BEYOND HIS CALLING

CHAPTER 4

        Later that night,Alabi laid on a mat ,staring at the moon through his window.His mind wandered back to the stream,years ago,
he was just a child back then,before his father's fear confined him.
      'Ronke please take me to the stream' Alabi had begged his elder sister,his eyes shinning with excitement.
  Ronke hesitated,knowing their father's strict rules.But Alabi's persistence wore her out.
  'okay,but promise to stay close' she warned.
   The stream was alive with children's laughter and splashing water.Alabi's eyes widened as he joined them,playing and chasing after
frogs.But it all had to come to an end as the sun began to set.
   Their father's scowl awaited them at home.
'where have you been' He thundered.
  Ronke tried to explain but before she could find words Alabi jumped in and said
'the stream'
  'there were too many children,what if Alabi had hurt someone?'He fretted
'from now on,youre not going to the stream again,it is just too dangerous'

............




     Morning sunlight crept into his room.He must have fallen asleep last night when he was thinking about the stream.He quickly
jumped out of bed and dove into his chores with his enthusiasm evident.
      Ronke noticed,raising an eye brow
'what has gotten into you?You are unusually cheerful today' she said,her voice tinged with curiousity.
  Alabi shrugged,feigning nonchalance
  'just eager to dive into my books'
  Her gaze lingered and her eyes were sparkling with curiousity,then He said
  'you should hurry up before yo get late'
 
  As the household bustled with morning morning routines,Alabi's mind wandered to Folashade.He envisioned her bright smile,her
laughter and the way her eyes sparkled in the sunlight.
        When the family departed Alabi made his way to the stream.The trees seemed taller,the birds sang sweeter melodies and the
breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers.
   

      Hours passed,but there was no sight of her and his excitement started deflating by the minute.
'did she forget?' he wondered.
    

       As the evening descended,Alabi reluctantly left the stream,with his thoghts consumed by Folashade.He replayed their
conversation,analyzing every word.
     Night fell,and Alabi was still restless.He paced with his mind racing.
  'i can not believe she forgot'.

.......

        THE NEXT DAY


       He arrived at the stream and immediately he sighted her sitting on their rock with an apologetic smile on her face
'i am soo sorry about yesterday' she said with her eyes locked on his 'my father had urgent matters.I couldn't slip away'.
  "it's okay" he said softly
   "i was worried you'd think i forgot"
   His heart swelled "ohh,i didn't think that at all". He let out an awkward chuckle.


   Their conversations flowed like the stream beside them.
"you know,i come here to escape",Folashade confessed,"duties,expectations....sometimes it's overwhelming'
  Alabi listened intently
  "i understand,sometimes i feel trapped too"
    "you do?"
   He nodded.
Her gaze lingered on his face
   "Are you sure you're from here?'
   'yes'
Her brow furrowed
  'okay....'

   Alabi sensed her curiosity.'why did you ask?'
  Her smile hinted at a hidden thought
'Nothing...you just don't recognize me'
'recognize you?'Alabi's confusion deepened.
But she shook her head  'Never mind'


    As folashade walked home,her mind was consumed by her thoughts of Alabi,he was rather strange.The village wasn't large enough for
someone to remain anonymous,especially someone who claimed to be a native.'Born and bred' that was his exact words,yet he seemed
completely oblivious to her presence.

       His unfamiliarity was unsettling.
    What was he hiding?was he genuinely clueless or was it all an act?