A Valentine Day Fiasco Chapter 6 – The Overzealous Usher.


   Fortunately for her, she got there when they had just started the praise and worship session so she wasn’t really late. She walked into the church beginning to head towards the front so as to locate her family members where they were seated only for her to feel a hand holding her back. She had just seen a well-dressed, wealthy-looking woman whom she nodded to in a greeting while talking to her mum on phone walk straight to the front so she didn’t see why any reason why she could not do likewise. This overzealous or rather hypocritical usher in her opinion was trying to force her to sit where she didn’t want to. She was trying to tell the usher that her family had saved a seat for her in front gesturing towards them but the usher was playing deaf. She had respect for God and his house and this usher although hypocritical was working in that house, else she’d have given that usher a shove that would cause him to fall down and knocked some good sense into him.
They had caused quite a scene because everyone seated behind, close to the entrance of the church was watching them. When she saw it was useless to be civil with this creature, Cynthia gave the usher a look he’d never forget in his whole life, a look would that made the mightiest of men cower, hissed and walked out. She didn’t even look back to see his reaction. She left and went to stay in her car. She wasn’t here for the sermon anyways, she was here for her cousin. It was this kind of attitude that stopped her from worshipping under a body called a church. She got into her car, locker herself in, turned her stereo on and waited for the service to end.

John was seated about 5 seats just before the entrance of the church. He had just gotten in 10 minutes ago and as a result he was asked to seat there. To be frank, he didn’t mind. It gave him a good view of those walking into the church. He had seen a middle aged woman enter the church some minutes before he did and the ushers didn’t even bother to direct her on where to seat like they did in his case. He didn’t feel a sense of injustice about it though. He didn’t want to seat beside his parents along with his sister and her picture perfect family as the lonely eldest son. He preferred being alone so this suited him fine. The lady who came after the other woman didn’t seem to like that at all as he saw her shaking her head vigorously and pointing towards the front while talking to the usher. The usher on the other hand was proving stubborn and she was having none of it. Eventually, she kept quiet only for a loud hiss to be heard and she stormed out. He almost laughed when he heard the hiss. Ladies will always be ladies. The fuss they had caused had gotten so much that no one was paying attention to the sermon. He knew he wasn’t so it wasn’t a big deal for him. He didn’t see the face of the lady well but there was something about her aura that felt familiar. He took note of her outfit though. She was putting on a white-like top and a flowered flared skirt. He probably would get lucky to meet her after the service. She most likely hasn’t left the service because the way she was pointing forward showed she knew the people who were seated there so she was likely waiting for the sermon to finish. He should hurry out to stand close to the door to get a view of this wonderful lady who caught his attention and probably chat her up. Who knew where it might lead? He could not wait for the service to end. He kept checking his wrist watch to check the time. The time seemed to stretch forever and then finally the time for the closing prayer came. “Finally”, he said with a sigh. An old woman beside him was giving him ‘the stare’ but he could care a lot less right know. Immediately the last “amen” was said he started walking out. He didn’t want that SU mother to start preaching to him plus he had a lady to catch. He walked out of the church and stood beside the door not exactly at the entrance. He kept scanning the faces that breezed by. He hadn’t seen the tough lady yet.
Cynthia saw people trooping out of the church building. The service was over. She came out of the car, locked it and headed towards the entrance. She stood beside the door waiting for her mum to come out or the crowd of people to reduce. While she was standing she noticed that the man beside her seemed to be scanning the crowd. It was not her business but she didn’t know when she tapped him and opened her mouth to ask.
“Excuse me sir? Are you looking for somebody?”
John turned to see the person who had tapped him. Lo and Behold, it was his white top and flowered skirt lady and she was Cynthia.
“Oh. John. It’s you again.”
“Yes. So you were the troublesome lady who had issues with the usher. I wanted to see who that lady was, the lady that had the guts to stand up to an usher. I knew her aura felt familiar. I had no idea it was you. By the way, that hiss was really loud. The SU mother I was sitting beside almost cursed you for “disrupting the peace of the church”. I believe she mentioned daughter of a witch or something”
Cynthia burst out laughing. She could hardly hide her amusement. Daughter of a witch. What a sad woman. When she finally got a hold of herself she composed herself.
“Don’t mind that usher o, the overzealous fanatic. The wealthy woman that went in before me had the right to go to the front seat but I didn’t? What a stupid hypocrite. I was so mad but because I still have respect for where God is worshipped that was why I didn’t do anything. I could have manhandled him there and then with that kwashiorkor-like body of his. It’s the attitude of people like him that made me stop going to church. Anyways, it’s all in the past now.” She said.
“No offense but you don’t strike me as a church person. I just didn’t expect to see you here. So what brings you to our humble church?” She continued
“Hey! What’s that supposed to mean? I am not offended though. You are right. I stopped attending church regularly from my 3rd year in the university. I only attend when my mum forces me to. She wanted us to attend church as a family with my younger sister and her family which is why I am here.” He said in response
“What about you? Why are you here? You mentioned that you stopped coming to church because of people like that usher. What’s your reason for being in this one?”
“My cousin is having a special thanksgiving service today for completing her training at a cosmetology school. She is my favorite so I have to be here”
“Oh I see.” he said in conclusion.
John had already sighted his mother from afar grinning from ear to ear, waving and walking towards them. He needed to move away from Cynthia before his mother embarrassed him or started asking awkward questions.
“I see my mum coming already. I should probably go to them before they come here to create a scene in front of you. You still have my contact details right? We’ll talk soon, hopefully. Take care”. He said while walking away.
“Yea I still have it. Take care.”
Cynthia looked into the church building and she found her mother signaling to her that the thanksgiving service wanted to start. She walked in and went to locate Amanda. She found her and hugged her tightly exchanging greetings in the process. In a moment the pastor climbed the podium signaling that it was time for the service to start. Cynthia went to take a seat and settled down for the service to begin.

 Click here to read Chapter 7.

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