DREAM WAKE --- {COMPLETED} ☑️

THE EVIDENCE!!!

Chapter 27

EYARE

She broke the silence first. "The name's Imade." Her eyes flicked from the road and landed on me. Piercing eyes that assessed me. I knew she was waiting for me to reciprocate in kind, so I had to say something.

"That's a great name you have. How's it working out for you?"

She smiled. "It means I did not fall."

I nodded. "Yes, I know." And I fell silent. I realised she was waiting for me to introduce myself. This was evident as her eyes left the road once more and settled on me, with raised brows.

"I'm sorry Imade, my name is Eyare Osazuwa. I'm not just in a good place right now, please forgive me."

There was a pause before she tentatively replied. "Are you by any chance related to the Osazuwa family? You know --- the great king of Ozala town?"

As soon as she asked the question, I expected to feel the familiar tightness in my chest as I normally would when it popped up. Instead, I felt peace and I knew just what it was.

I had finally come to terms with who my father was. Yes! He was great indeed, and his legacy still lived on in me, in the town, on people's lips and in their hearts.

I suddenly felt sad I hadn't been around him more often. I was more interested in studying and hiding my head in books and my life.

I could have learnt a lot from him. The ropes of kingship, how to rule, learning the ways of my people and the culture of my tradition.

The sudden realisation I would eventually rule Ozala town sometime soon, didn't seem daunting anymore.

In fact, it felt pleasant -- quite pleasant. I was really looking forward to it.

I was completely lost in thought and smiling to myself when she interrupted.

"A penny for your thoughts?"

I turned towards her with a wide smile. I must have looked funny, what with my goofy smile, because she looked at me weirdly before turning her attention back to the road.

"Yes! I'm the son of the great king Osazuwa of Ozala town." I was so proud of him and I was ready to shout it out to the whole world.

She swung her head towards me, her eyes widening in surprise, then she swung it back to the road. "Wow!" She whispered reverently. She braked suddenly and the car screeched in protest.

"Be careful!" I was fearful we would have an accident. I noticed her hands were shaking.

She slowed down, parked the car on the side of the road, took a deep breath and turned to face me. There was a reverent look on her face. "You are a prince!" she breathed heavily. "The sole heir to the Osazuwa throne. You are the next king." She whispered it, the realisation of her words making her eyes widen and wrapping us up in a mysterious bubble.

She looked at me, bent her head suddenly and lifted her hands up in the air. Exactly the same pose as the high chiefs used to greet my dad. This was getting very surreal. I suddenly felt like Eddie Murphy in Coming to America.

You know the film he acted when he took up the character as a prince? Yup! That one.

I expected the familiar tightness to settle itself in my chest, but, nothing. I tried to summon it, but it still didn't come.

Euphoria swept through me.

I was free -- free to reign as the next king. Finally!

I would not let my father down. I would not let his great memory go down the drain. I would definitely not let my mother down either, she who had brought me up with so much love. She showed me how to care for others. She was the reason I was still alive.