Dedicated to ayelesah ❤

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I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. --Psalms 130:5 (KJV)

Ecstatic couldn't explain how Tayo felt to see his dad reach a prime age. After all he had put them through as a youngster, he was determined to continue to make them proud of him. His parents had never made him feel like he was the black sheep, even though he exhibited all the signs of being one including his dark skin. They had loved him through all his teenage tantrums and early twenties escapades. His family was one in a billion and he wouldn't trade any of his parents for anything.

He was even happier that his parents and entire family received his friends with so much warmth. He hadn't been expecting anything different but still, he felt proud of them.

Adetutu and his other siblings were especially taken with Posi. Adebisi, the youngest had made himself her personal bodyguard because he followed her everywhere with his hands clasped in hers.

The birthday had held as a 2-day celebration from Saturday till Sunday for the Thanksgiving service and intimate family dinner.

On Saturday, the palace grounds had been filled with people from various walks of life who had come to celebrate with the king. A musical band had kept the party going till the late evening when people began to leave. Of course, there was a lot to eat and drink. Nobody was left out, he was sure because it was a buffet layout. All in all, his dad was all smiles.

His elder brother had arrived on Saturday in time for the party. It had been almost five years since he had last seen him. Prince Adekunle was the first son of the Sijuade royal family. He was also Olori Ariyike's son. Although he wasn't particularly next in line for the throne, he was still the first candidate from their family. They were not raised to be rivals vying for the throne but brothers who looked out for each other.

After the Sunday Thanksgiving service, they all returned to the palace and took some time to rest before the dinner in the evening. Tayo was seated in one of the gazebos with GP and Gerald since the ladies were also having a time out after the very tiring day, when his brother joined them. He chatted with his friends before he asked him for some time alone.

He excused himself and walked with his brother on the palace grounds as the workers greeted them now and again.

"So how have you been?" His brother asked.

"I have been fine, ègbón. How is your family?"

"They are good. Elizabeth is expecting. It's the major reason she couldn't come but she sends her love."

"Beautiful! Congrats." Tayo smiled. He was indeed happy for his brother and his family. His brother had taken just one look at Elizabeth and the rest was history.

"Elizabeth's been worried about you. But I think I have reason to tell her not to be," Adekunle said amusedly, with his lips quirked in suppressed laughter and mirth dancing in his eyes.

"Worried? Why would she be?"

Elizabeth was Doubra's best friend. It was even through her that he had met her. After she married his brother, she had moved to London with him but had travelled down for his wedding to her longtime friend. Asides GP, she was the only one who knew how hard Doubra's death had hit him. They hadn't been in contact enough for him to let her know how things were now.

"Yeah, she was. She knew how close you and Doubra were," he paused to gauge his reaction. When he saw none, he continued, "But I can see the stars in your eyes, especially when you look at your lady."

Tayo couldn't do anything to stop the smile that he knew was displayed on his face. Even if he could, he wouldn't. "Yeah, I'm good now. It took some painful healing but I'm totally fine now. And to answer the question you didn't ask, I love Posi. I'm just waiting for the right time."

"I'm happy for you, bro. I'm sure she feels the same way too."

"Really?" It wasn't that he expected the worst. His confidence was just bolstered.

"Of course. Besides, who wouldn't want to be my brother's girl? You are a catch, a spec; a very good one at that." Adekunle tapped his shoulder.

Tayo laughed. "You're my brother. You are meant to say things like that and believe that I can do no wrong. Besides, don't let GP hear you calling me a spec. I gave him grief for referring to himself as one."

His brother chuckled. "Okay. But it's also true that you are a good man. Any lady is blessed to be married to you."

Tayo gave his brother a hug as they made their way back to the main building. As they passed by the gazebo, they heard GP and Gerald arguing about which football club was king. They just smiled as their discussion turned to that of business and Tayo filled him in on all the ventures he had embarked on.

******

Posi stretched as she stepped out of Adebisi's room.

The boy had been glued to her hip since they arrived. He had monopolised her time too by glaring at his brother each time he approached her to talk to her. He was so adorable and his antics made her love him. He had dragged her to his room when they returned from church insistent on showing her his room.

Adebisi had shown her around his room before he got out a book for her to read to him. He climbed into her lap and played with her dreadlocks as she read. She had seen the fascination on his face when he saw her dreads. Five minutes into reading, she heard cute snores from her admirer. Laughing, she placed him in his bed before sneaking out.

