Happy new year everyone

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May this year be a prosperous one for us.

May the vote on each Chapter increase till the point i'm left in awe😩

Silent Readers..... It's a new year.
Please don't start the year with shakara.

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Chapter 14

Unedited

Sunday

5:00 am

Papa Chinecherem, an old man in his late sixties whose job was to buy early farm product which is usually bought at cheap prices in villages but sold at expensive prices in the heart of town. The truck was loaded with varieties of farm produce, from vegetables to fruits.

While driving, he sighted Sefa on the road, he wasn't sure whether to pull over but he felt compelled anyways to stop the car. "Young lady? What are you doing here? In this kind of place?" He noticed she looked dirty. Her cloth had been smeared with mud and grime. She must have slept on the bare ground cause there was sand and dry leaf stuck in between her braids.

"Abi, you no dey hear ibo?" He asked but she kept quiet then he shook his head realizing she probably wasn't normal. "Ewo... Where you come out from? From that bush?" He asked pointing but she kept quiet still glancing at the trees.

The man opened the door, "Enter fast before the people way catch you see you" He begged but she hesitated, "I for drive oh if not be say something dey disturb me make I help you. I no want problem abeg"

Sefa turned to Kilahi who was still beside her as though waiting to get permission from her. The the old man wondered who she was looking at her. After receiving permission, Sefa entered into the truck and the man drove off immediately.

Alonso and the search party walked around the bush with line of torches twinkling in the darkness. They've not slept all night! It was actually safer to search than go back knowing Buchi was going to skin them alive literarily.

Alonso searched every grass using his bare hands. Perhaps she was using the grass as concealment tactics so he had to look more carefully there. He was hopeful he'll find her since they haven't come across any foot prints.

He was sure she was hiding somewhere.

"Alonso!" One of the men shouted and he ran towards him hopefully, "What's up?" He asked and the man splashed the torchlight at the ground. "Na just me or this thing be like person sleep for here?"

Alonso squats studying the ground, of course someone slept there, the fog from the trees already made the atmosphere wet. Someone definitely slept there.

"How e possible? We don search here like 100 and ten thousand times, abi na sleep eyes we been they use?"

He turned his torchlight facing the surroundings across the spot. "What do you notice?" "Say person being sleep here" "And the person stand" "Exactly! Before nko? Na how she commot here"

"You see any footstep around?"

The man flickered his torch light on the floor, the realization made goose pimple swirl all over him. "Except our own. How that one possible? Na fly she fly? See as my head come dey swell. Sure say that babe no be witch so?"

Alonso scoffed, "I don't know what she is but one thing I know na say either no be ordinary person we catch or she get strong people way dey pray from her" "Sure say no be all those 'What God cannot do' people?' Wetin we go do?"

"Pray make we survive this day cause our own don burn cause e be like say Oga investment don go for real"

Buchi entered into a room where a man with a battered face was tied to a chair. Buchi scoffed on seeing that he had fallen asleep again. He tightened his fist waking him up with a hard punch on the nose.

The man woke up groaning in pain, blood gushed from his nose "You still get liver dey sleep when news never land about where my investment dey. You dey sleep on duty" "Lord Buchi abeg, no vex. I swear on top my Papa and Mama grave, I lock the door"

"How the door open? Ghost appear open am"

"The key being dey inside my"

Buchi punched him again, "Shut up! No dey follow me argue, you dey wake up vex for my body." "Lord Buchi, no be today I dey work this thing. I lock the door" "Well, your life depend on when she come. Na she go be your witness before I go judge you"

Alonso knocked and walked into the room in order break the bad news. "I hope it's good news" he aske walking close to a table that had weapons on it. "No Sir, we couldn't find her" "You say?" He asked with his brow arced at him, "The investment don go..."

A sudden rush of grief forced Buchi to look down, "How that kain small girl take escape? Person don help her" He asked caressing a knife on the table.

"We find where she sleep for bush. No footprints Sir"

"She fly? Maybe na big animal"

"Even big animal go leave footprints. E no make sense to me too."

"You know say i no dey lose investment shey?"

"Yes Sir"

"If i lose, person must replace am shey?"

"Yes Sir"

He turned towards the battered face guard, "Him get sister?" He directed the question at Alonso, "No."

"For the next transaction ehn.... We go use him organ make donation. That liver way him get to sleep, him go lose am!"

The man broke into tears, "Ah!"

6: 10 am

Awka

Papa Chinecherem, an old man drove into a compound, got out of the truck and then he opened the door for Sefa to come out while his wife ran to the scene, "Welcome oh. Na she be this?" She asked staring at Sefa who was still trying to get out.

"Yes oh"

The woman held her out. "Hei! People are wicked, my dear, what is your name?" "I dont know" "Hei! Should I get coconut water for her, it should help clear her mind"

"It should"

Sefa staggered weakly, so she held her by the hand. "Who knows if they even gave her food to eat". After taking two steps away from the man, she turned back in search of Kilahi. "Where is Aunty Kilahi?" She asked, "Who be Aunty Kilahi?"

"I entered with her in the car... She was here with me" Sefa pointed, "She was inside the car with me"

"Na only you enter my truck" The old man argued, "No. I was with Aunty Kilahi all through the night, she was comforting me, she slept beside me. Where is she?" she asked in tears, "You way no know your name, to dey find another person" Lolo complained.

"Aunty Kilahi!" Her eyes darted around the whole compound.

A neighbour walked towards them, "Wetin dey happen. Who dey make noise?" he asked turning towards Sefa who was bow searching the back of the truck.

"Emenike, you no see as I carry hand go buy trouble?"I go buy products from farm as usual now, na for road I see the girl oh. As i see her , she look like who them kidnapped, I help her inside my truck before the kidnapper go catch me now as a good samaritan. I bring her here oh and now she dey find one Kilahi"

"Which kain name be that?"

Lolo slapped her palm against her lap, "Person way no remember her name go remember another person name?" "Una sure say them never use the girl already. What if she didn't escape? Maybe they've used her destiny, they now threw her away. You get?"

Papa Chinecherem waved his fingers in consideration, "You might be right oh" "Send her off before police will arrest you"

"Papa Chinecherem?" His wife called out, "First, let me go and break coconut, let's experiment if it will work . One dey house" She ran in with speed.

6:35 am

Kilahi's phone buzzed as she shut her eyes in prayer. She groaned looking at the strange number, something deep down told her it was related to Sefa so she answered the call. "Hello?" "Good morning, abeg who I dey follow talk?"

The voice sounded came with a thick ibo accent so she rolled her eyes assuming it was network glitch, "But you called me now" "Na why I wan know who I dey talk to, person give me your number. Her name na Sefa"

Kilahi exhaled in relief, "Thank you God! Thank you God. Um... She's my sister" She relied waking Sewuese. Sewuese lifted her head facing her, "What?"

