“You.”
That knocks the wind out of me. “Me?”
“My cousins have always said our powers are connected to our emotional state. I thought conceding to my father’s wishes and trying my hardest at the job would suffice, but I’ve struggled for months. Until last night, when I stopped pushing aside my feelings for you,” Niyi explains.
I’m speechless.
“You reminded me that I needed to do me and choose my path, even if it’s contrary to what I’ve been brought up to do. Using my full powers has been the scariest experience of my life, as you saw,” he says. “I never want to experience it again.”
“So what? You’re quittingCupid’s Bow?”
“Quitting the job won’t be enough. I’ve been figuring out a way to get rid of everything.”
“Everything, meaning your powers?”
“Yes.”
“What does that mean for us?” I ask, my voice shaking. “What if you can’t get rid of them?” The image of his unresponsive body fills my head.
“I will,” Niyi says, determined.
That’s not enough. “But what happens if you don’t?”
Niyi takes a deep breath. “I wouldn’t feel right doing that to you. I can’t expect you to be with someone who won’t be around due to his job. I know what it’s like to be raised by such a man, and I refuse to repeat the cycle.”
“That means…” Realization hits. I went against my better judgement only for things to end.
“I’ll find a way. Moyo, I promise you.” Niyi takes my hands. Where I’m unsure, he’s unwavering. The determination emanating from his every pore should bestow me with faith, but unfortunately, I can’t muster it. Once bitten, twice shy.
I pull my hands away.
“I need a moment. Or several,” I say, getting out of bed. I retrieve my dress from the floor.
“I understand,” Niyi says sadly.
Niyi follows me to the living room as I don my coat. He even opens the door for me.
“I’m not giving up on us, Moyo. Take all the time you need, but please don’t give up on me.”
With a stony face, I say, “Okay,” unsure if that’s even the truth.
What the hell am I supposed to do with a god who goes into unconscious states?
29Moyo
I TEXTED THE GIRLS SOS AS SOON AS I GOT HOME. IT’S EXHAUSTINGand slightly embarrassing to keep having relationship problems. It’s even more embarrassing to have relationship problems with a guy I wasn’t dating.
Anjie comes in holding two plastic bowls of goat meat pepper soup. She beelines for the kitchen, no trace of fatigue even as it nears midnight, while Sewa takes in my fallen face.
“What’s wrong?” Sewa asks. When I don’t say anything, she pulls me in for a tight hug. “Moyosore, talk to me.”
“Let’s sit,” I say.
I guide the girls to my room, and they look at me as I gather the words.
Anjie speaks up. “Ready to tell us what happened?”
I relay the new information I learned, and their jaws drop. A pregnant silence fills the air as they process what I’m still trying to wrap my head around.
