Chapter 76
Daniel.
The room is eerily quiet the moment her dad shouts “NO” to me marrying Anu.
I want to tell him she’s already my wife, and that he can’t do anything to stop that reality.
I can also tell it will cause a rift between her and her family.
I don’t want that for her. Her dad seems adamant that not vetting me means it’s an affirmative no.
I almost want to scoff at that, knowing his vetting process is quite weak, but I remain quiet.
We remain staring at each other, all four of us quiet. I know I’m not leaving, if that’s what he’s expecting. The only answer he can give is a yes, but it is clearly difficult for him.
“Daddy, Ayanmo mi ni Daniel.” Her voice is barely an octave above a whisper, but it has strength.
Her words send a chill across the faces of her dad and brother.
They both stare at her, their eyes widened, and posture stiffened.
The unsettling quiet of the room was nothing compared to the palpable tension in the air and the shocked expressions, as she became the focus of every gaze.
Her daddy stares at her, mouth agape, his shock evident.
Even without knowing the language, I can sense her words had a powerful impact.
She meets their shocked gazes head-on, sitting up with defiance in her eyes, refusing to look away.
In Yoruba, her dad says, “Ki lo we?” What did you say? That, I understand.
“Mo ni, Ayanmo mi.” (I said he’s my destiny, my fate).
“Sho da e loju?” (Are you certain?) His words questions. Her response is a nod.
“Mo gba.” I accept, he says to my surprise. I let out a freight ton of exhale. She’s dissolved our standoff. Putting his arms out, she rises and goes to hug him. He whispers in her ear. When she pulls from him, she’s teary and I rise.
“I accept; you can marry my daughter,” he says, rising to his feet to hug me. Relief washes over me. He said Yes. It’s a yes that I will forever cherish. “I still need to speak to your parents,” he firmly states.
“I’ll have my dad call you,” I answer, smiling.
He returns to hug Anu again. She smiles at him. That happy smile tells me everything is okay.
Derin stands for the first time and shakes my hand. He leans into me.
“My sister called you her destiny, her fate. Don’t ever sour that or I will destroy you,” he warns.
“I won’t,” I immediately answer. If only he knew I’ve accepted that I was destined to stand next to her in life. She is my destiny as well.