DREAM WAKE --- {COMPLETED} ☑️

EPILOGUE!

Eyare

As I lay on the deck chair soaking some sun into my body, I reminisced on times past.

Osagiede told me black people don't sun themselves - that we're already black. I disagreed with her there. All creatures black and white needed the sun for sustenainance.

Sea gulls screeched overhead, their white wings fluttering as they craned their long graceful necks. They really were beautiful creatures.

Maldives was a beautiful place with white clean sea shores and water so clear and blue, you could actually see deep below.

Eseosa ran around in a one - piece bathing suit, her two hands high on either side of her. She made a noise like the sound of a plane. When she saw me watching her, she rushed to me.

"Daddy, come and play with me." She began to drag me up from the chair and I reluctantly got up and joined her. I knew I looked silly, but I needed do what my little princess wanted. At three years old, she was a force to be reckoned with.

I heard someone laughing and I looked up to see Osagiede looking at me like I just grew a horn on my head. "You look ridiculous, Eyare."

I slumped unto the hot sand, already tired out from the little exertion Eseosa put me through. Osagiede came to sit beside me and handed Aide over to me, then got up to stretch.

My mouth fell open as I watched her. She was wearing a red two-piece bikini suit and she looked awesome.

She'd been working on her weight by dieting and exercising, and I must say she even looked much better now after two children than when I first met her.

I began to salivate just staring at her as she rushed into the sea for a swim. Aide began crawling away from my laps and I turned my attention back to him.

He was a real feisty one, our son and I knew sooner than later, we would have our hands quite full with him when he grew up. I only hoped he didn't behave like his uncle Osaze --- breaking girl's hearts.

My heart squeezed with sadness at the memory of him, my mind clouding up as I recalled what happened that fateful day two years ago.

The gun rang out loudly. Everything seems to stop.

Suddenly, I saw Osaze jumping in front of his father --- Chief 'bazuaye. There was a surprised look on Osaze's face as he clutched his chest and slumped to the floor.

Chaos erupted thereafter, as Chief 'bazuaye was led away amidst loud cries of 'No, you can't die, the throne awaits you,' but it was already too late. When I knelt beside Osaze to check his pulse, it was very weak.

He clung to me as I put his head on my laps.

Blood spilled from his lips as he tried to tell me something. I bent low to hear what he had been struggling to say. More blood spilled from his lips as he struggled to get the words out of his mouth.

"B . . . b . . . b . . . be ha . . . happy." He spluttered. His grip on my wrapper began to loosen as yet more blood dripped from his mouth and the wound in his chest. He died right in my arms --- an empty look on his face.

That look will forever haunt me.

He gave his life for my father. I didn't know death had a hollow sting to it.

I felt empty --- bereft. Mother wailed inconsolably and I sat staring into space amidst the chaos around me.

I came back to the present as Osagiede plopped unto the sand beside me. "You're thinking of him again, aren't you?"

I didn't reply. No need for answers when we both already knew.

My mind wondered again.

Father had disbanded the high chiefs there and then, and the coronation was postponed till further notice. Where festivity reigned initially, the palace wore a sad look in its place. A quick funeral was arranged for Osaze the next day and I cried for the brother I never knew I had.

Free male commoners were called upon from the town to improve their status by vying for a chieftaincy role on the cabinet. Even then, they would still have to prove themselves worthy before they were chosen.

Only three chiefs were chosen specially by father. Chief Gboyega, Chief Ani and Chief Rufus.

"Are you ready for your coronation next week?" Beautiful light brown eyes gazed at me and I was momentarily speechless as to how breathtaking she looked.

I smiled, not willing to reply. Instead, I closed the gap between us, ready to steal some kisses while our children played in the sand.

But Eseosa materialised in front of us.

"Bad mama and papa." And we all burst out laughing as we group hugged.

THE END!!!