Episode 11
In this light that paints my skin so warmly, the trees are dancing ladies, each in dresses more fabulous than any designer can craft. They move, choreographed by the wind, in perfect time with one another. They are the life and soul of this early summer morning, and I wonder how many hues of green my eyes are witnessing. As they stretch upwards and outwards toward the light, drinking in rays as pure as the rain, I stretch my arms up too, fingers spread toward the sun and slowly begin to dance.
I was on my way home from an errand confused in thoughts. I felt so useless, It was like the future came so soon. I would love being a father and also having Ochuwa as a wife would be the best decision of my life but not in this condition; a situation where I was close to no body.
I ran into Omopekhai, I wanted to walk past him ignoring him, but he came straight to me. He said he trailed me few days ago to a clinic nearby, he thought I was defending the princess because I cared, but after what he saw, seem there was more to it. And he asked me what I think the king would do to me after finding out the relationship between the princess and I.
He paused for a while, then he started asking me how I managed to get the princess of our land under my wimp. "I was thinking through out yesterday on how to accomplish our plan, but glory to our ancestors, the solution came in as soon as I sighted you"; muttered Omopekhai, he giggled and continued. "You will be the one to kidnap the princess and lure her to us" he said, this time I couldn't remain silent anymore, I warned him and insisted no such event will happen.
He didn't allow me finish my statement, he spoke in a louder tune, you will do as I say or else you will explain the kind of spell or voodoo you placed on the princess to the extent of getting her pregnant. He tapped me on the cheeks and said lets see how much you love the princess or if you would protect yourself from the kings wrath; and he walked away laughing.
I began to wonder how he acquired such knowledge, he must have overheard when Ochuwa insisted we elope; maybe he got his information from the nurses there or from the laboratory. Well that's not the problem now, I am in a mess and there seem to be no route of escape.
After few minutes , I got home, my youngest sister said my mother had been waiting for me.
I walked in, met my mother sitting like an angry Lion that have been waiting patiently to pounce on a prey. I knew something had transpired. When ever my siblings and I saw mother in such grief, we would definitely remain in our room and wouldn't dare to create any scene.
I greeted her and decided to go straight to my room, she called out my name, I pretended not to hear, she called me again, then I turned and responded. She asked me if all she heard about me was the truth, I asked her what? I don't understand, in response. She said my father and her spent a lot sending me abroad to study but I decided to pay them back with such evil act. I was still trying to understand her words, I wondered if Omopekhai had been here to feed her with his recent findings. I remained in silence, then she slapped me both side of my face, pulling my clothes dragging me towards her. she asked if I was the only one affected by the evil doings of the King that I had to seek revenge to the extent of impregnating the princess. I wanted to talk, she slapped me again and said I don't have any excuse. Then she said the princess was here and she claimed my life was in danger because she is carrying my child in her womb. So I decided to get her pregnant thinking that's the best way to get revenge. I couldn't take it anymore, I shouted back at her, I told to her I love Ochuwa and she loves me too, I didn't actually Know she was the princess and when my mind came to grasp a knowledge of who she was, I was already in love and whatever happened was a product of the love we shared.
She went into tears, "I reminded her of my father and she doesn't want to loose any of her child"; she yelled as she hugged me. But why the princess; she continued , there are other pretty girls around, now you will have to leave Ebeni and never return; she muttered, because the king won't spare you if the news comes to light she said.
I wouldn't want to run away leaving Ochuwa or my family behind, like my father once told me, "A man is one who makes his own decisions but a warrior doesn't just stop there but he puts them into actions".