Asake was aware of her mother and Mama Ireti calling after her as she ran past them but she could not stop. She would not stop. She was also vaguely aware of Awero following closely behind her as people looked at them like they had gone mad.
Bless her sister's soul for the wisdom it carried. It had provided Asake a confidant in whom she could trust. That was why Awero knew of her involvement with Akinlabi and she had kept it well, a secret only known to four people for the past one year now.
She found her way to Balogun's compound and confirmed the news as she saw the crowd that had assembled there. Young men stood in the middle, all lined up as they signed up for battle. Frantically, her eyes searched for that face that turned her whole night to day, knowing that her heart will find him before her eyes do. She was right, she felt the pull in her chest that had her twisting her head in a particular direction and in that moment, she and Akinlabi locked contact.
"Aye mi oo! Ase ooto ni sha." (My life! So it is true.) She felt herself begin to crumble from inside out but willed her feet to remain firm on the ground. If Akinlabi had to leave, then she could not afford the luxury of weakness.
With his eyes, he spoke to her and asked her to wait. So she did. A long while later, as Balogun let the boys go to go say goodbye to their families and prepare for the journey, she found herself searching for him again.
Panic started to fill her heart as her search proved futile and it skipped a beat when a hand locked around her wrist and pulled her away.
Thank God for the commotion, for they managed to make it away, unseen till they got to their secret spot. As soon as they arrived, Akinlabi pulled her into his arms and crushed her in a hug.
"Ife mi. I'm sorry." She was too overwhelmed to say anything so she remained in his strong arms as she wept, wept for them, wept for the life they might never have and he let her. He simply held her, murmuring sweet nothings to comfort her. After a while, when she seemed to have overcome her grief, he spoke, releasing her.
"Ololufe mi. Eni okan mi." (my love. The one after my heart) He held her face in his hands and wiped away her tears with his fingers.
"Ayanfe. Ma se bai." (Beloved. Don't do this.) "Asake mi owon. I know what you must have heard but have you lost faith in me so quickly that my departure scares you so?"
She started sobbing quietly again and he felt his heart break all over.
"Rara o. O to. Look at me." Lifting her chin up, he held her eyes...
"Asake, I promise you. I will return. For you, for us. You have to believe. I have no intention of dying out there. Not before we get to live this life we have dreamt of so many times. Believe me. I will survive. For you, for us. Shey o gbo?"
She nodded then before hugging him fiercely, never wanting to let go. He smiled, understanding her feelings for he too felt the same way but he had to be strong for them. After a while, she finally spoke.
"Ah. Akin... The one who holds my heart. I will miss you. How ever will I survive without your love? Your touch? Your kisses? How would I carry on, knowing not if you live or not. I cannot. I would go mad with wondering. I would simply go mad!" She shook as her whole body trembled.
"Ssshhh. Shhh. Asake mi, you are a warrior and I know you are stronger than this. Just believe in me. Pray for me. I will return for us. That is a promise I will not break."
"How long will you be gone?"
"I cannot say. But every minute, I will be thinking of you, looking forward to when I can hold you in my arms again. For that, I will try my best to end it quickly. Just tarry a little while. You will wait for me, won't you?"
A hiccup. "Yes. I will." We will, she thought.
They remained that way in silence again, until the town crier's gong sounded, summoning the warriors.
"I have to leave now." He said and she released him. She raised her hands to dry away the fresh tears then, and he kissed her lips with sweet tenderness that ached so badly. As the kiss ended, he whispered, his head against hers.
"Duro de mi. Gbadura fun mi. Stay strong. Mo ni fe e, ayanfe mi."
"Emi naa ni fe e, eni okan mi. Stay safe." They broke away then as the gong sounded again and with one last kiss, he left, their fingers kissing until only their tips could touch and then there was only air.
Watching him go, Asake started building her resolve. She believed him, had faith in him, knew he would return. Now, all she had to do was stay strong. For them. She touched her small hands to her stomach and petted it softly.
For the three of them.