LOVES NOT IN HER DICTIONARY

RECONCILIATION- THE AWAKENING!

He had a humongous lose, broken and was hurting for crying out loud! he didn't deserve to be tortured to this extent! Even if he were to be the worst sinner on the planet earth! which he wasn't with full conviction, tho he did have flaws. warranted not this traumatic lashes being served him.

He was tired thus didn't want to experience another chronological bout of the old man's unnerving proverbs; which was much more work to decipher than all the arduous grooming one had to undergo to obtain the prestigious name 'SOLDIER!'.

For the old man not to think he was undermining his prowess:

To cut the chase he narrated the incident to the best of his knowledge, leading to the death of the Princess, followed by what had been pricking the back of his mind since the chief priest posed the surprise question.

Which the old man was expecting all the while he listen...

"Al3k3 n3 wô ha fi nyâ b3 ENYONAM mè ga lè miâ dô mè oooo?↔️" How did you manage to acquire the information ENYONAM was no longer in our midst?"

A cynical laugh burst from the old man's mouth on the other side of the phone, not in mockery of old Soldiers grief but his naivety. This ensued by one of his wise sayings which old Soldier unsuccessfully tried to eschew; opposed to the delight of the chief priest. who couldn't wait to roll out the words....

"Dzakpata b3 dévi mènyâ 3ku ooo!" The horned Viber says a child recognises death not, when seen!

The horned viper is known to be one of the snakes with extremely deadly venom.

Over the passage of time, the venomous viper was observed to have hanged around toddlers; playing in the clean shimmering white sands alike diamond studs of Srogbe, due to the close proximity of the settlement to the sea without harm.

On the other hand, harm came to adults who came in contact with the cold blooded reptile mostly unaware of it presence. This propounded the saying the chief priest just said.

'A child is oblivious of all so lives foolhardily'.

The elders believe the creature knew this and would not punish a child for that matter.

Be not deceived anyone spilled on you. Our daughter came by. She had wishes she was unable to express but was far to gone into her journey ascribable to the weakness of her flesh. He switched to the native dialect, speaking in a consequential bearing..

'3gblô afï yë k3 èku) tso næ. Nè nyè dô tè dè afè gbô ä n3 kpèkpè dè nu lë nè, gâ kè gam3 m3 n)nyï oooo! Eyé odz3 b3 nâ va af3! Mèny3 d3 ololonu oo! ga k3 d3 miavi ta. 3bè na kplô yè va af3 nè miawo 3k)nu næ!, b3 n3 yä dzû dzô l3 nuti fafa m3. éyé 3mo mè na kô n3 yâ gâ tèwn âtr) va gb) wô.

"She exposed where her agony emanated from. If she were to be close to home , we could have salvaged her life! The orchestration was made time short. It is imperative for you to come home not for your pleasure or leisure but for our child. She wants to be laid to rest at home of her roots. Customary rights needs to be performed to put her at a peaceful rest. To also pave the way for her to return to your house hold again".

Bewilderment best tells the state he was in. He lost his ability of speech within that brief moment. For the in- dept revelation laid bare before him. he seeked! not with any prior conclusions instead curiosity and received much more than he could take in!

His eyes had seen his ears!

Of course he knew Togui and his abilities but to a limited extent. Not out of lack of information nor proof but his adamant unthoughtfulness! From the confessions of his father of blessed memory to the elders way back home. This was the grand introduction of the remarkable great man of the land of SROGBE ... TOGUI DAGADU' himself in all his gallantry. He was finally realising his folly of all the years he refused to accept the 'MASTERY ' of this awesome man childishly. Most importantly, he wondered with deep concern; why? the man let him off the hook all these years without an utter of complaint or rebuke, even once when he was so capable of that and more.

Now he understood the old man's wise quote forehand. A self imposed conflict which spanned through successive years of his life promptly resolved! He was humbled. He in deep realisation concluded time was way over due to accord Togui the enormous respect the man well deserved.

" THE YOUNG MAN KNOWS THE RULES BUT THE OLD MAN KNOWS THE EXCEPTIONS"

OLIVER WENDLE HOLMES.

Henceforth he listened attentively to every word that proceeded the mouth of the chief priest. Preparations were made according to the old man's suggestions for the princess burial.

Circumstances surrounding her early agonizing departure unveiled. As she being young and meeting her 'AFOR KU'.. Accidental death' perpetrated by a monstrous heart in the person of her step mum. She had to be buried hurriedly per the custom of her origin.

All the arrangements in place , a letter of permission of leave approved and with the old man's guidance the mortal remains of Enyonam, was conveyed to the village by her father. Acompanied by some of his family at work, sympathizers and well wishers.

In admonition to one of Togui's directives a libations was to be poured in pray thee to the deceased to make thier journey a smooth one; to avert any form of retrogressive force which would attempt to prevent her peaceful journey home.

This was to be carried out by none other than her father because of the affection they shared.

upon reaching home the same exercise was done to thank her for a safe trip.

All rites she requested as said by the old man from his encounter with her; the apparition plus that of the customary solemn rights of 'passage ceremony' of the land of SROGBE ANGLOGA befitting a princess was performed. Under the supervision of the old man with no reservations from the father. She was laid to rest in harmony.

Unlike the former old Soldier, who dreaded the idea of going back home. Talk less of staying a night! more so, running the risk of chancing into the distasteful 'TOGUI DAGADU'.

He ceased the opportunity to render an unqualified apology to the wise chief priest, also sort for counsel over the next few days he spent there.

Although he declined ascension of the throne of his roots and birth; he was given all the due respect of a ruler in his homeland. All thanks to the chief priests strict adherence to thier customs and traditions. Another experience that compounded the reasons he already knew ,to the growth of respect he had for the old man. Sincerely he was getting why his father FIA GA DENGLOR II' revered Togui.

Mawü na n) kpl3 wô miâ ga dô gô Togui! Akpè na wo b3 éyé m3 gbl3 go dè ata ta nawo... mè kpé fûngb3 ö!

God be with us till we meet again Togui! I am grateful for the fact that you did not decide to cast me away when I messed up on you.

EFIA GA! Na d3 nuæ nè na n) agbe le nuti fafa m3. Great King! Have a safe journey back and live in peace.

Knowing exactly why he uttered those words to the ignorance of old Soldier. with a contented mischievous smile spread across the old man's countenance. He said his byes to old Soldier.