Dedicated to oluwayanmife__ ❤

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For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. --Romans 8:38‭-‬39 KJV

A split second.

That's how long it took for God to change the course of her life. It was a wonder how a life full of hurt and pain, heading for a smooth head-on collision with self-destruction could just find a curve in the road and change course to one of love,  purpose, fulfilment and firm security.

It was just a week after the exhibit and Posi was still thankful to God. It pays off to follow God's leading, no matter how unattainable it may seem. Once He says it and one aligns with it, things begin to work out for good.

She had even received an invitation to speak at an event for teenage boys and girls.

Abba, why does this seem like a set-up? You know how much it took to speak for those few minutes in front of just thirty people. Now I have to speak to teenagers.

She was so sure she heard a rumbling laughter.

But you have to say it's a good set-up. Besides, you're not speaking of yourself. My Spirit will be right there with you.

She sighed. Okay, Abba.

All these and more were the object of her thoughts that morning after her devotion. She glanced at Funmi who was still asleep on her side of the bed. Their hangout was today and they had decided that the girls would prepare the food while the guys would bring snacks and drinks.

As she continued to reminisce on the events of the past week, she moved into her bathroom to prepare.

"Funmi!" She screamed suddenly.

Her friend scrambled awake and looked dazedly from left to right. "What? What? What happened?"

Posi exploded in cackles, which made Funmi give her the evil eye.

"I hope you had your fun."

"The idea came suddenly and I spurred into action. Sorry if I disturbed your beauty sleep but it's time to wake up. You're making the food by the way," Posi said, looking away.

Funmi snorted. "Are you sure you don't want to make your special stir-fry spaghetti for your Tayo, uhn?"

"Ha ha. Very funny. Stand up joor."

"Yes, ma'am." Funmi saluted.

They moved to the kitchen, bringing out ingredients for jollof rice. They worked silently for some minutes before Funmi spoke up again.

"But has he said anything?"

With a raised brow, she asked, "About?"

"You know. About a something-more."

Posi moved closer to her and placed her right palm on her forehead. Funmi frowned at her.

"What? I'm just checking if you're okay. Did you sleep well?"

With a short hiss, Funmi pinched her cheeks. "Goof." She turned back to frying the chicken.

"Honestly," Posi started.

Funmi turned happily towards her. "Yes, honestly… "

With an eye roll, Posi continued. "I think there's something there but we haven't talked about it."

"Well, do you want to pull a Ruth?"

"Pull a Ruth? I should go and sleep by his feet?" She asked incredulously.

"Of course not. Some girls believe a lady can do the asking and use Ruth as an example."

"And I know you are just teasing me. You obviously know that she didn't ask Boaz out. They should read that account properly."

"Yes. True." Funmi turned off the gas cooker. "I just have a good feeling about Tayo. That's all. No pressure."

"Thanks, Cupid-ji."

"Yes, ma'am. That reminds me. I have missed watching Bollywood movies. Do you have any recommendations?"

"Let's finish up with this. I'll send them to you. Besides, the guys will be here soon."

"Yep. Ehn ehn. How has it been serving in the Aesthetics Department in church? I saw the decoration on Sunday. It was absolutely beautiful."

"I know, right. They're very lovely people there. Pastor Bee said she believed I'll be very helpful there. So."

They continued to discuss till everything needed was ready and it was time to dress up for the outing.

************

"Why did you guys take so long to arrive? Later, you will say ladies spend a lot of time dressing up," Funmi said, with her arms crossed.

"Me, I was early o. I went to Tayo's place as planned so we could take the Honda Pilot. But he was still preparing when I got there," Gerald announced. He obviously didn't want Funmi angry with him.

They were all seated in the car, with Tayo in the driver's seat and Posi beside him. Gerald and Funmi sat at the back.

"What was he preparing? I'm sure he was busy grooming his beards, abi?"

Everyone burst into laughter. Tayo placed his hand on his chest and with a look of feigned hurt, he looked at her through the rearview mirror. "No ice-cream for you, Funmi."

"You're just saying your own. I will eat everything here and there is nothing you can do about it."

"Funmi, leave Tayo's beard out of it. You too, why would you threaten us with no ice cream?" Posi said to Tayo.

With a quizzical look, he said, "Who is us? I only said Funmi."

