Twenty-Two

Alani knew eaves dropping on such a sensitive conversation was wrong but he couldn't bring himself to leave.

He wondered how a child could console an old man. What life could take from you. Was this life or death? Maybe both. He couldn't cared less.

Arike had been stripped of the happiness of a child. She couldn't even interact with other children her age. She had to grow older than her age. It made Alani feel insignificant. He felt like he didn't have the right to fall apart because of his problems. If a child could be so strong to face all her problems head on then why couldn't he? Why did he find comfort behind tons and tons of booze?

It was because he was weak. He was a coward. He couldn't keep on going this way. He had to face his problems head on from now on.

If he was ever going to be a man that would deserve her then he would have to learn not to run away from his troubles. It never solved anything anyway.

"Come here child,I know you're listening." The old man said to Alani.

Alani entered feeling guilty. He looked down feeling ashamed but eventually summoned the courage to look up. He was not going to give up or run away from now on.

"Are you the one who wants to be with my daughter?" The old man asked him.

Alani was taken aback by this question but he took it as a test to his decision so he answered with all confidence."Yes."

"What are your plans for her?"

"I want to marry her if she lets me."

The old man smiled."I like your courage son but do you think you can handle what will come with that? I know the rumours that have spread about my family. I love my daughter so I'd like you to be sure you know what you're getting yourself into. Can you handle it?"

"Yes,I know and I can. Whatever I might have to go through would be worth it as long as I get to be with her."

"Do you really mean that?" He suddenly heard Omowumi's voice from behind him.

"Of course,my love. My soul seeks to be by your side as long as you will have me." Alani replied without having to think it through. He was sure he wanted her in his life and he didn't care what his mother and sister thought of her. He knew they were wrong about her but they weren't willing to listen to reason so he was just going to have to ignore them and live his life the way he wanted to. He wasn't willing to let anyone dictate his life for him. He was going to work hard so he could marry her.

"So, Omowumi do you want him to be my your side?"Omowumi's father asked.

Before things went any further he had to confirm that his daughter was willing. After all all he wanted was for his daughter to be happy. He couldn't guarantee that if she was forced to do something like this.

"I'll think about it. I do not want to make such an important decision in haste."Omowumi replied and her father nodded.

"I'll wait as long as it takes for you to decide."Alani said.

"You have spoken well children." Omowumi's father said.

Omowumi wasn't expecting a proposal anytime soon. She and Apeke had been speaking about it and Apeke had been trying to convince her that he cared about her but she didn't listen to her because she wasn't willing to have such hope.

She had built walls around her heart and kept it guarded for a long time. She wasn't willing to let her heart be broken any longer.

That wasn't the first time someone had made her feel like they cared about her but it had all been a joke to him. A man had once professed his love for her at the market square,in front of so many people.

She had been overjoyed as he had been one of the most eligible bachelors at the time. She thought he would be with her and they would be happy forever but he told her,once again ,in front of everyone when she confronted him about the rumours she heard about his marriage that she disgusted him. He said she was a shameless woman,clinging on anything a man sent her way like a harlot desperate to settle down.

He laughed at her and insulted her for actually believing he would marry someone from such a background. Other people around them also began to insult and laugh at her. They called her all sorts of names . She had never felt so embarrassed in her life.

So,she had stopped hoping. Though, she didn't believe Alani would do something like that to her but she couldn't also be sure how serious they really were so she just decided to settle with being content with their present relationship.

She hadn't wanted to hope for much and just be contented with them being together. She didn't think he would actually want to marry her. Yes,she had hoped for it but she thought it was an unachievable dream.

She had given up on this long ago and she wasn't even willing to bring it up with him. She had only wanted to live in the moment. She now realized that she underestimated the extent of his love for her.

He loved her. He really really loved her! She couldn't believe it. She wanted to scream and dance in joy but kept herself composed as he was still there. She had liked him for a long time now but hadn't put much thought into it. She had never expected that there would come a time when he would actually ask her to marry him.

She smiled warmly at him as he spoke with her father and neice. Apeke looked at her and said,"I'm happy for you."

She had been silent all along ,not interfering but Omowumi could tell she was scared. She was scared for her and what Alani's mother would do when they find out.

"Don't worry . Love as the power overcomes all. Our love will fight all the odds."Omowumi said.

she could tell Apeke was happy and scared for the future at the same time but she wanted her to dwell on the happiness so they could enjoy this moment. They couldn't live the present dreading the future.