Dedicated to @_Lehin ❤❤

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Until then, there are three things that remain: faith, hope, and love-yet love surpasses them all. So above all else, let love be the beautiful prize for which you run. --1 Corinthians 13:13 (TPT)

Two hours to go.

Tayo was back in his house to freshen up. He couldn't wait for the time to hit 6:30pm and it was showing in his actions.

He was having a hard time choosing between his spotless white shirt and navy blue shirt. Or should I wear my black muscle top? It seems to make me seem more masculine.

He wasn't girl-crazy but there was just something about Posi that just kept drawing him. Yes, she was beautiful. Very beautiful in fact, and it didn't hurt that he could get lost in her very expressive brown eyes.

But that wasn't it.

She exuded a strength and depth that he found endearing. Like someone who had gone through the fire but had still gotten out finer, purer and shinnier.

Besides, he had stayed isolated for too long. It was time to go out and meet people. Like Posi.

He had even decided to begin taking days off work. His company had gotten to the stage where his presence wasn't needed 24/7. He had people he could trust, who could handle the company just like him. He wasn't slacking but there was certainly more to life than just working his fingers to the bone. He had even stumbled on one of his notes in which he had written about helping the hurting and dejected in the society. He had the money, he just didn't know how he would start it. It had been part of his prayers for a while now and he had even told Godspower about it.

Speaking of Godspower. His friend was still 'disguising' on Adetutu's matter and he had decided to speak to him about it. He had a few thoughts on why he wasn't pursuing his sister but he wasn't one to jump into conclusions.

As he ruminated on the several thoughts going through his mind, his gaze fell on the lone photograph of Doubra he had decided to leave in his bedroom. The past few days had been filled with packing up photos, clothes, jewelries and things that belonged to Doubra. It wasn't because he wanted to forget her or what they had shared. He just knew it was time. Time to move on. He realized he could move on and still treasure the memories he had of her.

He had even been able to move back into their bedroom. Although the memories dove at him from all angles, he had been able to smile and laugh through them all.

Clearing out his unborn baby's room had taken a lot out of him. That was equally painful as it was freeing. He kept a few things and decided to donate the rest of them. He had needed to do it and he was glad he had finally had the strength to.

His phone rang out and he checked the caller ID only to see his mum.

"Hello, my son."

"Good afternoon, mummy. How have you been?"

"I'm fine o. Even though you decided not to call me like you promised. I'm still fine."

"Ahn ahn, mummy. It's not like that now. I was just busy putting some things in place. I'm never too busy to call my beautiful one and only mum."

"Yeah, right. Keep on with the flattery. So, how are you too?"

"I'm good, ma. It's getting better."

"That's good to hear. Anyways, Kabiyesi's birthday is in some weeks. You know it's his 65th. We plan to celebrate it big. Adekunle will be around by then. So, I would love that you begin preparations for it and all."

In some weeks. Tayo shook his head. His mum definitely wanted the celebration to be top-notch. Because that could be the only reason why she wanted to begin planning for a birthday that was still a few months away.

"Okay, ma. No problem."

"Okay, my son. Ehn ehn, there's something else. Adetutu has been quiet for some days now. It's unsettling for me to see her that way. She's even more quiet than the time when you came with GP for the family Thanksgiving. Can you maybe talk to her?"

"Okay, ma. I will. I believe everyone is doing good too."

"Yes, they are. Do take care of yourself ehn. I love you." After a brief pause, "Kabiyesi sends his greetings too. Bye."

"My love to him and everyone too. Bye, ma."

After he dropped his phone, Tayo could only think of the one person who could be responsible for his sister's quiet mood but like his person, he wasn't one to jump into conclusions.

I'll call Tutu tomorrow.

*****

It was just 6:00pm and Posi was already seated in her favourite corner in Bites 'n' Chops.

Yes, she loved arriving early and this was her favourite restaurant. But she also wasn't sure she could handle another dose of Tayo's blinding smiles without stumbling, especially if he watched her walk towards him.

No, she wasn't desperate for attention either. Arriving early was just who she was.

As she sat waiting, her thoughts turned towards the dreams she had been having recently.

Asides hearing God's voice, Posi's dreams had been hijacked. For good though. No longer was she having nightmares or frightening dreams. But for some days, her dreams often played out in similar fashions in which she'd see herself in a room full of people. In some dreams, she was drawing while they watched. In others, she was speaking to them. Sometimes, the people were a small group or a large one. But one thing was constant, she was always speaking to them about how Jesus changed her life.

The first meaning that came to her was that she'd be a preacher, just like her pastors. But she dismissed it. She was a shy person and she couldn't bear to speak to more than five people at a time. Even when she was defending her project in school, it had taken everything in her to complete her sentences.

Seeing herself standing before people was too much for her to fathom. However, one thing she had not stopped doing was to pray about it each time she woke up from the dreams. And she had had another one that morning.

God will tell me in time. She thought. For now, I will relax.

And that thought was punctuated with a picture of Tayo's "unnecessary" blinding smiles flashing before her eyes.

Sheesh.

*********

Tayo strolled into Bites 'n' Chops at exactly 6:30pm. He wasn't late, was he?

He looked up and saw Posi already seated, with her fingers rapidly tapping on her phone screen.

I'm definitely late. Or maybe she's just early?

Don't say that to her.

Scoffing at his thoughts, he strode towards where she was seated and cleared his throat. He watched as she jumped and stared at him like she wanted to smack him.