Gerald answered. "Bro, just stop there. The two of them are "us"."

There was another round of laughter.

They arrived at Elegushi Beach, made all necessary payments and settled down in a good spot. The four were all dressed similarly. The guys wore beach shorts and light round neck T-shirts while the ladies wore knee-length jean shorts and T-shirts.

The guys set up the small food flask of food, drinks and water, snacks on the small makeshift table while the girls went to the water, splashing around. They joined them as they took pictures and played around the beach.

They retired to the shade and ate. The guys complimented their cooking and they had discussions on varying topics.

**********

The sun was just about setting, their bellies were full and the atmosphere was just right. Perfect.

Gerald and Funmi had begun talking in low tones, almost like they were having a private hangout in a much larger one. They seemed so unaware of anything or anyone else, including the two who were lying on their backs.

All of a sudden, Tayo turned to Posi and whispered. "Let's take a walk."

Posi looked at the couple before she nodded in agreement. Tayo stood and dusted himself off while he stretched his hand out to pull her up. They didn't need to sneak away. The beach sand was perfect soundproof for their footsteps.

"Phew! Those two," Posi said when they were feet away. "I was beginning to feel like a third wheel."

"And I, a fourth wheel."

Posi laughed. "Is there anything like that?"

"I don't know. But I felt that way." He winked.

"Okay." She smiled.

They walked in silence for a few more minutes, enjoying the ambience. There were also lesser people milling around compared to when they arrived at noon.

Posi broke the silence. "So, I'm almost done with your dad's painting. It would be ready in time for his birthday."

"Oh, cool." He smiled. "I can't wait to see the look on his face when he sees it."

Posi watched the way his face lit up. It was enchanting to see. "You're very close with your dad."

"Very much. With my parents, including my second mum. They've always been there for me."

"It sounds like there is more to say."

He looked at her silently for some minutes as if he was making a decision to speak, and then he nodded. "Yes, there is. I got into drinking and drugs when I was in my early twenties. Thank God it didn't escalate into addiction. I was just looking for something to fill the unexplainable void I felt. My parents were there with me and they have always been for every one of my siblings."

"Wow. That's beautiful. Having great parents is a plus for any child."

"Yes, it is. They didn't blame or fault me. It was like they were in pain like me."

Posi watched him. It seemed he was transported to that time.

He looked at her. "But that's all in the past now."

"Yes. So, how many siblings do you have?"

"5 siblings. I'm the second child."

"Just five. I thought you'd be almost ten."

He chuckled. "What? Why would you think that?"

"I don't know. Maybe because most royal families have a lot of progenies."

"My family is actually unconventional in a lot of ways. So." He shrugged. "And couldn't you have used a simpler word? What is 'progenies'? What happened to plain old 'children'?"

"There's no fun in using 'plain old words'." She snickered when he facepalmed. "It must be fun to have siblings. I'm an only child."

"Hmm. It is fun, sometimes. My sisters, Adetutu and Adebambo, can be fun and frustrating, especially Tutu. But I love them. The boys can be just as rambunctious too. My elder brother is outside the country but he will be around for dad's birthday."

"Great. So I will get to meet them all then."

"That you will." He poked her nose which she scrunched up at him.

She's so adorable and sweet. I wonder why she hasn't been snatched up. They sat on the rocks before he spoke again.

"So tell me. Why hasn't someone snatched you up?"

Her forehead wrinkled as she tried to make sense of what he had just said. "Snatched me up? Why would I want to be kidnapped?"

"You're one weird child." He chuckled. "I meant why you aren't in a relationship."

"And who told you I'm not?"

Tayo was confused. Did I miss the signs? She can't be.

His mind continued to conjure up different scenarios.

"Gosh. You're so easy to tease." She was busy cackling.

"Really?"

She stuck her tongue out at him.

"Yeah, that's real mature of you."

She rolled her eyes. "That's your cup of tea."

"I prefer coffee, thank you very much." They sat in silence, just staring at the ocean and feeling the breeze on their faces.

"I guess I just never felt good enough for any relationship. I told you about the verbal lashes I took as a kid." He nodded.

