Wild West of the Heart
EPILOGUE.

Mira scrubbed her hands beneath the tap as she looked out of the windows. She was humming an ABBA, as usual whenever she did want to clear her head. And she got carried away, dipping the napkin she'd used across Silva's sores into the antiseptic

warm water.

He had gotten worse.

And she had no idea when tears filled her eyes. She was tearfully humming the song now as she halted to face the whitewashed ceilings. Her frail hands were quivering as she realized no matter how much she'd braced herself for this, no matter how much she'd prepared herself, it was happening.

It was already happening. And she wasn't ready to say goodbye to her best friend, to her person. Silva laid across the six by six bed, giving the perfect ending to his eulogy, after which he smiled proudly from above, closing the laptop. Mira looked to her soaped hands, recalling how much had changed over the past weeks. It was then she heard a knock on the door and she filled her lungs with air, tossing the napkin away.

But then suddenly her eyes caught something fly by her windows, seeking harness beneath the sheds. She wiped her eyes, realizing it was a dove. And she knew exactly what that meant a superstition nonetheless, about how the heavens send one to bring someone home. She turned away, wiping her eyes and then she headed towards the door.

She pulled it open, seeing Obi panting, hands resting against his knees. "I got here as fast as i c-" He didn't finish before she grabbed unto him for a hug, sobbing into his shoulders. His hands went up her back as he heaved in a deep breath. "It's going to be okay"

The starlight skies dazzled over them as they held unto each other. Obi's eyes darted to the box of decorations that were leaning against the walls. And his eyes went to the adorned ceilings with several of their decade-old photos and confetti that glittered-everything she'd gotten from the basement. A smirk crept to his lips as he saw the hundred candles-

at least here he could hold one.

"It's going to be okay" He whispered as he patted her back. "I'll finish this up" He pulled away from her. "You just dress him up. I think i got something" He said before she held unto him.

"It's time" She muttered words of realization as Obi nodded. "I think so, we just need Silva and B-" He halted, hearing a song from his song and he closed the door. Mira turned around with an arch in her brows. The sound drew closer before Silva peeked from the corners with a smile.

She rushed towards him, placing her hands around his torso and his neck fell on her shoulders. Obi hefted the radio from his hands before placing it on the kitchen counter, next to his winery and he turned to Silva who held tight to Mira- already in a suit, although with mismatched pants. And she chuckled so much that tears fell from her eyes. "Abba" He whispered into her ears and she nodded, recognizing the song.

"Abba" She echoed.

And Obi watched them both. "One more time" He whispered as he swayed Mira's waist. She laughed, holding her hands to her lips as she turned to Obi.

"Can he?" He pointed to Silva who narrowed his eyes at him and Obi just shut up. "Should i get my ball dress?" Mira whispered but he held unto her. "Don't" He replied. "You're perfect this way" He continued, placing his feet unto hers, and slowly they swayed side to side in each other's arms.

For one last time.

"If you shed just one tear, i swear i'll stop" Silva whispered, holding firmly around her neck and she scoffed. A tear slipped from Obi's face as he glided his hands too to the music. His eyes locked with Mira's while her heart locked with Silva's. She could feel him. His slow, threading heartbeat. And in that moment, she didn't care that he was up against her wounds, she just wanted to stay there forever. Because she didn't know what the next second would hold.

"I don't know how to do this without you" She said, and all Silva did was smile-like he always did. "You're going to learn to" He replied and she hummed, holding firmly to him. And unwilling to let go, ever. "I don't want to" She whispered. "Well you're still going to" He said, and her went six feet below before the man in her arms did.

-

Ola threw his head over his shoulders in search of Obi as he made his way to his seat. Fiyin held her dress as Deborah sneaked over to her table.

Tobi smiled at both of them as she leaned into her ears. "Where's Obi and Ab?" Deborah whispered and she shrugged her shoulders, unbeknownst to her that the latter was actually never coming back. She looked back at Khadijat who had now lost her two children to not death, but worse, her ignorance.

