Kayode admitted, "Every white ship on that water lifts my heart and drops it again when it sails past us."
Kola replied, "A patient man sees his ship come in, and your ship comes today."
While they watched the harbor entrance, Lara appeared among the travelers. She studied Kayode for several seconds before recognizing the man who had once dazzled her with his parties. He looked so different that her face betrayed surprise before any words came. For a moment he hoped she might be relieved to find him alive. Her answer closed that hope almost as quickly as it had opened.
Lara said, "Kayode, look at you! Plain shirt... I almost walked straight past you."
Kayode said, "Lara, it is really me. The island took everything loud and left only this man standing here. I came back alive, Lara. Does that count for nothing after everything we shared?"
Lara answered, "What we shared was your money and your suites. Without them, Kayode, there is nothing left. Understand me well: I loved the billionaire life—the parties, the gold, the shining rooms. I never loved this man."
Kayode admitted, "Then the island taught me true: wealth made people gather around me, but it never made anyone stay."
Chief said, "Kola, my old friend! The sea keeps returning good men to this pier. The village still talks about your kindness every season."
Kayode replied, "Chief, good day to you. We partied together on the *Golden Crest* in better and louder days, remember?"
Chief said, "I remember many faces from that night, young man. It is how a man is remembered for afterwards. On that ship, you spoke to a serving girl like she was dust. The whole world saw it, son."
Kayode murmured, "I know, Chief. I carry that night everywhere now, the way a man carries a scar he earned himself."
A white shape finally entered the harbor entrance, and Kayode recognized the Golden Crest instantly. The sight made his chest tighten. He remembered the music, the champagne, Folake's face, and the moment when he had believed himself owner of every comfort aboard. From the pier, the vessel seemed almost unreal, a gleaming palace floating through ordinary water. Kola did not rush him toward it; he knew that facing consequences was another kind of difficult work.
Kola replied, "There she is, Kayode! The *MV Golden Crest* coming home across the water, just like you said she would."
Kayode said, "My heart knows that ship before my eyes do. I face everything I ran from at sea."
Kayode replied, "She is really coming in, Kola. Every step on this pier feels like walking back into my own past."
Kola replied, "Walk it bravely, my friend. A man who faces his past stands taller than one who hides from it."
Kola said, "She has docked, Kayode. From here, your feet must carry what your heart has already decided to face today."