Hard Man

46

"Who are you to command me? You're not my father."
— Dele

"I'm sure Dele will be fine. I'm leaving the General when we get to the city, so I may be unable to watch Dele."
    — Des

It felt like Deja vu again when they arrived at the Ore Border and met several horsemen. Dele wasn't present, but the horsemen knew them so they passed without a fuss. As they tore down the road, Damola glanced at Mohammed.

"Ask Shola if he still remembers the way to the garage."

When Mohammed rolled down the partition and asked, Shola said yes. He drove them down the familiar bushy path for a few minutes until they arrived at the entrance of the garage. Shola pulled the car through the tunnel like space until they arrived inside. To Mohammed's shock, Dele was standing there, waiting.

The General alighted the car and marched towards Dele. Mohammed and the MG followed.

"Good morning, sir," Dele greeted the General, before turning to the MG. "Good morning, sir."

Mohammed was surprised when Dele looked at him and accorded him the same respect.

"Good morning, Dele," the General answered impatiently. "Where are they?"

"The King is in the royal quarters. In a meeting with the Chief."

"We may have to crash it," the General said. "Take me to them."

Dele narrowed his eyes, but said nothing. Instead, he turned and let them up the dark staircase and into the palace. As they went up the winding palace stairway, the General asked, "Have you seen Chioma today?"

Dele glanced at him. "No."

They arrived in the royal quarters and the guards fell apart to give them access to the door. Dele knocked once.

"I said I don't want to be disturbed," came the harsh voice from within. Dele didn't even flinch. He twisted the knob and threw the door open, leading them inside.

The King and Chief were seated at a table, looking pissed at the intrusion, but when they saw the General and the MG, their faces broke into smiles. The men genuinely loved each other, Mohammed could tell.

"I love your surprise visits," Chief Jamal said as the men exchanged greetings.

"Have you taken care of what needs to be done in the city?" The King asked.

"To an extent," the General answered. Mohammed expected the men to ask what the problem was, but they didn't.

"Are you back to take your woman?" Chief Jamal asked and the General nodded.

"It's safe for her to be with me now," he said. "I don't want to be apart from her for one more second."

"I usually mind my business," the King said. "But Abike has told me your woman is not happy with you."

"I know. Where is she? I want to see her."

"Are you returning to the city today?"

"I'd like to. Let me see her," the General said.

"Okay. We can all have breakfast." He turned to Dele. "Dele, tell Mrs. Jamila to come set the dining table. Then find the women and tell them I'm inviting them to breakfast."

Dele nodded and exited the room.

***

Des was surprised when Abike, Mariam, and Wunmi entered her room early the next morning. She was already dressed and ready for a great day when they arrived carrying the babies. Abike was with Ademuyiwa, and Mariam was holding Fehintola.