"They're probably gone" Fi's voice went low as a sigh escaped Deborah's lips. She took her hands. "I'm not going anywhere" She nodded and Fiyin looked into her ears. "I'm not leaving you and that's such an absurd thing to say given the conditions but i mean it-i love you, Fi" She was unsure Tobi heard.

But she didn't regret it, she didn't regret saying it.

Fiyin pushed a lump down her throat, realizing how long Deb had waited-She looked back at Ola who sat into the chair, and her decision was clear. Her choice was.

"Deb-" She placed her hands into her hair, looking down at both their intertwined hands. "I love you, Deb" She replied, a huge weight lifting off her chest. I didn't hurt to say it, she realized she loved saying in fact. And there were no regrets. Deb chuckled, leaning her forehead against hers as she scoffed. "I love you, Deb" Fi said, again and again. And now, Tobi might have heard. But she as well, didn't care. However, Ola did as he looked over to her table with a half-hearted grin. He knew.

He knew she had made her decision, and he didn't feel that resentment or anger, or jealousy. He was happy, genuinely-

"Now, for the moment you've all been waiting for. It's time to present the most covered award to the most outstanding student where i'll be joined first hand with my friend, the minister himself, of Education" There was a raving applause as a suited man made his way to the stage.

"Each year, the Flying Eagles Scholarship, funded by the ministry strides to select not only the best of the best, but a well rounded individual who not only stands out intellectually, but morally and socially. Academically. And for the first time this year" The applause quieted as everyone moved to the edge of their seats- a hundred and one grade eleven students awaiting the winner of the grand award. No one cared about the best in biology which Fi had taken, nor the best in Maths and Physics, and Chemistry which Ola had taken.

Or english and Literature which Bade had taken.

And Abdul wasn't here to receive his Agricultural science award, alongside a plaque for the best in the science department. Obi as well. for the most reserved and neatest.

Almost everyone had something but only one person would have this scholarship to any university of your choice, not just limiting to this country but worldwide.

"Listen, for the first time it isn't someone we've known for the longest time nor is it someone popular, but rather someone that has not only fought for the good of society but has also surpassed the usual expectations despite being a transfer student" Many hearts sank, including Nathaniel and Olamide's.

"This award comes alongside a stipend of a record five million naira annually with housing and accommodation and tuition covered, a fully renewable health insurance and a substantial monthly allowance. This is why it is the most coveted award in Hillway High's history. And this award goes to❞ He the plaque right next to the envelope that ensued suspense.

Fi looked to Ola in the silence as she clenched her palms, Deborah as well-praying for the one person they all had in mind. "This award goes to none other than" The minister stepped forward, looking into the grey envelope. And then he heaved a breath. "Olamide Bankole"

His world stopped, and so did his heart for just a brief second. The same second that Fi shot in the air, making her way to him and Mary whose tears were quick to fill her eyes. She held her dear son to her with utmost pride. "Please make your way to the stage"

He was reluctant, disbelief in his now stable heart as he looked around him, confetti falling from the sky. A while ago, he was filled with loss, defeat from the Johnsons scholarship. And now, he had this. No one had a brighter smile than Bade. "You did it" They all chorused, getting ready to lift him towards the stage. And Ola sobbed. "We did it"

It took awhile for him to walk up the stage, and he had to pull off his jacket finally letting the breeze blow against him. He was in a cream baggy shirt-his father's. And suspenders that held unto his waist. He panted, bringing the mic to his lips.

"I don't have alot of things to say." He started. "Except thank you really. To God, and my mother. To amazing friends and family who have been by my side each step of the way" He said.

"I had alot of doubts coming to Nigeria, fear that i may not fit in. Terror because i watched someone get stabbed to death the night of my arrival. Jazzlyn Pius but somehow, amidst it all-here we are. Here we all are and if anyone had told me months ago that i would be here, taking this award, having this future given to me on a silver platter because left to me, i could name a few people that are more deserving of this" He sobbed, looking at the crowd.

