# HER PRAYER WAS ANSWERED

### Chapter One – The Waiting Season

Vera never imagined that twenty-one would feel so... still.

Every morning looked almost exactly like the one before it.

She woke up around eight, scrolled through job listings that never seemed to call back, helped her mum around the house, ate breakfast, watched random videos online, applied for another handful of jobs, and then stared out of her bedroom window wondering when life would finally begin.

She wasn't lazy.

She was simply waiting.

Waiting for an email.

Waiting for an interview.

Waiting for a breakthrough.

Waiting for someone who would choose her the way she had always chosen everyone else.

The last part hurt the most.

Vera had loved people who never really loved her.

There was Daniel, who only remembered she existed whenever he felt lonely.

Then Kelvin, who said he wasn't ready for a relationship but introduced another girl as his girlfriend barely three weeks later.

Then Sommy.

Sommy wasn't cruel.

In fact, he was kind enough to confuse her.

He checked on her sometimes.

He sent her money occasionally.

He called her "baby."

But every time she asked where they stood, his answers floated around the question until she grew tired of asking.

It wasn't a relationship.

It wasn't friendship either.

It was another situationship.

Another place where she gave more than she received.

She had stopped crying over men months ago.

Now she simply sighed... and moved on.

Thankfully, there was Tee.

If there was one person who never let Vera feel alone, it was her best friend.

"You've applied for how many jobs this week?" Tee asked one afternoon as they shared shawarma at their favourite roadside spot.

"Twenty-three."

"And?"

"Nothing."

Tee nudged her shoulder.

"The right one will come."

"You always say that."

"Because it's true."

Vera laughed.

"And your husband?"

"My husband?"

"The billionaire you're always praying for."

Vera rolled her eyes dramatically.

"I never said billionaire."

"You literally described him yesterday."

"I said rich..."

"...yes."

"Low-key..."

"Mhmm."

"Deeply in love with me..."

"Mhmm."

"Emotionally intelligent..."

"Keep going."

"Loves God."

"Nice."

"Generous."

Tee burst into laughter.

"There it is!"

"What?"

"The generous part."

"I didn't mean it like that."

"You absolutely did."

Vera laughed until tears formed in her eyes.

"Fine. I want someone who spends on me."

"As he should."

"Someone who never makes me beg to be loved."

"Amen."

"Someone who looks at me like I'm the prettiest woman alive."

"Amen."

"Someone who protects my peace."

"Amen."

"And someone who chooses me every single day."

Tee's smile softened.

"That prayer... God will answer it."

"You really think so?"

"I know so."

That night, after returning home, Vera knelt beside her bed.

She wasn't asking for luxury.

She wasn't asking for perfection.

She simply whispered,

"God... I'm tired of almost relationships."

A tear slipped down her cheek.

"I don't want another man who is confused about me."

Silence filled the room.

"I don't want another situationship."

She smiled weakly.

"If You've truly kept someone aside for me... let him find me."

She wiped away another tear.

"The one You know will love me well."

"The one who'll make me feel safe."

"The one who'll make loving him easy."

She climbed into bed moments later, unaware that somewhere across the city...

A man named Ethan had just landed after a two-week business trip.

He wasn't looking for love.

Not anymore.

Little did either of them know...

Their lives were only days away from colliding in a way neither of them could have planned.

And sometimes...

The longest waiting seasons end with the most beautiful beginnings.

# HER PRAYER WAS ANSWERED

## Chapter Two – The Man She Didn't See Coming

Monday mornings usually disappointed Vera.

She had long stopped expecting interview invitations or miraculous emails. Still, she refreshed her inbox anyway.

Nothing.

She sighed and tossed her phone onto the bed.

"Mummy, I'm going to Tee's house," she called.

"Don't come back too late!"

"I won't!"

The afternoon sun warmed the streets as Vera boarded a bus. She wore a simple pair of jeans, white sneakers, and a fitted black top. Nothing expensive. Nothing flashy.

She had always believed she was... average.

Pretty enough.

Just not the kind of woman men crossed rooms for.

By the time she reached Tee's apartment, she had already forgotten about another unsuccessful morning.

"You look sad," Tee said immediately.

"I've accepted unemployment as my personality."

Tee laughed.

"No, you haven't."

"I literally have."

"You'll laugh at this conversation one day."

"I hope so."

Later that evening, Tee convinced Vera to accompany her to a charity art exhibition at an upscale hotel.

"I don't belong there."

"You belong anywhere God takes you."

"Tee..."

"I'm serious."

After nearly thirty minutes of arguing, Vera finally agreed.

—

The hotel was breathtaking.

Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead.

Live violin music floated through the hall.

Women glided across polished floors in elegant dresses while waiters carried silver trays filled with sparkling drinks.

Vera suddenly became very aware of her modest outfit.

"I told you," she whispered.

"I look out of place."

"You look beautiful."

"I look broke."

"You are broke."

They both laughed.

Across the room...

A man looked up from a conversation with one of the event organizers.

Ethan.

Twenty-eight.

Tall.

Well-built without trying too hard.

Dressed in a tailored charcoal suit with a simple luxury watch on his wrist.

Everything about him was understated.

No flashy jewelry.

No loud designer logos.

Just quiet confidence.

His eyes landed on Vera.

For a second...

Everything else faded.

Not because she wore the most expensive outfit.

But because she smiled.

A genuine, effortless smile as she laughed at something Tee had whispered.

"Excuse me," Ethan murmured before walking away from his business associates.

Meanwhile...

Vera reached for a glass of juice.

At the exact same moment, another hand reached for it.

"Oh!"

"I'm sorry."

They both spoke together.

Then laughed.

"You first," Ethan said.

"No, it's okay."

"I insist."

His voice was calm.

Warm.

Vera accepted the glass.

"Thank you."

"I'm Ethan."

She hesitated for a second.

"I'm Vera."

There it was

HER ANSWERED PRAYERS