Chapter 3 Unlikely Beginnings

The next Sunday, I almost didn't go to church.

It wasn't because I didn't want to see Pastor Daniel again-though, if I were being honest, that thought had crossed my mind a few times. No, it was because I didn't feel like facing the stares. The well-meaning, pitying glances that came from some of the older church members who always seemed to notice the single mum walking into church with a baby. The whispers that I could almost hear even before they started.

But Zara needed to go. And I needed to go.

So I went.

And there he was, sitting at the front with a Bible in hand, talking to a few people. As if he hadn't already captured my attention last week, today he was even more... perfect.

I tried to avoid eye contact, but it wasn't possible. Pastor Daniel's eyes always seemed to find me, like he had an invisible line leading straight to me. And each time he smiled, I felt like something inside of me softened.

But I kept telling myself, He's the pastor. He's kind. He's friendly. That's his job.

Yet, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more. Something unspoken between us.

After the service, when everyone was gathering to greet him, I did what I always did-slipped out the back. But for some reason, this time, I heard my name called from behind.

"Tolu!"

I froze. It was his voice. Pastor Daniel.

I turned around to find him walking toward me with that same calm smile. "Hey, I didn't get to talk to you last week. How are you doing?"

The way he asked wasn't just out of politeness. He actually cared. And something inside me made me want to tell him everything-how I was doing the best I could, how hard it was to raise a daughter on my own, how there were days I felt so lost.

But I didn't.

"I'm fine. Really," I said, quickly shifting Zara in my arms.

His eyes softened. "I'm glad. If you ever need anything, just let me know."

And just like that, he was gone. Disappearing into the crowd, moving on to the next person who needed him.

It was strange. That little conversation made my heart feel both lighter and heavier at the same time.