"Where you you dey make you come carry her?"

"Where are you calling from Sir?" Kilahi asked now whispering to her, "It's about Sefa, call Mom" She replied. Sewuese jolted from her sleep.

"Sefa?

"I'm calling from Anambra"

"Jesus!!!" She screamed, "What happened?" Sewuese asked in fear but Kilahi points her palm at her, she wasn't ready to answer yet.

"How? She was in Lagos"

Sewuese left the room to call her parents and Terdoo.

"I see her for road oh, naim I stop my truck pick her up. As I reach my compound, naim she start to dey ask for Kilahi, Kilahi." "That's me" "She say you being dey beside her, she say you don dey with her through the night. Naim we say make we give her coconut water, no be the first time way we dey see this kind thing happen. We give her the water, she come calm down. We ask her name, she say Sefa, we ask her where she come from, she say Benue, naim we ask if na from Benue dem hold her from, she say no, na Lagos. We ask for number to call, naim she drop this one."

Why will she give them her number?? Why not Aunty Mabel or Sewuese??? She has always been Sefa's least favourite!

"Where is she right now?"

"She never get herself, she no talk again, she just sit down for floor like who lost pikin. But e get one native man way dey"

"No!" Kilahi yelled, "No offense Sir, don't take her to an herbalist house" "No be say na herbalist house... The man dey sell native thing, if fit get mixture"

"No." She paused thinking of putting Gbadamosi on the call. "Give the phone to my sister" "I say she no too get herself, if this native people.. Them sabi"

"Please Sir, I appreciate your kindness but please, give her the phone"

Aunty Mabel and her husband rushed into the room, "Is Sefa on the phone? Let me talk to her"

Kilahi covered that palm over the phone, "No she's not on the phone yet. The man said she's not in her right sense, they want to take her to a native man but I told them no."

"Jesus!! That means she was kidnapped for real" Aunty Mabel snapped her fingers.

"I don give her oh" She heard the man yell so she placed the phone back on her ears.

"Sefa?" She called out, "Can you hear me?" "Say something, please come out of it, whatever demonic divination or whatever charms you're under" She paused in tears, "I might not be a Pastor but I stand to exercise my authority in Christ. For this reason the son of God was made manifest, that the works of darkness be destroyed, Sefa Jane Adzer, Sefa Jane Adzer, Sefa Jane Adzer, come back to your senses in Jesus name" She muttered.

"Aunty Kilahi?" She called out and Kilahi sighed in relief looking up at the ceiling, "Thank you Lord" She whispered, "Aunty Kilahi Is that really you?" "Yes. Are you fine?" "I don't know where i am. I don't know how I got to this house. It's not where i was. It's all fuzzy. I was kidnapped" She cried and tears ran down Kilahi's eyes.

Kilahi called Gbadamosi almost immediately, "Good morning Sir" She greeted, "Good morning dear" He replied, his voice sounded raspy so he cleared it. "Were you sleeping?" "On a Sunday morning? No I wasn't."

"Sefa finally reached us"

"Glory!!" He replied, "That's good news"

"She's in Anambra, a man reached out to us, she's just recovering from the charms. It's a long story, I wish we can meet but I'm sorry." "I thought we had plans"

"I'm about to take a trip there. Right now I'm even packing a new cloth for her."

"Wait, where exactly in Anambra is she?" "The man said awka" "Okay... Can you do me a favour? Can you send me the number of this man? Right now she needs to be in a gathering of believers. I'll make a few calls and see how it goes."

"Okay Sir" She replied ending the call.

She planned on leaving the house so she can meet up with any bus heading to Anambra. Her Uncle and Aunt Mabel wanted to follow her but she refused because in respective of the gratitude, they were pretty much still mad at her.

So she volunteered to shoulder the journey and bring Sefa back.

"When you see her" Sewuese paused, "Give her one knock on the head"

Kilahi chuckled sending the number to Gbadamosi.

08023435672- Papa Chinecherem

She called Mrs Aisha afterwards. If she'll be travelling that day, it means she won't be clocking in at work the following day. So she has to inform her.

Mrs Aisha answered at the fourth ring, "Good morning Kilahi" "Good morning Ma" "How are you?" "Fine Ma and you?" "Oh. I'm doing great."

"Ma.. I don't want to beat about the bush, I'm sorry but... I might not be showing up for work tomorrow. I'm sorry".

"Is everything okay?"

"My sister was kidnapped"

"Oh my Goodness, when?"

"Yesterday morning. She reached out this morning, she was taken to Anambra. She's yet to get over the shock, I need to get her" "There's no problem. Have you booked a flight?"

"Uh... I'm using a bus"

"A bus?" She heard a man say the Mrs Aisha laughed, "Sorry about that, my husband is the one holding the phone for me, I'm indisposed at the moment"

Mr Bakare busted into hausa, "She can't use a bus, it's an emmergency" "Dearie, she understands hausa" She replied laughing hard. "I agree with my husband, you can't go by road"

"I can't pay flight money"

"Let's pay then" Her husband shouted taking over the call right now, "How can you be rushing to meet someone and you want to use a bus" "No offense but we live by our means Sir"

"I understand, my wife and I will pay. This is a family issue, you can't take it lightly"

"Yes Sir"

"Send my wife your account number." He suggested keeping the phone closer to Aisha, "Sir I can't" "My husband will be crossed, he's taking this matter seriously. Send your account number or I'll make a request for it"

"Thank you Ma"

"You're welcome."

"I've never been on a plane"

"Perfect! Enjoy your first time then. Dont make me ask for it again"

"I'll send it Ma but I'll have to check if there's any available flight"

"Good. Do so"

Gbadamosi called Kilahi afterwards while he was driving to church. He had a white short sleeve senator native wear with black detailing and a black brooch. He placed the call on loud speaker. "I just reached out to NCCF secretariat, the transport secretary will be coming over to take her to the family house" "How did you..." "Don't bother yourself about it. Don't bother about travelling by road either, a flight to Anambra moves by 2pm, we'll be in Anambra by 2:50"

She cleared her throat, "We?" "Yeah... I have to meet some people. It's been long overdue. I'll pay for our flight" "There won't any need for that, someone already offered to pay" "Who?" "Someone...." "A boyfriend?" "No!" She laughed then she scoffed, "My boss"

He sighed in relief while EreAdura who was beside him laughed quietly at his reaction. "That's.... commendable. Wow" "It's my first time travelling by air, I'm scared. I don't know what to do" "Thank God you'l have me there" "Thank you God and thank you Sir" "It's Gbadamosi"

"Sir" "See you in church then, let's go together" "Sir?"

"We'll go together from church okay?"

"Are you sure we won't miss it?"

"Why?"