"I'll curse the person, call him a liar❞

"But none of that matters now, here i am" He whispered.

"A wise woman's favorite quote, that is asides time is of the essence" His mother chuckled, pointing at him. "Is to open yourself to all the thousand possibilities, good or bad. And as you all know, this year has been quite rough but somehow" He hefted the award. "Here we are" He yelled. "At the end of a chapter in our lives. In my life" He added.

"Now i don't know what the future holds but for the first time, i can't wait to find out. Because on this journey, i'm not alone. I could never be" His eyes wen down to Fiyin. "I have my people"

-

Silva fell into his bed, short of breath and shivering so hard that they had to close all the windows, and the doors even after Bade had come home. Now, she was making a herbal tea for her son who was still in his suit, next to Mira and Obi. "You'll read it out them"

Mira looked up to him as he pointed to his laptop fraily. She shook her head. "No-" "But it is my dying wish" Silva pleaded as her brows fell over her eyes. "Silva. don't do this to me"

"Come on it isn't that sad" He handed the laptop to her. "You can read it now. I'm done writing" He whispered, his eyes almost closing. "You'll tell yourself" Mira whispered, placing her head against his chest. "I'm still awake, i'll be right beside you"

"I'm not gone yet." She closed her eyes too.

-

"Someone would like to talk to you" Mary said, handing Ola the phone. He looked to see his uncle James on the phone. And judging from the smile he had on, it was obvious news had already spread. He locked eyes with Mary as he collected "Congratulations Ola" Was the first thing he said.

it.

"Thank you, Uncle"

"I always had faith in you. And somehow even with everything, you still did it, all by yourself" James whispered and Ola scoffed. "I wasn't by myself" He replied and the other laughed. "Anyways, i'm the only one that has something to say" James added as Ola arched his brows, before seeing Williams. He gasped, pulling the phone away from him with shock. "Will?"

He chuckled, and Mary did as well. He was so much different with a dark brown perm but he still had those unerasable freckles. "Hi" Will replied, with the accent.

"Hi" Ola was flustered, with lips wide open. "I heard" He replied. "From your uncle whom i'm now friends with for some absurd reason" James chuckled at the back. "It literally just happened" He recognized Sarah's voice from behind. "Is that who i think it is?" He asked.

"Hi Ola" She popped into the frame for only one second before going back to whatever she was doing. "She's playing billiards with your uncle" Will sat forward, looking through the camera and Ola felt like he was actually there. He took the phone before standing up, and then he was headed to the doors-

"Jokes aside, i am proud of you" Will continued. "And i would have told you if you'd replied my texts"

"I swear i thought i did" He scoffed. "Took my voicemail to even get a text, so don't even get me started" He rolled his eyes, stepping into the parking lot. "That, i am sorry for. I've just been so busy. You're lucky you didn't get to do senior year here"

Now, that was something they could joke about.

"No, actually i think it was worse here" Ola laughed. "I'll tell you all about it soon" He added and silence fell between both of them. "Soon?" Will echoed. "You're thinking about coming back to Texas?"

Ola held the phone close to his face with a sly smile on his lips. His feet kicked the sands. "Only if you promise to pick me from the airport-" Ola realized his million other options, but then and there, he made his own decision. To go back home-

-Houston wasn't home, but his family there was.

"Of course" Will scoffed. "Of course, i promise" He added.

"You should go celebrate with your friends, i'll call you later" He said and Ola bit into his lips. "My regards to Sar-" The line went dead and he heaved a deep breath, the smile remaining on his face as he put the phone down.

But the moment he turned around, he was met with a familiar face. "Akin?" His name flew right out of his lips as he stepped back. "What are yo-You were inside?" He clutched his chest.

