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DESTINY
Written by David Omotosho
Brought to you by Story Haven


Kikelomo dropped the book she had been reading since 5am. She had been so engulfed by it that she was not aware when her mother left for the market. She would not have taken a break from reading if she did not remember she needed to fill up the empty water pots in the house. She loved reading.
She sat up and looked at the wall clock and It was 10:15 am. Why is the compound so quiet? She wondered.

"Olamide!" She called.

There was no response when she called so,
she called again.

"Olamideeee!!" This time around, the call was louder and the name was stretched to make it more audible, per adventure her brother's distance away from her was the reason he did not hear her when she first called. But when she did, there was still no response.
Standing up from the bed, she adjusted her skirt and walked out of the room to the passage.

"Olamideee," she called again and there was no response.

It was now glaring Olamide was not in the house. The compound was quiet except for the bleating of the goats and the sheep in the backyard.
No one seems to be around, she thought, as she walked towards the extreme end of the passage where drinking water pots were placed.
She picked the smaller clay pot and made for the door that led to the backyard.
"Where could mother have gone this early morning," she soliloquized.
"And why didn’t she tell anyone like she does?" She kept talking to herself.
She walked, approaching the door to the backyard, and stopped where there was a group of clothes hanging on a metal hook on the wall. She moved closer to it, and ran her hand through the group of clothes, picking a scarf, and dropping it on her shoulder, she walked to the door again to go to the river. Stepping out of the building, she saw her brother coming.

"Olamide, where have you been?" Kikelomo's question came with a frown.

"I went to see Kola, we both went to check our traps in the bush," Olamide looked at his sister curiously.

"You don't read your books anymore," Kikelomo remarked.

"It has been all play since the holiday started," she concluded, expecting a silly response from her brother as usual.

Olamide smiled and walked away from his sister.
"But, it does not stop me from passing my exams and topping my class as usual," he turned and looked at his sister scornfully.

"Don't worry I will start reading when school resumes, holiday means rest and play and that is exactly what I'm doing," he concluded, still smiling.

Knowing that his reply might not go down well with his sister, he continued walking away towards the kitchen, not uttering another word despite hearing his sister grumble as she walked away from him.

"By the way, where is mama?" Kikelomo changed the topic, approaching the edge of the footpath to the bush behind their house.

"Today is the market day and mama has gone to the market. Didn't you hear her say she was leaving for the market in the morning?" Olamide asked, while he searched for food in the food basket on the kitchen floor.
As if ignoring her brother’s response, Kikelomo continued on her journey to the river. But then, she heard her name called.
"Kike," Asake's voice came from behind.

Kikelomo turned. She looked back and saw Asake and Bimpe coming to her with water pots in their hands.

"You did not bother to come and call us. So that we can fetch water together today," Bimpe said.

"Oh!, Sorry my friends, but I thought you said all the pots in your houses were full to the brim yesterday evening. It made me believe you wouldn't need to fetch water anymore today," Kikelomo waited for her friends to catch up with her.

"Actually, we received visitors from Irele yesterday and so the water finished quickly," Bimpe said.

"Same with us too," Asake added.

"Today is the village market day, the visitors came to buy goods at the market," Asake added again.

"OK, let's go to the river together. I am glad I'm not going alone after all," Kikelomo turned and led the way into the bush.

Happily, the trio started chatting and giggling, walking on the footpath in the bush that leads to the river.

River Oleyo had been the only source of drinking water for the people of Arulogun village for ages. It was not the only river in the village but its crystal clear water made it the choice of all and sundry.
It was never reported that anyone became sick by drinking it's water. In fact, rather, it was believed that the river had healing powers and so, the villagers regarded its water as sacred. Therefore, no one was allowed to wash by its bank and fishing was done only once in a year
during the river festival.

The ladies on their way to the river chatted and laughed at the jokes of one another. Bimpe was the funniest. She could create jokes from virtually everything. She was tall, slender and light in complexion. She had a set of teeth that made her smile captivating. Her smile could melt the hardest hearts. She was fond of teasing Asake because of her height.
Although, Asake was the shortest among the
trio, dark in complexion, robust and more quiet, she was the most brilliant academically. She had represented her school in various academic competitions and had won prizes many times.