She stretched again in the hallway before turning in the direction of the room she shared with Funmi.

"Ah-ha! You're alone at last," she heard a voice she recognized say. She turned back to him with a smile.

"Don't tell me you're jealous of your little brother. He's cute and very protective, if I may add."

"That, he is. I thought I'd melt with all the glares he sent my way," Tayo said. Posi giggled.

"So, how has this little adventure been?"

She sighed. "Pure bliss. Like. It's been a while I attended an owanbe. And this was a royal owanbe. It has been fun."

They had just been walking along the hallway but the air changed and Posi realised they were outside the building, walking towards the garden.

"This is beautiful and serene."

"I know, right. It's good for clearing your mind."

They continued walking in silence. Posi occasionally paused to stare at the beautiful coloured birds that flitted overhead.

"We would be presenting our gifts to dad at dinner tonight."

"Awwww, that's sweet. I was going to ask you about that."

"I can't wait to see his face when we present all the gifts. Behind his regal, authoritative front is a soft-hearted dad. In fact, I have face towels and handkerchiefs ready just in case there are waterworks."

Posi smacked his arm.

"Owww!" he yelped in mocked pain while rubbing the spot.

"You deserved it." They laughed. "The gazebos are really beautiful and different."

They continued walking till they heard someone shout "Posi!" and running feet. Adetutu caught up with them, panting. "I have been calling you since."

"I didn't hear you," Posi replied, amusedly. Tutu was another Sijuade sibling that was taken with her. The girl had insisted on doing her makeup for the party and Thanksgiving. And that had caused Funmi to tease her mercilessly about smiting all the Sijuade siblings with arrows of love.

Adetutu took Tayo's place beside her and stayed between them. She looped her arm around Posi's and began to talk about nothing in particular. Posi was lost till she saw the mischievous look on her face and she fought to keep her laughter in.

Tayo was walking behind them with his hands in his pocket and she saw him shake his head at his sister's antics.

"Hey, GP!" Tayo called out suddenly. Posi looked around to also greet him but saw no one. However, Tutu had unlooped her hands from hers and was staring at the ground.

Tayo burst into laughter that sounded like that of the evil stepmother in Cinderella. Tutu turned to him, looked around before she walked up to him and kicked him in the shin.

"Owww!" He glared at her.

Tutu just stuck her nose in the air and stalked away from them while muttering indecipherable sentences. Tayo continued to laugh as he rubbed his shin.

"Well, she's nice. I'd have done more than that to you," Posi said with a smirk on her face.

"Well, thank God it wasn't you then."

"So, do you know why the two of them aren't in a relationship yet?"

He shrugged. "I really don't. And I decided to leave them to it."

"Okay." Posi turned to stare at the sun as it set over the horizon. Such a beautiful sight to behold.

********

No. Don't say it.

But…

The atmosphere was serene. The lighting, just perfect. The breeze felt like a brief kiss against his skin. And they were seated in the perfect spot for a proposal. She had even complimented the gazebo.

What more could I want or plan?

Not yet.

But I could miss this chance.

Tayo looked at her again. She looked like a picture with the setting sun as a background and the swirling trees as an added effect. The girl was beautiful and she didn't even seem to know it.

Beautiful in heart and beautiful with the best carved features.

He never understood why the same spiritual leaders or motivational speakers who always said to marry a woman of virtue and look at the heart first, always seemed to end up with the double package of both physically beautiful and virtuous women as wives.

And I definitely have both in this pristine young lady.

This is not the time, Tayo. Still hold on till after the trip.

He shook his head. There was a saying that said "there's no better time than now". Or something like that?

Besides, why didn't He want him to ask now? He was the one that gave the go-ahead.

He cleared his throat to draw her attention to himself. When she looked at him, he began to speak. "So, I have known you for roughly ten months and I just want to say thank you for being my friend in those months. Even though you almost bit my head off at first."

She was about to protest when he said, "Don't even bother."

Posi gave a short laugh then rolled her eyes. He looked into her eyes right then and felt what it was like to be spellbound.

He cleared his throat and started again. "Anyways, I cherish you and all you stand for. And I'd love it if we could be s—."

"Pawsssiiii." Only one person called Posi that.

Tayo sighed as he bowed his head in exasperation. Adebisi was awake. He turned to look at his baby brother as he ran towards them as much as his legs could carry him.

