The Lost Soul

Dele was not ignorant of what was going on between Sola and Tunde. He knew that auntie and Tunde would marry soon. He over heard mummy and daddy discussing it. Dele did not understand what was delaying their marriage. He and his little sister discussed it one day and he told her that he would like to be the ring bearer on their auntie's wedding day. His sister had laughed and told him that he was too big for that. Did he not remember the wedding they attended the other day with mummy and daddy?
The ring bearer was not more than eight years of age. Bimbo the sister of the bride was one of the flower girls. So, Bisi, Dele's sister said that she too would be one of the flower girls during auntie's wedding. But Dele told her that she too, was too small at eight to be a flower girl. Why? Bimbo was even older than he (Dele) was, Bimbo was ten years old, although she was classmate of Dele in the private school.
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“But I can at least be the 'little bride,' “ said Bisi indignantly.
“Auntie may not like to have any 'little bride',” said Dele." Don't you know that not all weddings have little bride?”
“But I know I will be something on her wedding day, little bride or not.”
"And I too will be ring bearer," he aid.
"You can be anything. I'm not concerned.”
They should have resorted to physical combat over it, but fortunately their
mother was around. She called then when she heard their raised voices. When she
asked them what the argument was all about and they told her, she smiled to herself.
These children don't realize what is going on she thought. When father hears about Sola's association with Tunde, he may not approve, but I like Tunde and my prayer is for them to get his approval.
"All right, go and play outside,” she shouted. “It's for your aunt to decide
what each of you will be during her wedding. So, why worry?”
“But mummy, I like the sleeveless jacket the ring bearer put on and walk smartly along the church aisle," said Dele.
"I too like the long dresses the flower girls put on and their big flowers," put in Bisi.
"Just wait till then. We'll know what to do."
Their mother dismissed them and each went his/her way to play. Thematter was forgotten for the time being between them. But Iyabo did not tell Sola what the children discussed. She watched Sola's movement and realized that she did not even think about what step their father would take over the matter.

and settle the matter with Sola's father, still he did not want her to feel offended So,
wanted the final conclusion of their association, which is marriage. Tunde's prayer or was dying. Sola was too sad to make any conversation. Her mind was on the letter she received from her dad that afternoon. What would they do now, she
Although Tunde would have liked to rush everything, go to their village now was that Sola's father would not choose any other man for her before they confront him with their own matter.

Meanwhile, Sola too took some time to think over the matter. When she had gone out with Tunde and came back, she would go to the quiet of her room and think where everything would lead to. They always went to amusement park.
Sometimes, too, they enjoyed the time spent together. They even discussed matters of interest and during this time, she realized that they liked the same things. They both like juju music and some programme on the television in Tunde's flat. All these they enjoyed together. But she was still thinking about what her dad's reaction would be, whether they would bring the old man to submission. All these were troubling her in her innermost heart, but her determination to enjoy her association with Tunde did not diminish. As the days went by, she loved him the more.

This evening, while Tunde sat in the sitting room at the Owolabi's he was thinking about what he was going to tell Sola. His leave would start the following week and they have not made arrangement about going to her village to tell the old man about their relationship. He was thus thinking when Sola entered the sitting
room. He was just going to crack a joke with her when he noticed that she had an
unbecoming expression on her face. And that her eyes were red as if she had been
crying.
“Sola, what's the matter?” he asked quickly.
"We can't talk much here. Let us go to your flat, please,” Sola cried.
“What could have been the matter?” She did not reply but went to take her bag. They both went to the car after Tunde had said goodnight to the Owolabi
family.

All the way to his flat, Tunde was just wondering what could have happened to Sola. All his thoughts were whether someone very dear to her was dead
thought
. They soon got to Tunde's flat and went into the sitting room. As soon as they sat down, Tunde prevailed on her.