The sky was grey and overcast, hiding the sun close to midday yet the air felt stuffy and humid. It was summer in Lagos. And Eriola Gardens offered a rare kind of calm, a place where people on the Island came to unwind.
Another bead of sweat rolled out of Fatima's hairline into her eyes. She didn't blink it away like the others before, letting the blur turn the bed of flowers around her into a shimmering blend of colours.
Unlike the young man sitting across from her on the iron bench, she failed to see the cute balls of orange and white furs barking and chasing each other. A few people cooed, admiring the Pomeranians while their owners smiled with pride.
“What if you had the licence to do something you've always wanted?” She asked quietly as though speaking to herself, catching the man off guard.
“What? I didn't catch that.” He was looking at the couple sat under an enormous tree with many leaves that shaded them from the sun, gazing into each others’ eyes and whispering sweet nothings punctuated with giggles from the lady.
She shook her head, her brows tightening with worry. “A chance to do something you've always wanted, Charles. If you had it, what will you do?”
He sighed. “I would take you far away from here right now and we'd be together, regardless of the consequences.”
“Then let's do it. It's our choice, our lives.”
“You know if we do, your father will unleash his entire army and scour the earth for us. And he will find us.” He held her hand and squeezed gently, his eyes darting around as though someone might arrest them for the display of affection. “I'll serve in his army for three years as he wants. It's for you.”
“And you'll wait…for three years?” She bit her lower lip to rein in her tears. She'd shed more than enough since her father's demand.
His eyes were weary yet held an intense strength. He smiled. “I'll wait an eternity for you.”
I hope you enjoyed reading this short piece. It's inspired by the Freewrite #dailyprompt phrase "licence to do something".
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Image credit: Ichigo121212 from Pixabay