"Won't you spend like ten hours preaching?"

Gbadamosi scoffed, "You've only seen me preach like once and you assume I take time. We need to talk about that too. See you in church" "Okay" "And bring any form of identification for Sefa" "Why?" "Urgh Kilahi!" He groaned then he laughed afterwards.

"Just do it"

"Okay"

"Thank you"

"No, i should be thanking you"

"All glory to God dear, all glory to God" He ended the call smiling while EreAdura cleared his throat.

Gbadamosi looked over at him, "That's your babe right?" "Are you the one that made her my babe?" "Bro, from your confession yesterday. If I remember clearly you said you're in love with her"

"I said i'm falling in love with her. If you want to quote me, quote me right. Mehn, I'm late for workers prayer"

EreAdura laughed, "Thank God you're the church overseer" "It's not an excuse" "You were trying to sort things out for her now. Love can make us go against all principles, no be say na bad thing you been dey do"

"I'm a leader"

EreAdura lifted his hands in surrender, "Abeg Abeg, I no get strength for your arguement. You don call Brother Feyi?" "Not yet. Adesuwa is really destroying your English. Who would know you were not born in Nigeria?" He asked and EreAdura busted into laughter.

"See who's talking. Do you know Adesuwa speaks four languages fluently, French, Benin, Yoruba and Hausa? She's a parcel, like God just handed a parcel to me"

"Why don't you move to the next"

"Abeg jhoor, I can't dare introduce her to this family. They are still the same crazy sets of people. The day I go vex, I go just shut down, do wan secret wedding"

Gbadamosi took his eyes off the road for a second glaring at him, "Don't you dare" "Just kidding sha but you know I love Adesuwa. Well, what can I say? Love is quite intoxicating and has this way of influencing your thoughts."

Gbadamosi smiled, "I can relate" "Hei! For this babe, Kilahi to have you thinking of relationship after a decade, when we thought that ship already sank, after your relationship engine refused to wake up; she must be a heart engineer. I mean to have you standing up to Mom, she must be something"

Gbadamosi chuckles, "She is" "If she's wife material, why don't you sew her?" "I haven't even bought the material yet." "Is that fear I smell?" "I would have done it yesterday but the timing was bad. Now, I have a chance to shoot the shot. For real this time"

EreAdura smiled, "Congratulations now. So when should we expecting the wedding?" "Two months, that month" "Oshey! I hope you know you're old sha. Hopefully Mom would have come around from that drama" he replied then he let out a sigh, "I know you don't like us bad mouthing Mom but seriously Sir, what is wrong with her and controlling people's life? I admire your patience oh, you took it from Dad"

Gbadamosi scoffed, "I don't even have 10% of Dad's patience" "The man was just the perfect husband material made for her." "She has been wearing this material for 38 years now. I tried calling Mom to fulfil all righteous and let her know I'll be travelling"

"Didn't you tell her already?"

"As if you don't know our mother. She didn't pick my call. Mom was right about one thing though. The more she insists on marriage the more I stall"

Gbadamosi chuckles nervously.

"That's why I'm leaving. I can't stay here, it's not healthy for my mental health"

"Sure. Greetings to Adesuwa"

"No qualms. Please, don't ever mention her to Mom. Like ever! I carry God and ministry beg you. I no get power for drama" He begged clasping his hands and Gbadamosi laughed. "No wahala"

Kilahi looked at herself in the mirror, she wore a white gown with black pocket patches "How do I look?" She asked facing Sewuese who was laughing, "You look natural" "I dont understand why my heart is beating in fear"

"Beating in fear or beating for him?"

"Stop it! You're worsening it" She exhaled placing her hands on her chest, "I already told, the day my heart will beat, just know that I've gone. Arrest the person cause his Babalawo must have PHD"

"You like him, admit it. This man is hot and dripping with anointing. I think yesterday had some effect on you"

Kilahi nods, "Yes it did. It just made me realize that he's really really nice and he brings out this childishness I never knew I had" "Ehn? You've always been childish with all your stupid mentality" "Are you talking to your senior like that"

"Abegi! You that is already catching feelings"

"I'm not catching feeling. It's feelings that trying to catch me even when I'm trying to run away" She replied making Sewuese laugh, "Run wella. You know what they say, what you run away from always have this way of catching up to you"

Kilahi frowned then Aunty Mabel opened the door slightly, pushing her head in, "We're leaving" She announced and Sewuese rose up carrying her hand bag, "I can't start racing after his car" "Carry your shoe at least" Her mother teased and Sewuese laughed.

"Safe journey Kilahi, God bless you my dear"

"Amen" She replied watching Aunty Mabel shut the door then Sewuese rose up to embraced her.

"Safe journey Babe, and don't forget to give Sefa that knock on the head" She pulled away and a half smile curled Kilahi's lips, "Sure"

"And send my regards to Pastor Gbadamosi for me. Future Mrs"

Kilahi slapped her arm, "Stop it! The man said he has someone already, well... He didn't say it like that but he said he has marriage in mind" "What if it's you?"

"You're delusional"

"Call it foresight, did you see the way he was just looking at you? I might be reading it wrongly but"

Kilahi clasped her hands In plea, "Don't put ideas into my head, you know we're travelling together. I don't want it to be awkward" "Sewuese!!!" Aunty Mabel screamed, then they heard the car horn.

Mr George closely observed his wife who was seated putting on her bracelets. Ever since she came back the previous night, she has been fuming. The worst part was that she was refusing to speak about it. His wife doesn't keep things pumped in her mind for long or else she'll just suffer from grudge indigestion!

She has always been outspoken as opposed to her twin sister Teni! Now she was beginning to act like her!

He had a maroon colored agbada on while his wife wore a marroon colored lace. Her shade was lighter than his. They were set to go to church for Temi's thanksgiving so he was skeptical about having the discussion with her that moment.

Gbadamosi hasn't said anything to him either!

He watched her transfer the anger on the poor bracelet. "Wo! Don't stress me this morning!" She complained so he pulled a short stool sitting just opposite her. "You know you look beautiful right?"

She gushed and his hand reached out to her hand then he picked a bracelet up from the bed sliding it till it settled on her wrist along with the others. "Easy and gentle. I still don't understand why you guys have to wear this much bracelet on your arm. Are you guy Egyptian queens?"

Mrs George laughed heartily, "Egyptian Queen ke?" "38 years and it still feels like yesterday Baby" "You're trying to patronize me right? Gaslighting ayeraye and after they call me an emotion blackmailer. What do you want? You have my attention already"

"Do you want to talk about last night?"

She shook her head and hunched her shoulders, as though to protect herself further from what had happened, "No" "I was planning on giving your sister a talk. Now you're acting like her"

"God forbid!"

