OYA

Departure

“Sorry to keep you waiting my friend I was not informed earlier about your presence.You don't have to stand for me. Your action proves you are a true brother." said the King to Mr Oliver as he made an attempt to stand upon seeing the king

“My name is Oliver Cruz. he said extending his hands to the King for a handshake.

“ Call me Francis, I don't want you bitting your tongue, trying to pronounce my Full name.”he said making Oliver laugh

“Your palace is beautiful or should I say your mansion . I was not expecting this place to look this siren and beautiful. It feels peaceful in here” he sincerely said to the king after their handshake

“Thank you” , my friend

“I know you might be wandering why I wanted to see you”. he said looking at the King. He gave him a nod , meaning he hard said his mind.

“when I saw you with your daughter today, it reminded me of mine. Elsa, her mother was one beautiful woman I feel in love with on one of my trips to New Orleans. She was born and life could never be more meaningful and beautiful. The first time I held her I knew , she was all I needed.

. But her mother's family wanted to kill her saying she was possessed with some kind of demon and is a threat . He took a tissue from his pocket and wiped his eyes. At this point the king descended from his throne to sit beside him. I knew they were telling lies because her eyes held such purity and love.

I rejected to give my daughter to them , threatening them that I would Sue them, if they ever came close to her.

My little threat sent them off, until my daughter turned five. Her mother was completely out of the picture. She kept telling me each night “dady I don't wanna go to sleep, they want to kill me”.

Elsa was a peaceful child ,so I knew from the moment she started telling me ,she doesn't want to sleep. I knew in my heart that,her mother's family was at it again.

So I spoke to a friend. He showed me a place to send Elsa, saying she would be safer there and she was , and still is."

I saw how you fought back tears when you saw your daughter on the ground . I might not hear what she told you, but I no some how ,she is similar to my Elsa. I want to help you keep her safe.

You are a rich king and so am I .

With your permission I would love to take your daughter to safety, far away from her nightmares and this Chaos.

And I guarantee her safety there.

“You have spoken like a true brother. I would forever remember this day."

"when would you leave?" asked the king

“Tommorow morning, I have a business meeting to attend in New York, three days from now so I must leave Nigeria early to be able to make it in time.”

“Okay she would go with you. she is my life .If your people don't want her, send her back to me in one piece and I would face her nightmares with her” he said placing his right hand on Oliver 's shoulder.

“I would take her there personally , she would not be rejected.” he assured him.

“How many times in a year ,would you like to visit her.”asked Oliver. The king stood up from beside him, walked and stood in the middle of the room, facing his throne with his arms folded to his chest. And said

“She is 17 almost a woman. Am afraid any contact l make with her ,might endanger her the more. Am afraid this is good bye. ” wiping a tear from the corners of his eyes. Oliver moved to where he stood and gave him a manly hug encouraging him .

“You are doing the right thing .”He assured him, still holding him. That day Oliver witnessed the weakness of a great lion as he sobbed like a child into his cloth,for the very first time whilst hugging him.

Hour's later after he was done crying, Oliver asked him“ would you rather call? ”with his hands on his shoulders

“Yes my friend that would be better,” he said with a smile.

.......

“Father, I don't want to go please”

“You must , my child ” he said kissing her on the Forehead.As he took her in a warm embrace. None of them was ready to let the other go.Her mother cried as if she hard lost a child .

He finally let her go unable to look her in the eyes .He feared , one more look and he would be unable to let her go.

“take this cards, I would always send you money through it ” he said as he handed the cards over to her.

“ your sister Ifeoluwa would go with you" he said pointing to his daughter that was hugging her mother tightly as if ,if pulled away she would die. Her mother held on to her possessively.

“ Okay , father , please when should we return”. she asked after hugging her mother,for what seems like forever.

Her question made the small group of people gathered around to bid them farewell to cry.

Her father moved forward and held both her hands and said “am afraid this is farewell my child”

“Take her away” he ordered turning his back to her. Fighting the edge to take her back.

“ Leave me alone let me go to my father” he fought and cried whiles being carried to the S.U.V that would transport them to the airport.

“Please! , Father please!! am sorry if I have done anything wrong. Oba!, Oba!. Mother please beg father to let me stay. I promise I would do anythingthing you ask of me.” She cried out through the window of the S.U.V Causing her mother to run away from the scene to her room ,with her sister Adetayo and her maids in pursuit as they climb the stairs behind her.

Thank you my brother he shook hands with Mr Oliver and went away. Not sparing her daughter , who was still crying and kicking in the locked Car a glance.

He walked towards his brother with his hands behind his back as they walked into the palace together. His brothers hand on his shoulders comforting him as they entered the Palace.