His father nodded, in a wheelchair next to his caretaker. Ola looked away from him as he inched closer. "I should have been up there with you" Akin whispered as Ola pushed a lump down his throat. "Maybe then you'll realize how proud i am of you." "That you didn't end up like me" He added and Ola sighed.

"Alone."

"You're not alone" He replied and Akin scoffed. "Did your mother tell you she's divorced me?" Ola looked to him, but despite this being news to him, he inched close.

Close enough to grasp his frail hands in his. "I still stand by that. Because no matter what happened, or how much you tried to push my away. I'm still your son" Ola whispered. "She may not be your wife but i'm your son. You're not alone" Akin was tearful, and he nodded. "Thank you, Olamide" He whispered as Ola looked to the door. "Come on, there's an extra seat inside" He smirked, just as his phone rang in his pockets. He held back, pulling it out. "You can go on without me, i'll be right behind you" He looked at the message on his phone. Obi: i'm so sorry i missed it. Family emergency.

Ola arched his brows, typing into his phone. Ola: Silva?

Obi: yep.

His shoulders fell but then he heard footsteps draw towards him not long after his father left. He found it weird how he knew exactly who it was from the rhythm of her footsteps. And he looked to her, slipping his phone back into his pocket.

"Fiyin" He called, as she swayed right next to him. "Here's to the man of the hour" She cheered and he heaved a deep sigh. "How much do i need to pay to speak to the celebrity?"

He scoffed, bringing his hands to rest against the metal railings. The moon was fully out, illuminating her dress like a disney princess and Ola looked to her. "Free for only you" A smirk crept to his lips and the one on hers disappeared.

"Did you ever think we had a chance?" She asked. "If Collins never happened-" "I don't know" Ola whispered. "But what i knew all this time was that no matter what happened, i never wanted to lose you" He looked into her eyes before turning away into the skies. "It's something about having your first love that's just calm. That's home" He said.

"And when i look at you, i feel it. I'm home" His arm wrapped around her shoulders as she rested her head against him. "And left to me, this is better than whatever we could've been"

"It's more" He placed a kiss on her forehead and Fi just let him, closing her eyes and succumbing to the warmth of his touch. It was mutual, she felt the same exact way. She felt at home and her journey to this point might not have been the easiest-

-but here she was. Here they both were.

And as they held unto each other, she realized that might have been all that mattered.

-

"All my life, i've searched for a purpose" Mira looked to Silva, who had his mother next to him. His head rested feebly on her shoulders as she gripped tightly unto him. "It's okay" Tears filled her eyes as she looked to the tea beside the headstand.

"You're okay" A smile never left his face as Mira looked back into the laptop. She heaved in a deep breath. "All my life, i've spent searching for a purpose and it wasn't until that i found it."

Meanwhile Ola and Fi were beneath the spotlight, dancing to the Matt Maeson song that played from the speakers. Nathaniel held unto Bade, pulling her to the stage and Deb danced with her mum. Everyone was moving in slow circles, whispering goodbyes under their breathes. Ola could stay forever, sulking in Fi's scent.

But his eyes with Deb, and he knew he didn't have much time.

"If you look closely, you'll see that i didn't just start this letter, it's funny how it's been months and i'm still searching for the perfect ending, the perfect eulogy or whatever the opposite was when it's the dying writing. I think i'll just call it a Last Letter" Silva scoffed, and so did Mira as they made eye contact.

"I don't think i have that many regrets to fill this with, but rather never ending gratitude, gratitude to each and every one gathered here today" They looked to each beneath the lights as Dee and the rest of the girls walked in. "Sorry we're late" They whispered and Silva looked to them in their drag costumes and elaborate makeup and he morphed up a chuckle. "You're on time" He said.

"One last time" Dee smirked and he nodded fraily.

"One One last time."

"To my dear mother, Bode" Mira imagined it was his voice filling her ears as she read what he had written, all while Silva didn't take his eyes off her, instead he had a sheepish grin- remembering his exact words.

