Safiya made her way over to where her sister was seated with Jelani, a warm smile spreading across her face. Meka's eyes lit up as soon as she saw Safiya.
"Meka," Safiya smiled at her sister, "May your home be blessed."
"Oh Safiya, come here!" Meka exclaimed, pulling Safiya into a tight embrace. Safiya could feel her sister's shoulders trembling, and it dawned on her that Meka was crying.
She let Meka lean on her, gently comforting her sister as she cried. Even though it was hard for her too, Safiya didn't cry in these situations. Instead, she quietly offered her support.
"I'll miss you, Meka," Safiya whispered gently, "but I can't protect you anymore."
Meka released herself from the embrace, her watery eyes meeting Safiya's. "Oh, stop it," she said with a hint of a smile, wiping away her tears, "Jelani will be here to protect me."
Safiya turned to him and he gave her a gentle nod, saying, "Don't worry about her, Safiya. I will always protect her."
He reached out slowly, his fingers brushing against Meka's cheek, causing a blush to spread across her face.
Safiya flashed a faint smile and replied, "You have to. She's the only sibling I have."
Although Safiya had grown up with her cousins, she never really considered them as family. Ever since she chose to wield a sword, they had looked at her with disgust, except for Meka and her father's remaining warriors who chose to stay by her side. And maybe Mama.
"I'm so glad you did this for me, Safiya," her sister said, holding her hand tightly. "Thank you."
Meka understood how difficult it had been for her to wear a lady's dress.
As they exchanged a meaningful glance, Safiya felt a surge of gratitude and love for her sister. With determination in her eyes, she knew she would continue to protect her no matter where she go, no matter what challenges lay ahead.
Safiya later helped her mother with the gifts given to her sister. They are to be kept in Meka's room until she was ready to leave.
As for the guests, they would be provided with spare rooms to stay in. Thankfully, there were plenty of rooms available in her father's house to accommodate them all.
Finally, the wedding came to an end, and everyone returned to their respective homes, except for the guests.
That night, there was as a feast, but Safiya didn't go. She went to her room and changed into a patterned short and a top. Safiya grabbed her sword from beside her bed and fastened it around her waist.
Just as she was about to leave, her eyes fell upon the wooden sword resting on the table. She picked it up and lightly ran her fingers along the edge.
What did her father mean by her protecting the family? Did he have some idea that he wouldn't return? What had truly happened on that fateful day?
Safiya knew deep down that there was no one who could answer these questions for her. The only way to seek answers was to find out the truth herself.
She had spoken with the warriors, but they all gave her the same response: he died while trying to save them. She let out a soft laugh, dropping the wooden sword back onto the table.
She wasn't convinced by their explanations. Why was he the only one who died on that day? It just didn't make sense.
Which is why she made up her mind to meet with Dede once again, one of her father's trusted men.
He, too, had been repeating the same story to her, but Safiya was determined not to give up until he revealed something more, even if it meant taking a more forceful approach.
She had wasted so much time already, but she couldn't afford to waste any more. It had taken her nine long years after her father's departure to hone her skills as a swordsman.
Fortunately, in the beginning, some of the warriors, mostly Dede, had been there to guide and assist her, but their support hadn't lasted long.
Safiya had learned the rest on her own and had become a formidable warrior over the years.
Others might have thought she was just seeking answers, but they didn't know she was also spying on those she suspected. Safiya was willing to kill anyone involved in her father's death, and not even Meka knew about her vengeful mission.
She stepped into the dimly lit corridor, oil lamps hanging on each side of the wall, casting a warm yellow glow throughout the room.
Safiya tightly gripped her sword, a determined look on her face as her eyes darted back and forth, scanning her surroundings like a predator on the hunt.
She knew she had to be careful not to run into Meka and her mother at the feast. But Safiya also knew she couldn't completely avoid them, since the back door she was following led to the warriors' quarters.
She knew Dede would be there, as he had lost interest in both war and feast since her father's death. The weight of the tragedy had affected not just Safiya's family, but others as well.
As Safiya reached the end of the corridor, she stepped out into the cool night air. The gentle breeze played with her hair, momentarily easing her troubled mind.
However, just as she was about to make a U-turn towards the warriors' quarters, she unexpectedly bumped into someone.
Startled, she looked up and saw Malik standing before her. His menacing brown eyes bore into hers.
Safiya stared at him. The moon cast a gentle glow on his face, causing his brown skin to glow. He continued to look at her without averting his gaze, but suddenly his eyes widened. Safiya didn't need to ask to know why he looked shocked; he scanned her from head to toe.
"What are you wearing?" he asked.
Safiya said nothing and looked away. "Please, if you don't mind. I have somewhere to be right now."
Malik frowned, and Safiya couldn't make out what was running through his mind. "I'm sorry if I'm stopping you, but I'm quite fascinated. It's not common to see a girl taking on the role of a man," he said.
Safiya shook her head and let out a laugh. "My papa said I can be whatever I want," she replied, a sense of pride tinged in her voice.