Vode's mind raced as he tried to understand the prince's presence. How did he know their family? Why was he here? The voices around him blurred together as he struggled to focus.
His mother and Prince Ewuare sat in the living room, their conversation flowing like a river. The prince offered his condolences, sharing stories of Vode's father, whom he had apparently known well. Vode's mother listened intently, her expression a mix of sadness and unease.
As the discussion continued, Vode's mother grew increasingly uncomfortable. The prince spoke of honoring Vode's father with a traditional Benin burial, but she refused, citing her Christian beliefs. The prince persisted, explaining the importance of respecting Vode's father's heritage. The tension between them was palpable.
Vode's gaze drifted away, his attention caught by two boys, slightly older than him, who were staring at him with curiosity. They were dressed in traditional Benin attire, sitting next to the prince, and Vode assumed they had come with him.
As the days passed, the burial preparations intensified. Vode's mother refused the prince's wishes, and her discomfort was evident. The prince, however, seemed determined to ensure that Vode's father received a fitting farewell.
Just as Vode was starting to process everything, his phone rang, breaking the spell. It was Idara, her voice a welcome distraction from the chaos around him.
"Hey, Vode, how are you holding up?" she asked, concern etched in her tone.
Vode hesitated, unsure how to answer. His world had been turned upside down, and he was still trying to find his footing.
"I...I don't know, Idara," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
The line went silent for a moment before Idara spoke up. "I'm here for you, Vode. You'll get through this."
As the call ended, Vode felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, he could navigate this storm. The secrets surrounding his family's past tho just began to unravel.