Chapter 13: Ibadan’s Laughter and New Beginnings

News of the marriage talks between the Tunde and Morayo families spread across Ibadan.

Once again, I became the joke of the city.

People laughed, calling me 'agbaya'—grown woman with childish dreams. They said I was a frog that wanted to marry a queen, but ended up with nothing.

The tailors at the junction, the traders by the road, even the Buka women—all found fresh gist in my story.

As the city was buzzing with gossip,

Ifedayo arrived early in the city.

He brought new hope—his smile was warm, his voice always ready to lighten the mood. We walked side by side like brother and sister, laughter bubbling between us.

I went to check the house he just bought.

When I came back, it was already late.

At the gate of the Chief’s compound, we ran into Tunde.

The keke’s engine coughed, dust rising in the evening heat, as Tunde’s horse stamped on the red earth—two worlds meeting at the gate.

He rode his horse to the gate just as I was stepping out of the keke, holding Ifedayo’s arm for support.

Our eyes met.

Tunde’s gaze was cold as ice, fixed on my hand holding Ifedayo’s arm.

For a brief moment, the whole world seemed to pause—the air thick with secrets, old wounds, and futures waiting to be written.