It was early in the morning and still dark when Farida woke up to someone shaking her roughly, she mumbled to herself half asleep.

'Wake up Farida, we will be late.' an annoying voice called. Burying her head in the worn sheet, Why on earth won't they let me sleep for some minutes? 'Wake up right now sleepy head or you won't like what I will do with the cold water in my hand.' She jumped to her feet at the sound of the familiar threat.

'Can you not let me sleep in peace again in this house? Just look, the sky isn't clear yet and you're waking me up.' Farida said angrily.

'Yes, I cannot allow that Farida. Have you forgotten today is the village market day and we have to go early? Go get ready Farida; we have no time to spare.' Said Rahma grinning at her cousin and only friend while she groaned in frustration and went out of the hut.

Rahma picked up a calabash bowl containing their bathing soap and sponge before going out to meet the angry Farida waiting in the compound.

They walked in silence to the village stream to take their bath. They both smiled, seeing they were the first to come to the stream today.

'Luck is on our side today.' Farida said, running the short distance to the bank of the stream. Striping on the grass-covered bank, they stepped into the water. 

They flung water at each other with one hand as it was their morning bath ritual to bite off the cold water and in no time, they were playing and laughing like children each splashing water on the other with two hands. At last, they washed themselves while charting about everything and nothing in particular, Farida forgetting her anger.

'Hmm... Farida, yesterday I had my first kiss.' Rahma blurted out in a small voice on their way home from the stream.

'What!' exclaimed Farida, surprised by what she heard coming from her friend's mouth. She turned looking at Rahma with wide eyes.

'Stop looking at me like that, it was with Mona,' she answered timidly while Farida just nodded her head like an Agama lizard with understanding.

We only held hands and sometimes hugged but yesterday was different. although it lasted for a second, my mind ceased to register the world around us. His lips were so warm and soft that I wanted to…' 

'We are almost home, Rahma.' Interrupted Farida. 

'I'm sorry, I was carried away...' she trailed off, blushing furiously at the memory of the kiss since she was fair skinned, and it was obvious.

'It is okay. You can tell me all about it later. Let us go eat breakfast, I am sure Mama is already done with it and we can hurry to the market if not we won't sell a thing today.' Farida smiled at her lovesick cousin.

'Eat up! You have got to go soon.' Their mother said as she heard a cock crowed in the distance while preparing foofoo for her husband.

Just like any other morning- peaceful, their father came out yawning. He is a sturdily built tall man with head shaved bald.

'Good morning my sweet little beauties' he said, rubbing his eyes. 

'Morning Papa and to remind you once more Papa, we are no little beauties but adults.' Both said in unison, smiling at him.

'Is that so?' he asked with a hint of sarcasm in his voice. 'Yes Papa and bye till in the evening.' Said Farida while Rahma took the two baskets filled with okra and chilli pepper harvested from the family farm.

******

'Thank the gods; we sold everything this time around. Mama will be very happy.'

'She will indeed be happy, we have made more profit today than the last market day. Moreover, some cowries will be dropped in the saving pot.' Rahma said in a sad voice as they walked home from the market.

'Cheer up! Everything will be fine before you know it.' Farida smiled at her friend.

'I sometimes wished that a wealthy merchant from the Sahara could come ask for my hands in marriage and pay a very reasonable dowry that I can settle the debt with. Even if he is old, ugly and fat as an elephant, I will definitely manage to stay with him.'

'What! Do not say such things. Look at you, what in god's name are you thinking, Rahma? saying you can manage to be with a man you have no feelings towards for the rest of your life.' Farida shook her head disapprovingly at Rahma. 'I thought you loved Mona. So, why think of throwing your love and happiness through the window just for the sake of paying off a debt. Remember when there is life there is hope Rahma.' Farida scolds bitterly.

'I know, but...'

'No buts Rahma,' she said firmly. 'Papa is still strong and able, he will try to pay the debt and we are helping in the best way we can to speed up the process of the payment. Papa will be off the hook in no time.'

'But there is no time, can't you see...?' Rahma dragged out the question very slowly, to make it clear for her cousin. 'At the end of the season, the Chief will demand for his money in full, hope you know that too.' Rahma asked worriedly, trying hard not to shed tears just thinking about the young ruthless Chief of her tribe, her father's tribe.

'It will be okay dear, we have a hundred and twenty days left for that, meaning four market days before he starts demanding and the last time Mama counted the cowries it was a sum of nine and eight hundred. You see, do not worry yourself. Just pray Papa sold his wares today and we all make more profit in the next market days.' The younger of the two, Farida tried assuring her only friend and cousin sister but deep down she knew it was a big fat lie and knowing the profit they made today was by sheer luck.

'If you say so Farida,' Rahma said with some relief evident on her face. 'I just pray Mona will ask Papa for my hands sooner than later.' She changed the topic of their discussion to one that leaves her with a smile and happy feeling.