"Now talk to me, I'm your husband and friend. Gbadamosi isn't saying much either, how am I supposed to sort this out if no one is saying anything?"

Tears rolled down her eyes, "Your son had the nerves to talk back at me because of a nonsense Benue girl. See the way he was talking as if he could beat me, me? His mother" She beat her chest. "Can you believe he said he's falling in love her?" She asked taking cognizance of her husband's facial expression.

"Wait... You knew"

"Yes I knew."

A frown formed on her face, "When did we start keeping secret?" "Since your children can't openly tell you things" "Wow, how convenient" "Oya snap out of that Teni mode, I don't like it" He snapped his fingers, "I want to talk to my wife"

"Do you know the plans I've made with Brenda's Mom? What am I saying? You know it! She's the chief planner in the planning committee towards my 60th birthday. All the wedding plans and conversations we've had. Gbadamosi wants me to look like a fool. He wants to make a fool out of me, ko o jo rara! (It can't be)"

"When you were making this plan, did you care to seek his opinion. What's wrong in him falling in love. That's all you've ever wanted"

Mrs George frowned beating her body, "Oooooohhh! You're speaking as if you don't know your son. I know what he's doing, it's reverse psychology. Just because Brenda Is my choice, he decided to find another choice he knows will annoy me. She's not even a Yoruba girl"

"What? When have you ever cared? Brenda doesn't even speak Yoruba"

"Better the angel you know than the one that made Gbadamosi speak ill to me." She paused still in tears, "I wish you were there. You wouldn't have done anything, that's how you'll be looking. He said I only care about myself that when last have I inquired from God what He wants for this family. How can he say that? I will be ordained Pastor soon and he had the right to say that. A girl that can make a man speak that way to his own mother, is not worthy of my acknowledgement. It's either Brenda or another woman cause he just cancelled that woman from my heart and soul. Do you know where she works? The foundation Temi works in, at least Temi has other jobs"

"You don't know her. Let's give her the benefit of the doubt"

"My doubt is 100 percent already and I'm not giving Benefits! If you can see the way he was talking to me, grrr grrr grrr, as if he can beat me. Gbadamosi? My first issue, where was she when I had him? Where? Now she's controlling my son's head"

Mr George laughed, "He hasn't even asked her out" "Imagine! So if he does Gbadamosi will beat me. I wish you saw the way he was pumping his body, all his vein as if as If.. As If he wants to beat me. Ah! My husband, " She paused clicking her tongue thrice.

"That's yellow flag. I'm not giving her red flag, I will give her red flag after making investigations on her."

"You won't do it"

"You don't know me oh. I am trying to secure my son's future, don't tell you're buying the idea?" "37 years is not 17, it's not 20" "At 37, you already had your three children"

He blinked in confusion, "You're not getting my point, let him make his own decision" "And you're not getting mine too, he's doing it to annoy me. I'm making my investigation, at least I'm not keeping it from you"

"Baby"

"Don't try to patronize me. This is for him"

NCCF Anambra Chapter

9:05 am

Sefa sat in a small office along with the assistant General secretary of the organization. "Those are the rules of the fellowship. The General secretary said you've gone through a lot. We'll allocate you to a room where you can get comfortable, take your bath and have your rest. Our church service starts by 3 pm but you don't have to worry about coming. Rest as long as you want to"

Sefa nods looking away from her, "If you feel you need someone to talk to, I'm always here or you can get some of the house members to call me. Just tell them you need to see the Aunty of the family house. Don't worry, I spoke to your Father before you came in, they're worried but you're in safe hands. If you want to reach anyone, meet me. Welcome to the family house" She smiled writing on a log book.

"You'll be allocated to Mercy seat room, because obviously God has shown you mercy"

Word Foundation Church

10:42 am

Gbadamosi leaned on the podium while giving an announcement. "Welcome to WFC where we are dedicated to implanting God's word in the lives of believer, opening your eyes to God, eradicating all spiritual glaucoma and creating witnesses. We at happy to have you here in WFC, it's not just a church but a family. Do well to fit yourself in any department, thank you once again." He paused looking into the announcement notepad.

"Rehab is coming soon and God has laid it on my heart to pray for those suffering in the cold hand of addiction. If you know a friend that's going through addiction, any addiction, please do well to let him or her know that Rehab 2022 is coming soon. No more using of cold water and the rest to cool off, it's time to raise Jesus addicts. Whatsoever addiction, even though it's phone addiction like Sister Joke and Brother K" He called out looking towards the choir angle.

"Or Make up addiction like Sister Chioma" He added and everyone laughed.

"Jokes aside. This programme is packed, really packed. Um... Can we celebrate women in the house" He requested glancing back at the congregation and the women clapped and screamed.

"Prospective women in the house, you can join and scream oh. Cause this year's meeting is opened to all women except teenagers of course!" He added and the scream became louder. "Next month is going to be about the women, next month is women's day and mothering day. I seriously don't understand why men not celebrated on international calendar" He paused and chuckles broke out.

We're the best

Men will not survive without us! Women echoed

Gbadamosi laughed, "We have to clamour against this unfair treatment. Men are you with me?" He asked and some of the men of the church rose up clapping and the women laughed at their dramatic reaction.

"Well, next month is for them. It's another season of homebuilders 2022" He paused watching all women jubilate while the men took their seats.

"Men... Don't worry, our day is coming soon"

Prospective man! An old man shouted while laughing.

Gbadamosi laughed, "Papa Mike said I'm a prospective man because I'm not married." He paused, "Okay now, by God's grace, all that will change soon now." He added laughing to himself. Kilahi arced her brows in thoughts, he said it the previous night about finding someone, maybe he's really planning his marriage.

"Even men are oppressing me. Don't worry, on men's day we'll sha pepper the women back. I might lead praise and worship" He joked and everyone laughed.

"Let us prayerfully prepare for this programme God was speaking to me about it, if only I can open your eyes to see what He showed me. Women are going to be rising up to the consciousness of who they are and what they carry. We can't afford to miss it. Tell someone to tell somebody and I pray that after that day, your lives will not remain the same"

Amen!

"I pray strength and blessings upon the women's fellowship"

"Amen"

He paused staring at his wristwatch, "Oh wait, it's just 10:51 and we're done with service. Not pointing to anyone in person but to those that I've been saying I close late, in your face oh" He snapped staring at Kilahi and everyone laughed, including the guilty ones.

Kilahi cupped her palm over her lips chuckling.

"Lord we thank you for another congregation in you presence, may the Lord bless you, keep you, cause his beautiful face to shine on all you do."

Amen

"Your week is blessed

Amen

Your going out in blessed

Amen

Your coming in is blessed

Amen

I hear the Lord say the opportunities are rising, take your job appointments, take your contracts

Amen!

What has been lost for seven years is coming back to you, God is giving a push that will enable things fall in place.

