked at him. “Wait, are you serious?” He nodded, looking completely unfazed. “Yeah. I’ll pick you up in the morning.” I grinned. “Mide, you know I won’t be sitting with you, right? I’ll be with the media team running around. I volunteered and there are loads of work to do.”
He frowned a little. That frown, God. It was subtle but so cute. “I know,” he sighed. “But still, I want to come.”
I chuckled, “Aww, look at you. You’ll be sitting all alone, lost.” “Not for long,” he said, roughly brushing his palm over my head like he always does. “The moment service ends, I’m coming to find you. I don’t care where.”
I laughed so hard. Then, like he was plotting one more thing, he added, “Also babe, let’s wear the same colour.”
“Wait. What?” I nearly dropped my laptop. He smiled, leaning back. “Yeah. Let’s.” This man eh. I knew what he was trying to do. No one was going to steal me from him really. I threw a pillow at him, laughing. “You’re insane.” “But you love me.”
“Unfortunately.” I rolled my eyes, already mentally picking what we could wear.
This man, Olamide showed up looking like God's favourite with all handsomeness, dressed in crisp suitor in a matching shade of brown, because that was the colour we agreed on. He was just smiling and staring at me like a fool lost in love.
On our way, I warned, “Mide, please don’t panic o. I won’t be sitting with you, I’ll be in the media stand but you’ll be fine, I promise.” He nodded but still said, “Once service ends, just know, I’m coming to find you.”
I laughed as we parked at church. Before we got down, he leaned in, pecked me on the lips softly, and whispered, “Go and do your media thing. I’ll survive.”
From where I stationed, I could already tell. This man was scanning the whole auditorium looking for me. His eyes sweeping every row like a man on a mission. I couldn’t help but giggle where I stood with my camera team. And then after service, oh good Lord.
I was rounding up with the media team, sorting the last bits of post service tasks when suddenly, “Babe!” I turned and my jaw dropped. It was Olamide. He was standing at the doorway of the media room, smiling like he just found his missing rib. Everyone turned. People were whispering, smiling, and staring. My teammates were side eyeing me, trying so hard not to laugh.
I nearly melted on the spot. “Babe chill, will you?” I laughed as I quickly walked to him, hugging him in embarrassment.
“I’m sorry,” he said quietly as he hugged me back. “I’ve been trying to figure out the confusing direction you gave me. I’ve been looking for you.”
I laughed against his shoulder. “Oh my God, babe, you’re unbelievable.” He pulled back slightly but kept holding my waist. “I just missed you.” I bit my lip, smiling way too much. “I missed you too but babe, can you wait in the car please. I’d join you soon, let me just finish here hm, thank you”
“Okay,” he nodded as he gave me one last peck on my forehead before walking off, right in front of the entire media team! Good Lord.
When I came outside, he was there standing by the car, arms crossed like a man who owned both the car and my heart. “Finally,” he said as I walked toward him. “You’re done?” “Yeah,” I sighed, tired but happy.
“Good. Let’s get you something to eat. You’re stressed enough” He grinned.
As he pulled onto the road, one hand rested casually on the steering, the other reached over, palm open. Without thinking, I slipped my hand into his, it fit there like it always did. It felt so peaceful.
“Soo, what are we eating?” he asked, glancing at me with that lazy half smile. I sighed dramatically, “Hmm, I don’t even know. I’m hungry but I don’t know what I feel like eating really.”
“Well, if you leave the decision to me, you already know where we’ll end up,” he chuckled. “You and that amala spot,” I laughed, shaking my head. “You’re too predictable but I like it too. I mean, on a Sunday afternoon, that’s not too much.”
He grinned, “Exactly, babe.” Then he added, almost like he was dropping a surprise, “Oh, and I found this new cake shop that just opened. I checked the reviews and I know you’ll love it. We’ll stop by after amala. More like a little treat to prep you for the stress of Monday. I’ll even order for you to work this week, so you don’t stress too much.”
I gasped, eyes wide. “Whaaat? Really? How come I’ve never heard of it?” He just smiled, flexing his fingers around mine. “Because you have me.” “Ughhh, you’re literally the best,” I grinned, leaning over to peck his hand excitedly “I love you, I love you, I love youuu”
At that moment, we were waiting at the traffic light. He didn’t even respond immediately. He just stared at me, like a man quietly falling in love with me for the very first time. I noticed and paused in the middle of my excitement, still smiling. “What?” I asked, squinting at him. He shook his head slightly, smiling deeper. “You’re so pretty,” he said, voice low. Before I could react, he reached over, roughly patted her hair like a puppy, and held it there for a second longer than usual. “I love you,” he added, still smiling.
“I love youuuu toooo,” I replied, dragging the words, giggling, my face all scrunched up in joy. He laughed softly, that deep, warm laugh of his that never failed to make my heart feel safe and just like that, the light turned green and we drove off to get amala, cake, and everything sweet in between.