Chapter 12: Old Fire, New Tension

I see say, whether three hundred years ago or now, I still no understand Folarin!

His wahala dey unique. One minute cold, next minute, fire.

But I fit see say this time, he really vex!

Even spirits dey get limit. Him eye sharp, his energy dey shake room.

I no understand: "You know why I dey mortal world!"

I dey try explain, but e no dey hear.

The change for heavenly law no be secret, everybody know say I dey banish because I follow heartless path!

Na public matter. I no fit hide.

"Three hundred years ago, I wrong you, but since you say you no want, I no go force you!"

Na respect. If to say na human, dem go say I try.

If I no force am, I go find another person!

No time to dey waste. Destiny Keeper no go wait for me.

Simple logic, why e dey vex?

Na big question. I dey look for answer.

I really think say nothing wrong with my talk!

But sometimes, words dey cut deep. Spirits get their own way of pain.

But Folarin get problem!

Na pride. Fox spirit no dey show soft spot anyhow.

I no know if my words confuse am, but after small struggle... he just coldly loose him belt!

Na unexpected move. My heart jump.

My hand shake, even sword under my blanket fall!

My body dey betray me. Na only for fox spirit hand I fit see this kain wahala.

Wetin happen after, just know say, we too sabi each other body!

Na real reunion. Old fire no dey die easy.

Folarin no wait for me to talk, just bring out him fox tail and ears!

Na spirit pride. E dey flex.

That fluffy tail wey dey brush me everywhere remind me why I dey addicted to dual cultivation with am three hundred years ago!

Tail soft, skin cold, but the feeling dey warm. Na wahala and enjoyment mix together.

No be only for power!

I dey remember say na companionship dey sweet pass.

His words make my ear soft: "Tell me, who you like pass?"

Na playful, na serious. The game deep.

I hold my mouth tight, no understand how we reach here!

My head dey turn. I dey try remember why I no gree feel.

We no suppose stop to dey tangle?

But fox spirit get another plan. My resolve dey shake.

But e be like say, e still dey possible!

Spirit world na place of miracle. Anything fit happen for night.

...

When I wake, na morning!

Sunshine dey warm, but my mind dey cold.

I reach for sword by my pillow, but na fox ear I touch!

Na soft surprise. I smile small.

Owner of the fox ear talk with rough voice: "I try for you? You still go find another person?"

Na small jealous dey hide for his tone. I dey laugh for mind.

That one sound like say I be unfaithful!

Fox spirit dey count points.

Folarin try touch me, as I no push am, he wrap arm for my waist:

His hand warm, the closeness familiar. For my mind, I dey reason if na new beginning.

"You enjoy last night? You fit get this kind enjoyment for heaven?"

E dey compare. I dey smile, but I dey hide.

E clear na!

Him pride high. I dey try calm am.

Without thinking, I say: "I be war chief now, of course I dey enjoy!"

Na small show-off. I dey play along.

Folarin quiet small, then stress am: "Maybe you no dey care... I be spirit king now, my level no low pass war chief for heaven!"

Na proper brag. Spirit king no dey humble for love matter.

Na bragging be this?

I dey laugh for mind. Fox pride no get brake.

I try smile: "Na so, correct!"

I dey try keep peace.

Folarin wait, see say I no get more talk, him fox ears stand:

He dey expect more. Me, I dey play innocent.

"Na so? You hear say I be spirit king now, nothing else dey your mind?"

If na human relationship, na this kain talk dey cause quarrel.

Honestly, I no see before say he like to show off like this!

But fox spirit pride, e dey show for small thing.

I roll my eyes inside, but still talk: "Congrats, congrats!"

I clap small for emphasis, but no too much.

Folarin, as he catch my eye roll: "..."

He dey reason my life choices. The silence heavy.

Folarin: "E be like say you no get heart, na just say your head dey empty?"

Na real Naija insult, but the pain small. I gats respect.

Me: "Ehn?"

I dey try understand if na joke or real vex.

Sleep with me then act cold?

E wicked!

For my mind, I dey plan small revenge.