"Thank you for being exactly the way you were. And for giving me that freedom to find myself, to explore the world, to make mistakes and to learn from them. You took three from me by sending me to university but you gave me more than that in the long run. You gave me my beautiful life, you gave me everything. To my girls, and to drag thank you for giving me something to live for. Thank you for the medium to express myself because even after my diagnosis-" Dee smiled at him. "And wore on that makeup and put on that dress, i wasn't the sick Silva anymore, i was empowered like i could be anything in this world."

"Thank you for that" Mira whispered, sniffling.

"Thank you David, for seeing the weird kids in the playground that day and deciding to be our friends. Mira might not have shown it but you did help us alot" She chuckled, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. "I wish you never got to leave to Abuja, and we spent all our adulting years like it was preschool again" He squeezed Silva's shoulders, wiping a tear from his eyes. "To Obi-" Mira shared a grin with him as he cleared his throat.

"Sometimes i won't lie, i did get jealous asking Mira to pick between the two of us" They all chuckled. "I guess right now, i'm saving her toughest decision" She looked to him, heaving a sigh.

"I thank God for bringing you into our lives, because now i'm assured more than ever that you would be for her, what she was to me. Maybe i do have one regret, and that is not seeing the person that you would become. The strong, brave, empathetic person that you would become at the very end. You still have a long way to go finding yourself, don't rush it. Don't rush it all"

"You'll figure it out when you're meant to" Obi nodded, filling his lungs with air and eyes with tears. "The most important thing however, is that you never lose who you are within. That is Obi"

"It's who we all love"

"Stand by Mira, please comfort her in trying times which i know you will. And teach her to see herself like the entire world does. Pray with her, love her because now all you have is each other. It's how it's always been, i was-" Mira scoffed. "I was always the third wheel i know" Her hands met the cursor as she paused.

She took a pause before breaking down into tears.

"And to Mira" There was a crack in her voice. "To M-" She stuttered, unable to go beyond that. She pushed the laptop to the side as she looked to Silva. "This was what you wanted huh" She choked on her tears, wiping her eyes. And as hard as Silva tried to keep that smile on his face, it all slowly vanished. And he closed his eyes to the tears that feel from them.

Mira stood, and so did Obi and the rest of them.

Leaving the letter there, she climbed into the bed. And the rest of them slowly dispersed, including Bade who'd nodded by the door with tears in her eyes. It only made sense that her son spent his last moments with the one who he loved the most.

Her arms held unto him as Silva fraily pulled her in and she cried into his chest. It took a while as they just stayed there but then his lips parted to speak, voice barely audible. "To Mira-" "Thank you for everything"

For truly ever standing by me, for unconditionally loving me. Thank you for the good days, the bad days, and the ugly which i hope this isn't part of. I hope you're able to read this without shedding a tear because i assume you'd have already cried it out.

All of it, like i did.

So we wont spend the mopping but rather filled with so much joy and happiness like how you made all my life, i wanted to give you that but the truth is, i don't think i can.

Keep loving Mira, keep loving with so much purity and vulnerability like you always have because it does work out for you. Keep fighting for change, for justice and don't let it stop here. Never let it stop here. Keep finding yourself in the better years ahead because Mira, you still have so many years, you earned it. Alongside every respect and love. Keep being fierce with matters of the heart. Keep being you.

Alot of us don't get that opportunity here.

Because sometimes it feels like everything is against us, if there isn't HIV, it's AIDS or we're dying of transphobia or homophobia or whatever it is the world is making up for us to not be us. I hope it all changes in your lifetime Mira. But in the meantime, you never settle and you keep living Mira.

"Keep living for me" He whispered into her ears. "And keep living for us, and you. I'll say hi to Jazzlyn for you. And Reginald" He let a gasp. "And don't forget the key he left" He said and Mira hit him lightly in his arms. "Just shut up" She chuckled.