He flashed her a smile and didn't miss the way she rolled her eyes before shutting them.

What did I do again?

"I'm sorry if I scared you. Have you been waiting a long time?" He sat down opposite her, placing his phone, wallet and car keys on the table.

"No. Not really. I'm just glad you decided to finally join me."

She was teasing him. He could see it in her eyes and the smirk that was playing on her lips.

"Ahn ahn. I'm not late. You were early."

Yeah, that sounded right in my head. But now that I said it... hmmmm.

Told you not to say it. He was so sure his subconscious was face-palming at the moment.

"Yeah, right." She snorted.

"So, what do we eat? I hope you came hungry."

"Yeah, that's what Pastor said during midweek service last week," she said dryly.

Tayo stared at her. He was painfully and obviously lost. "What?"

"You obviously don't listen in church. He said we should always come to church desirous and hungry for God."

Shaking his head, he knew he had a comedian in his hands. With a dry tone, he said, "I'm very sure you know that wasn't what I meant. And the laughter you're trying to hide just blew your cover."

Posi's laughter broke out in gushes. And like that, dinner went on as they conversed. Anyone passing by their table would have thought they were longtime friends. The ambience around their table was just light and friendly.

"So, from a few interactions with you. I know you like to be extremely punctual, emphasis on extremely. You have a weird sense of humour and you take your work very seriously. Ah-ha, you also seem to love bracelets too. You always have those on your wrists." He pointed to her wrists.

Posi smiled at him. "You're very observant. Clap for yourself."

Tayo smiled again as he had found himself doing all day, especially in her presence. "So, what else is there to know about you?"

"Uhm, I'm a new believer and I love burgundy." She gave a toothless smile at that.

"Oh, that's great. I think I can say I am too, in a way."

He saw she was about to ask something, so he went on. "And what is burgundy? Is that a fruit or wine?"

He saw the incredulous look on her face and he wasn't sure what he said.

I seem to have a lot of foot-in-mouth moments with you, Posi.

******

"What?! You don't know what burgundy is?"

Posi was laughing so much that tears were already making their way out of her eyes.

What was it with guys and colours? They just didn't seem to mix.

"Did I say something wrong?" Tayo was asking with eyes wide. He really was clueless.

And that caused her to laugh the more.

"Okay. Go on. Laugh at the poor guy," he said.

Placing her hands over her mouth, she tried to keep the laughter in but failed. "I'm sorry. Urm, burgundy is a colour. A shade of red. It's often mistaken as wine too."

She saw him raise his brows and open his mouth. She knew what he wanted to say. "The colour, not the drink, Tayo. Although it was named after the burgundy wine. I mean, Mr Sijuade."

"First, I didn't say anything. Second, I think we are way past Mr Sijuade now. Tayo is fine."

"You were about to ask a very mischievous question. Okay, Tayo."

Posi knew he was gonna give her a toothpaste ad-worthy smile again. This time, she was prepared. She flashed her own smile too. She had been told she had a beautiful smile too. Only him couldn't be making people temporarily blind.

Yeah, beat that! She thought, when she saw him go still for a second.

"So, I know you have a penchant for arriving at the nick of time. Of course, you're never late." He laughed at that.

"Oh, you love chicken as evidenced on our first meeting and today." Her eyes flitted to his plate where the once meaty piece of chicken thigh had been reduced to properly cleaned bones, before she looked at him.

"Well," he said with his arms splayed out.

"Oh look at you. You can't even deny it."

"Why should I?"

The laughter was beginning to hurt her sides and she was glad she came out tonight. She looked at her phone only to see that it was almost 9pm.

"Wow! Look at the time. Oh, wow."

"Time flies when you are having fun, I guess."

Posi detected a note of sadness in his voice. And she felt it too. For someone who was wary of people, she sure was very relaxed with him. Too relaxed sef.

"I guess you would want to leave now."

"Yes, I would. Thank you. But give me a minute, I need to pick up something," she said as she scurried off.

******

Tayo watched her break into an almost-run towards the serving point. What was it she wanted to pick?

Within a few minutes, she was walking back with what he could see were takeaway packs ensconced in the restaurant's branded nylon, one in each hand, and a small smile on her face.

When she reached him, she passed one over to him. He stared at it with a questioning brow raised.

"Well, you paid for dinner. I thought you'd like something to nibble on later," she said shyly.

"Thank you. Do you have supernatural powers? How did you know I'm a nibbler?" He stared with mock awe at her.

"Oh stop it," she said as she smacked him on the arm.

"Thank you anyways."

"You're welcome."

"So, can I drop you home? And I won't take no for an answer."

He watched her debate it for a moment before she nodded.

"Shall we?"

After dropping the phone call with her son, Olori Aderonke turned to the king. They were seated in his study where the king was busy going through his itinerary for the month.

"Darling, are you sure it isn't time to tell Adekiitan the truth? I know we have been waiting for the right time for a while now. But he's grown now. And I feel the more we hide it, the more we estrange him from us."

Oba Aderopo cleared his throat and stared into space, deep in thought. "We will tell him when he comes home for my birthday. Till then, let's pray for wisdom for us and strength for him. He has been the most sensitive of our children. We need to handle this wisely. Also, you can bring out the certificate and keep it in my drawer here in the study."

"Okay. God help us." Olori Aderonke sighed as she shook her legs slowly.