OYA

Oya

“ I have personally told them, our lands are not for sale. I even made it clear, to them that we only want them to came and help us extract the oil , process it and we would pay them. They came in today saying they want to share the oil 50/50. I tried to make them understand , that you are not a man of patience but they insisted to talk to you personally.”Said Oba Bimbo the king of Jehu kingdom. As he took his seat next to his bossom Friend. “ Tomi and his brother ,have brought this people to steal from their own people. I would have persecuted them but in the eyes of a lay man , they are innocent. I was thinking you could feed them to the hyenas since no one dares question your judgments.” king Bimbo whispered to his friend.

“ I have a better idea , my friend. They are not fit to be feed to , my hyenas. Giving them a quick death, is too easy for the gravity of thier betrayal towards their own people. “he whispered back to his friend King Bimbo . “ And the two white men with them? " King Bimbo whispered softly to his friend. He stood to his feet to address the council.

“You are welcome to my throne room, my brothers from th icy lands."

he said referring to the Two white men , sited opposite Tomi and his brother.

“I hope you hard a safe journey here.he asked politely , making sure his chest that was shaking violent with anger ,was not noticed by the two white men , since his anger was not towards them.

“Tomi, I think we should leave before he does something terrible to us ooo. See the way his chest is shaking violently, we both no the reason behind it . I suggest we take Mr Charles and Mr Oliver and came back next time.” whispered, Kunle, Tomi's younger brother to Tomi.

He continued “ King Bimbo, has been whispering , something to him since we got here. I Don't want to be eaten by his Hyena's ooo. Tomi I want out of this before is too late” he whispered holding his breath, for he deeply feared for their lifes.

They were jerked back to life ,from the up roar of laughter's that filled the room.

“Tomi , you never told me your friends were this funny” the king said locking eyes with Tomi , because he could tell that, Kunle was scared. He descended down the stairs to where his guests were seated. His hands behind his back as he takes slow intimidating ,steps towards them. He came to an abrupt halt , in front of Tomi. He took two steps back making room for him to stand.

“Stand!” he ordered .Tomi stood up slowly with fear.

“I would forgive you , if you take this innocent men back to where ever you gathered them from, and never repeat such betrayal towards your king and kingdom again.

“Thank you Oba(leader)" he said with his head down. The king turned to the white men .

“My brothers, thank you for your partnership, my son's shall take you back to your homes. You shall, hear from us shortly. Thank you ”. he said as he shook hands with them.

Just then cries was head outside . The king along with his guest rushed outside. And the sight before him sent a coldness down his spine.Something impossible for him to feel , Fear.

He walked closer to,his youngest child whom had become his heart from the very moment she was born. Lying unconsciously on the ground in the middle of the palace , with blood on her clothes and in her nose way Oya.

“Move away from her!” he screamed. “I said don't touch my child! ”he said to Adeshola the child's mother with blood shot eyes. She let go of her and backed away making room for her husband.

“My child ,he called softly to her running his hands through her hip length dreadlocks.“ Open your eyes, your father is here.”

She opened her eyes ,slowly and looked at his father with tears staining her beautiful face.

“He was here Father. he said he had came to take me away with him. I refused and said I want to stay with you. He got angry and pushed me, saying he would be back when am ripe and ready to eat”. she whispered only to her father's hearing.

“No one would take you away from me.l would hide you ,where he can never find you.” he said fighting back tears. He was not ready to show his weakness outside. He picked up his daughter bridal style as he moved towards her room to nurse her back to life. The people from the scene left to their duties as if nothing happened, leaving a very concerned Man behind.

......

“Father, please don't send me away, no one would like me. Most people hate me because am your favorite child. And am afraid no one would ever be kind to me like you are. father, you are my best friend. Please Father don't send me away".she said through sobs , whilst her father feed her soup.

“you are the most beautiful woman in the whole world my child ,no one can hate you."he said putting a chunk of meat in her mouth.

“Stop crying my child your beautiful eyes are beginning to scare your father” he said , putting the rest of the soup down on the the table beside her bed.

“Is okay if you send me away father, but please came with me". she said holding on to her father's hands that were placed on his laps.

“ha ha ha, would you marry your own father , my child,”

“yes naa” she said with all seriousness. Making her handsome father who has refused to look his age , to laugh his heart out.

A knock was heard on the door.

“Came in." he said

“Oba, one of the white men had been waiting to speak to you since the incident involving the Princess.”

“please tell, him I would be with him shortly”

“Okay your highness” . said his servant .He bowed to him and left the room to do as he was told.