Chapter 700: The Promise

The morning was already busy at Luna’s parents’ place her parents ranch when her phone rang. She was sitting at the dining table with Jennifer, helping her eat breakfast while her mother discussed something with one of the workers who had come in to report a problem with a fence near the far end of the property. Outside the large windows, two horses were being led toward the stable, and a tractor moved slowly along a track beside the fields.

Luna reached for her phone when she saw Abishola’s name on the screen. They had spoken briefly before, mostly through calls arranged around Dayo and Jennifer, but they had not yet spent much time talking directly. Luna was glad to see her calling and answered before the ringing stopped.

"Good morning, Abishola. How are you doing?" she asked, moving Jennifer’s cup away from the edge of the table before the little girl could knock it over.

"I’m fine, my dear. How are you and Jennifer? I hope she slept well last night." Abisola asked.

"We’re fine. She slept well, although she woke up early and decided that everybody else needed to wake up with her." Luna smiled when Jennifer reached for a piece of fruit on her plate. "She’s eating now, so I finally have a little peace."

Abishola laughed softly at the other end. "That sounds like a Jennifer I remember. I’ve been thinking about coming to visit you both, if that would be convenient. although I know you and Dayo talked about it but, I know you’ve got your parents around you, and I don’t want to arrive when you’re busy with something."

"You don’t have to worry about that. You’re welcome to come whenever you like. My parents are here, and I’m sure they’ll be happy to meet you properly. We haven’t had the chance to sit down together yet."

"That’s what I was thinking. We’ve spoken on the phone, but it isn’t the same as meeting in person. I would like to spend some time with Jennifer, too. Its been a while so I want to hold her and play with her myself."

Luna looked at her daughter, who was now trying to feed a piece of fruit to a small toy she had brought to the table. "She’ll probably be more interested in whatever you bring than in you at first, but don’t take it personally. She has her own priorities."

"I’ll manage," Abishola replied. "What time would be good for you? I was thinking I could come over later this morning, spend a little time with you, and return home before it gets too late."

"That works for me. Just let me know when you’re leaving, and I’ll make sure someone meets you at the entrance. The ranch is quite large, and visitors sometimes take the wrong road when they come in for the first time."

Abishola agreed, then hesitated before bringing up another matter. She had already spoken to Dayo about the visit and had hoped that he would come with her. When she explained that to Luna, she was careful not to make it sound as though her son had refused because he did not want to see her.

"I asked Dayo to come along, but he said he couldn’t," Abishola explained. "He told me he has made a promise to you and wants to finish what he promised before he comes to see you. I don’t know exactly what you two discussed, and I didn’t ask him to tell me. He just said he intends to keep his word."

For a moment, Luna stopped attending to her breakfast. She had expected Dayo might come, although she had told herself not to build her hopes around it. Hearing that he had been invited and had chosen not to attend because of his promise left her with a mixture of disappointment and understanding after all she was the one who put in those promise or rule.

"What did you tell him?" she asked.

"I told him he could come with me and still continue working on whatever he needed to do. He refused. I even reminded him that I was going to see you and Jennifer, and he said that didn’t change anything. He wants to finish what he promised before he comes to see you properly."

Luna looked down at Jennifer, who had finally eaten the piece of fruit instead of feeding it to her toy. "I understand. I know Dayo, and when he decides to keep his word, he takes it seriously. Sometimes I think he makes things harder for himself than they need to be, but I know he means what he says."

"That is how I see it, too. I don’t know what the promise is, and I won’t ask you to explain it to me. Whatever happened between you both is something you have to work through together. I only wanted you to know that I asked him to come, because I didn’t want you to think I had left him out of the invitation."

"You don’t have to explain yourself, Abishola. I’m glad you’re coming. I would like us to get to know each other better, and Jennifer should have the chance to spend more time with you even if she had been with you almost all the time."

"Haha you’re right she spent a lot of time with me. Then that’s settled. I’ll call when I’m leaving, and I’ll see you soon."

After the call ended, Luna remained at the table for a little while. She had known Dayo would be unlikely to abandon his promise, but some part of her had still imagined that he might decide to come with his mother. She wanted to see him, even if she was not ready to invite him back into the life they had shared before everything went wrong.

Her mother returned to the dining room after finishing her conversation with the worker. She noticed Luna’s phone on the table and asked who had called.

"Abishola. She’s coming to visit Jennifer this morning."

Luna’s mother looked pleased. "That’s good. We’ve been saying for some time that we should meet her properly. Did she say whether Dayo would come as well?"

"She asked him, but he said he wouldn’t. Apparently, he has promised me something and wants to finish it before he comes to see us."

Her mother pulled out a chair and sat beside her. "Do you know what he promised?"

