Twenty-four

Adelaja sat with a cup of palm wine thinking about the situation he was in. He traced the series of events to Apekeola's little stunt at the festival. If she wasn't trying to get him to choose her then what was she trying to do exactly?

He laughed at the memory of her dancing. She tried. She was quite confident,he would give her that but he didn't believe the aim of the dance was fufiled.

He stood up. He had to find a solution to all of this so he was going to do the only thing he could think of right now;he was going to talk to his father.

He was interupted by a knock.

"What is it?"He asked.

"Princess Jumoke would like to speak to you." A maid said from outside.

"Tell her to come in." He said.

"Yes,your highness."

He took his time to choose his outfit. He only buying time,he knew. For some reason he didn't look forward to seeing her so much anymore.

He sat down and braced himself for his personal headache that was about to walk in.

"Laja,how have you been?"Princess Jumoke said.

"I'm fine. And you? Are you okay?" He asked even though he knew exactly what she was going to say.

"No,I haven't been okay for a while now. Since,you were bethrothed to that girl."

So predictable. Adelaja thought.

"And why is that?"

"Why?Why not? You are mine and noone is going to snatch you from me." Jumoke was surprised by the question. What was wrong with him? She would obviously be jealous that he was marrying that commoner.

Adelaja watched her with a smile as she said that. He belonged to no one. He did as he pleased.

"No one is going to take you from me, right?"Jumoke asked.

"No."He promised. He never broke his promises. He was now bound by his word,Jumoke sighed.

"Now, please leave. I need to do something."

She nodded and left.

He sighed. What had he gotten himself into? He wished he didn't have to marry at all. He disliked women.They all wanted something from him. Even the woman he chose because of her knowledge was his biggest problem. He had no idea how he was going to cope with her endless tantrums.

He would admit that he did like her but he wasn't so sure anymore. He had known her since they were kids but recently, it's almost like she was different person.

He left the comfort of his Chambers and left for the throne room.

He saw his father sitting on the throne and discussing something with Adeniyi's father,the head of their army.

"Father, can I please speak with you?"

His father looked at him as if trying to determine what he was going to say.

He gestured for Adeniyi's father to excuse them.

"What is it son?" The king asked.

"Why did you agree to me getting married to that girl?" Adelaja wasn't surprised his mother wasn't willing to listen to him conserning the issue but his father's involvement he just didn't understand.

"The girl is going to marry you. Don't worry about any of it."

"Don't worry? This is my life we're talking about. Of course I'll worry."

"Well don't. Except , of course,you doubt my competence to get you married to the girl."

"What are you talking about? I don't want to marry her."Adelaja said. There was a misunderstanding. His mother must be behind this. It was the only explanation that made sense.

"Your mother told me you fell for the girl but she refused vehemently."

"No, that's not what happened. I don't want to marry her and neither does she want to marry me."

"That definitely changes things."The king paused to think for a minute."Why does she not want to marry you? That's a first. Doesn't it hurt your ego." The king smirked at his son,enjoying teasing him.

"It doesn't hurt my ego because the reason she rejected me is her loyalty. She is already someone's bethroth." He admitted to himself that it hurt his ego a little but he mostly admired her loyalty.

"So? Even if you wanted to marry an already married woman in this kingdom I'm sure she would leave her marriage and marry you."

"She's different."

"Shouldn't you keep her to yourself for this exact reason?"

Adelaja shook his head.

"She's not mine to keep. She's already in love with someone else. "

"That man is definitely lucky to have someone like that."

"Yes,now are you going to help me solve this?"

"I'll help you and this girl."The king smiled at his son. This was the first time in a long time that he's son had asked him for anything. He was definitely going to fulfil it.

"Thank you,father." Adelaja said and walked away. Finally,there seemed to be a solution. He smiled. Everything was going to fall back in place.

If only he knew...

.

Fabumi stood in front of their compound awaiting her daughter. She was so worried. It was almost midnight ,yet,she hadn't come back.

She decided to go to Omowumi's house. If she wasn't there then she would ask for Omowumi's help to look for her.

"Where are you going at this time?" Ajani asked , walking towards her.

"To look for your daughter."She said and started walking away.

"What do you mean?"He said as he followed her.

"Your daughter is missing, that's what it means."

.

Omowumi couldn't sleep that night for some reason. She stood up. She was going out for some fresh air.

She was surprised to hear a knock. Who could be there at that time? She opened the door.

"Apeke? Apekeola where are you?"Fabumi barged in.

"Where is she?"Fabumi asked Omowumi.

"I don't know. She was here earlier but she should have been home by now."