MENDED WINGS... episode 11

     Joel stepped out of his room and walked into the living room. He sat opposite Ella, who was busy watching a program on the television. “Hope you’re enjoying yourself,” he said with a smile.
     “I am. Thank you. That reminds me of a question I’ve always wanted to ask. Why do you always sit on that chair every time I visit?” Ella said in a clear voice.
     Joel laughed. “You know, the Bible says we should flee from every appearance of evil. To me, holiness is priority. I don’t want any dirty thought crossing my mind that’s why I’m sitting opposite you. If we were in a public place it could have been different.”
     “Hmm.” She squeezed her nose and smiled. “Pastor of righteousness.”
     Joel gestured. “That’s one of the reasons why I’ve been saying we should take the next step and get married. We are mature in all wise. What’s keeping us?”
     Ella took the TV remote and lowered the TV volume. “Well, I don’t want people to think we are in a rush. We started this relationship barely five months ago. I don’t want people to start talking. It’s not even up to a year you joined our parish.”
     “What does that matter? After all, we’re both mature and ready. Unnecessarily long courtship causes nothing but sin. And you know I won’t tolerate that.”
     “Of course I know. You who wouldn’t even hold my hands except when we’re praying together.” She laughed.
     “E-l-l-a, that’s not true. I’m not an extremist, although I am principled. Bear with me. The time will come soon when you’ll enjoy the private me.”
     “Hmm. Anyway, I was just pulling your legs. I’ll tell my aunt about our decision and contact my parents so we could set the ball rolling.”
     “Thanks, darling.”
     “You’re welcome.”
     “Let me drop you home, it’s almost 6:30 p.m. I don’t want you getting home late.”
     “Oh, I lost track of time. We’d better get going or you’ll have to explain to Auntie Eve why you kept me late outside.” She laughed and picked her bag.
     “That reminds me. I called the mechanic repairing your car. He said the problem is with the car engine. That car is very old. So, I was thinking you should get a new car instead of changing the engine of the old one.”
     “New car? Don’t forget that car is my aunt’s although I was the one using it before it broke down. I just want to have it repaired. She could feel somehow if I left her car with the mechanic and got a new one for myself. Besides I can’t afford a new car tyre right now, not to mention a whole car.”
     “Okay. I’ll tell the mechanic to find a way to repair the car so you could return it to your aunt. I’ll get you a new befitting one.”
     “Are you serious? You’ll get me a car?”
     “Why not? I can’t be riding in a jeep and my fiancée would be trekking around.”
     “Huh Huh. You’re such a darling.”
     He smiled. You should know by now that there’s nothing I can’t do for you. Once it’s not a sin, I’ll do it.”
     “Hmm. I wish I could kiss you.”
     He laughed. “Let it remain a wish until I marry you. You’re too precious to be mishandled. When I take the appropriate step, I can take your hugs and kisses as reward.”
     She hit his shoulder playfully. “You make me love you more and more every day. You’re a huge blessing to my life. Thank God I found you.”
     Joel opened the car door and held it, gesturing to her to enter the vehicle. “I’m the luckiest to have such a wonderful woman by my side.”
     Ella’s tummy rumbled or was that the butterfly feeling people talked about? She sighed and smiled, her heart filled with nothing but her love for Joel Mason.
     Joel took his seat by the steering and drove off.