Luna shook her head denying it flatly. "Not exactly. I know he is trying to settle the problems surrounding Michael and Silas, and I think that is part of it. He doesn’t want to come here and act as if everything is finished when it isn’t."

"Well, at least he’s trying to do what he said he would do. That doesn’t mean you have to forget everything that happened, but keeping a promise is a good place to start." Her mother reached for Jennifer’s empty plate and moved it aside. "Let him do what he needs to do. You don’t have to make every decision about your future today."

"I know, Mum. I just thought he might come with her."

The admission came out more quietly than Luna intended. Her mother heard it but did not make a big issue of it. She knew her daughter well enough to understand that Luna could miss Dayo and still be angry with him. Those feelings did not cancel each other out, and there was no point in pretending otherwise.

"You can be disappointed that he isn’t coming," she told her. "That doesn’t mean you’ve made the wrong decision by giving yourself time. Let things happen at their own pace."

"Like I always say don’t stress it."

Luna accepted that and returned her attention to Jennifer. She did not want the morning to become a discussion about Dayo when Abishola was coming to spend time with them. There would be enough opportunities to talk about their relationship later.

By the time Abishola called again, the ranch had settled into its usual routine. A worker was repairing a section of fencing near the stables, another was preparing feed, and Luna’s father had gone out to check on the horses. The house staff had finished arranging the sitting room, where Luna’s mother intended to receive their guest.

Abishola informed Luna that she was on her way. Luna thanked her and told her that the entrance gate would be open. After ending the call, she checked that Jennifer was dressed and took her outside for a little while. The child had been restless indoors and was now interested in the horses moving beyond the fence.

Luna stood with her near the front veranda, keeping a close eye on her while they waited. She told herself that she was simply looking forward to seeing Abishola, but she kept thinking about Dayo and wondering whether he might change his mind at the last moment and decided to come.

The sound of a car horn came from the driveway.

Jennifer turned toward the road, and Luna immediately began walking toward the entrance. She expected to see Abishola stepping out of her car, perhaps with a bag of gifts for Jennifer. Yet as the vehicle came into view, Luna’s attention went first to the driver’s seat and then to the passenger side, where she hoped Dayo might be sitting.

Only Abishola was there.

Luna reached the car as Abishola opened the door. She greeted her warmly, but the brief search she had made of the vehicle had not gone unnoticed. Abishola had seen it before Luna could hide her disappointment.

"My dear, I’m happy to see you," Abishola said as she came around the car. "But I know you were looking for someone else."

Luna gave a small, embarrassed smile. "I was wondering whether he might have changed his mind. I know you said he wasn’t coming, but I thought perhaps he would decide to come along after all."

"I told him again before I left. I asked him to come and spend some time with his daughter, and I told him you wouldn’t mind seeing him. He still refused. He said he would come when he had finished what he promised you." Abishola took Luna’s hand briefly. "I don’t know what you agreed between yourselves, and I won’t interfere. I only know that my son has made up his mind to keep his word."

Luna looked toward the road, although there was no other car approaching. "I know. He can be stubborn about these things. I wanted to see him, but I also know why he is doing it. If he has promised to settle everything before coming back, then I suppose I have to let him finish."

"You do. You shouldn’t have to chase him, and he shouldn’t expect you to forget what happened simply because he wants to see you. But I can tell you that he wants to come. He just believes he should keep his promise first."

"I understand, Abishola. Thank you for telling me."

"Alright enough of this lets go in" Luna ushered Abisola

There was no need for either woman to say more about Dayo at that moment. Abishola had come to see her granddaughter, and Luna wanted her to feel welcome. She led her toward the house, where her mother was waiting near the entrance.

"Mum, this is Abishola, Dayo’s mother. Abishola, this is my mother. My father is outside checking on the horses, but he’ll be back shortly."

Luna’s mother stepped forward to greet her. "It’s lovely to meet you properly at last. We’ve spoken a few times, but we haven’t had the chance to sit down together. Welcome to our home."

"Thank you for having me. I’ve wanted to visit for a while, and I’m glad we could arrange it today." Abishola accepted her greeting and looked around the entrance hall with interest. "You have a lovely place here."

"We’ve been here for many years. The ranch takes a lot of work, so there’s always something that needs attention. My husband spends much of his time outside, and I’m usually the one making sure everything in the house is running properly."

"That sounds familiar. Dayo’s father and I have our own work to keep us busy. We also have the restaurant, so there is rarely a day when we have nothing to do."

The conversation continued as they moved into the sitting room. Luna’s mother asked about the restaurant, and Abishola explained how Dayo had helped his parents improve it. She spoke about the work involved in running the business and how her husband continued to spend much of his time there. Luna’s mother listened with interest, occasionally asking a question about the restaurant or the family.

