"Mr. Pretender who does the worst; you are pretending, you love me. There is no single sign of love from you. If you love me, why don't you go out with me in the daylight, instead of the night? If you love me, why don't you make a kiss on my lips, when all eyes are on us? Is my face, deem our loves."
Thirty minutes later, Jessica was not comfortable, thinking on what to reply to James Parker, when she met him in his office. She remembered how they abused her at the workshop. When she arrived home, she sat down on a wooden chair, under a mango tree without entering the living room to say hey to her parents.
When her mom heard her talking lonely; she called on her, but she refused to admit to her mom's call. She was sitting down they, weeping under the mango tree with her eyes dropped on the ground. Her dad heard the mother complaining about her, he came out from his room to see what was going on.
Looking under the mango tree, he cited Jessica, sitting down on a wooden chair; crossing her legs to each other. While her face was phasing downward. And he stood closed to the entrance door and called on her, but she couldn't respond immediately.
Furthermore, he walked straight to the mango tree and asked her, "Jessica, why can't you come and say hey to dad and mom? Is there anything wrong with you?"
Jessica's eyes blips; she could not say a word to her dad. "Just tell me your problem and I would solve it for you," Jackson, pleading on her earnestly. She gushed, while Jackson stretch out his hand and rubbed her head. "My dear is okay. Stop crying. Tell me what happens. Your cry can't solve your problem!" he continued to pet her. While her face was painted with sorrow.
Jessica pulled her head on the ground. She could not listen to her dad anymore.
Jackson put his hands on her shoulder. "I said stop crying. Come, let's go to the parlor," he whispered.
Jessica scolded; she could not lower her voice, while her lips keep on shaking. "Tell me. What happens to you at work?"
"Dad! Today was a funny day, full of sorrow. It took me some time to notice if I'm the one who created myself.
I suggest I am the only ugly girl in this town?" I don't know why there are abusing me ever since," said Jessica, spraying her face with tears. "Dad, when I remembered what happen when I was at school, I always feel sad, as if life as ended in me. Now, another one has happened.
Dad, tell me, what have I done wrong in this life that people are complaining about my face? Maybe you might have hidden some secret from me. I have received so many insults from people around me."
Jackson responded. "Then what happened to you?"
"Dad, it happens at about 10:24 a.m., when we were busy working in the workshop." Said Jessica, "Katrin and two others started abusing me, because of the interest my master had on me.
Dad, the most painful insult is for them to call me, an 'ugly dead witch.' They told me that I was sent out of school, because of my devilish character. They also emphasized that I was banished out of the town because of my witchcraft.
Dad, I wonder who told them about my life; imagine such an insult on me. I was very, very shameful to received such insult from them."
Jackson was mad at the moment. "What does that mean? How can they call you such an evil name? Are they the ones who initiated you into witchcraft? They are all mad. I mean mad. Are they any other abuse, they pour on you?"
Jessica springs her voice into the air. "Yes, dad; the insult was too much on me, I was thinking about how to revenge. But you didn't train me in such a manner. . . . But there is good news for me to share with you, dad."
"Wow! What is the good news all about?"
"Dad, I'm super excited to announce my marriage to you."
"Who is that man that wanted to share his love with you?"
"James Parker is the one who proposed to marry me."
"So, a lot of people are complying about your ugly face? Now, someone is setting to pull down loves on you."
"I'm surprised to see people, having much interest on me.
When I was about to closed from the workshop." She rejoice, "James told me to inform you that he would come home and pay my bride prize. He also told me, he will end up in court marriage."
"Is that all?"
"Yes, dad–"
It is believed that without a woman, there is no successful man.
A year later, James and his family, decided on how to meet with the parents of J- J- as James do called her.
Three weeks later, James met with his father and he narrated the plan he had with Jessica. And the father congratulated him for his marriage.
The following day, he narrated the whole story to Jessica, what his father told him, concerning their marriage. "J. J., it is a joyful moment for both of us. My dad had agreed for me to marry you.
I have discussed with my dad, a day before yesterday after closing from work. I inform him about my marriage. He asked me the person I wanted to marry. And I whispered on him; it is you, the daughter of Jackson Rowe, the great farmer of Fokah community. And he thrilled much on you, including my brothers, Wilfred.
He told me everything about your dad. He said, your dad is a generous man, well respected in the entire Delid City. My dad also told me that your father is less troublesome, likewise your mom, Mary, who blind after giving birth to you.
My father said, there were together in primary school. Though your grandparent was a farmer and they did not have enough money to train your dad to the higher institution. I discovered that they did not have much interest in training their children as well to any higher level. Instead of training your dad to become an administrator, they trained him to become a great farmer in Delid City.
Then I took my mind back home, and I remember that your father didn't go further in school; maybe that was why he refused to sponsor you to school, too. I thought it was when Western education came up in our country and people were not interested in adapting the knowledge of educating their children to a higher level.
My dad also told me a story on how they went for an easy writing competition at the national level, in which your father took first and they awarded him a scholarship to further his education.
In the end, the head teacher, Mrs. Freda Grey, diverted the scholarship to another pupil in the same school, instead of your father. Maybe, your father might have been retired from civil service by now.
He also said that as at then, the government used to give scholarship to students, who took first position in class, starting from the middle grade, up to the university level.
Nowadays, there is no more scholarship in our schools. Even though government awarded any scholarship to any student, people in higher authority, would convert the scholarship to their own use; instead of announcing it to the public for the benefits of every student.