Amen

The month in ending, God is saying he's putting smiles on your face this month

Amen

As we get on with our lives, may our love for God never wax cold

Amen

Deliver us from temptations, help us grow in you more and forever

Amen

"The grace" He replied giving Bimbo a familliar look.

Bimbo grabbed a paper bag from the Media Office; it was the one the had Kilahi's cloth in it. "What's in there?" Lanre asked, "It has a cloth in it." "Whose cloth?" He asked but she kept quiet, "I'm not supposed to say it. Papa doesn't want anyone thinking otherwise that was why he gave me this to keep for him"

"What did he ask you to keep for him?" Tega who just walked in asked from behind and she turned towards him, "Ah han... Your ear did not always stay on one frequency, it's tuning from 92.8 to 96.9 to get news. Ah han! You sef calm down, from outside to inside, what I was saying, how did it concern you"

"Heys!!" He waved his palms at her, I no go take your insult this morning "

"You better start taking in salts cause very soon your high pressure is gonna get high from Olofofo (gossip), Solo makinde, wireless information infrared. They say Media department, your own is mass communication, chu chu chu chu, your mouth and ears are everywhere, mass communication gan, you did not study. I don't understand again" She snapped leaving while Lanre laughed clasping his hands at Tega.

"I'm sorry"

"Na the case way you wan marry me this?"

He frowned on hearing this, "It's okay, I already apologized" "You never see wife, I dey tell you something. Wetin she being dey talk?" "Nothing much" "You think say I no hear?" He asked taking a seat then he sucked his teeth.

"Your know wetin I think? Papa dey run show, some shady shows underground"

"I'm lost here"

"Yesterday. I gatz go hustle for that Papa cousin wedding. For the wedding party, you see that slim babe" "Which one?" "That ugly babe way make up help. She dey there. Papa carry himself go back go sit down, him no go front oh. As per Pastor now, them for carry am go high table but him go sit down for back. Later, him come go the girl back, signal her say make she go toilet. Them go"

"Abeg, i no one hear"

"Calm down now. Him no tay inside oh. No be say i dey say him do anything inside, the girl come come out like how many hours later with different cloth, come sit down beside am. Before you know, them commot together, underground shady things."

"You know Papa is not that kind of person"

"I know but something don change. No be she cause my suspension? The way Papa dey support her right from the beginning"

"I'm not interested in hearing this. Did you care to think of why the girl changed her clothes? What if she was on her period and she got stained. Maybe Papa informed her"

"Abeg leave that thing! I get proof, I no get anything against Papa if him wan gum body small. Body no be firewood. Na the yeye babe naim I hate, that kain bonga fish"

Lanre frowned, "Stop am! Na wetin dem pay you for yesterday be that? You know Papa is not like that" "People no day change? E get sometimes way back go dey scratch person and even wall no fit scratch am the way human being hand go scratch am. You get?"

"I'm not listening"

"Maybe the girl get something way Baba no fit resist. Maybe she set for there, you get?%

"Tega get out of this office"

"Oya I go shut up"

Kilahi sat on the chair watching children of the age of three to five gather around Gbadamosi calling "Papa! Papa!". He had two children in both arms. The others wanted to be carried too so she laughed noticing he was looking for an escape route.

A Male usher finally delivered him but one child held on tight to him still.

She felt a hand tap her, she turned to see Bimbo, " Good afternoon Ma" "Good afternoon. I hope you still remember me" "Why not?" "I love your dress Ma" "Thank you" Kilahi replied her gazing fell on the paper bag.

"Papa said I should let you have this" Bimbo lowered her voice, "I'm supposed to be discreet, I hope you understand" "Sure. It will look weird if people sees him giving this to me. I once called him a womanizer" Kilahi rose up collecting it from her.

Bimbo shook her head, "No oh. Papa is a good person, you don't have to doubt his integrity. My Papa can be 100% trusted, you have nothing to worry about Ma. He's people's dream man, there's nobody that doesn't want a man that looks like Papa, even gan as some people are still dreaming. It's becoming a reality in your life. Don't worry, he's going to take care of you"

At this point, Kilahi was lost, "Huh?" "Wait..." Bimbo paused pointing at her dress than at Gbadamosi's dress, it finally made to Kilahi, You thought I'm with your Papa?" "Esope? (You say?" She asked feigning oblivion.

"Because of the dress? It's just coincidence"

"Problem. The way you guys twinned up, I was thinking pe, electricity has started building, I did not know that I was starting fire. Can we just pretend we didn't have this conversation? Treat as discreet as possible, i never said it to you, Papa can never hear of it"

Deja walked up to Gbadamosi smiling, she stretched her hands at the little girl still clutching to him, "Get down this instant!" "No!" She screamed. "Leave her, she'll get bored eventually"

"That's why I always tell these guys watch when children come in to the main auditorium. They'll say I'm nagging"

"Sounds like nagging"

Deja rolled her eyes, "Sir, you didn't tell me your sister's wedding was yesterday" "I've been announcing it" "I forgot and I really wanted to come. I've been beating myself up about missing it. How was it?"

"It was great, we thank God. How's mummy?"

"She's fine, we are having a family get together Sir courtesy of me. I think it's been a while the family gathered. This is me inviting you as a chair person and to also bless the day"

Gbadamosi's gaze instantly fell on Kilahi who was walking towards him. "Sir?" She called trailing it down to her. "Papa" "Er... I'll get back to you on that Sister Deja"

Her eyes lingered on the gown she wore and ho it matched Gbadamosi's own. As much as she hated to admit, they looked like couples.

Gbadamosi left her now meeting up with Kilahi, "Are you ready?" "Yes." She replied lifting the bag up, "Thanks for this. Usher Bimbo gave it to me" "I would have given you personally" "Shhh, I understand, I'm the chief of criticisms and assumptions. I really understand. Thank you"

He got distracted by church members who were saying good bye to him. "Sorry about that." "You could have just kukuma called my name and ask for a spot light to shine on me" "Ahhh... Maybe next time but i didn't need to." he replied and she laughed. "Can we go, I know you have to attend to people but... I'm worried about encountering traffic and missing the flight"

"I understand. I'm just waiting for the person that will be driving us down to the airport"

Ade walked up to him, "Did i hear you talking about me? The angel of the the Lord is here, i have heard your cry and i will fulfil all that you have asked this day and take thou to the airport." He announced and Gbadamosi rolled his eyes.

"Don't make me regret my choice. Lanre Is busy that's why"

Ade gasped, "Ouch Papa, so I was your second choice" "Are you ready?" "Papa, I'll be ready in five minutes, all I need Is to take two paraga (alcoholic herbal mixture) and one molly so I can see the road very well" He replied meeting another glared from him so he quickly took a picture of Gbadamosi.