Abishola, in turn, asked about the ranch. Luna’s mother explained that the property had been part of their family for years and that it required regular attention. There were horses to care for, workers to supervise, and land that needed maintaining throughout the year. She described the different parts of the operation without making it sound as though the ranch ran itself.

"It’s a lot to manage," Abishola said. "People sometimes see a place like this and think it must be peaceful all the time, but I imagine there is always something happening somewhere."

"There is," Luna’s mother replied. "You can sit down for five minutes and somebody will come looking for you because a horse has refused to cooperate or a worker needs a decision. Just this morning a worker came in complain of fence which my husband went to fix. We love the place, but it keeps us busy."

Luna smiled as she listened. She was glad the two women were finding things to talk about without needing her to guide every part of the conversation. Their families had been connected through Dayo and Luna for some time, yet until now, most of their contact had been indirect. This visit gave them the chance to speak as people who might remain part of each other’s lives, regardless of what happened between their children.

Jennifer, who had been sitting close to Luna, began showing interest in Abishola’s bag. Abishola had brought several small gifts, including a soft toy and a set of children’s clothes. She waited until Luna had helped Jennifer settle before taking out the toy and offering it to her.

"I brought you something, Jennifer. Would you like to see it?"

Jennifer looked at the toy, then at her mother, as though she wanted to make sure she was allowed to take it. Luna encouraged her to accept it, and the little girl reached forward to take it from Abishola.

"Thank you," Luna said on her daughter’s behalf. "You didn’t have to bring so much."

"I wanted to bring her something. I’ve missed her more than you think." Abishola watched Jennifer examine the toy, turning it around and pressing its soft ears between her fingers. "She’s growing so quickly. The last time I visited back then, she looks a little different."

"She changes all the time," Luna replied. "Sometimes I look at pictures from a few months ago and find it difficult to believe she’s the same child. She has her own ideas about everything now, and she makes sure we know when she doesn’t agree with us."

Abishola laughed and moved closer to Jennifer, allowing the child to inspect her without rushing her. At first, Jennifer stayed beside Luna, holding the toy against her chest. Abishola spoke to her gently and asked whether she wanted to show her what she had been playing with. Jennifer did not answer, but she looked toward the toys arranged near the sofa.

Luna brought the small basket over and placed it on the rug. Jennifer immediately became more interested, pulling out a toy and placing it in front of Abishola. The older woman followed her lead, helping arrange the toys and letting Jennifer decide what they would play with. Within a short time, the child had moved away from her mother’s side and was sitting beside her grandmother.

Abishola did not try to make the moment more emotional than it was. She simply played with Jennifer, asked her questions, and listened to the sounds she made in response. When Jennifer offered her the soft toy, Abishola accepted it with thanks and gave it back when the little girl wanted it again.

Luna watched from the sofa, feeling relieved that Jennifer was becoming comfortable. She had wondered how the first meeting would go, particularly because Jennifer had spent most of her time around Luna and her parents. There was no guarantee that she would immediately respond to a new person, even one who was part of her father’s family.

Her mother joined her after bringing refreshments. For a while, the two women watched Jennifer play with Abishola before returning to their conversation. Luna’s mother asked about Dayo’s work and whether the situation surrounding Michael and Silas had become any clearer.

"Michael has been sentenced to life imprisonment," Abishola explained. "Dayo told me about the hearing. He is relieved that the case has reached this stage, but he knows there is still more to resolve with Silas."

"That must have been difficult for Dayo," Luna’s mother said. "He has been carrying a lot for some time."

Obviously, Luna has told her parents about the whole Michael and Silas issue so they understood what was going on.

"He has. I worry about him, but he believes he has to see this through. I told him he should make sure he is looking after himself as well. He can become so focused on a problem that he forgets there are other things in his life that need his attention."

Luna listened without interrupting. She knew Abishola was not trying to persuade her to change her mind about Dayo. The older woman was speaking about her son as a mother who had watched him struggle, and Luna understood why she would be concerned.

"I know he wants to finish everything," Luna said after a moment. "I want him to finish it, too. I just need to know that when he says something will change, he is going to follow through. I can’t make decisions based on what I hope he will do."

Abishola turned toward her. "I understand, my dear. I’m not here to ask you to return home or tell you what decision to make. I only want you and Jennifer to be well. Whatever happens between you and Dayo, I hope you can both find a way to do what is right for your daughter."

"That’s what I want, too."

Luna’s mother agreed that Jennifer’s well-being had to remain at the centre of their decisions. She did not suggest that Luna should forgive Dayo before she was ready, nor did she treat the separation as something that could be resolved by one pleasant visit. Instead, she encouraged the women to keep communication open and allow Dayo to demonstrate through his actions that he understood what was expected of him.