"Well, it did a lot of harm to me. And my dad not being around hurt more deeply than I thought. I thought if I wasn't good enough for my dad to stay, then no guy would want to stay with me. The ones that I got into were mainly due to the persistence of the guys. I just had to give in to it."

"Most of them, I rushed out of, as soon as I rushed in. But there was a particular one that I actually thought was it. He said all the right words and did all the right things. It was blissful while it lasted."

"Well, what happened?"

"Ah, well. I don't know. I gave him a hard time, really. But he stayed. However, at the instance when I was ready to open up to him, he took off. No explanation. Nothing. I guess he just lived up to his name." She chuckled.

He raised his brows in confusion.

Still laughing, she said, "His name was Theophilus. And a wordplay on his name in pidgin sounds like 'Theo fit loss'. You get?"

He wanted to facepalm, laugh and just roll his eyes all at the same time. I have a comedienne on my hands.

"How do you even think up these things?"

"I don't know. It just happens." She shrugged, then flicked invisible dust off her shoulders.

"Well, now I know better. I'm secure in God's love for me. I still have things to settle but I'm no longer where I used to be. Who I was and who I am now is irreconcilable. And it could only have been God. Heck, I used to be so irritable and angry all the time. Now, I can throw my hair down and just be joyful." She hit her thigh as if to mimic the sound of a gavel hitting a surface.

"Hear, hear. I have been a recipient of your wonderful moods. Those first few times we met, I was so sure I'd be six feet under by the end of the day."

She hit him on the arm. "You're definitely exaggerating. That was nothing."

"Ah ah. That was how I felt o. Are you in my feeling now?" He asked with his eyes narrowed.

She snorted. "Yeah, right. That's why Funmi teased you about your beard."

He gasped. "Anyways, we should head back."

He helped her off the rocks again. Do guys get butterflies? Because I'm getting those. My tummy is probably upset. Yeah, that's it.

As they approached where they had set up, they glimpsed Funmi and Gerald packing up.

"Hey! Where did you guys run off to?" Funmi questioned with a goofy look on her face.

Tayo and Posi glanced at each other, then smiled. "We just took a walk since you guys decided that we were third and fourth wheels."

"Mmmm. Okay." Funmi stood up and picked her cross bag.

"Well, let's go home. Gerald ordered an Uber already. We don't need to go together since our routes are different. You can drop off Posi with the coolers and all. Is that okay?" Funmi asked.

"Yeah, it is," Tayo replied with a smile. While Posi sent Funmi and Gerald I-know-what-you-are-up-to look.

"Uber's here," Gerald said.

They gathered up their things and moved to the cars. Amidst hugs and cries of goodnight, the party of four departed.

***********

The butterflies were in full flight today. And if she didn't know any better, she'd have said there was a zoo in there.

Tayo's face seemed more handsome, his smiles more blinding, his eyes more enrapturing. Something must be wrong with me. I'm probably too full with food and good company.

"We are here," Tayo announced.

Posi jerked.

"Are you okay?" He asked with so much concern.

She smiled. "I'm good."

As she moved to alight, he also opened his door. "Where are you going?"

He snorted. "To help you with the baskets and stuff."

"Okay."

"By the way, when is your birthday?" He asked.

"June 26th. Yours?"

"November 30th."

"Really? That's a few days from now. Any party plans?"

"Nope. None."

"Hmm. Okay."

He wanted to help her carry the basket to her apartment but she refused. As he handed off the basket to her, he said, "Thank you, Posi, for today. I had fun as always when you're there. It's effortless to smile and laugh with you."

He was looking into her eyes more than usual, and for the life of her, she couldn't look away. Are we having a moment?

After some minutes which felt like seconds, as if someone played the atmosphere shift now line of Phil Thompson's song, Tayo blinked and the moment was gone.

"Okay. I'll see you later. Have a good night."

"Yeah, you too." Posi waited till his car was out of sight before she walked into her compound.

"Babe, your matchmaking skills are out of this world," Gerald said on their way home.

"Did you just find that out?" She flipped her hair. Why she did that when she had low-cut on was a mystery.

"So, you made us leave them out of our discussion so they could feel left out? I hail you, ma." He had his two hands up in the air and tried to stomp his feet in the small car in the classic tuale stance.

"Yes, yes. I deserve the accolades."

Gerald shook his head at her and their discussion turned to that of their wedding.