The sun was dipping low behind the church steeple when Deji finally worked up the courage to ask Mina out. It happened right after choir practice—again. She was packing her hymn book, humming off-key on purpose just to annoy him, when he blurted:"Um… Mina? Would you… maybe… want to go somewhere? Like, not here. With me. Tomorrow. After service?"She turned slowly, one perfect eyebrow raised, lips twitching like she was fighting a laugh. "Deji, are you asking me on a date or begging for mercy?"He felt his ears burn. "Both?"She laughed—bright, wicked—and poked his chest. "Fine, Pastor Junior. But if you bore me, I'm leaving you in the middle of the road."The next afternoon they met at the small ice-cream stand behind the community gym. Deji had saved up his pocket money for two weeks to afford this. He wore his best shirt (the one his dad said made him look "responsible"), and Mina showed up in a simple yellow sundress that made the whole dusty estate feel brighter.They walked to the little park at the edge of the estate—nothing fancy, just mango trees, cracked benches, and a rusty swing set nobody used anymore. Deji bought her mango-flavored ice cream. She insisted on feeding him a spoonful first."Open," she commanded.He obeyed like a fool. The cold hit his teeth, and she smeared a little on his nose on purpose."You're a child," he grumbled, wiping it off."And you're blushing like a tomato in church," she shot back, licking her spoon dramatically. "Admit it—you've never been on a date before.""I've… read about them," he mumbled.She burst out laughing so hard she almost dropped her cone. "Deji! You prepared with books? Like it's an exam?"He tried to look offended but ended up grinning. "Shut up. At least I showed up."They sat on the swing set, legs tangled awkwardly because the seats were too small for two teenagers. She told him stupid stories—how she once convinced the entire girls' fellowship that ghosts only haunt people who snore. He told her how he accidentally set off the church alarm during his first solo prayer session because he whispered too loudly. They laughed until their sides hurt.When the sky turned orange, Mina leaned her head on his shoulder—just for a second. "This was… nice," she said softly. "You're not as boring as I thought."Deji's heart did a stupid flip. "You're not as scary as you act."She lifted her head, eyes sparkling. "Don't get used to it."They started walking back as the streetlights flickered on. The estate felt peaceful—kids playing last games, aunties calling everyone in for dinner. Deji was floating. He even reached for her hand. She let him take it. Their fingers laced together like they'd done it a thousand times.Then the air changed.