when strength meets love

chapter 23: ikoka

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Oduwa sat beside Eki under the mango tree, the sun setting on the horizon, casting a golden glow over the village. The gentle evening breeze carried the faint hum of distant voices, but all Oduwa could focus on was Eki. She was laughing softly at something he’d said, her eyes sparkling with joy. He loved that sound, that look—it was what had kept him grounded through the storm of his life.

But tonight, there was a weight in his heart, a question he could no longer keep to himself. He turned to her, his expression suddenly serious.

“Eki, my love,” he began, his voice low but steady.

She noticed the change in his tone and looked at him curiously. “Yes, Oduwa?”

“Do you trust me?” he asked, his eyes searching hers.

Eki tilted her head slightly, confused by the question. “Of course I do. More than anything.”

Oduwa exhaled deeply, as though summoning courage from the very air around him. Then, taking her hands in his, he said softly, “Will you marry me?”

For a moment, time seemed to stop. Eki’s breath caught, and she stared at him, her heart pounding. It wasn’t that she hadn’t expected this; she knew Oduwa too well. She’d seen the love in his eyes every time he looked at her. But the word marriage was a weight she wasn’t sure she was ready to carry.

“Oduwa…” she began, her voice barely above a whisper. She wanted to make him happy, to give him everything he deserved, but her fears gripped her tightly. “What’s so important about marriage? I love the way we are now. Isn’t this enough?”

Oduwa smiled gently, though his heart was racing. He didn’t want to rush her, but he also couldn’t hide his longing any longer. He cupped her face tenderly, brushing away a stray tear she hadn’t realized had fallen.

“My love,” he said softly, “I know you’re scared. I know marriage feels like a huge step, but I promise you, it’s not something to fear. It’s not about changing us—it’s about building something even stronger. My love for you is so deep, so pure, that it will never fade. I want to stand beside you, to call you my wife, to protect you and cherish you for the rest of my life. Please, Eki, trust me. Believe in our love.”

Eki’s tears flowed freely now, her emotions a whirlwind. She had clung to her vow against marriage for so long, but here was Oduwa, the man who had shown her what love could be. How could she deny him? How could she deny herself the chance at true happiness?

With a trembling voice, she whispered, “I’ll marry you, Oduwa. I’ll be yours forever.”

For a moment, Oduwa simply stared at her, the words sinking in. Then, with a joyous laugh, he pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly. “Eki, my love! You’ve made me the happiest man alive.”

He kissed her, a deep, passionate kiss that sealed their promise to each other. The village seemed to disappear, leaving only the two of them wrapped in their love.

As they walked back to their homes that evening, hand in hand, they couldn’t contain their smiles. When they told their parents, the joy was infectious. Eki’s mother cried tears of happiness, and Oduwa’s family welcomed the news with open arms.

The village buzzed with excitement as the preparations for their wedding began. Despite the curses and struggles that had plagued the land, for once, hope and love were in the air.