The sun rose slowly over the village, gilding everything.
The fields were greener, laughter was louder, and the market road — where Olivia had complained about dust and noise — now felt like home.
She stood in front of her cream and mint store, her name imprinted on a wooden sign:
Oliv
The woman who once disliked rural life now joyfully bargained with customers and assisted new corpers in finding accommodation.
Madam Olivia, very calm these days! a trader mocked.
She smiled slightly. "Old age, my sister."
But in her heart, she knew it was peace, not age.
He simply didn't pass through; he lived there.
The minister's son, having broken loose from his father's clutches, discovered liberty in the simple.
He also created a tech center powered by renewable energy in his town where the youth are taught computers and business.
Who imagined a pretend corper could impact real lives?" Olivia mocked one day while observing the children play.
He grinned. "Who would have thought that a city woman would rule the marketplace?"
They laughed, shoulders touching, a serene love between them.
No pretension, no distance—but life.
Weeks afterwards, while sorting through the contents of her outdated camp locker, Olivia came across a sealed, yellowed package.
It was in her handwriting.
She opened it slowly — it was her letter from the orientation camp,
"Dear Olivia, you're probably tired. But remember: each delay teaches a lesson. Every place serves a purpose."
She smiled softly, tears sparkling.
Guess you were correct, former me," she whispered.
Chidera poked his head inside. "Talking to
"Absolutely," she beamed. "She simply said that I was in the correct place."
Months afterwards, they went to Lagos together — where their journeys commenced on opposite sides.
Olivia waited nervously in front of the minister's manor.
"Are you sure?" she asked.
Chidera nodded. "They will love you. My mum already does; she has heard of the redeployment programme."
The gates opened, and his mother rushed out, full of warmth and elegance.
"My daughter," she said and hugged Olivia. "You gave him peace. Thanks."
Olivia's eyes misted. It seemed unreal — the very woman that once conspired for redeployment dialing her family.
That evening, they walked in silence around the lagoon.
The city lights reflected on the water like fireflies.
Chidera stopped and revealed a modest yet beautiful ring.
He couldn't get down on his knees. He stared into her eyes and whispered.
Olivia, you called the NYSC a mistake and a punishment. For me, it was destiny. It led me to you.
"Marry me — let's always be for each other wherever life takes us."
She shed tears when nodding.
Still dramatic," she whispered, chuckling between sobs.
"And you still love it," he said, placing the ring on her.
A year later, they had a small ceremony in the same mango tree where they first fought, laughed, and confessed.
White drapes fluttered, children tossed petals, and villagers sang happily.
As they exchanged their vows, Olivia gazed at the familiar faces, the earth, and the dusty roads that once disappointed her.
It defined her narrative.
She whispered to herself,
Not the wrong place.
As they passed through the cheering crowd in their arms entwined, Chidera smiled and leaned towards him, saying,
Here's looking at you kid.
She laughed and settled her head into his shoulder when the drums thundered.
and the corper who once hated her posting found her forever home.
THE END