For the audio click the link below:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/davtosh1/episodes/Destiny-e2k3lhq

Kikelomo was of average height and the most beautiful among her friends, fair in complexion like Bimpe. Her bust was the heaviest, her waist the thinnest, and her hips the most profound. She obviously had all the curves at the right places. She was indeed what one could call an epitome of beauty. Although she was not as brilliant academically as Asake, but nevertheless, not an average student like Bimpe.

The girls walked through the narrow footpath in the bush, and once in a while they met people either going to the farm or the river, or coming back to the village. And they kept exchanging pleasantries with them as the custom of their village demanded.
They were almost approaching the river when they heard footsteps behind them. Asake was behind her friends and she was the one who looked back and saw a young man coming close to their footsteps. The foot path could not contain two persons walking side by side, therefore, the young man was forced to walk behind them at their own pace.

"Ladies, allow him please," she told her friends to make a way for the young man to walk ahead of them, as it was obvious his steps were faster than theirs.

"Sorry ladies", the young man said, with a baritone as the girls shifted sideways for him to walk through. He greeted them and walked past them.

He was now in front of them and they could
notice, he seemed to be in a hurry. He had on his hands a cutlass and a basket. As it were, it was glaring that he was going to the farm.

"Wow! What a handsome man," Bimpe remarked.

"That's true. He is my kind of man too. Tall,
dark and athletic. And the deep voice; Excuse
me ladies, hmm, sexy!" Kikelomo giggled.

Asake watched her friends pour manners of compliments on the young man and snapped; "Aah, haa! Enough is enough please! You had better call him and tell him you have fallen in love with him."

"Haa!, never ever would I do that. Even if I am dying for a man's love," Kikelomo said with a grin on her face.

"Then, stop the secret words of admiration. It only portrays you as dying in silence to have him. It's better you speak out," Asake chipped in quickly.

"Madam, when has it become a crime to appreciate a man and bearing one's mind?" Bimpe asked.

"Oh! I know what to do. I may even call him
for you, since you are shy to do that yourselves," Asake opened her mouth as if she wanted to call the young man who was already some meters away from them. And just as she raised her head and made a sound, she got a hot slap on the mouth from Kikelomo. And what followed was a chorus of laughter.

"What do you think you're doing?" Kikelomo ran from Asake who already chased her in order to retaliate the slap she got from her.

The ladies chased one another playfully amidst laughter. The noise of their laughter echoed through the bush and Kunle who was meters away wondered what could be the reason they were making such a happy outburst.
Anyways, that's the nature of women. Gossips and giggling, Kunle concluded as he continued his walk to the farm. But suddenly, there was a scream and all the laughter stopped at once, and was replaced with a cry of agony.

"It seems the ladies are in distress," Kunle muttered as he took a sharp turn to check on the girls.

The ladies kept screaming and shouting for help.
Kunle saw one of the girls on the ground and the others screaming, "help! It's a snake. Snake! snake, a snake!"
Like an athlete running for a prize, Kunle ran back towards the ladies. He got to them in no time, and dropped down the cutlass and the basket in his hands.
The First Aid lesson he had been taught came rushing into his mind. Knowing what to do in such a situation, he knelt down and hurriedly unwrapped the rag on the handle of his cutlass. He used the piece of cloth to tie the upper part of the bitten leg to prevent the snake poison from circulating to the other parts of the body. As he was doing this, Kikelomo was crying for the pain she felt and for the fear of her knowledge of the deadliness of snake poison.


To be continued..
For the audio click below

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/davtosh1/episodes/Destiny-e2k3lhq

Nice. Update pls

Immediately after Kunle finished tying the
piece of cloth on Kikelomo's leg, he placed his
mouth on the spot of the bite and sucked on it.
Then, he raised his head and spat the sucked blood out on the ground. He did this three times and looked up into the wounded lady's face.

"You will be alright," Kunle assured her.
Damn! What beauty! Kunle thought.

"You will be fine." Looking into her teary eyes again, he concluded that her tears and agony have not robbed her of her beauty.