"This look is always priceless" He laughed showing it to Kilahi who chuckles softly. "We have not been properly introduced, I saw you the other day and I have to as you stole attention, even papa was just"

Gbadamosi cleared his throat

"Just Praying so the we will all come back to our senses and stop looking at your direction"

Kilahi furrowed her brow, she was in disbelief, "I wasn't even looking the good" "Ah! Don't say that oh, the distraction you caused ehn" "Ade we get it! Are you sure you've not taken that paraga already?" He asked and Ade grinned.

"Where was I, oh introduction, my name is Ade, the last born if the house, ah! That's the best thing that God did for me, ah; are you the first born Ma?"

"Yes"

"Ah! Ehya, I feel your pain, assuming i'm the first born, my prayer point everyday will God, i know you said the sun shall not smite us by day, nor the moon by night, the flood shall not sweep us but God can you just make a mistake, don't do it intentionally, just unintentionally allow the flood to sweep one, let the sun smite the other one, if the moon can smite, let it smite. Ah! My senior ones have seen shege in my hand and they will still see shege cause they'll still be the one to carry half of my wedding budget on their head. I didn't make the rules, Nigerian culture did, so with this few point of mine Ma, I am okay being the last born." He paused watching Kilahi laugh without control.

"Where did you come from? Are you high"

Ade shrugged, "I'm always high, you can ask Papa." "Look at the people I gave to deal with"

"My God that's hilarious and I needed it. My name is Kilahi" "That name that sounds like a Princess' name. Princess Kilahi, your natural skin is popping, what do you use? God's grace? Cause i'm sure it's the angels of God that are personally creating your personal cream"

Kilahi blushed, "Are you whine-ing me?" "No. Are you single Ma, I'm feeling the leading to ask you out" "Whaaaat?" "Just kidding Ma, I joke a lot. You can ask Papa too"

Gbadamosi slapped his face in frustration, "Kilahi, you can wait outside. I'll be with you shortly" He said and she walked away, "What was that for?" "I was just trying to enact the way people always toast"

"Really?"

"Papa, Ki le n duro de fun? (What are you waiting for?) Is it until rapture takes everyone away" he asked meeting his glare once again.

"Sorry Sir, I'll just go back to pretending that I don't know that you like her" He replied walking away. Gbadamosi rolled his eyes following him.

While Ade drove the car he peeked at Gbadamosi and Kilahi who were at the back seat through the mirror as they both discussed about Sefa. They were like discussing quietly like married couples. Kilahi caught him staring, "We're sidelining Ade" She complained feeling guilty. "No oh.. I'm fine" "No. Besides I want to change the topic to something less depressing"

"Ah! Me I don't mind oh, continue your couple conversation"

"Huh?" She asked making Gbadamosi look up wishing he could disappear that moment.

"Papa guess what i want for my birthday?" He chipped in and Gbadamosi laughed nervously, "Wisdom?" Gbadamosi asked, "What do i want to use wisdom for? It's money that I want oh. What is wisdom without money? Even God that gave Solomon wisdom, o fo wo le! (He added money to it). Why? Cause he knew the importance of money. What is my profit if i gain wisdom and lose money? That's financial imbalance, wo, i'd rather have wisdom deficit than money deficit. If it's only wisdom that Solomon had will he be able to take care of his 300 wives and 700 concubines, ki a ma tan ara wa he (let's not decieve ourselves), money is good. Ah, money any day!"

Kilahi laughed, "But with wisdom you can manage the money well, make investments and increase revenues" "Thank God I'm not an accountant or economist"

"Wow...." She pouted turning towards Gbadamosi, "Say something sir, give us wisdom quotes" "On who? Ade, he's on my list of prayer points" He snapped making Ade laugh.

Gbadamosi didn't even pay attention to him. "I couldn't help but overhear you two talking about NCCF" "Yes" Kilahi replied. "Do you know them?" "I was posted to Jigawa during my service year, before I redeployed. The only thing fine about my orientation camp experience was the building of the camp itself."

She chuckled shaking her head.

"The suffering was off the chart, I had to join OBS to escape the torture of parade"

"Why does everyone do that?"

"I did oh" Gbadamosi chipped in, "OBS was for the fine guys" She hissed and Gbadamosi caressed his beard, "I know"

"Mo fine gan, I cannot even deny it." Ade added, "Sun almost fried my brain, my complexion changed, everyday I was broke, I kept billing my siblings, even me gan I was pitying them but i had no choice. They didn't born me to come and be eating Tuwo chinkafa. Abeg abeg abeg... I had to bill! The day we left camp, boom! We ended up in NCCF, omo those people wanted to finish my life with rules and regulation. I looked left and looked right, I was like did I enter into a barracks, even barracks gan! We don't do this, we don't do that, we don't wear trousers, except Khaki trousers, I was like ehn? Sorry Ma, I did not come with my skirt. Then they said sorry we were talking to the ladies. The only thing that remained was for them to tell me not to use my lip gloss. The following morning, my white crocs got missing. That was how I dusted my dunlop slippers and went straight to the airport back to Lagos. If I hear NC, before they'll complete it, I'll just run. Assuming my redeployment didn't work, I would have dashed Nigeria their certificate."

Kilahi laughed covering her lips while Gbadamosi answered a call. She decided to recount her experience. "There was this time I was like NYSC, take the 33 k for the remaining 10 month and give me my certificate. The stress was just something else, the money wasn't enough but I had no one to ask cause I'm the oldest and I hated asking money from people."

"Ah! Look at what I was saying. See, when you're the last born in your older siblings wedding, all you just have to do is bring your pretty self there, sit down and tell them congratulations. They will compensate you with a smile, appreciate your effort and even pray for you. Try that when you're a big brother"

"True"

"And they will sue you to court. You see my wedding day, my wedding jotter will be by Aunty Funmi, wedding Souvenirs courtesy of Papa"

Gbadamosi hissed in between the call while Kilahi laughed, "Are you not capable?" She asked and he laughed ending the call. "I didn't get the memo I was riding with parrots"

Kilahi gasped, "Do you want to go there?" "The only place I want to go Is the airport, I want to go safely so Ade stop talking and face the road" "Yes Sir" He replied when they encountered a traffic.

A man waved his hands to overtake Ade but he refused, "You no dey see my hand?" "Handicap ni. Abi this one has ment" "You no see say I dey trafficate to overtake" "Pele oh, busta Rhymes, we are all going somewhere and we are all late. Enter let me see you now"

"Mad man"

"Your first born son" He snapped avoiding eye contact with Gbadamosi while Kilahi gasped, "I would have said that's too much now but i've heard worst. Toh, Welcome to Lagos where every driver thinks he's saner than the other"

"Can you drive?" Gbadamosi asked and she responded shaking her head, "The thought of it scares me, I still don't understand the traffic light sign on some road. Lastma will be using me to make money in this Lagos. Driving is just like excerise, i don't like it"

"You don't like exercise?"

