DELETED

By Inioluwa Oni

SAFACS 2023 ENTRY 11

The live band filled the atmosphere with ecstasy with their soothing sounds, Phillip sat with his high school friends, they conversed, but his eyes were glued to his phone.

Austin nudged Gabriel, "What is he doing?" "I am still shocked at his charade," Gabriel replied. "Bro, why aren't you contributing to what we are saying?" Austin hurled at Phillip. Phillip turned to them. "Well, I have nothing to say about your escapades with those ladies..." He sighed. "Besides, I have work from church."

“When will you stop this?” Austin blurted.

“Stop what?”

"This façade you are putting up?" Austin replied. "I'm not faking anything, this is me now." Phillip responded sharply. "Don't worry, we'll see," Austin said, giving Gabriel a knowing smile. Gabriel inhaled his cigarette stick while Austin refilled his cup with brandy.

A few minutes passed and Phillip felt hands on his shoulders. He jerked and encountered a surprise. "What are you doing here?" He snapped.

Sophia smirked without a reply. Austin and Gabriel looked away and concentrated on their phones.

"Get your hands off me, why are you here?" Phillip hadn't seen this nightmare coming. He knew how his resolve betrayed him for Sophia. She wore a red body-hugging dress that exposed her sensitive areas and looked stunning as usual.

"At least offer me a seat." She pulled out a chair next to him.

"I have nothing to say, Sophia. I told you a long time ago to forget what we had." Philip glanced at the table.

"You said it on the phone, but never to my face," she touched his hands.

Beads of sweat formed on his forehead. He pulled them away, this woman knew his weak spots.

"I don't want you." He looked into her eyes.

Sophia gasped in disbelief. "Fine, I'll go, but can you show me the restroom."

"Austin can."

"Can't you see he's drunk? Do you hate me that much?"

His stomach tightened. "Let's go."

As they approached the restroom the path became more deserted, she suddenly stopped and hugged him, putting all her body on him.

He felt a burning sensation, his heart did somersaults, and something wanted it. A stronger force overwhelmed him.

"No, I cannot!" He tore himself away and pushed her off him.

"You were never this hard to crack!" Sophia breathed loudly.

"Yeah, that was because I didn’t know Christ." He frowned.

He walked back to the hall.

"Bye, guys, help me wish your dad a happy birthday, Gabriel." Phillip left immediately.

***

"Did anything happen?" Austin asked eagerly.

"No, he left me hanging, I have never had to force myself on him like that before." Sophia sighed.

***

The next day, Phillip was on a bus to his school. He pulled out his phone and selected the contacts of 'Austin' 'Gabriel' and 'Sophia'

"I'm a new man in Christ. I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. My old man is dead." He looked at the contacts again and tapped ‘Delete.’