Meant To Be - Episode 5

 

   Two days later, Ayinde came over but Ayo was still in the market so her Grandmother called her, 

"Hello Ayodunmomi."

"Hello Mama."

"Baba e ti de o (Your father has arrived o), so, come home as soon as you can."

"Okay Mama." She replied and began to pack up. 

Two hours later, the three of them were headed to the palace. As soon as the guards opened the gate for them, they were taken to the waiting room then one of the guards at the waiting room asked, 

"What is your mission, Mama?"

Ayo's grandmother answered, "I want to see Kabiesi to thank him for allowing his son to sponsor my daughter."

Another guard said, "Okay . Wait here while I inform the King." 

Some twenty minutes later, the guard came back and said, 

"Follow me." He took them to the visitor's sitting room where the King was already seated. He had been baffled by what the guard told him so he ordered him to bring the people in. 

As soon as they got in and sighted the King, they all chorused, 

"Kaaaaabiesi o, Ki ade pe Lori, Ki bata pe lese."

The King replied after taking his seat and waving his irukere, "Thank you. Have your seat please."

They all chorused, "Thank you Kabiesi."

Then the King asked, "Mama, what brings you to my palace this evening? I believe this is your son and granddaughter?"

Ayo's Grandmother answered, "Yes Kabiesi

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. We came to thank you for the privilege Prince Adekorede has given to my granddaughter to sponsor her education."

The King turned his gaze upon Ayo, "Is that so, my daughter?" 

"Yes Kabiesi." Ayo said kneeling down and bowing her head. 

The King ordered, "Sanya, let my Queen and Adekorede know I need their attention here."

"Yes, My King." The guard said and left. A few minutes later, Olori Adenike and Kore came in, they paid obeisance to the King then sat down. Kore was surprised to see Ayo and her Grandmother in the palace. 

The King said, "Korede, these people came to me to tell me that you are sponsoring her education."

Kore affirmed, "Yes Dad. I told Mum about it. You were busy so I had to keep it quiet."

The King asked his wife, "Adenike is that true?"

Olori Adenike answered, "Yes, My King."

The King said, "Okay. I am sorry o, Mama. I just had to be sure. He didn't mention it to me before."

"No problem Kabiesi." Ayo's Grandmother replied. 

"So, my daughter what is your name?" The King asked, 

"Ayodunmomi Bankole sir." Ayo answered, 

The King asked, "Korede, how do you plan to make this arrangement work?"  

"Dad, it's up to her, if she wants to study in Lagos, she can stay in the boy’s quarter in my compound to cut cost of accommodation and if she wants to stay outside or school anywhere else for that matter, it's her choice. Mine is to provide the money." Kore explained.

The King turned to Ayinde, "Mister, I believe you are the father, what's your name?"

Ayinde answered, "My name is Ayinde, Your Highness."

The King asked, "What do you have to say to this? Is the arrangement okay for you?"

Ayinde replied, "Your Highness, as my prince said, the choice is for Ayo to make. If it will be satisfactory for her then we will go with it."

The King asked Ayo, "My daughter, what is your decision?"

Ayo said, "My King, I will take the boys quarter. Thank you very much My King for approving this act of kindness."

The King prayed, "God will not make this act of kindness become evil in Jesus name."

"Amen." They all chorused. 

"Kabiesi, thank you so much. May you live longer than our fathers." Ayo's grandmother prayed. 

"Amen ooo." They chorused. 

"We will like to take our leave now." Ayo's Grandmother announced. 

Olori Adenike protested, "Hahan Mama, let the guards serve you something to eat or drink." 

Ayo's Grandmother said, "My Queen, don't bother."

"No o. I have to. Okay, you will take it along. Sanya, come with me." Olori Adenike said and Sanya went with her. 

Few minutes later, he came back with three nylon packed and gave it to each of them and then they all bade them goodbye with Kore telling Ayo to call him. 

Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ

     "I can't believe you are leaving." Sade said as they packed Ayo's bags few days after she visited the King with her Dad and Grandma. 

"You keep saying it as if I am travelling out of the country. Na Lagos I dey go o." Ayo said. 

"You are sha leaving. It won't be the same again." Titi said. 

"I know but we can always talk on WhatsApp and I am going to create a group where the three of us can be on the group and talk about everything and anything.

Read " Saved by Love " by the same author ( Olufunlola Adeola )

. Let me even do it now." Ayo said to them as she picked up her broken screen phone to create the group. 

Sade inputted, "And to think you are going to be staying with the Prince." 

Ayo sighed before replying, "Sade, nothing is happening and nothing will happen between us."

Sade said, "Never say never."

"Sade, should I just give you his number so you people can do whatever you want with each other?" Ayo asked. 

"No o. Where do you want me to put Olumide?" Sade asked.

"Ah-ha, didn't you say he will find another girl?" Titi asked.

"My dear, I was joking o. Nobody can give it to me the way Olumide gives it to me." Sade replied. 

"Eh hen, tell us something!" Ayo said as they laughed. Then Ayo asked, 

"Titi, please what information did you get concerning the UTME form?"

Titi informed, "Well, it's still open till the next three weeks. So, I suggest once you get to Lagos, you get the form and fill it immediately." 

"I definitely will. Thank you." Ayo said. 

After they had finished packing the bags, Titi said, 

"Take, this is your own share of the contribution."

"Okay." Ayo said as she collected it. She sat down on the chair opposite the bed and counted it.

When she was done, she said, "Titi, this is #20,000 extra."

Sade answered, "Yes, we both decided to give you 10,000 each to add to that 30."

"Babes, that's a lot. I can't accept this money." Ayo said, throwing the money on the bed between the two of them. 

"You better pack your money." Sade said. 

"This is our own way of supporting you. Ayo, you have been a good friend and a good sister and 10k is not too much to appreciate your effort. It will come in handy." Titi said.

"I can't say thank you enough." Ayo said. 

"Thank us by keeping in contact." Sade replied. 

"I sure will." Ayo assured her. 

"And read your book and get yourself a man." Titi added. 

"Madam, I will. God will help us." Ayo said and they started packing Itunu's bag. 

Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ

Bold Word

Kabiesi - Kabiesi, from K-B-S, is a match word for the proto-semitic Qaboosie. 

It denotes the right of dominion inherent in a ruling authority and the unrestricted, unbridled power of that individual to lay foot and terror in territorial campaigns. 

In other words, this individual does not yield or surrender to anyone so it is a term used for kings. 

Kaaaaabiesi o, Ki ade pe Lori, Ki bata pe lese - Kabiesi o, may the crown stay on your head and your shoes remain at your feet.

Irukere - horse hair or fly whisk 

Na Lagos I dey go o - It is Lagos I am going o