"Toh, it's not good for my heart" "Do you have heart problems?" "No" "Why make such conclusions? Do you like jogging?"

"What? After running 100 meters, I will start breathing as if I've been chased by a masquerade. Who is chasing me? I will be breathing hard, sweating and trying to catch breathe. Why did I bother losing it before from running? Let's leave running for those that want to lose weight, I don't even have weight"

"It has health benefits"

"Two sports i hate in the world, swimming and running"

Gbadamosi creased his brow, why does she hate every sport he likes? "I take it you don't swim" "Water is for drinking" "You're a village girl" "Yes, I accept It in good faith Sir. Has water ever entered into your ears or nose while bathing? Worst kind of feeling ever, how much more entering into a pool"

"Swimming is a good and fun, exercise is good for the body"

"So is pawpaw but too much of it can make you purge." She snapped and Ade laughed. "But I'm not arguing but all the best to you"

Gbadamosi and Kilahi got out of the car. "Take the car straight to the church" He instructed Ade, "Yes Sir. Will I still be the one to pick you up when you arrive" "That's if you don't have work to do"

"No problemo"

"Thank you Ade" Kilahi added, "The drive was amazing, thanks for making it fun" "You're welcome Mama" He replied meeting a stern stare from Gbadamosi.

"I meant Ma, I repeated it twice but with the couple look someone might just think you're the future Mama"

Kilahi chuckled shaking her head, "Very funny!" She replied moving away. "Stop it Ade" "You know when the bible said we should launch into the deep? There are many fishes in this river here but the net, hook, line and sinker is in your mouth. If you don't launch, you won't get your desired fish, boya it's kote, sharwa, Titus or croaker."

Gbadamosi exhaled, "You have a point but I don't agree with your methods." "I'm sorry Sir" "Thank you" He pats him motioning towards Kilahi.

Lota opened the door letting in his brother who was clad in a vintage shirt and black trousers. He stared suspiciously at her as he watched her shut the door. "Thank you for coming on such a short notice"

"I was avoiding drama that's why"

"Have your sit"

"I'm not sitting"

"Why?"

"Cause I know you, I don't know what impossible errands you might want to send me now."

"Ouch"

"Lota you like sending people on errands. It's been a busy week at the hospital. When I saw your message, my heart started beating in fear. I'm talking about the Ikoto Aye beat and the ekukuleku beat"

"Abeg, get your ass on that seat and listen."

Ugo sat down declining an incoming call, "Well, what I want to say is" His phone rang again and he declined the call. "Don't tell me you're still fucking all these small girls" "I'm not fucking anybody's child" The phone rang again and he answered.

"Madam, I'm with my sis" He paused watching Lota fold her hand with a deep scowl at him, "Okay fine! My next off day, I'll take your sorry ass shopping as an apology for forgetting your birthday. Are you okay?" He paused waiting for a response.

"Fine!" He rolled his eyes ending the call.

"Girlfriend?"

"Old acquaintance"

"That's what they call them now shey?"

"It's Shalewa abeg!"

"Oh." She paused sitting close to him then she smiled, "Ugo Ugo" "Jesus... Should I be scared?" "How was church service?" "Are you going to ask for my heart? Babe, with you all things are possible"

Lota laughed, "Don't be silly. It's not your heart, okay... Partially your heart. You know I've always talked to you about getting married" "And I've always said that I haven't found the one yet. You know these Lagos girls now, when they know you're a successful surgeon, all they'll want is to eat you until your pocket starts to leak. There's no true love with them, I haven't seen the good ones"

"Thank God you have sister that has eyes"

"Oh Boy"

"Her name is Kilahi... I don't know the last name sha."

"Hm... Pretty name."

"Shey? She's from Benue, she's beautiful, she has a good behaviour"

"Wait... For a psychologist, you're not easily impressed, If you're saying she has good behaviour, then she does" "Exactly! She's sweet, she's not curvy, she doesn't have an hour glass shape but she's wife material. You should wife her ASAP"

"Wow. I'll like to meet the woman that has you this swoon. How old is she?"

"26" Lota smiled, "There's an icing on the cake" "Wow, what's this icing?" "She's a virgin, I'm not supposed to tell you, I'm just trying to push your interest even more. Don't tell her" "Your secret is safe with me, or her secret. Is it a secret?"

"Should I fix a meeting?"

Ugo scoffed, "That's the most horrible thing ive ever heard? What year are we in 1970?" "Okay... Should I give you her number?" "So I'll look like a stalker abi? Wait.. On second thought" He paused biting his lower lips.

"Send me her number. I know just what to say when I finally make the call"

Deja pulled over at a bus stop looking at Tega, "Oya, this is your bus stop right?" "Yes. Thank you. I can't wait to have my car, I would have had it oh" "I'm not interested abeg, carry your wahala go. I'm in a bad mood"

"Wetin do you? Na Papa shey?"

"Leave"

"Deja, you want my advise? Just commot your mind for Papa, I don't think the man like you"

"Get out of my car"

"Someone that's doing underground things with that slim girl"

"Explain underground things"

Tega laughed "No oh, I don each my junction. Make I go" he pushed the door open and she grabbed his hands, "Wait, which underground things?"

Kilahi couldn't be more grateful having Gbadamosi fly with her, all she did was copy whatsoever move he makes. She didn't want to come off as a first timer. "I won't be shocked if you follow me into the men's bathroom" He joked and she raised her nose at her him while they headed towards the airplane.

"I'm sure it's your kind that always copy till the point of copying people's name"

Kilahi laughed, "You're so immature Sir, you're not covering my shame" "I'm sorry" He apologized clearing his throat then he pointed at the aeroplane. "You see this magical vehicle here, I know you've only seen it in the sky, it's called an aeroplane" He teased hastening his footsteps cause he had a feeling she'll chase after him.

She gasped chasing after him then she pulled him by the hem of his shirt. Gbadamosi busted into laughter, "Let's be mature Kilahi, I'm a known Pastor and we are in public" He replied laughing.

"Look at someone that's talking about maturity. How old are you again?"

"37" He replied sincerly and she blinked in awe, "You're that old?" "You make it sound like I'm 52. I clocked in on the first of January" "Wow. How are you that old and not mature?"

"What's your definition of maturity, I was just educating you about aeroplanes, since you've only seen it in movies and textbooks. I'm your tour guide now" He said removing his black shades from his pocket.

"Is black shades an airport or flight thing? Abi is sun shinning inside?"

"Are you asking that question to satisfy your curiousity. I'm sure you would have copied me if you had your own black shades" He snapped back leaving her speechless.

