Malik looked away from her and turned to the girls flocking around him, seemingly enjoying their company.
"He is betrothed," Safiya said, looking away.
Meka shrugged and replied, "Well, maybe, but it doesn't look like he has any interest in her anyway."
Safiya let out a deep sigh, trying to remain patient. "Meka, please stop. Besides, I'm not even interested in any man," she said, her voice filled with frustration.
Meka raised an eyebrow and teasingly replied, "Mm, lies. That's not what I see when you look at him."
Safiya's glare intensified as she responded, "Okay, now you have to go."
Meka made a doll face and remarked, "Oh, getting rid of your sister so soon?".
Safiya's expression turned serious and she asked, "How long before you reach there?"
"Jelani told me it will likely be a week," Meka replied.
Safiya frowned, her worry evident on her face.
Meka reached out and gently held her sister's shoulder, a calculating smile crossing her face "I will be fine, sister. You don't have to worry so much."
Safiya bit her lip, fighting back the urge to protest. She had to be strong, she had to let her go.
"Oh, I have something for you," Safiya quickly said.
Meka's face lit up with excitement, her eyes sparkling with anticipation, "You know you really don't have to get me anything."
Safiya smiled, despite the nagging feeling in her gut. "I failed to give you a gift on your wedding day, but not anymore."
Safiya brought out a small piece of cloth that wrapped something. She handed it to Meka, who looked at it curiously. "What is this?" Meka asked.
"It's something you will need since I won't be there," Safiya replied.
Meka slightly unfolded the cloth and gasped when she saw a dagger with a wooden handle. "Safiya, this is dangerous," she whispered.
Safiya quickly covered the dagger and securely wrapped it with a rope, then handed it back to Meka, who shook her head. "I can't. What are you doing? I can't accept it."
"Meka," Safiya snapped, bringing her sister out of her daze. "You will need it. Trust me."
"I can't. It's too dangerous, and I don't even know how my new place is. They might think I came with no pure intention," Meka replied, her voice filled with worry. "Besides, why would I need this?"
"To protect yourself, Meka. Now is not the time for questions. I want you to promise me that you will keep it safe, and not even your husband will know about it," Safiya asserted as she handed the dagger to her sister.
Meka took the knife reluctantly, "It's a taboo for a girl to have a dagger there," she said.
"I know, which is why you have to hide it," Safiya replied.
"I'm married, Safiya, you don't have to be scar...
"Meka," their mother's voice broke through, causing both of them to widen their eyes.
Despite her mother taking her side at the feast with the guests, Safiya knew she still didn't like the idea of a girl with a blade.
"Keep it safely," Safiya said to her sister.
"Mama is coming," Meka said, concern evident in her voice.
"I know. Don't let her know," Safiya whispered, her eyes darting towards their approaching mother.
Immediately after Safiya said these words, their mother appeared before them, a smile on her face.
"Safiya, Meka," she called warmly.
"Yes, mama," they replied simultaneously.
"I'm so happy for you, Meka. Oh, I will miss you so much," their mother expressed, a hint of sadness in her voice.
Meka smiled in return. "I will miss you too, mama, both you and Safiya."
As the conversation continued, their mother noticed the cloth in Meka's hand and asked, "A gift?"
"Yes," Meka replied, her eyes meeting Safiya's. "It was given to me by Safiya."
"Oh, how sweet," their mother exclaimed, her eyes shining with pride. She turned towards Safiya. "How thoughtful of you," She turned to Meka, "You can give it to me, Meka. Let me put it with the rest of the gifts."
Both girls immediately spoke up, their voices filled with urgency, "No."
Their mother looked puzzled at their response, prompting Meka to quickly explain, "You know, this is Safiya's special gift for me. I would like to keep it separately from the rest of the gifts."
Their mother seemed to understand and nodded, a smile returning to her face. "Of course, my dear. How could I forget? It's important to keep such special gifts to yourself."
Safiya and Meka both let out a sigh of relief, grateful that their secret was still intact.
With that, their mother left to attend to other preparations, leaving Safiya and Meka to exchange a knowing glance.
"That was close," Safiya remarked sarcastically, a hint of humor in her voice. "If she had found out, my head would have been hanging on the highest iroko tree."
As Safiya turned to Meka, she noticed a frown on her sister's face. Concerned, she asked, "What is it?"
"I don't know, Safi. I'm not sure if I should keep this," Meka replied, her uncertainty evident.
Safiya quickly reassured her, her tone firm. "End of story, Meka. Hide it before mama comes back again."
Meka let out a weary sigh. "Fine, since this is your gift, I will keep it. But I won't use it".
Safiya smiled, "Believe me, you will need it."
Reluctantly, Meka placed the gift into the tiny cloth bag she carried, knowing that her sister had her best intentions in mind. With a final farewell to Safiya, she prepared to embark on her journey.
After everything was prepared, Meka mounted the horse with Jelani by her side, and soon they departed.
Safiya looked at the spot where Meka had once stood - a tinge formed in her heart. It was just her and Mama now.
Meka had left for her new home, a place far from Dakar.
Safiya wondered when she would be visiting Azu and when she would have a duel with Malik.