What an Angel! Kunle thought again.
He briskly stood and pulled her up.

"Do you have some water in your pots?" Kunle asked, facing Asake.

"Yes, but very little," Bimpe replied.

She bent the pot and poured water in the cupped palm of Kunle, and he poured the water in his own mouth and rinsed his mouth with it, spitting it out.

"Now, we go back to the village. My father has the antidote," Kunle announced confidently.

Bimpe and Asake wondered how a total stranger could be so caring and helpful to the point of abandoning his mission to attend to total strangers.

"Won't your mission to the farm be disturbed?" Bimpe asked Kunle.

"No!, I can do the work of today tomorrow, Let's get the princess treated first," Kunle said. He was yet to know the ladies by their names.

Kunle was a young man with a large heart. Although quiet and easy going, yet he was a goal getter, a brilliant Student, and a hardworking child. He was compassionate also and that was the reason he was one of the first students to join the Red Cross when it first came to the village School at Irele. He hated seeing people in pain and distress, so when he heard of what the Red Cross stood for, it was an instant desire for him. Although his uncle had first refused to allow him join the association, based on his belief that it might be a cult disguising as a social society, Kunle being a smart child had found a way at last to get him convinced. He had endured the stress of running to the farm one sunny afternoon to inform his uncle how the Red Cross team had just saved the lives of motor accident victims of which his classmate was among.
How on earth would someone be scared of an association that saves lives if not for misinformation and ignorance, he had wondered. The Red Cross was never a cult like his uncle Gbadamosi had thought.

Kunle put Kikelomo's arm around his neck as he supported her to walk her back home from the bush. Asake and Bimpe carried Kunle's basket and cutlass while he in turn, held Kikelomo's pot on his other hand as they all went back to the village.
Kikelomo's face was wet with tears, sobbing
quietly on Kunle's shoulder, the pain in her leg
and the fear in her mind had kept the tears flowing.
Within minutes, they had arrived at the village. Kunle took the ladies straight to his house. When they got there, Kikelomo sat on the mat they found on the ground at the entrance of the house, while Asake and Bimpe remained standing.

"Baba, baba," Kunle called for his father.

Before he could call again, his mother had come rushing out of her room. She was not expecting her son to be back so early from the
farm, and the tone of his voice had revealed that something was wrong.

"What happened!" She had asked eagerly.

"Your father has gone to the Market!!" The old woman announced.

Now, seeing her son with strangers frightened her the most.

"Where is the snake poison antidote mama?" Kunle asked impatiently.

His mother ran quickly inside a room and came back with a small bottle. She hurriedly flipped the lid open and knelt down. She poured the black content of the bottle on the bitten spot on the leg of the girl sitting on the mat.
Kikelomo screamed in pain when the liquid touched her leg and sobbed. Asake and Bimpe kept watching their friend with pity. Of course, they were sad seeing their friend in pain but all they could do was say sorry. And that was all they kept saying.
Amazingly, It was not up to two minutes when, like magic, whitish liquid oozed out of the snake bite spot.

"That is the remaining poison in her blood coming out," Kunle's mother announced gladly.

"Young ladies, you should be careful always
when walking through the bushes. Snakes and scorpions could be close to your footsteps," the old woman cautioned the girls.

"Thank you Mama," Asake replied.

Asake looked at Bimpe happily and thanked
Kunle's Mother again; "thank you Mama, thank you so much Ma," she said.

"How are you feeling now?" Bimpe asked.

"I think the pain is going down," Kikelomo smiled for the first time after the snake attack, looking and feeling relieved already.

Within twenty minutes after the application of the antidote, the girls helped their friend up. Kikelomo seemed healed now. She was calm and relieved and so, they prepared to leave. Everyone looked relieved and happy.
The ladies bid Kunle's mother farewell and Kunle followed them out of the compound in a bid to see them off.

"May we know your name please, our doctor?" Bimpe asked jokingly, turning her head towards Kunle.

"I am Kunle," Kunle smiled and quickly added, "and may I know your names too?"

