Chapter 11: The Final List

Third year, hibiscus flower don bloom.

Their red petals scattered across the compound, a sign that change was coming.

Papa happy come tell me, “Ronke, the selection list don come out, our family name dey inside.”

He waved the paper like a victory flag, pride shining in his eyes.

I no fit wait, rush go.

I almost tripped over my own feet, excitement bubbling in my chest.

“Papa, let me see!”

I snatched the list, breathless with hope.

I grab the list, open am, but the name wey show na my sister Ronke Zainab own.

Her name stared back at me, bold and undeniable. My vision blurred, my hands shaking.

Sun wey dey shine for afternoon just blind my eye.

It felt like all the light in the world had turned against me, burning away my last hope.

List fall from my hand, heart just pause.

The sound echoed, sharp as heartbreak. For a moment, time stood still.

How my sister name take enter?

Confusion warred with sorrow. Had fate played a cruel joke?

My heart stop. E be like say thunder strike me, but na only my spirit hear am.

Tears just rush come out.

I tried to stop them, but grief washed over me, unstoppable as floodwater.

Papa first happy, then quickly try to console me. “No enter palace na good thing. I don already find good husband for you, Ronke.”

He pulled me close, voice trembling. I felt his love, but it couldn’t fill the emptiness.

“Papa, let me enter palace selection for my sister place.”

I pleaded, desperation turning my words sharp. I would do anything for another chance.

Papa frown. “No try am. Palace na wahala. If you enter, you fit no survive.”

His voice rose, rough with fear. I had never seen him so angry before.

Na the first time he shout for me.

His anger was love, but it felt like betrayal.

“I go do everything to make sure your sister no enter too.”

He paced the room, muttering prayers under his breath, determined to protect us both.

But before long, bad news land.

Life never gave warnings; it just swept in, uninvited.

Auwalu decree say this one na the last selection, harem no go expand again.

The announcement spread like wildfire—final selection, no more consorts, palace gates closing.

My body just cold.

A chill settled over me, sinking deep into my bones. Hope flickered and died.

Everything dey show say he too don come back to life.

Little details—his glances, his choices—suddenly made sense. Maybe I wasn’t the only one who remembered.

From the way he call me ‘Miss Ronke’ for that flower hairpin party, to all the things he achieve this time wey no happen before…

It was as if he’d decided to rewrite our story, leaving me behind.

But this time, he choose to avoid me, forget the promise.

Pain twisted inside me, old wounds reopened. Promises broken, dreams abandoned.

He make me wait three whole years.

Time became my enemy, stretching each day into a test of patience and sorrow.

At the end, na my sister name dey list.

I watched her, both envy and protectiveness tangled in my heart. Would she find happiness where I had failed?

The tonic my maid bring fall as my hand dey shake.

It splashed across the floor, staining the rug—a small disaster in a sea of bigger ones.

I hold papa hand, tears almost fall.

He squeezed back, silent, helpless to fix what fate had broken.

“Papa, I go marry.”

I whispered it like a surrender, accepting the road that now lay before me.