Meant To Be
By Olufunlola Adeola
Episode 4
After Ayo explained all what Kore suggested to her grandmother, she said,
“What do you want?”
“Well, I don’t know. I want to go back to school. I also want to provide for Itunu. Who is going to stay with you?”
“Ayodunmomi, just as you c@m£ alone to this world, that’s the same way I c@m£. Mind your own business

. Let’s as-sume you go to this school, you get a good work and a good man, you will still come back to take care of me, even more than you are doing now. I want the best for you. I will suggest you go but to clear every of our doubts, we can check with his parents at the palace.”
“Okay Mama.”
“And you nee-d to inform your Dad about it.”
“Do I?”
“You know you do. It’s not his fault that the woman he calls a wife is a wicked being. Call him and inform him now.”
Ayo brou-ght out her phone and called her father. Her mother died at childbirth and she had had to live with her grandmother since then but when she wanted to start her OND, she had to move in with her father and his new wife and her step-siblings. The new wife immediately made it known that she wasn’t welcomed and it was quite heartbreaking but her Grandmother’s words were what kept her strong till she got pregnant.

Her father did not like the idea of her going with a bachelor to the city all in the name of studying and he made it clear.

Her grandmother told her to keep calm that she would talk to her father which she did the next day.
“Hello Maami.”
“Ayinde, Bawo ni (how are you)?”
“I am fine Maami. How are you too ma?”
“I am doing well o
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. How is my wife and your children?”
“They are all fine.”
“Okay, not to waste your time, I wanted to talk to you about Ayodunmomi.”
“What has she done this time?”
“St©p that, Ayinde. She has done nothing wrong. She told you about the Prince who is willing to sponsor her education, didn’t she?”
“Maami, how can you even let her think that? The man obviously wants to sleep with her. Very soon she will be pregnant and this time I will completely wash my hands off her.”