"And just stay here, with me" They held unto each other, just like Deb and Fiyin did, being the last people to leave the halls. They danced beneath the lights and to the slowest of songs while Ola paced across the pavement in his suit, leaving his mum and father behind. He didn't halt until he got to his very destination.

Which wasn't his house.

He bent forward to pick up a stone but when he looked up, Obi was already there, hands in his pocket by the windows. His arms fell as he still threw the pebble. And Obi scoffed, looking down at his best friend below him. "Come on❞ Ola yelled. "Come down"

"Silva" Mira suddenly said after a long time, looking through the open curtains at the skies. "Thank you for being my one true love" She whispered but he didn't reply. She just knew he was gone, actually. Silva was actually gone. But she didn't move even as his hands fell from her shoulders.

She heaved the deepest breath, never closing her eyes till the sun came up, after what was her darkest, and most beautiful night.

"This is it" The birds chirped a little over their heads as Ola looked to Obi. His feet were dipped in the shallow lagoon as they swayed them a little. "This is what real life feels like" He said.

And Obi squinted at the sun, he couldn't relate but he had that feeling like it was mutual. Deb and Fiyin as well as the first thing they saw when they opened their eyes were each other. "This is it. This is the feeling i've been searching for my entire life" Her hands brushed against Deb's hydrated skin as she closed her eyes.

"This is goodbye."

FOUR MONTHS LATER

The purple leaves of the lilies fell apart, making home of his gravestone. Mira held a jacket across her shoulders as she looked below her. DASILVA JONES OLATAYO.

She cleared her throat, swearing that she wouldn't shed a tear. It had been four months since her best friend had passed, she was still here and that meant something. Feeling an arm reach out to hers, she rested back, sulking in that familiar scent.

"You okay?" Dare whispered into her ears and she closed her eyes. "Silva was a good person" She turned to him and he swiped a strand of her hair behind her ears. "I know" He said.

Mira turned back to the stone. 1973 - 2002.

"I will be" She whispered from her glossed lips. "Come on, i don't want to be late for the goodbye party" He held unto her hands. "A party?" He echoed and her shoulders fell.

"Yeah for the girls. We're closing down the club" She replied. "We think it's time. For new beginnings" His eyes darted to her lips as he licked his. "New beginnings" He whispered.

"New beginnings"

"Is that the last of your bags, Ola?" Mary yelled from outside the windows, closing the car booth. He shoved a last piece of clothing, looking into his closet at the piece he'd spent the last few months working on. He grabbed into it, holding unto the bags on his shoulders before pacing down the stairs.

"Here" He made eye contact with Obi before walking to the other side, dumping his beige school bags in the front seat. There wasn't enough space so none of them could come along to the airport-it was somewhat better so they didn't have to ugly cry in front of random strangers.

Fi stood beside Obi as Ola walked towards them, hands on the blue cap on his head and the other holding firm to a piece of paper. He halted with a grin of his face. Fiyin sniffled, reluctant to take the next step. "This is it" She muttered and Ola scoffed.

"This isn't goodbye, Fi. I'll come around"

"I swear" He looked to Obi who slipped his hands into his pockets. "Keep in touch this time man" He teased and Ola let out a light chuckle as Mary honked behind them. "I will" He said and he handed the paper to him.

"What's this?"

"I never got to give you that birthday gift" Ola smirked. "Don't open it till i'm gone. It'll be too you know" He laughed and Obi scoffed. "Now, you make me look bad for not bringing anything-" "Me too" Fiyin palmed her face but he held them both.

"Don't" He pressed his forehead against theirs. "You've given much more than that the past few months" He whispered as tears welled into his eyes. He knew then that it was time to pull away and he walked straight to the waiting cab. He halted by the door, nodding to both his best friends. "I love you both" He mouthed, and Fi pushed a lump down her throat as Obi peered into the drawing in his hands.

