REALITY

CHAPTER 14

The weekend came, and it was time to embark on the long-anticipated honeymoon journey. As agreed, the driver came early. Even earlier than planned because the happy couples were not yet fully ready as of the time the driver showed up. The day before was spent servicing Ayotunde's grey-coloured Toyota Corolla Verso and getting it ready for the long journey. It was properly serviced, after which it was taken for a proper wash at the branch of ABSOL Car Wash Centre located not too far away from their estate at Lekki Phase 1. You just cannot afford not to wash your car with the leading, most sophisticated, and most talked about car wash centre in the whole of Eti-Osa local government of Lagos State, which encompasses Ikoyi, Victoria Island, and Lekki phases one and two all the way down to Ajah and ends in Sangotedo, with branches at different strategic locations around the southwest region of Nigeria. Whatever the motivation of the CEO of the company, it must have remained unknown, but the fact that he was able to dominate the whole of Eti-Osa local government and even much of the southwestern region of Nigeria is something the general public has found commendable. Their quality services don't, of course, come cheap, but they have continued to maintain the reputation of being the most pocket-friendly, sophisticated car wash centre all over southwest Nigeria.

Peace managed to make their breakfasts and pack them properly alongside their loads for the two-week journey.

"We won't regret this." Peace said as she placed a gentle kiss on her husband's lips before following him out of their apartment. Her words came from Ayotunde's last plea for them to go by air despite every other plan already being in place. He lost the bid again, and he just had to completely surrender to the wishes and desires of his wives.

"Dad, we are about to be on our way to our honeymoon. Your daughter-in-law refused to go by air; we are going by road. Pray for us and also prepare for any possible worse outcome, especially ransom. Lol. My regards to Mom. We will only let her know when we have successfully arrived at our destination. Love you, Dad!" He quickly composed the message and sent it to his dad before composing the one for his in-laws.

Their journey started smoothly, as they were able to avoid lots of traffic on their way out of Lagos State.

Almost fifteen hours later, they successfully arrived at their destination in Cross Rivers State. The last 11-kilometer drive to the mountain resort seems longer than the distance that they have come so far because Peace was fully exhausted and tired from the numerous potholes and bad roads they had to encounter on their way.

Eventually, they got to the resort, which felt like they had just left the planet Earth for the promised paradise in the Bible.

"I love this already!" Peace expressed herself as she suddenly came back to life. Ayotunde could not hide his happiness as he watched his wife express her excitement like a little baby girl. Their driver also watched in amazement.

Every protocol of admission into the resort was completed and they were led to their double-bed mini apartment that will serve as their accommodation for the next two weeks. The driver was lodged in a smaller apartment with an instruction to always be on standby should they want to explore the villages around such as the Utanga village which Ayotunde has heard so much about while making his research about the resort.

"Ife mi, the room has a heater!" Peace exclaimed yet like a baby again.

"I have never seen you this happy before and I am really considering moving us down here permanently if it will guarantee me seeing you like this every day." Ayotunde expressed himself, watching his wife with full admiration as she explored their new place of abode made of bricks and woods for the next two weeks.