Dedicated to OlalereZainabOpeyemi❤❤

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Give thanks to the only miracle working God! His tender love for us continues on forever!-- Psalms 136:4 (TPT)

Tayo was on his way to get a bar of chocolate from the refrigerator. He seemed to have a strange craving for it. And he had laughed when he heard his second mum mumble about the stairs. She had snorted at his laughter and said something like, "Wait till you're my age" before she shuffled up the stairs.

His parents' laughter had alerted him to their presence in the living room and he had taken a detour to the room when he heard them talk about something they wanted to tell him.

"What is it, mum?" Tayo repeated as he watched his parents act like children caught with their hands in the cookie jar.

"Mum?" he said again. But she just continued to stare at him with something close to guilt.

If he had paid more attention, he'd have seen the shaking of her hands.

He watched his father send a cursory glance his mum's way before he cleared his throat and said, "Your mum was just wondering if we should talk to you about getting married again. It's been almost two years since Doubra died. And we think you should consider getting married, as you're not getting any younger."

"Y-yes. E-exactly what I was saying, my son," his mum stuttered as the king placed his right hand on her entwined hands.

Tayo sighed as he made his way to one of the single sofas on his mum's right and sat. He had had an inkling that that's what they had been hiding from him ever since their repeated phone calls to him.

Looking at his hands, he said, "Dad, mum. I think you should give me some more time. I just recently got out of grieving for her. And my relationship with God just got back on track. I don't think I am ready for a relationship. At least, not yet. When I am, you'll be the first to know."

He looked up to see worry on their faces. His mum spoke first. This time, her eyes glistened with unshed tears.

"We didn't know, son. You didn't tell us. We always asked and you always said you were fine and everything was going on well."

"I'm sorry, mum. I just didn't want to burden you especially with the other things you had and still have to handle in the kingdom." He reached out to hold her hands and gave them a squeeze.

"We are sorry too. For not knowing you were in pain," his father said.

Tayo shook his head as he looked at his father. "No, dad. Don't blame yourselves. I should have told you too. I'm fine now though. I realized that I needed to get out of the grief and Godspower was been very instrumental in this."

"Ah, yes, Godspower. I'm glad you have him as a friend." His father smiled and patted his wife lovingly. She wiped the tears that had managed to escape her eyes and gave him a smile too.

Suddenly, she laughed. "About Godspower. I hope he doesn't think we don't see the lengthy gazes being exchanged between himself and Adetutu. It was so comical watching the two of them at dinner."

"I know, right. Those two are hilarious. I have never seen Adetutu as mellow as she has been since your arrival. It's like I don't even know my daughter anymore," his father said amusedly.

They all burst into laughter as Tayo began to device means to tease his friend again.

"Anyway, I'm off to bed. We will be returning to Lagos on Tuesday."

"Ahn ahn, my son. Stay for a while now. This visit is too short," his mother said, pouting.

"I'll come to visit again, mum. Soon, very soon."

"Hmm. That's what you will say and I won't see you for another six months."

"Wow, mum. You have hurt my feelings," Tayo's said as he placed his right hand on his chest. His mum only rolled her eyes at his antics before she smacked him on the same spot.

"How's that for hurt feelings?"

His father who had been watching them in silence roared with laughter and Tayo joined him. He gave his mum a hug which she accepted grudgingly, with a small smile playing in her lips.

*****

Toyin greeted Posi as enthusiastically as usual the moment she stepped into the reception of her studio. Posi was about to roll her eyes and grunt back in response before she remembered what she had read in her devotional book that morning.

It was something about showing friendliness if a person wanted friends. Sighing, she widened her lips in a bid to smile at the young lady. However, she wasn't expecting the reaction she got from Toyin.

Posi watched as Toyin tried to keep her laughter in.

"What's the problem?" Posi asked in her most intimidating tone.

"Nothing, ma'am. It's only that there's something different about you. I can't seem to place my finger on it yet."

This time, Posi couldn't hold back the eye roll. Well, you just saw me. Where do you want to place your finger?

Aloud, she said, "Really? If you say so. Anyways, we need to schedule Mr Tayo Sijuade's photoshoot. Check for a suitable date for it. Thank you."

She walked away without waiting for a reply.

*****

It was time for Tayo and Godspower to return to Lagos.

His siblings looked sad and almost made him teary with their pouts and hugs. They didn't want him to go but he had to. He promised to come back to visit and also visit them more often in their schools. They smiled at him and clung to him, especially Adebisi and Adetutu.

"You and I have to continue that our gist o," he whispered into Adetutu's ear. She scrunched her nose at him but he just flicked her nose. "WhatsApp video or voice call. Let me call you and you don't pick. I will tell your parents."

"Ahn ahn, my one and only elder brother." She batted her lashes at him. He only rolled his eyes back at her.

"What of bro Adekunle? I will tell him that you have dis-brothered him."

"And I will tell daddy about that time that you bashed his Range Rover. You know he has always wanted to know," she returned cheekily and stuck her tongue out at him.

"Ah! My sweet sister. You know I love you. I won't tell anybody anything."

"That's much better, my sweet brother." She patted his chest and smiled at him.

Tayo burst into a boisterous laughter. They both knew their father couldn't do anything to him anymore. He just played along with her.

"When you guys are done, you will come and give your parents a hug ehn," Olori Ariyike said causing everyone to laugh.

Tayo ruffled Adetutu's hair and walked towards his father and mothers. He prostrated before them before giving each a hug. Godspower followed suit and thanked them for their hospitality, to which the king responded, "It's nothing. I believe we shall be seeing more of you, yes."

The king made it sound like a question when he in truth was making a statement. Everyone just laughed at the bewildered look on both GP and Adetutu's faces.

"We have to go now, dad. I love you. We will call once we arrive in Lagos."

Tayo flung the car keys at GP as they entered the car amidst shouts of 'safe trip' and 'God bless you'. They continued to wave till they were out of sight.

Toyin watched as her boss sashayed into her office till she was out of sight.

She had tried keeping her laughter in because she saw the struggle displayed on her face when she wanted to smile. She looked adorable but she dared not tell her that.

Besides that, there was something different about her. Despite her still present porcupine-like disposition, it was like a light was radiating from her inside. A light that hadn't been there before.

Maybe she has met The Light? She smiled at the thought. It would be a wonderful thing if it was true.