Chapter 1: The Disguise
Episode 1: A Daring Decision
The Lagos sun beat down on my face as I stared out the window of our family mansion. My name is Olabamiji Cole, and I was about to embark on a journey that would change my life forever.
“Olabamiji!” My father’s voice boomed from downstairs. “Come down here this instant!”
I sighed, knowing what was coming. With heavy steps, I descended the marble staircase, my hand gliding along the polished banister.
Father stood in the living room, his imposing figure casting a shadow across the Persian rug. “Son, it’s time we discussed your future. You’re 28 now, and it’s high time you found a wife.”
“I know, Father,” I replied, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside. “But I want to marry for love, not just to satisfy societal expectations.”
Mother, perched on the edge of the sofa, chimed in, “Darling, we just want what’s best for you. There are so many suitable young ladies in Lagos.”
I shook my head, my mind already made up. “That’s the problem. In Lagos, everyone knows who we are. How can I find someone who loves me for who I am, not for our family’s wealth?”
Father’s eyebrows shot up. “What are you suggesting?”
I took a deep breath, steeling myself for their reaction. “I want to go to a village, live as a poor man, and find a woman who will love me regardless of my status.”
The silence that followed was deafening. Mother’s teacup clattered against its saucer, and Father’s face turned an alarming shade of red.
“Have you lost your mind?” he roared. “No son of mine will live like a pauper!”
I stood my ground, my heart racing but my resolve firm. “Father, please. Give me a chance to explain.”
Over the next hour, I laid out my plan. I would move to a nearby village, disguise myself as a poor trader, and search for a bride who would love me for my character, not my bank account.
Mother dabbed at her eyes with a silk handkerchief. “But darling, it’s dangerous. What if something happens to you?”
“I’ll be careful,” I promised. “And I’ll check in regularly.”
Father paced the room, his brow furrowed in thought. Finally, he stopped and faced me. “Two years,” he said. “You have two years to find a bride this way. If you fail, we choose for you. Agreed?”
Relief washed over me. “Agreed. Thank you, Father.”
As I left the room to prepare for my journey, excitement and trepidation warred within me. I had no idea what lay ahead, but I was determined to find true love, no matter the cost.
That night, as I packed a small bag with cheap clothes, I caught my reflection in the mirror. The man staring back at me was a stranger – unkempt hair, scraggly beard, and clothes that hung loose on my frame. Perfect.
With one last look at my luxurious room, I slipped out of the house under the cover of darkness. As I walked towards the bus station, the weight of my decision pressed down on me. But there was no turning back now. My adventure had begun, and somewhere out there, my future wife was waiting.