"My name is Bimpe, she is Asake and the princess is Kikelomo," Bimpe replied pointing to her friends one after the other as she introduced them, making everyone laugh by the way she pronounced "The Princess".

"OK! I am happy to meet all of you, and Kikelomo please take care of yourself. Go home and take a rest, OK?" Kunle said facing Kikelomo who was already looking completely healed.

"OK, thanks Kunle and may God reward you and Mama graciously," Kikelomo said.

"Thank you Kunle," Bimpe and Ashake chorused.

"Oh! It's a pleasure," Kunle turned back to go home.


The day's farm work had been disrupted and so, on getting home, he decided to take the day off, and go to the farm the following day. He went straight to take his bath and went to bed for a nap.

THE NEXT DAY

Kikelomo stretched lazily on the bed. She opened eyes gradually as she turned to see the old clock on the wall. Already healed and feeling great, she lay still on the bed trying to remember when last she woke up this late. She had been an early riser ever since she was a child. She would not wake up later than six every morning and this was why she was never late to school throughout her school days.
The door of her room opened quietly and her brother came in with a plate of food. Olamide had thought she was still sleeping. Waking her up was the last thing he wanted to do. Considering the ordeal she went through the day before, she deserved to have enough rest, he had thought.

"Good morning," he felt surprised she was awake already.

"Good morning," Kikelomo made the effort to sit up at the edge of the bed.

"Do you feel any better?" Olamide asked, seeing his sister radiant and full of life. He dragged a stool close to her bedside and placed the plate of food on it, staring at his sister and expecting her response.

"I feel great now," Kikelomo smiled.
"Where is Mama and Papa?" She asked..

"They have gone to the man's compound to thank him and his parents," Olamide watched his sister open the plate.

"Oh! They've gone to Kunle's house," Kikelomo put the plate cover on the stool, getting set to eat.

"Oh! Okay, his name is Kunle," Olamide walked out of the room to do the house chores meant for his sister in the backyard.

Kikelomo had barely put the first spoonful of yam-porridge in her mouth when her mum walked in. She was holding a bunch of Bananas and she had come in quietly, hoping not to wake her daughter up, for she had believed she was still sleeping. But when surprisingly she met her already awake and eating, she happily exchanged pleasantries with her and ventured straight into telling her the outcome of their visit.

"We did not meet Kunle at home, he had gone to the farm before we got there, but we met his parents, and oh! They are good people. They are friendly and godly. They sent you this," Kikelomo's mother concluded, pointing to the bunch of bananas she had dropped on the floor.

"How are you feeling now my daughter?" she asked. She took a seat beside her daughter by the edge of the bed. Placing her hand on Kikelomo's neck to check her temperature.

"I am okay, mama and I will go to the river in the evening,'' Kikelomo said.

"Oh No! Rest today and go tomorrow, I and your brother will do that for you today," her mum had objected.

More to come

THE DAY AFTER
He walked through the bush to the farm and at the spot where he met the ladies two days ago, his mind flashed back to all that happened. And as he thought about it, he could not but remember Kikelomo. Her beauty stood out of all the beauties in the village. And ever since he came back to live in the village, no lady's beauty had appealed to him like hers. She could win any beauty pageant with no effort, he thought. He had tried so hard to get her off his mind since they parted ways two days ago, but to no avail. The more he tried, the more her thought kept creeping back.
Getting closer to the farm already, and looking at the sky, he believed that it was going to be a sunny day. The sky was plain and void of clouds. The sun was up and it was going to be blazing hot by the afternoon, so, he doubled up his steps to arrive at the farm on time, to afford him enough time to work before the atmosphere became too hot for comfort.
Kikelomo picked the water pot and told her mother she was going to the river.
"Alright, but be careful," She warned her.
"I will, Mama," She replied, as she stepped out of the house.
She met Olamide and Kola at the backyard roasting a rabbit. With smiles on her face, she stood briefly and watched them as they were busy kindling the fire on which the rabbit was placed as if their whole life depended on it.
After yesterday's compulsory rest doing absolutely nothing, she was now eager to see her friends again. She was going to their homes to urge them to go to the river with her. She continued her movement as she walked past the boys.
Kola greeted her just as she passed by and
she answered.
"Kola, hope you are using the holiday to read your books unlike someone else?" She took some steps away.
"Yes anty, thanks," Kola smiled, shifting his gaze to Olamide who returned his gaze with a wink and a smile. Of course, the two boys knew that Olamide was the "someone" in his sister's remark but they decided to ignore her and concentrate on what they were doing.
Kikelomo left for Asake's house, where she met Bimpe and Asake peeling melon seeds for Asake's mother. And being glad to see their friend, the two jumped up and ran to hug her.
"You look so lively and healthy," Bimpe remarked joyfully, looking into Kikelomo's eyes
like a doctor would check his patient.
The girls exchanged pleasantries and after a while of chatting about all that happened two
days ago, Kikelomo told them she was going to the river and wanted to know if they would want to go to the river with her and the ladies agreed.
Asake and Bimpe took a water pot each and they all left for the river with their friend.
Not long after leaving Asake's house, Bimpe suggested that they first go to Kunle's house to thank him again and then go from there to the river. Kikelomo and Asake loved the idea so, off they left for Kunle's house.
At Kunle's house, they were told he had left for the farm early in the morning therefore, they left for the river and decided to visit him at home again the next day.