Posi stood to catch him. "How's my favourite Sijuade doing?"

Adebisi responded with a toothless smile. If he wasn't so young, Tayo would have flicked his forehead. As if his brother sensed what he had in mind, Adebisi glared at him before turning a perfectly angelic face towards Posi.

And I guess You'd do anything to stop me, right? Even use my little brother.

He saw one of the workers run towards him. "Your Highness, your mother said to call you in for dinner."

"Okay, tell her we would be there in a minute."

Adebisi was busy fussing with Posi's dreads as usual and was blabbing about how he had woken up and hadn't found her in his room. It almost sounded like the boy was scolding her and she was taking it as seriously as she could. He could see the tell-tale signs of a smile on her lips.

"I don't want to disturb your romance but mum has sent for us."

"Okay. Let's go." She stood with Adebisi's hand in hers. They walked in front of him, swinging their hands and giggling.

Well, He did warn me.

With his hands in his pocket, he followed closely behind them and listened in on their conversation.

********

What was he about to ask me?

Posi was both curious and nervous to find out. It felt like the tipping point in a murder mystery movie when the killer is about to be revealed but you're also scared to find out who the killer is because he/she could very well be your favourite character in the movie.

It didn't sound like he wanted to give her another job to do. It was like something more. Something she had a guess about, something she was beginning to feel was inevitable. But now really wasn't the time.

Adebisi's entry was well-timed. She was beginning to think the boy had had her on surveillance or something. But that was too much to think especially for a seven-year old boy like him.

She heard Tayo walking behind her but she dared not look him in the eyes.

*******

The family dinner was truly exciting. The indigenous meals were served and everyone ate their fill. Adebisi insisted again on sitting beside Posi and Tayo had to sit opposite her.

Well, I'll let him enjoy this. I'll soon have her to myself.

It was time to present gifts. Oba Aderopo was definitely elated, not by the gifts but by how full the table was with his family. One by one, they presented their gifts with emotional words, reminiscing and heartfelt prayers. Even his friends who had just met him, excluding GP, had brought gifts he knew nothing about and had wonderful things to say about him.

Tayo had to bring out his emergency handkerchiefs and face towels for his dad and some of the other family members especially the females. He winked at Posi who just shook her head amusedly.

Everyone had said all they needed to say. Oba Aderopo thanked everyone, prayed for them and hugged every single one of them.

Afterwards, when the table was cleared, Adebisi and Adetutu vied for Posi and Funmi's attention. Adegbenro sat with Gerald and interrogated him about Physiotherapy. Adekunle and GP talked business.

As the servants moved the gifts into his study, Tayo decided to join them. And he picked the more fragile gifts.

All the gifts were deposited and he picked the frame to hang it in the most conspicuous part of the room: behind his dad's chair and wide table. It wasn't because he had been the one to present the gift but because it was Posi who had painted it.

And I'm proud of that fact.

He turned to go out of the room, when he saw a document peeking out of its folder on his dad's table. He opened the folder to push it back in when he glimpsed his name.

Olatayo.

No surname. No Adekiitan. Just Olatayo.

He held it in his hands and skimmed it.

W-w-what is this?

He could hear a tingling loud sound in his ear. His palms turned sweaty. His eyes heavy.

What is this?

"There's ice-cream and chocolate cake for everyone," Olori Aderonke announced and she was met with responses of aah and ooh. She smiled at them and instructed the workers to bring them out to the family room where they were all seated.

"Where is Adekiitan?" she suddenly asked. They all looked around the room before Tutu answered.

"I saw him go with the workers to drop daddy's gifts in his study. It's been about 30 or 45 minutes."

Oba Aderopo's eyes swung up to meet his wife's.

"Maybe he is taking a phone call."

"I don't think so, ma. Adebisi is playing with it right now," Posi said, pointing to the phone in Bisi's hands.

No, no, no. Not yet.

Olori Aderonke staggered on her feet making Olori Ariyike rush towards her and move her into the dinning area, away from the children and their guests. "Ègbón mii. What's wrong?"

Olori Aderonke stayed silent as a sheen of tears made way to her eyes.

"Ègbón mii, talk to me now."

"Adekiitan may have just found out the truth," Oba Aderopo spoke up from behind them. His demeanour looked so serious that Olori Ariyike immediately knew what he was referring to.

She gasped. "Oh my God."