"You look like a terrorist!" She snapped and he laughed. "Wow, you're so pained" He walked her to the airstairs.

They both sat close to each other, Gbadamosi was by the window while she sat beside him. It was a dream come true for her. Too bad it took a bad incident for her to achieve this.

She thought of Sefa and her mood turned sour.

"Are you okay?"

"I was thinking of Sefa"

"She's in safe hands"

The speakers blared, "Welcome once again passengers, we'll be departing for..." Kilahi quietly listened in keenly as though the pilot was going to announce that there's a bomb on the plane.

"There's no bomb on the plane"

"I'm just listening"

"For security reasons, passengers are not allowed to tamper with their bags while in the overhead locker"

Kilahi nodded, "I'm not planning on tampering with it"

"Please do feel free to report any suspicious person or activity. Commanding this flight into Lagos is Captain Brown and assisting me Senior officer..."

Kilahi lifted her hands when she saw an air hostess pass by, "You said we should report any suspicious person. Please tell this man to take off his glasses, I think he's a terrorist" She snapped and he threw his head backwards laughing.

"Kilahi"

"Ignore me, just kidding" She said to the lady who smiled at them, "Awwwn, Newly weds? Have a lovely flight Ma, Sir" She said walking away before they could explain things to her.

People at the airport made the same comment.

If not that a few others recognized him and knew for a fact that he wasn't married, they would have thought otherwise, maybe he did a secret wedding overnight.

"People can assume oh" Kilahi complained, "Like a particular lady I know"

Kilahi smiled, "Touché" She replied. "I'm nervous, excited and scared" Kilahi confessed shuddering, "Of what?" "The turbulence"

Gbadamosi laughed, "I wish you can see your face right now" "Give me a break, the windshield on your eyes is doing that already" She replied with a click of her tongue, then she exhaled and he took the glasses off laughing to himself.

"The glasses are off, are you happy?"

"Yes. God help me not to disgrace the entire Benue nation in this plane."

"Village woman"

"Igede people are not villagers, I'll prove you wrong, I'll behave well. I won't be scared, in fact I won't copy you again"

The warnings came for all phones to be switched off or put on airplane mode for the second time. The engines spooled up and she whimpered muttering prayers.

"Is that psalms 23?" He asked, "Ye though I walk through the valley... Don't distract me" "Sorry" he apologized letting out an annoyingly sharp laughter.

The plane rocked and then sank, and her stomach dropped, he squeezed her fingers but instead she flinched and quickly buried her face in his shoulder whiffing his scent. She could stay there all day, she loved his perfume.It was manly and welcoming, the scent had managed to take her mind off the turbulence.

It then dawned on her that she was still hugging this man of God.

Kilahi moved back gazing at him, the nightmare was finally over. "Is that all" "No, we'll still meet another one when we get Onitsha, there are alot of speed bumps there and that's also where we'll stop to buy fuel" He laughed at her and she pinched him, "Ouch"

"I'm Sorry, don't laugh at me. I was scared"

"I should probably take a video of you"

Kilahi looked around in shame, "Don't worry, you only embarrassed the Benue nation in front of me. Good thing I'm not a snitch" "Good thing you're not Big mouth Manny"

Gbadamosi laughed, "I feel insulted that you just insulted my cousin right in my presence" She glanced at the back of the plane to one of the flight attendants talking into a corded phone.

"Whew! I made it without an heart attack"

"Me on the other hand" He paused lifting his left fingers, "I might need to have an xray done, i think my fingers are broken"

She stared at him in disbelief then she lifted his finger up looking at it closely, "Ouch" he feigned hurt, "I didn't squeeze it that much" "Just teasing you"

She pouts pushing his fingers away then he busted into laughter.

"You must fly often"

He laughed opening the airline magazine, "Something like that" "Is that an answer?" "Yes" "It's not. A simple yes or no will do" "I've been flying right from when I was a kid" He replied flipping through the magazine and she hissed, "Bragado"

"You asked a question and I gave you an answer, now I'm bragado" He tore his gaze from the magazine now staring at her face.

He wouldn't mind waking up to seeing this face everyday of his life. He was in love and he needed to act fast.

"That reply tastes like something cooked with pride"

"Wow. Our humble judge, abeg cut soap for me" He requested moving closer to her and she ran her hands through her wig.

"How often do you travel?"

Gbadamosi laughed, "Very often" "From where to where?" "Everywhere" "Have you travelled out of the country?" "Yes" "Wow, I don't mean African countries. Sewuese and I went to Kotonou once"

He laughed, "I have been to Benin Republic but I wasn't talking about Benin" "Where? The US?" "Don't say it like a village woman, you're disgracing Benue people" "Of course, I admit, I'm a village woman, I've not been there. Have you?"

"Yes"

"Wow, where else? UK?"

"Hm"

"For visitation?"

Gbadamosi smiled, he didn't know how to tell her he was actually born and brought up there. But then again, if he knows her that well, she'll doubt and ask for his accent.

"You can ask question oh."

"You seem familiar with Anambra"

"Yes. I served here"

"Whaaaat?"

"I did my NYSC here, do you want me break that down too?" He smiled, "Yab me while it last, don't worry, you won't see me again"

"Don't be so sure"

"What do you mean?"

Some strand of hair were not properly aligned so he ran his fingers across her face pushing it behind her ears. She gazed at him, the question in her eyes, he wasn't sure whether to reveal his intentions that moment. He took his hands off returning his gaze back to the magazine.

"What year did you serve?"

"2011"

"11 years ago?"

"Yes. batch A stream 1"

"I'm supposed to call you grandpa"

"Don't you dare"

" Grandpa"

Gbadamosi frowned.

Kilahi watched his frown slowly curled into a beautiful smile. She froze and her heart palpitates. Abeg who is drumming that's making her heart dance. That smile was enough to give her a heart attack.

A good one sha!

Wait... Why is she still feeling this way? She hoped to God that feelings wasn't already catching up to her.

"I'll remove your wig oh" "Stop using my wig to threaten me Grandpa. It's amazing to think you served 11 years ago when I served last year. You're a legend, how did you guys manage your 19k? I could hardly get by with 33k"

"We managed."

"Thanks for being here, helping with Sefa. I can't repay you" "I'm not asking you to" "I can't wait to just get Sefa and leave tomorrow"

"Tomorrow?"

"Yes"

"We're leaving on Tuesday actually"

"I ... I don't understand"

Gbadamosi creased his brow, "Wait... You didn't know" "Know what?" "Anambra state and other igbo environs usually observe sit at home on Mondays, you can't travel till tuesday so... Just see it as a mini vacation"

"Whaaaat?"

"Yeah"

What do you guys think? 😁

Spoiler alert: What has been overdue will be happening in the next chapter😂

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