He chuckled, tears falling down his cheeks. "I love you too" He yelled. "We love you too" They jumped as Ola closed the doors. His eyes never left them, until it did. The car pulled away from the pavements, making it's way down the street. And Ola placed his chin into his hands, tears streaming down his face. It was like a year ago, but the exact opposite. He remembered driving here, oblivious of the many possibilities. But here he was now, he had no idea leaving this place would hurt this much. Then suddenly, his moist eyes caught a figure by windows-a running figure.

It was Obi.

Holding up the piece of paper, on which he had drawn the very first day they had met. And Fiyin trying to catch up with him. He had a smile across his face, trying to catch his breath.

Ola burst out laughing, waving to them as they paced across the pavements. "We love you too" They yelled, drawing so much attention to the vehicle but they didn't care. However, the moment the car drifted unto the highways, he lost them. Mary looked into the rear view mirror, nodding at her son. "It's okay-" She looked back to the roads. "One more thing" Ola wiped his eyes. "What?" His voice quivered.

"Please don't get any more tattoos" They made eye contact, sharing a chuckle. "Maybe not❞ Ola whispered. "Maybe not "

"Are you okay, Obi?" Fiyin panted, placing her hands to her knees as she looked to him. He leaned against the graffiti walls. "I think i will be. It's just one more year" He whispered.

"You?"

Her eyes darted to his untied shoes. "I think i am" She said, looking to the busy roads and Obi drew closer to her, holding across her shoulders and they leaned against each other.

Something that was nearly impossible a year ago. That's the thing, so much had changed the last year. And although they were unsure what the future held for them, they were open to the million possibilities. To the good, the bad and the very best. "New beginnings" Mira hefted her glass, and Dare was the first to clinch his against hers, and they locked eyes for more than one fiery second. "New beginnings" He whispered.

Now, she took most of Silva's advice and lived the rest of her very long life happy, and with the thought that he watched from above. The biggest blessing however was the conventional family she had with Dare-but they still had a long way

to go.

No kids, except Obi who grew up to be just like his dad, an infamous quote he never grew tired of hearing. He studied law in his final year just like Theodore. And Fi went on to give back to her community after her father passed, helping both the victims of sexual assault and the ones smitten by the disease.

Things did get better actually.

Now i could tell you who they were now, but that would ruin it all. What i can say however is that they all turned out pretty well including Abdul who went to become a general surgeon, pioneering the very first clinical trial of a cure for HIV in Nigeria.

Maybe pretty well was an understatement. But you get it-

He and Obi never lost contact, but whatever they were at the end of the day was still a mystery. Historians would call them the closest of friends, or partners. But only the both of us know.

They all still a long way to go, but right now, as Olamide made his way through the airport arrival unit-

he was greeted with that familiar smile. "Ola" Will yelled from a distance as they ran towards each other, both Sarah and his uncle James watching from behind. They wrapped their hands around themselves, Ola taking in his familiar scent.

"Will"

"Olamide" Came a subtle whisper, his voice unchanged unlike his appearance, there were just somethings that remained the same.

Like this moment in his arms.

"Welcome home" Will whispered into his ears before they pulled away from each other. "Thank you" He looked into his deep blue eyes and back at James who waved proudly. Sarah did as well, but all his focus was on the person in front of

him.

And their futures yet to unravel. The possibilities, and the million stories yet to be told. "Thank you" He morphed a smile.

"You know i'll love to read a story about the three of us someday" Obi said over the phone as Ola fell into his bed, still settling in. "And your time in Nigeria” He added and he scoffed.

"What?"

"What will i even call it?" They chuckled. "I don't know. You're the writer" Obi replied. "I am the writer" Olamide echoed. "You know maybe someday in the future i will" He smiled, looking up at his whitewashed ceilings. "Write about

everything" He added and Obi hummed.

"Everything in the Wild West"

THE END.