“Ayinde, you forget the person in question is a matured woman who has a son alre-ady.”
“But she is still my daughter.”
“Not all men who want to help a woman wants to impregnate them and I feel this is a rare opportunity. I want us to support her in her decision to go back to school.”
“Maami, are you sure about this?”
“Yes, and I want you to go to the palace with me so we can thank the Kabiesi and his family.”
“Maami, you know I am always busy over here?”
“Too busy for your daughter? Ayinde, you know you are the only one she has. Do you think Funke would be happy with you if you cannot act as her father?”
“Maami! Okay, I will come over in two days’ time.”
“I will be expecting you.”
“Okay ma.”
“s£nd my greetings to your wife and my children. Take care. O dabo (Bye).” She said and ended the call then proceeded to go on with the chore she was doing before she remembered she had to call her son.
******************
Somewhere in the palace, Olori Adenike approached her younger son who was working from his l@pt©p and he put it aside to listen to his Mother.
“Adekorede mi, you told me you wanted to inform me about something important yesterday night. What is it?”
“Yes Mum, that’s true. I totally forgot.” Kore said tapping his forehead then he explained,
“I met a lady the day I c@m£ into town. I was fortunate to get her contact and get close to her and I want to sponsor her education.”
“Adekorede, so, you have been eyeing our town’s maidens and you didn’t tell me?”
“Mum, that’s not what I said. Nob©dy is eyeing anyb©dy. This is simply a platonic arrangement. She wants to go to school. I have the money. Why don’t I s£nd her?”
“And who is this so-called Lady?”
“Her name is Ayodunmomi Bankole.
re-ad ” Saved by Love ” by the same author ( Olufunlola Adeola )
. I think she sells fruit in the market. She lives with her grandmother at the turning before this one.”
“Ah ah ah, I know the girl you are talking about. Adekorede, that girl is after one nao?”
“Mum, what is after one again?”
“She has one child alre-ady. A child that does not have a father at that.”
“Mum, are you judging?” Kore asked, getting irritated alre-ady.
“No o. I am just trying to look out for you.”
“It’s fine. I just wanted to inform you. She might go with me to Lagos and live in my house if her folks accept.”
“Live in your house? Adekorede, are you sure there is nothing between the two of you?”
“Mum, if there was, I would have told you.”
“And are you sure this girl will not stab you in the back later? Because helping someone these days is ha-rd o.”
“Mum, I will be fine. I am doing my own for God. If she thinks or do otherwise then it’s between, she and God.”
“Okay. God will help us. He will continue to bless you as you lift others up.”
“Amen.” Kore said to her prayer and she left him alone to go do something else.
*********************
Episode 5
Two days later, Ayinde c@m£ over but Ayo was still in the market so her Grandmother called her,
“Hello Ayodunmomi.”
“Hello Mama.”
“Baba e ti de o (Your father has arrived o), so, come home as soon as you can.”
“Okay Mama.” She replied and began to pack up.
Two hours later, the three of them were headed to the palace. As soon as the guards opened the gate for them, they were taken to the waiting room then one of the guards at the waiting room asked,
“What is your mission, Mama?”
Ayo’s grandmother answered, “I want to see Kabiesi to thank him for allowing his son to sponsor my daughter.”
Another guard said, “Okay . Wait here while I inform the King.”
Some twenty minutes later, the guard c@m£ back and said,
“Follow me.” He took them to the visitor’s sitting room where the King was alre-ady seated. He had been baffled by what the guard told him so he ordered him to bring the people in.
As soon as they got in and sighted the King, they all chorused,
“Kaaaaabiesi o, Ki ade pe Lori, Ki bata pe lese.”
The King replied after taking his seat and waving his irukere, “Thank you. Have your seat plea-se.”
They all chorused, “Thank you Kabiesi.”
Then the King asked, “Mama, what brings you to my palace this evening? I believe this is your son and granddaughter?”
Ayo’s Grandmother answered, “Yes Kabiesi
. We c@m£ to thank you for the privilege Prince Adekorede has given to my granddaughter to sponsor her education.”
The King turned his gaze upon Ayo, “Is that so, my daughter?”
“Yes Kabiesi.” Ayo said kneeling down and bowing her head.
The King ordered, “Sanya, let my Queen and Adekorede know I nee-d their attention here.”
“Yes, My King.” The guard said and left. A few minutes later, Olori Adenike and Kore c@m£ in, they paid obeisance to the King then sat down. Kore was surprised to see Ayo and her Grandmother in the palace.
The King said, “Korede, these people c@m£ to me to tell me that you are sponsoring her education.”
Kore affirmed, “Yes Dad. I told Mum about it. You were busy so I had to keep it quiet.”
The King asked his wife, “Adenike is that true?”
Olori Adenike answered, “Yes, My King.”
The King said, “Okay. I am sorry o, Mama. I just had to be sure. He didn’t mention it to me before.”
“No problem Kabiesi.” Ayo’s Grandmother replied.
“So, my daughter what is your name?” The King asked,
“Ayodunmomi Bankole sir.” Ayo answered,
The King asked, “Korede, how do you plan to make this arrangement work?”
“Dad, it’s up to her, if she wants to study in Lagos, she can stay in the boy’s quarter in my compound to cut cost of accommodation and if she wants to stay outside or school anywhere else for that matter, it’s her choice. Mine is to provide the money.” Kore explained.
The King turned to Ayinde, “Mister, I believe you are the father, what’s your name?”
Ayinde answered, “My name is Ayinde, Your Highness.”
The King asked, “What do you have to say to this? Is the arrangement okay for you?”
Ayinde replied, “Your Highness, as my prince said, the choice is for Ayo to make. If it will be satisfactory for her then we will go with it.”
The King asked Ayo, “My daughter, what is your decision?”
Ayo said, “My King, I will take the boys quarter. Thank you very much My King for approving this act of kindness.”
The King prayed, “God will not make this act of kindness become evil in Jesus name.”
“Amen.” They all chorused.
“Kabiesi, thank you so much. May you live longer than our fathers.” Ayo’s grandmother prayed.
“Amen ooo.” They chorused.
“We will like to take our leave now.” Ayo’s Grandmother announced.
Olori Adenike protested, “Hahan Mama, let the guards serve you something to eat or drink.”
Ayo’s Grandmother said, “My Queen, don’t bother.”
“No o. I have to. Okay, you will take it along. Sanya, come with me.” Olori Adenike said and Sanya went with her.
Few minutes later, he c@m£ back with three nylon packed and gave it to each of them and then they all bade them goodbye with Kore telling Ayo to call him.
Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ
“I can’t believe you are leaving.” Sade said as they packed Ayo’s bags few days after she visited the King with her Dad and Grandma.
“You keep saying it as if I am travelling out of the country. Na Lagos I dey go o.” Ayo said.
“You are sha leaving. It won’t be the same again.” Titi said.
“I know but we can always talk on WhatsApp and I am going to create a group where the three of us can be on the group and talk about everything and anything.
. Let me even do it now.” Ayo said to them as she picked up her broken screen phone to create the group.
Sade inputted, “And to think you are going to be staying with the Prince.”
Ayo sighed before replying, “Sade, nothing is happening and nothing will happen between us.”
Sade said, “Never say never.”
“Sade, should I just give you his number so you people can do whatever you want with each other?” Ayo asked.
“No o. Where do you want me to put Olumide?” Sade asked.
“Ah-ha, didn’t you say he will find another girl?” Titi asked.
“My dear, I was joking o. Nob©dy can give it to me the way Olumide gives it to me.” Sade replied.
“Eh hen, tell us something!” Ayo said as they laughed. Then Ayo asked,
“Titi, plea-se what information did you get concerning the UTME form?”
Titi informed, “Well, it’s still open till the next three weeks. So, I suggest once you get to Lagos, you get the form and fill it immediately.”
“I definitely will. Thank you.” Ayo said.
After they had finished packing the bags, Titi said,
“Take, this is your own share of the contribution.”
“Okay.” Ayo said as she collected it. She sat down on the chair opposite the be-d and counted it.
When she was done, she said, “Titi, this is #20,000 extra.”
Sade answered, “Yes, we both decided to give you 10,000 each to add to that 30.”
“Babes, that’s a lot. I can’t accept this money.” Ayo said, throwing the money on the be-d between the two of them.
“You better pack your money.” Sade said.
“This is our own way of supporting you. Ayo, you have been a good friend and a good sister and 10k is not too much to appreciate your effort. It will come in handy.” Titi said.
“I can’t say thank you enough.” Ayo said.
“Thank us by keeping in contact.” Sade replied.
“I sure will.” Ayo as-sured her.
“And re-ad your book and get yourself a man.” Titi added.
“Madam, I will. God will help us.” Ayo said and they started packing Itunu’s bag.