OP update naw

Tetraozonaitera:
OP update naw

Lack of response from people. Sometimes you are not even sure if anyone is reading.
Thanks sha.

Update coming

Pls update ooo.... We plenty wey dey follow

juninhouj:
Pls update ooo.... We plenty wey dey follow

OK. Thanks.
The thread was too quiet and I never knew anyone was waiting for update. Its always good when guys make comments. Even if it is just a word or two.

Update Soon

THE NEXT DAY
"Good morning son," Kunle's father greeted his son.

Kunle was at the backyard cooking yam for
breakfast.

"Good morning father," he responded without an effort to look at his father.

"Did your mother tell you that your friends came visiting yesterday and that she told them
to check on you today?" his father asked.

"Yes father, I am not going to the farm today, I will be home," Kunle replied.

His father came closer to him from behind and said quietly, "which one really is your friend?" After saying this, he left his son smiling.

Kunle turned and looked at his father as his father picked a shirt on the rope and was going back into the house.

"All of them," Kunle replied.He was amused by his father's question.

Of course, he knew what his father meant. He knew he was teasing him, but he had just told him the truth. He wished he could say Kikelomo for he was yet to make his feelings known to her.
With smile on his face, he thought about his Father's tease.

"Good morning Doctor Kunle," a lady's voice came from behind.

Kunle turned swiftly and saw Kikelomo, and like darkness disappears in the presence of light, his countenance changed drastically.

"Hey! Good morning princess," Kunle said
with all excitement.

"Wow! You look radiant," he complimented Kikelomo with a smile that exposed every concealed passion in his soul.

"Where are your friends, I thought you came together yesterday?" He asked.

"Yes they were sent on an errand by Bimpe's mother," Kikelomo replied.

Kunle stood up and moved closer to Kikelomo. He held her hand and told her to sit and wait for him on a metal box while he quickly finished up putting the yam on fire.
When he was done putting the food on fire, they chatted while they waited for it to be done.
Cracking jokes on current issues within the town, they used the time to get to know the funny sides of one another. And after the food was ready and it was served, they ate and got to know more about themselves before leaving for a stroll into town. They got to the village primary school and decided to sit and talk there.

"Kikelomo, can I tell you something?" Kunle
looked into Kikelomo'sl eyes.

"What?" Kikelomo hoped it was what she thought it was. She could not wait to hear it.

"I think the snake bite was a divine arrangement because since that day, I have wondered why I was not lucky enough to come across you within the town before the snake attack. I had walked past you girls on that same day too. If there was no snake attack. It was likely I would have gone my way without getting to know you. Kike, ever since the very first day we met, I have not been able to stop thinking about you. I loved to have you as my woman," Kunle kept his eyes on the woman standing before him and his eyes spoke every other thing he wanted to say. They were begging for Kikelomo's love.

