Funmi hurried to Haggi's house with her attires and some of her other important valuables. She had agreed to escape with Haggi but it still felt like she made a bad decision. She was confused and had no other choice. She didn't want to run, but she also didn't want to be subjected to a life where she won't be able to love the person with her. She loved Haggi and she couldn't imagine life without him. She had given birth to his kids in her mind, fed them, trained them, cared for them. Reminiscing on all those thoughts, she felt compelled to follow him. With Ayo supporting the idea, she caused herself to listen.
"Are these all you need?" Haggi asked Funmi, looking at her attires and valuables on the wooden bed.
"Yes. We shouldn't carry too much since we are going very far right?" Funmi asked with a staggering voice. The whole thing was still weighing on her. She didn't plan her life like this. Why did the prince have to take interest in her?
"Right" Haggi replied. He could sense the worry in Funmi's voice. They were still very young so embarking on a such journey was not easy. He took Funmi's hands in his "My love, don't worry about anything. It will be alright. We can be able to live our lives peacefully with no prince disturbing us. Isn't that what you want?"
Funmi was silent for a while. She looked into Haggi's eyes. Was that what she really wanted? It wasn't like the prince was bad to her. He was just forcing her to be with him. Well, that was a bad thing.
"Yes" She forced out a smile.
Haggi smiled at what his ears took in.
"But, what about our family? What if the prince uses them as bait?" Funmi asked, still unsure of her decision.
Haggi huffed a smile while folding his clothes into a bag "He wouldn't do that. If he does like you, he would know better than to harm people you care about. And besides, this is Osu, a kingdom that has been rated high for delivering justice to people. He would know better than to break the rules. So, don't worry about anything. Nothing will happen. Your sister will tell both our families what happened and you know they won't bother much. At this age in Osu, we are believed to be able to fend for ourselves"
Funmi smiled in agreement. This was the reason she couldn't leave Haggi. He understood everything about her. He knew how to comfort her when she was down or reviled in pain. He had been there for her in her bad times and good times.
When it was night time, Haggi sneaked into his boss' farm, he took two donkeys, tacked them up and left. It wasn't like he was doing anything bad. The Man had refused to pay for six months. If not that he had work which he did, how would he have been able to assist in taking care of the house? The man owed him.
He met Ayo and Funmi at the borders of Osu. Funmi hugged Ayo while crying a little. "Tell Dad that I love him and I will try to come back one day" Ayo nodded.
"Also when Mayowa is found, let her know about me" Ayo nodded, this time forcing out a smile. Somewhere, she wished Mayowa is never found.
"Ok, enough. It's getting too late. I need to go back in. Take care and don't ever regret your decision. You did it for love and anything done for love is always good" Ayo adviced while Funmi nodded.
They both hugged again before Funmi climbed on one of the donkeys and rode away with Haggi. Ayo couldn't stop the smirk that encompassed her face. She was happy. At least now, she was the only one left for any royal to come find. With that thought, she went back home, saw her dad sleeping and decided she would tell him the next day. She lay on her bed and slept very well. Everything was going her way.
*********************************
Prince Dayo woke up energized, he had slept very well knowing that today he would get to see Funmi. He agreed to give her time to be alone. He liked the fact that she was listening to him and hopefully falling for him. No! He shouldn't be too forward. But she was succumbing.
He dipped himself into the small bath stream in his room. It was cozy. He dressed himself, sprayed scent water on himself and readied to go. All the servants were surprised because he never dressed himself. They knew about his brother, Dami and father, but him? it was a shocker.
He put on simple attires, yet fashionable. He hadn't seen Funmi in two days and it felt like two years. He never thought he could love someone like this. He trailed down the stairs as he smiled observantly.
Walking elegantly, he stumbled on a wooden toy which he knew belonged to someone special. He bent down to pick it, rolling it in his hands. Few seconds later, the owner of the toy came rushing towards him "Brother, you found my toy" His little sister and the only daughter of the king shouted as she ran to stand where he was.
"Yes I did. You should be more careful with it. You know how special it is" Dayo smiled at his sister
"Yes. It was made by mom for me. I will never misplace it again" Aba replied wearingly.
"Ok" Dayo patted her head.
He was about to leave when he heard something from his younger sister "You look so happy this morning" she said.
"Aren't I always?" Dayo asked
"Yes, but you never take interest in my toys"
"I don't?"
"Yes..and you even remembered who gave it to me"
"Oh, I'm sorry. I will pay more attention. Now I need to get going. See you soon" he patted her.
Dayo walked smilingly out of the palace. He got on the carriage and rode off by himself. He had planned to take Funmi to a special place few people knew about. It was the Awo garden, located at the South of Osu, very far but worth it. He planned they would stay a day at the place. He was sure she would love it and see how serious he was about her. He smiled as he thought about it.
Few minutes later, he arrived at Funmi's house hoping to find her there. He called but no one answered. He didn't want to enter but he felt compelled to. In Osu, there were no doors but everyone knew better than to walk into anyone's home. There were always guards around and people stayed in blocks. Only the elites had an estate gate where no one can come in unless the guards have been informed.
He came out some seconds later after discovering that no one was around. Funmi told him they go to the farm late in the morning that's why he woke up early. "Well, they went early today" he thought.
With that, he got on the carriage and rode to the farm. All the neighbors were in awe. This family must be really popular. They thought.
Dayo got to their farm but didn't find Funmi. He was disappointed. He could feel his blood boiling as Ayo explained what happened. "Funmi left with Haggi. She didn't tell me where she was going. I begged her to stay but she refused, saying that she didn't want to be forced to be with someone she didn't like. Dad has also gone to look for her. I don't know when he will be back. I hope he comes back soon enough"
Dayo didn't want to hear more of the story. He got on the carriage straight to go see the one person that can help him. "Please let me come with you. Father has left. I'm alone"
"It's too dangerous" Dayo said as he mounted the donkey.
"Please. I want to know where my sister is" Ayo begged. She didn't want to be alone and she also didn't want to miss the chance to stay close to the prince. Hopefully, she could sway him.
Dayo looked at the pleading girl in front of him. She looked so much like Funmi only that Funmi was much darker and will he say more beautiful? No, they look so much alike.
"Ok" he said giving up. She was right. It was too dangerous for her to be alone. Why would a father leave one of his daughter to go find another? He must have been so desperate and rushed into action without thinking. "But first we go see who can help us find her" Dayo agreed. Ayo was so happy, she quickly got on the carriage. Now, she could have her chance.
***********
"Baba, can you tell where she is?" Dayo asked the spiritualist for help. In Osu, they believed and nortured spiritualists instead of ritualists. The spiritualists were known to be good while the ritualists were believed to bad. They were said to always want blood before they could do something while spiritualists only demanded for truth and purity. They were more peaceful.
"I can't tell you where she is, but with the help of her blood sister being here, I've been able to detect that she is going north" The spiritualist answered after a moment of meditation.
"Then let's go north"