CH7: THE FAMILY SAVED HIS LIFE

This is a passion work. So, I would really appreciate it if you leave behind a review when you're done reading.

***

When Korede got to his room, he changed into his uniform and packed up his things. He took a long look around his room and finally walked out. By the time he got downstairs, the dining table was already set and he found D.G Babatunde Balogun sitting at the table along with Justice Shade Balogun and the little boy Dare Balogun. Shade was serving everyone's plate and Babatunde had a teasing smile on his face when he saw Korede. Korede quickly noticed that the plate with the largest serving by far was placed in front of the only empty seat which meant that the portion was his. Hence, understanding his father's teasing smile. A chuckle escaped his mouth and he walked to his seat down.

Korede normally had a large appetite. He could eat up to two people's serving without a problem. However, looking at the food prepared for him, it's almost enough to feed three people but Korede wasn't about to complain. He understood that his mother was just worried, so the best thing to do is to wolf everything down without complaint. Shade's cooking is wonderful so that helps.

"Good morning sir" Korede greeted his father before taking his seat.

"Good morning." His father responded. He noticed Korede's bag and asked, "Did you rest well? Hope you have everything you need?"

"Yes sir, everything is ready." Korede responded.

Before the conversation could continue, Shade interrupted, "Alright that's enough. Let's eat. We don't want him to be late and he isn't leaving this house without finishing his food."

Both father and son quickly kept quiet and started eating. They didn't want to get on Shade's bad side today. Little Dare was completely oblivious to what was happening, all of his attention was on his food as soon as it was served.

After about thirty minutes, the family was done eating and Korede had cleared the table with 'help' from Dare. The family moved to the sitting room. Babatunde and Shade sat together on the sofa, Korede sat alone on a one-sitter chair while Dare was playing with his toys on the floor. As the little boy played with his toy, the adults held an idle chatter probably trying to distract themselves from the inevitable separation. Before long, a car horn was heard outside and Korede's phone rang. The car from the taxi service that he ordered had arrived.

The family knew it was time for Korede to go. Korede stood up to carry his bag. Shade quickly walked up and hugged him.

"Be safe and come back home." This was all she could say as tears filled her eyes. She hugged him for a good while before releasing him. Babatunde then walked up and placed his hands on his son's shoulder.

"Always remember your roots. Never forget your training. You've trained your whole life for this and I know you will make us proud." Babatunde said before pulling his son into his embrace. As he hugged him, he continued, "Remember nothing is more important to us than your life. Never unnecessarily risk your life for glory and honour. Remember that we are waiting for you and you MUST come back to us."

When his father released him, Korede could not deny that he was feeling a little melancholic but this was unavoidable. As his father had said, he had been trained his whole life for this. The only thing he could do now is to reassure his parents.

"Yes Ma'am, Yes Sir." Korede said as he performed a military salute to them. He carried his bag, hugged and rubbed his chin on Dare's cheeks before walking out of the house.

Though it didn't completely remove their sadness, the salute made them feel proud of their son. Hence, there was a smile on their faces as they watched their son get into the taxi. The taxi drove off and the couple took Dare back into the house.

Once inside, the couple sat on the sofa. Shade rested her face on Babatunde's shoulder while the man just consoled her. After a few minutes, Shade recovered a little. She raised her head and said, "Although I respect your family's resolve to defend the country with everything it has, I can't help but hate it too. Asking parents to watch as their children walk off to the battlefield and not being able to do anything about it. It's cruel." Tears once again filled her eyes. Babatunde didn't say anything, merely just embraced her tighter.

After a while, D.G Balogun said, "The simple truth is, this is who we are. We, Baloguns, are warriors. It's in our bloodline and nature. Even if the Family doesn't force us to join the battlefield, we are drawn to it ourselves. This has held true for centuries. Even though the battlefield may change, it will continue to hold true. This is something you would've noticed by now, after all, you married into and have been a Balogun most of your life. True-born Baloguns, especially the males, are attracted to combat. In this era of laws, the only legal way to truly satisfy our urge is by joining the defense and security forces. Even you have unconsciously been infected by us. While your battlefield may be in the courtroom, you can't deny its allure to you. The urge to tackle a difficult case, a difficult opponent, to protect what you want and believe in, and most importantly, to be victorious, to raise your head above all others. This feeling you have makes you a warrior, makes you a Balogun.

Shade remained quiet, perhaps she was shocked or just didn't know what to say. Babatunde took a breath and said, "Besides, we knew this was going to happen. This was the agreement we had with the Family."

Shade got out of her husband's embrace and said agitatedly, "WE made the agreement with the Family, not HIM. Besides, we did what they asked. Why should he have to join the army? Why can't he join the DSS? It's safer and his skills have already been recognised by everyone in the Lagos Division."

Babatunde drew his wife back into his embrace. He knew she was merely denying the truth. He also knew he had to say it to her.

"The conditions given to us were merely to get the Family involved in Korede's matter. We both knew that if they did, Korede would have no choice but to join the military. In Korede, the Family created the best warrior they can ever produce. There was no way he would be allowed to join security forces with his skill set. It would have been a waste of resources."

He looked her in the eyes and continued, "In as much as you don't agree with their decision, without them, Korede would not be alive today. He may have died twenty-two years ago and there would have been nothing we could have done to save him. The Balogun Family saved his life."

***

Dodan Military Base

A taxi arrived at the gates of the military base and a youth alighted. The name tag on the youth's left breast pocket identified him. The youth is Korede Balogun. He examined the Army base in front of him and took a deep breath. Then, he said while carrying his bag and walking into the base after identifying himself, "The Army, the Eagle squad, here I come."

[A.N: Please, don't forget to leave to leave a review of the work to encourage me. Your opinion really matters to me.]

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