"Well, to say I don't like you, I would be telling a lie. Let's give love a chance and see if
we are meant for one another," Kikelomo replied, feeling on top of the world because what she had just heard was what she had hoped and longed for. Kunle was the first man her heart truly beat for. She knew it.
Which sane lady would deny herself the opportunity of dating a man as handsome as Kunle more so when she had no one she was dating before meeting him. He was all she had prayed for in a man and would be fulfilled to marry him at last of it was so written in heaven.

THE UNEXPECTED

A month had gone by since Kikelomo and Kunle had been dating. It was not hidden that the two were in love and their parents were aware of it and had no objection to it.
Kunle stared at the raffia leaves on the roof of the shed as he lay on his back, completely tired. It had been all work since morning and judging by the look of the day, it will soon start to get dark. He felt fulfilled for the day and so, he wanted to relax for a little while before leaving for home. But then, he heard footsteps on the dry leaves in front of him. He shifted his gaze to the direction and Kikelomo emerged from among the cacao trees. He was not expecting her therefore, he was curious to know why she came unannounced. He quickly sat up on the Bambi bench.

"Hope you are fine? I was not expecting you at the farm," he told her before she could reach him.

"I'm alright. I was missing you and I decided
to come," she replied.

"Hope you are not offended?" She asked.

"Oh! No, I was only surprised. That's all," he
said, shifting for her on the bamboo bench when she got to him.
He stood up and hugged her.
"Sit and allow me to bring water for you," Kunle walked away and entered the small raffia hut. And after a while he came out with a cup of water and bananas.

"Thanks," Kikelomo collected the water and drank.

They ate bananas while they talked about many things happening in their town. About her friends, his and her university ambitions, the bad rule of the king, the atrocities the prince committed daily, and many more. Really, it was a nice time for them at the farm, sharing jokes and getting to know more about their different families.

"It's getting dark. Let's go home," Kunle stood up, held Kikilomo's hands, and pulled her up.

He pulled her to himself, giving her a passionate hug. His body desired a kiss before leaving the farm for home therefore, he planted a warm kiss on her well defined pinky lips. And because it felt so irresistible and charming, it spurred her to desire more. Clinging tightly on him, she muttered her desire, having his lips all to herself. And like metal attracts a magnet, their tongues had suddenly become inseparable, exploring deeper into each other's mouths as they held onto one another.
Lost in the moment that was full of wild desires, they tried hard to control their feelings but to their surprise, they were weak in each other's arms, so weak that all they could do was kissing and smooching until they were totally engulfed by their own emotions, as they eventually found themselves making wild love on the bamboo bench, moaning and moaning as long as it lasted.

Kikelomo closed her eyes to the reality of the new experience. She was a virgin until the last fifteen minutes of her life.

As she remained in his arms, breathing like an athlete that just won a race, looking into his eyes, all she could see was love. Such that seemed promising and unwavering.

"Promise me you won't leave me," she said as warm salty water rolled down her eyes.

"I promise with my life. To be with you forever. I love you Kike," he kissed her lips and whispered sweet words to her.

"I just lost it," Kikelomo sobbed in his arms.

"I know my love," Kunle tightened his arms around her.

"It is the catalyst and the reminder for the fulfillment of my words," Kunle knew she was referring to her virginity. He heard her sharp cry when it all happened.

"Come and clean up my love, it will soon get dark. We should be leaving by now,," he stood up and pulled her up.

Leading her to the back of the raffia hut, he pointed to the clay pot that had its base buried in the ground, and told her to get water from it to take care of herself while he went about packing his farm tools to get ready to leave for home.
While he waited for her, Kunle untied the cowrie band on his wrist. And when she was done, he gave it to her as a sign of his love.

"This is a sign of my undying love for you, never take it off your wrist," he said.

Kikelomo, pleased with his vow, hugged him and removed the ring on her own finger too.
"And this is a sign of my undying love for you too. I love you Kunle, and forever I will," Kikelomo inserted the ring on one of his fingers and gave him a kiss. And thereafter, they promised each other again to stick together forever, living the farm with their new vows in their hearts, holding one another.

Thanks for the breakfast....... This story is interesting

juninhouj:
Thanks for the breakfast....... This story is interesting

Thanks more to come