As soon as the midnight air hit his face and nostrils, the effect of the booze dissipated. The night was as quiet as a graveyard, and except from the faint disco sound and gay merry voices coming from the party, everywhere was silent. He scanned the road ahead, except for a few goats and sheep grazing nearby, and an occasional night bird flying overhead, there was no other sign of life. He trudged on along the dark, lonely road, grateful for the moon, which blazed down like a giant fluorescent lamp. As he passed the Believers Assembly Church where Maya worships, he noticed a vigil was in progress and realized she might be there. He walked on. When he got home, he could not go in. He dreaded going to bed, knowing he would be unable sleep. It has been so ever since he tried sleeping with her. 
***
Maya flipped through the pages of the Bible; staring at the words without comprehending it. Sighing, she closed it and bowing her head, tried to pray, but pictures of Jeff touching and kissing her flooded her mental screen. She opened her eyes. “Sin opens the gateway to destruction,” the pastor was saying, seemingly speaking to her. Guilt and regrets ripped through her and she cringed back. She felt like crying or disappearing into the thin air. “We live in a sin-filled world,” the pastor continued. “Everything around us contaminates us and that is why we should seek God’s face and pray for forgiveness always. The Bible made us understand that we have all sinned and come short of his glory, and if we say we have no sin, then the truth is not in us. However, the good news is that the blood of Jesus Christ, his son, cleanses us from all sins. Therefore, we must pray against falling into temptation.” She gritted her teeth, and without a second thought, sneaked out of the church.
***
The moon had receded and darkness hung thick like a blanket. Except for the chirping of insects and the call of the night birds, there was complete silence. He lit another cigarette and for a long time, sat smoking from butt to butt, afraid to go to bed, knowing he had murdered sleep. He was still agonizing when he heard footfalls and saw flashes of torchlight along the footpath. He stiffened and peered into the darkness. Somewhere down the road, someone was coming. He crushed out the cigarette and hid behind the tree trunk. As the stranger passed, her figure became familiar, and a stirring erupted at the pits of his stomach as his pulse quickened. “Maya!” He muttered, jumping out from behind the tree. God! He was in luck, he thought looking at his wristwatch. It was a few minutes after 2 a.m. He thought night vigil ends by 5 a.m. Why was she going home? He wondered. "Maya,” he called, a little louder. The girl did not answer, rather she increased her pace. He tiptoed after her. “Maya.” Again, he got no answer; shedid not stop either. Not sure, he followed her from a little distance. He confirmed his suspicion when she turned into the road that led straight to her house. Quickly, he covered the distance between them and caught up with her. “Maya.” She pushed him away. “Don’t touch me.” “Look, I’m sorry for what happened. I… I want you to know… that we are both hurting. Please, forgive me,” he reeled out in one breath. She glared at him. “Just don’t talk to me. I do not want to have anything to do with you or hear you speak my name ever again. It’s over between us.” Please, Maya I…” She whirled round. "I said it’s over between us. So, stop pleading me with me. You have done what you have always wanted to do. What more do you want from me?” Her words came out in a continuous monotony as if she rehearsed it. He could see she was hurting. Come on; don’t be foolish and hasty in your decision. I’m only asking you to understand.”  “You are asking me to understand?” she retorted, her eyes blazing. “You are asking me to understand what, eh… to understand that…. that… All you ever wanted was to get me into your bed, to destroy my faith and my life, eh, is that what you want me to understand?” “I’m sorry.” “You are sorry. Is that all you can say? See what you… you have done. I… I cannot pray and I cannot read the Bible either and… and it is because of you. My… my conscience keeps blaming me, and here you are, asking me to understand. No, I will not. Just go, leave me alone.”  “I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.” The veins on her forehead pulsated. “What won’t happen again? You keep breaking your promises and making lame excuses. I won’t trust you again, ever.” He took her hand. “Believe me. I’m sorry. She pulled away from him. “No, I won’t and I don’t want to see you again. It is over between us.You'd better leave me alone.”  “Come on, pull yourself together. I said I’m sorry and it won’t happen again. Why can’t you believe me?" “Please go, just go,"she pushed past him. “Leave me alone,”  He ran after her and caught up with her. “Please, Maya.” She turned. “What’s it that you want from me, eh, tell me? What do you want from me? I said it’s over between us, what’s it that you find so difficult to understand?” He looked into her eyes. “Listen, Maya. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.” “How many times have you said that? Yet, you keep breaking your promises. I’m through with you.” For a brief second, he felt stupid and subdued, but summoning his wits together, he ran after her and caught her by the shoulder. “What’s the matter with you?” he barked and shook herviolently. “It was a mistake. You are still what you are, okay. You’ve got to let go this guilt complex.” Tears ran down her cheeks. “Just leave me alone.” Look, I know how difficult this must be for you. However, you must forgive me first, that is the only way you can forgive yourself. Agreed, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have done what I did but I want you to know it was a mistake and that… that it won’t happen again, okay?” She looked into his eyes and saw the sincerity and agony he felt and considered what he said.“Okay, okay, I… I have forgiven you. You can go. I… I will see you tomorrow."Assoon as the words left her lips; she felt a heavy burden lifted off her shoulders and peace enveloping her. He heaved a sigh of relief. “Good night and entreat the favor of the Lord your God for me.” “And you too,” she returned, her voice was a slight whisper. He stood watching her until she disappeared into the darkness. Like Maya, he felt a weight lifted off his shoulder. Whistling a happy tune under his breath, he went home and hit the bed, a contented man.