( eh enh enh. I love this chapter. It starts the beginning of a new turn around)
Idowu was staring at the man who had found Ayo.
He didn't look like every other man. There was something different about him-his build, the way his body carried quiet strength, the firm lines of his frame showing how hard he must have trained.
Realizing he had the man's attention, Idowu bowed his head slightly.
"Thank you," he said.
He raised his head again-and froze.
"You!" Idowu exclaimed after a few seconds of staring. He took a few quick steps forward, closing the distance between them, and lifted his hand. Before Dada could react, Idowu placed his palm gently on his forehead.
Dada blinked slowly.
He could feel the warmth of Idowu's hand against his skin. His instincts screamed at him-now!.
Now was the perfect moment. The man was close. Distracted. Defenseless. He could reach for his sword and end it in a second.
He should.
But he didn't move.
The touch-soft, careful, unguarded-held him in place.
"Ah!" Idowu exclaimed suddenly.
Dada watched as the man's face brightened, a smile spreading across his lips. His eyes practically glowed, framed by long lashes that caught the sunlight. The sight unsettled him more than any blade ever had.
"You seem to be alright now." Idowu said as he withdrew his hand.
"Uh?" Dada finally spoke, his voice guarded. "Do you know me?"
His fingers twitched, itching toward his sword. There was no way they knew each other. Had they ever met?
"Ah, right!" Idowu clapped his hands lightly. "There's no way you'd remember. You fainted a few days ago. But you look much better now. Thank goodness."
Dada watched him smile again.
'Tsk!' his mind clicked irritably.
"You..." Dada hesitated, then continued, "you are the one who paid for my room and food?"
"Hehe," Idowu laughed softly, rubbing the back of his head in a shy manner.
Dada stiffened- baffled.
They had crossed paths before?
And this man-this smiling, warm man- had helped him?
Without another word, Dada reached into his pouch and pulled out a few coins. He stretched his hand toward Idowu.
"Young master," he said firmly, "thank you for your help. Thank you for paying for the room as well. Please allow me to repay you."
Idowu's eyes widened. He waved his hands quickly.
"No, no. There's no need for that. Really. It was nothing."
Dada didn't move. He didn't withdraw his hand.
Forced to speak again, Idowu sighed.
"Aiyah! I said don't worry. Anyone would have done the same."
He gently pushed Dada's hand back and placed it against Dada's chest, the coins still resting in his palm.
"It's okay," Idowu said with a smile-one of many, Dada had already lost count.
Dada stared at him.
'Does he smile like this to everyone?' he wondered..
Dada's hand remained where Idowu had placed it, coins pressed uselessly against his chest. Warm. Pointless.
Idowu stood close-too close. His chest rose and fell steadily, calm, unguarded. Far too calm for someone standing this near a stranger with a sword at his side.
Dada pulled his hand and Idowu also released him at the same time, drawing his hand away, slowly, as if waking from a trance.
"...You shouldn't touch people so freely," Dada said, his voice low.
Idowu blinked, surprised. Then he laughed softly. "Ah-sorry. I didn't think."
You never think, Dada almost said. But the words stayed locked behind his teeth.
Ayo tugged at Idowu's robe. "Uncle, is he your friend?"
Friend.
The word landed strangely in Dada's chest.
Idowu glanced at him, then smiled. "Hmm. Maybe."
Dada stiffened. "We are not-"
"But we've met before," Idowu interrupted gently. "And he helped you just now, didn't he?" He looked down at Ayo. "So yes. Maybe a friend."
Dada looked away.
He did not have friends.
Friends were attachments. Attachments were weaknesses. And weakness was something he had buried long ago.
"You said I fainted," Dada said after a pause. "What happened?"
Idowu's expression softened. "You collapsed in the street. You looked like you hadn't eaten in days." He hesitated. "Your body was exhausted... but your eyes-" He stopped himself, then smiled lightly.