J. J., can you imagine that?"
They after, James dictated more stories to tell Jessica. "Oh no. . ., I could have forgotten one more story, my dad told me. I think, my dad is a storyteller. That is what I can categorize him.
He told me that our great grandfather was from your father's family. . . . What a great story!
To me, our marriage is well recognized by both families." He smiles, "J. J., the most interesting story my dad told me, was about Janport Island Royal family. That your father could have been our king before King Pedro took over power. Your father's uncle couldn't have steps into the Royal House as a King. But because of corruption and lack of trust, among the House of Lords; they hand over the kingship to your uncle, which is the present king.
Furthermore, I learnt that all the elders that involved in the kingship tousle were all dead, one after another. I was impressed for such action, which the gods of Janport Island did not spare any of them alive. That was a very good effort, taking by the gods of our land." He jerked his head towards the back, and he saw an old ugly woman, standing at his back. And there escape from the present of the old woman. There were mystify, thinking who the woman was.
In a little while, the woman, appeared to them the second time. She couldn't waste much time to introduce herself to them. "I am Diana Lorborough, the only wise woman in town.
What are you people discussing about the noble gods of Janport Island? Is it your duty to determine the decision of the gods?"
There were all down on their knees and covered their faces on the ground. While Diana Lorborough stretched out her hands on Jessica's head. She raised her voice on her; they were looking on how to escape, but it was impossible for Them.
Diana Lorborough pulled down her hands on her head. "Look at me very well." There were watching over her, "I am Diana Lorborough, the Queen mother of Janport Island.
Jessica, I have been looking for you ever since. Why are you running away from me and reject the honor of the gods; while flying on the flags of disgrace to the ancient gods? Do you think you can run away from your shadow? Your parents had rejected to dedicate you to me in other to claim the honor I gave to you as priestess.
Having such honor in the whole community, you would flag on the banners of the ancient gods divine in Janport Island. And in the secret Palace of our gods.
Tell me; can they took the honors of a Queen and gave to a street goats and dogs that have no father or mother; talk-less of having the right of occupancy as a Priestess.
For such reasons, it is better for you to accept the honor I gave onto you as a Priestess in other to occupy the seat of a Queen; instead of giving the honor to the street goats and dogs. Your father has missed the honor of a King, which I gave to him. . . . While you are here, looking for men to marry; and left the secret Palace of the ancient gods empty.
Did you know that the ancient gods are looking for you to burn the secret flames of fire? It is better for you to agree to serve the ancient gods, or, you remain as an endless street beggar. Don't you know, you are the only Priestess of the ancient gods, kidnapped by a slave mother? Then a criminal father, adopted you as his daughter. Do you forget what you are to me? if you refuse to serve me, you would never get peace in your life. Then I will pour out dark image upon your generation.
Be warned."
By the clapping sound of the thunder, Diana Lorborough vanished on the air without a trace.
When James and Jessica opened their eyes, Diana Lorborough has already vanished in the air with a cracking sound of thunder. They breathe often and often and find their way to the office. Where they continue their story. "J. J., never you mind the old woman, let us continue with our story, her time has passed." They all smile and continue making gaze on Diana Lorborough, "J. J., it will thrill me to marry from a well-respected and well-known family in this Island, like yours. One day, the crown of a king will surely return to your father's house. By then, you will become a Princess and you will consider me as a Prince in the Royal House of Janport Island," James concluded his story.
Jessica couldn't believe, the deal would end up under her pillow. She can't get the actual color of the story. Then she asked James the meaning of the story. And James put more light into the story. "My story is all about you; is all about love; is all about our relationship; you and me, me and you and all of us. Nothing else, but you," Then he tossed her a kiss over her shoulder.
"Oh my God . . .! You mean you wanna marry me?" She giggles as never before.
"Yes, I want to marry you – either in good time or in a hard time," he whispered. "No matter how life gets worst, I will be they for you. No one else, but you."
Jessica smiles and makes gaze at the tribal marks on her face. "James, I know that the tribal marks on my face, are agents of my hatred. If not so, why don't you go out with me in the daylight, instead of the night?"
"No, no, no, it is not true. How can I be pretending about love?
Is it not a disgrace to me and my family?
I can't do that to you." He frames his eyes on her. "Let me tell you, never you follow what people are saying about me and you; there are fueling our relationship with fire. At the same time, there are deceiving you not to fall in love with me. I love you with every single bit of my heart. And no one will succeed by taking you away from me,
I swear.
Bring your mind home and think like a Queen and not a kid.
Hear me now: have you ever seen someone, having hatred on a rose flower and then, he would plant it in his house, where he lives? Have you ever tasted bitter salt in your mother's kitchen? If you have not tasted such bitterness in your mom's kitchen, it means your love to me is not bitter. But, it is love, full of honey and natural milk.
No, that can never happen! Your tribal marks to me are marks of romantic loves, marks of beauty, marks of freedom of jealousy, and marks of dignity. Your love to me can never fade, while the moon from the heavens is shining on our path.
Nevertheless, trees are shading their beauty over us, while we walked on the path to discover more loves, where our loves live. Believe me, no one can ever depart us a path; no matter any circumstances.
Naturally, the love I have for you is not the love of lying lips – but it is a genuine love that would bring enlightenment into our souls. Even at the point of death, my love for you will go on and on. No one can stop me from loving you.