My Encounter With Kate - Episode 19

 

Kate had become more receptive. We interacted more often and she finally gave me her phone number. 

The marching competition was coming to and end as well as other activities including the football and volleyball competition.

I sat down and was in a dilemma if i should stay for the next one year in Kogi or not,  i prayed silently that my decision wouldn't hunt me but i knew Kogi would be good especially if Kate and I were posted to the same place of primary assignment.

Maureen wasn't in sight, the afternoon was very hot, i dodged umpteen times when the Soldiers came nearby and i had to hurriedly read the book because the owner had requested for it the next day... 

When it was few minutes past five, i went to search for Kate and i found her, she sat on a chair in a relaxed manner.... 

Me: "Kate how is everything?"

Kate: "All is well, i am kinda weary, we have really been practicing hard, the marching competition is at the corner, i just pray all ends well, i really miss Calabar, i can't wait to be back home"

Me: "Eeyah,  just find time to rest, I also miss home too but Camp isn't that bad, at least it was better than the beginning, it is a lifetime experience, i have choral rehearsal for tonight program"

Kate: "So you can sing?"

Me: "To an extent"

Kate: "hmmmn"

Me: "why that expression"

Kate: "its nothing, well i hope to see you tonight"

Me: ** laughs ** " time to take my leave, lest i forget will you be in church today?"

Kate: "Sure"

Me: "OK we see then, Bye"

Kate: "take care"........

An eerie excitement ran inside of me,  I was now more relaxed speaking to Kate and she seem  to be comfortable with my presence. 

It took me time to locate where the choral team were practicing. I was amongst those to sing tenor, two of the songs we were to sing was an expression of love and charity. 

Despite the late timing, i integrated with ease,  i wanted to be the lead singer of a song but i wasn't permitted, i made up my mind to give my all and make sure i perform well so as to impress Kate and Biodun who had mocked that i was going to give an absurd performance .

We rehearsed for about two hours, it was as though i had started with the rest since the inception, when the rehearsal was over, i received accolades and Ikechukwu, the choral coordinator expressed gratitude, he emphasized how my impact in the choir was felt. 

After the rehearsals, I was certain that our Platoon was going to be outstanding, we were informed of our dress code and pattern of positioning, it felt inner joy within

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/my-encounter-with-kate

. I went for evening mass to commit the choral night into the house of God. 

Me: "Kate it was unfortunate  that I couldn't get to express myself the other night when we moved close to the speaker."

Kate: "Hopefully we could arrange for another time"

Me: "That time may never come"

Kate: ** shocked **  "why would you say something like that?"

Me: "i am only being realistic, we have few days and i am relocating to Lagos, we may never have the opportunity to express ourselves again"

Kate: "eeyah, i will miss you o,  so you want to leave me in Kogi abi?

Me: " I can never leave you, i will visit Kogi occasionally and i pray destiny bring us together, in case we may not see again, what i want to tell you is that i really love you and i want to build a relationship with you and hope we eventually get married ."

Kate: "This is serious, well i will miss you very well, i am becoming used to you, just leave everything in God's hand"

Me: "it is well......."

I left Kate when she went for the Kitchen to queue for food, i rehearsed alone, when Biodun came he instigated a mockery but i absolutely abstained...

I was one of the earliest person to come out in the cold night, different platoons were clustered around preparing for the moment, the choral coordinator informed of errors to avoid and encouraged our voice be projected, others encouraged us too.

Initially when we climbed the stage my blood ran cold, thousands eyes stared at us, i was breathing heavily, with time i became less anxious, all were overwhelmed by our performance, we were given a standing ovation at the end, i was amazed when the results were announced; we were third position out of ten. 

I laid face up planning for the next day till the lights went off and i took my prayers hoping to have a more exciting reoccurrence of Kate's touch in the dream.