"Never mind."
"What about my eyes?" Dada pressed.
Idowu shook his head.
"They looked tired. Like you were carrying too much."
Dada scoffed quietly. "You talk too much."
Instead of being offended, Idowu laughed. "I've been told that."
A short silence fell between them. Around them, the festival lived on-drums pounding, laughter ringing, dancers spinning-but it all felt distant, muted. As though the world had pulled back, leaving only the two of them standing there.
"Oh- also, my name is Idowu. Please don't call me young master. Hehe" Idowu eyes were literally smiling.
'Idowu? Of course! ' Dada said only.
" Uhm. " Was all Dada gave to him in response.
Idowu waited. Smiling. Patient. Expectant.
waiting for him to say his. But he didn't.
" What's yours, master?" Idowu asked at last. He studied Dada opening. The man was obviously older than him by a two years or three.
Dada stared at Idowu for a while.
He pondered what to do.
He was here.
Right here.
In front of him-.
where he'd least expected him to be.
Dada began to turn away.
He needed to think
To reassess.
To plan, if necessary.
He then suddenly realized. He didn't know the connection between the first prince , Idowu and the kid.
Had Idowu met the first prince?
Or had the prince abandoned Ayo... and Idowu found him by chance?
He turned back- seeing Idowu looking at him with a weird expression. He was probably that he was leaving without a word.
" How -" Dada started, as if he hadn't just been about to leave the man without saying goodbye. " - did you meet the boy?" He continued.
" Oh him? He's with us. "
" Who's us?" Dada pressed.
" My master and his friend, Young master William. Master William came to my master with the boy. Apparently he's looking after him." Idowu explained innocently.
Dada was beyond shocked. " Master William?" He turned to Ayo. " Same Young master I left you with,?"
The boy nodded.
Dada was beyond shock.
' How - how is this possible?'
' Idowu had actually met with the first prince?'
' Does he knows the prince's real identity?'
' How could they have met?"
Wait! - He held those thoughts.
Did he hear him correctly? He just said. 'My master'
' He has a master? How is that possible?"
It was then Dada took a careful look at the way Idowu was dressed. He was actually dressed up like someone working for someone else - almost like a servant
" What The Hell Is Going On.!!?" Dada screamed in his head.
" You're saying- you are working for someone and you, your master and master William are currently together?"
Idowu didn't answer immediately. He could see the confusion on the man's face and pondered why. But he saw no harm in responding.
" Yes. We met by chance and are journeying together. After the festival, we are all heading to Irele."
' should I really be giving a man I just met all these information?' Idowu thought. He watched as something changed in the man's expression after he had responded.
Dada thought - is fate helping him?
This was a huge opportunity.
He was also heading to Irele to seek answers regarding his past. He could go with them, watch over the first prince and Idowu. He could easily carry out his-
" Really?" He questioned. " I'm also heading there too. If you don't mind, can I tag along with your group? It has been a boring journey. Travelling alone. I could use some company."
He watched Idowu hesitate.
" I,.. I might have to ask my Master."
' There is it again. Master. Who really could be his master?' Dada thought.
" Uhm! It's fine then. Just these days, I've been fainting often . What if I faint and there is no one around - a good Samaritan like you, to help?" Dada questioned. Although, deep down, he hated how he sounded - how he felt - pulling such tricks. It really felt not like him and it made him cringe.
Idowu pondered for a bit. His master would have minded - that is, if it were before.. before he met William. But now, William had brought a bit of his master's soft side . So, Idowu guess, his master might not be bothered by an extra to their team.
He then imagined what William's answer would be- to another joining the team.
'A handsome man? Hahahaha! Outstanding! let him join- the more the merrier.' Idowu literally head William's voice say in his head.
Feeling reassured, as if he had already gotten their permit, he smiled at Dada. " Alright. Sure. You can journey with us."
" Great. My name is Dada. Just call me that. " Dada simply said.