when strength meets love

chapter 8: ikoka village

The sun was high in the sky, casting golden beams across the village. Eki and Ivie sat under the shade of a large tree near the riverbank, a quiet spot they often visited to talk. Ivie was weaving a basket, her hands moving swiftly as she hummed softly to herself, but Eki sat beside her, unusually quiet.

Ivie glanced at her friend, noticing the distant look in her eyes. Eki was plucking at the grass absentmindedly, her brows slightly furrowed, as though she were wrestling with something in her mind.

"Eki," Ivie finally said, breaking the silence. "What's going on? You've been acting strange all day. Is something wrong?"

Eki looked up, startled. "What? No, nothing. I'm fine," she replied quickly, but the unease in her voice betrayed her words.

Ivie set down her basket, turning to face Eki fully. "Don't lie to me. I know you too well. Something is bothering you. Talk to me, Eki. What's going on?"

For a moment, Eki hesitated. She wasn't used to opening up, even to Ivie, who had been her closest friend for years. But the weight on her heart was becoming too much to bear alone. With a deep sigh, she looked at Ivie, her defenses crumbling.

"It's Oduwa," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ivie blinked in surprise. "Oduwa? What about him? I thought you couldn't stand the sight of him."

Eki shook her head, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. "It's not that simple, Ivie. It's... complicated." She paused, taking a deep breath. "You know we were close when we were younger, right? But what you don't know is... I cared about him. More than I should have."

Ivie's eyes widened slightly, but she stayed quiet, encouraging Eki to continue.

"I thought he was different," Eki said, her voice trembling. "I thought he cared about me too. But then, one day, he just left. No goodbye, no explanation. He vanished, and it felt like I didn't matter to him at all. And now he's back, acting like nothing happened, like he can just waltz back into my life and expect me to forgive him."

Ivie was silent for a moment, processing what Eki had just shared. She had always known that Eki and Oduwa had a bond, but she hadn't realized how deeply it had affected her friend.

"Eki," Ivie said gently, reaching out to place a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I had no idea you felt this way. I thought... well, I thought you hated him."

Eki let out a bitter laugh. "I do hate him. At least, I want to. But every time I see him, it's like all those old feelings come rushing back, and I hate myself for it. How can I still care about someone who hurt me like that?"

Ivie leaned back, her expression thoughtful. "Eki, I understand why you're angry. But have you ever thought about why he left? Maybe there's more to the story than you know."

Eki frowned. "He said something about not wanting to hurt me, about thinking it was better to leave. But that doesn't make any sense. If he cared about me, he wouldn't have left in the first place."

"Maybe he was scared," Ivie suggested. "Men can be foolish like that sometimes, thinking they're protecting us by walking away. I'm not saying what he did was right, but have you ever considered giving him the benefit of the doubt? Letting him explain himself fully?"

Eki looked away, her mind racing. The thought of giving Oduwa a chance to explain both scared and intrigued her. Part of her wanted to keep hating him, to keep her walls up, but another part of her-a small, vulnerable part-wanted to know the truth.

"I don't know if I can do that," she admitted quietly. "What if he hurts me again, Ivie? What if I let him in, and he just walks away like before?"

Ivie smiled softly. "That's a risk you have to decide for yourself. But Eki, not everyone is out to hurt you. Sometimes, people make mistakes, and sometimes, they deserve a second chance. You're strong, but even the strongest people need to let others in once in a while. Maybe Oduwa is trying to show you that he's one of the good ones."

Eki was silent, her heart torn between her fear and the possibility of something more. Ivie's words echoed in her mind, stirring emotions she wasn't ready to face.

"I'll think about it," she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"That's all I'm asking," Ivie replied, squeezing her shoulder. "Just think about it. And remember, no matter what happens, I'm here for you."

For the first time in days, Eki felt a flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, she could find the courage to face her fears and let Oduwa back into her life. But for now, all she could do was take it one step at a time.