WILD WEST OF THE HEART

T W E N T Y

Lagos island was much different from the mainland. Though just a few kilometers away, it wasn't just essentially some exotic place in the middle of serene waters. It was more than that.

It was the segregation of the wealthy from the middle class. It wasn't cult like, but it was close. At least a bunch of people, though not very much could find their way to the Madu event.

It was so much different from Abule-Egba. And it was no surprise how it felt like a new city to Obi.

With all the elaborate christmas trees and lights around them. Especially when the sun was already down a day to christmas. The sight was ethereal from the car, and there were these massive buildings that got lit up with decorations.

Trees at the center of the roads and occasional fireworks in the air.

"Finally" Obi let out a sigh of relief. Because finally they were here. Although the moon was already out and they'd missed the event by two hours, they were finally here. At the island gates.

"Look, i'm sorry Obi. We might not be a-"

"Uh" He interrupted. "I came here to meet Hassan Madu and i'm going to meet her" He hefted his phone up to Mira. "She's still around. Taking pictures-" He added. "I'm not going to leave here without talking to her" There was determination in his voice. And Mira was held aback.

She didn't even know what to say that she just let out a static scoff. "Well-"

Obi looked ahead of the cars that queued to cross into the Lekki toll gate, and then he looked to his phone and time on it. "I need to go-" He tried the door. "What?" Silva looked back at him.

"It's not that far. And i'm sure i could make it there on feet"

"You don't even know your way around here" It was DaSilva that did the talking as Mira just looked out of the windows, smitten by the architectural designs of this place. "There's a map Silva. I really need to meet her" Obi replied.

"I really do need to meet her too but you don't see me hopping out of m-" Obi didn't even wait for him to finish. He was out of the car and threading down the pavements on the edge of the roads.

"I-" Silva looked to Mira who just smiled. "You're just going to sit there?" She was chill, holding unto her seatbelt. "Let him breathe" She finally replied, eyeing him drift further away.

"That kiddo"

Silva chewed on his nails, slipping into the car seats. "I would've done the exact thing" Mira said.

"I know" They chuckled for a bit. "It's rare these days to see what the kids are genuinely into. It's rare to see them go after what they really want"

"And i'm not going to be the kind of parent that's in their way. The kind of parent that stops them" By that time. Obi was no longer in sight. It was just Silva that had all her pure attention.

"You know?"

He heaved a deep breath. "Yes, i know"

"I know that if ever i want kids, i want what you both have" He looked to the side with Mira scoffing her shoulders. "What can i say?" She asked. "He completes me. And it was his mom's loss. The day that she left-"

"Mom?" Silva echoed, holding unto the steering wheel. "I don't know about anyone else. You are his mom, Mira" He smirked, driving forward a little bit and then coming to a halt.

Mira went silent, something about that statement had melted her heart, and moistened her eyes. She turned back to face the windows as she let the firy winds fill her rounded face. "Thank you" She said.