By then, Luna’s father had returned from the stables. After washing his hands, he joined them in the sitting room and was introduced to Abishola. The two exchanged greetings and began talking about the ranch. He explained that he had been checking on a horse that had been having difficulty settling after a change in its routine also working on a broken fence, and Abishola listened while he described the care it required.

He was pleased to see Jennifer spending time with her grandmother, although he did not make a fuss about it. He asked Abishola about her family and the restaurant, and the conversation continued naturally as they settled down together. The first awkwardness of meeting had eased, leaving them more comfortable with one another.

After lunch, Abishola spent more time with Jennifer. The child was already familiar with her so she bring toys over without waiting for Luna’s encouragement, and Abishola took every opportunity to enjoy the visit.

Eventually, Abishola checked the time and began preparing to leave. She had enjoyed meeting Luna’s parents and did not want to stay so long that the visit became tiring for everyone. Before going, she thanked them for welcoming her and said she hoped they would have more opportunities to spend time together.

"We’re glad you came," Luna’s mother told her. "You’re welcome here, and I hope we can arrange another visit soon."

"I would like that. I want to see Jennifer again, and it has been good getting to know you both. We should have met properly earlier, but I’m glad we have the chance now."

Luna walked her to the car while her father carried the gifts Abishola had brought. Jennifer remained with her grandmother until the last moment, then returned to Luna when Abishola leaned down to say goodbye. The child watched her grandmother get into the car, holding the soft toy she had received that morning.

Abishola promised to call again and reminded Luna that she could contact her whenever she needed anything concerning Jennifer. Luna thanked her, and the two women exchanged a final goodbye before the car moved down the driveway toward the entrance gate.

For a few moments, Luna remained outside with Jennifer in her arms, watching the car disappear along the ranch road. She had enjoyed the visit more than she had expected. Abishola had been respectful of the situation, and meeting Dayo’s mother had not made Luna feel that she was being pressured to make a decision about her relationship.

Still, she had looked for Dayo when she heard the horn, and she could not pretend that his absence had meant nothing to her.

Inside the house, her mother asked whether she was all right. Luna said she was, then carried Jennifer back to the sitting room and settled her among her toys. There would be time to think about Dayo later. For now, she was glad that Jennifer had spent time with her grandmother, and that the families had taken a first step toward knowing one another.

Abishola called Dayo once she had left the ranch and was on her way home. He answered while going through some work that needed his attention, and his first question was whether the visit had gone well.

"It went well," Abishola told him. "Jennifer was Jennifer always bouncing around. Luna’s parents were welcoming, too. I finally met them properly, and we had a good conversation."

Dayo was pleased to hear that. He asked how Jennifer had been behaving and whether she seemed comfortable with the visit. Abishola described how the little girl had examined the toy, brought her other toys over. Dayo listened carefully, asking a few questions about what Jennifer had done and whether she had seemed tired by the end.

"She was fine," Abishola assured him. "Luna looked after her, of course, and her parents were around. It was a good visit. I was happy to spend time with her, and I think we should arrange another one when it is convenient for them."

"I’d like that. I’m glad you went."

"There is something else I should tell you," Abishola added. "Luna came outside as soon as she heard my horn. She was looking for you."

Dayo stopped what he was doing and listened.

"I told her you had refused to come because you wanted to keep your promise. She said she understood, and she didn’t blame me for coming alone. But I could tell she had hoped you might be there."

Dayo looked at the work on his desk without reading it. He had wanted to see Luna and Jennifer, and the knowledge that Luna had expected him to arrive made the decision to stay away harder. Yet he had told her he would keep his promise, and he had to finish what he had committed himself to doing before he asked her to trust him again.

"I wanted to come, Mum," he admitted. "I still do. But I told her I would finish what I promised, and I don’t want to go back on my word because I miss them."

"I know, and I’m proud of you for taking your promise seriously. Just remember that keeping your word is only part of what you need to do. You also have to keep making the right decisions after this matter is finished. Luna needs to see that she can trust you again, not just hear you say it."

"I understand."

Abishola reminded him that she was not asking him to abandon his work or rush back to Luna before he was ready. She only wanted him to understand that Luna’s disappointment had come from wanting to see him, not from a desire to make his task more difficult. Dayo thanked her for telling him and said he was glad the visit had gone well.

After the call ended, Dayo returned to his work. He still had matters to resolve, and the case involving Silas remained unfinished. He would not ask Luna to change her mind simply because he missed her, nor would he use the visit as a reason to make another promise he could not yet fulfil.

The knowledge that Luna had looked for him stayed with him throughout the afternoon. He wanted to see Jennifer, to spend time with his daughter, and to sit with Luna without the weight of everything that had happened between them. But he had given his word, and he intended to honour it.

For now, that was what he could do.