'I too,' Farida said smiling as they entered their small compound. They went straight to the kitchen to get their meal after greeting their mother.

******

That night, the blacksmith could not close his eyes and sleep. He kept thinking about the chieftain of Salame's husband's clan and praying to the gods that he add one or two market days for him. His business seems to be getting worse for him nowadays. Just like today, he thought to gain enough profit since it was the village market day but that was not the case. He only sold three wares from morning to evening.

Looking at his wife lying beside him, turning and shaking all over made his heart hurt the most. He was never accustomed to her trembling after all these years. It all started after seeing his sister who was also her childhood friend fight for her dear life in the healer's hut back in Odinya after a tragic fire incident.

'The gods of thunder shall strike the monster that did that to you sister. How I wish you were here today to see your daughter grow and blossom into a beautiful maiden. She is a beauty to behold in the eyes of man. O! Salame, I pray you cross the river Odo and find eternal peace, love and happiness with your beloved.' The blacksmith said aloud into the dark room, wiping a tear that had escaped his eye.

He embraced his wife to help ease the trembling, kissing her forehead and saying sweet nothing in her ear. Calming her down, they both drifted to sleep leaving all their worries here in Ogidi to a dreamless world. 

On the other side of the house, a voice startled Rahma as she tried sneaking from the hut.

'Where are you going at this hour of the night?' the voice whispered. 'Why are you not asleep yet, if I may ask?' Rahma retorted back at the voice.

'You answer me, I first asked.' The voice demanded.

'I don't have to answer you. If you will excuse me, I am getting late.' Rahma had said irritatedly.

'Late keh? Now my dear sister, tell me what you will be late for.' The voice said with a hint of sarcasm.

'Farida please go back to sleep, we will talk about it in the morning I promise.' Desperate to go see her lover, Rahma opened the wooden door to the hut and out she went with no turning back to see if Farida had gone back to sleep.

The tall handsome young man paced round the tree getting worried as he waited for his Missing rib. Where is she? Is she not coming? It is getting very dark, has she forgotten? I do not think she will ever keep me waiting intentionally. Maybe her father caught her sneaking out? May the gods forbid such a situation. All sorts of thoughts were running in his head as he stood still for a moment facing the tree.

'I'm sorry, I kept you waiting.' A soft and warm feminine body he knows so well like the back of his palm hugged him.

Mona turned looking at the most beautiful woman in his own eyes feeling relieved at last, 'you're now here my dear that's all that matters. I was a little worried thinking Papa saw you going out.' He kissed her forehead, breathing in her intoxicating scent to ease his nerves.

'It was the little urchin in the hut that caught me sneaking out but everything is fine, she will not breathe a word about it to a soul,' she smiled up at him.

'I thank the gods it wasn't who I was thinking. How was your day my dear? He asked as they sat on a small bamboo mat she brought with her.

'My day was fine, only that I'm a bit tired from going to the market place but happy we sold all the okra and pepper and now seeing your face makes me happier.'

'Are you really happy to see me? He asked, pecking her cheek while his fingers were busy making feather-like patterns on her wrist.

'Yes.' She breathed out, arching her neck closer as his lips descended down on it kissing and nibbling. His hand roamed her body, caressing the side of her breast through the blouse she wore.

A warm pleasant feeling spread to her most intimate part making a soft moan escape her slightly opened lips. Wanting him to feel what she was feeling from the mere touch of his hands on her body. She imitates him, moving her hand slowly from his chest. Taking her time to touch all the hard muscles she felt through his shirt. She lowered her small hands down his muscular body to his britches and smiled when she heard him inhale sharply, happy to know she had the same effect he had on her.

'You'll be the death of me, if you keep touching me like that.' His mouth moved to her earlobe teasing it. 'I told mama yesterday about us and she was very happy,' he said.

She pulled back surprised, looking at his face illuminated by the full moon shining above them. She crashed her lips to his. He hesitated at first, taken aback by her reaction to what he said but later gave in to her wish and kissed her back. This time it was longer than the first time. He moaned with intense desire when he felt her wet tongue. 

Pulling back from her luscious lips, they stared into each other's eyes seeing the love and lust swirling in them. 'We need to stop, it is getting darker.' He said huskily, his voice filled with desire, resting his forehead on her forehead trying to control his desire before he does something abominable.

Pecking her cheeks, he stood and helped her up. Arranging her blouse and skirt properly, he folded the mat they sat on, entwined their fingers and walked his precious one home. All the way telling her how he spent his day clearing the farm he inherited from his late father.

Wishing each other good night, she sneaked back to their hut. All along smiling like a fool to herself, she lay on the soft furs covering her body with a sheet. Happy and content, she slept peacefully with a smile on her lips.