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06 TRAGEDY
BINTA
Aisha got up and headed out in a hurry.
"Where are you off to?" Nana called after her.
"I have to go and bring my father. He can help me with this. He is the only one that can help." She answered, heading out.
We were all scared and confused. What seemed like a story suddenly became real to us. This had happened right in front of us. The cause of my father's death was mere speculation that was proved genuine in seconds. We had all seen the deity in action; we had heard her voice. This was serious. I became scared.
I saw Mairo packing her bags. She wanted to run away, and I didn't blame her. This was not her problem. She was an in-law here. If she stayed any longer, she ran the risk of exposing herself and her family to the wrath of the deity. I wouldn't ask her to risk that neither would my mother.
"Promise you'll visit me when you can." I heard her say to my mother. My mother smiled and hugged her. She and I understood Mario's fear, and we were not going to judge her for leaving. She hugged me and took her to leave.
Mimi did the same, but Gogo stayed behind to care for my mother as she was still mourning. Gogo was unmarried and had no children; therefore, she had nothing to lose. I was the closest she had as her child; it made me realise how important we were to her.
Suddenly I had an idea, and I went over to discuss it with my mother.
"Mama, don't you think it's only wise we ask Mai'Aljanu to come and fix this since he was part of it in the beginning?" to my surprise Nana and Kawu heard me, which meant they had been eavesdropping on our conversation. How insecure could anyone get? I thought to myself.
"What do you know, little girl?" Nana cautioned me. "Do you think you are wiser than your elders?" I noticed the anger in her tone. I was furious. She was the reason why we were in this mess. I wanted to snap back, but I dared not, so I remained silent. Kawu placed his hands on Nana's shoulders in an attempt to calm her.
"You need to relax, Nana. That's your granddaughter. With the way things are, she is all you have. Don't make her hate you. She meant well, and I believe she's right. Mai'Aljanu is the only one that can give us a reliable explanation and even a solution to this predicament we are in." Kawu said calmly.
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Rayuwa 07 ADAM
BINTA One of the palace guards, referred to as Dogara, came into our compound. The Sarki had sent for me. I was scared because I had declined his invitation twice when he sent the maids. He must be angry with me. That would be the only reason he will send a guard this time. I was scared. I hadn't had my bath yet, so I requested the guard give me time to freshen up and follow him back. He agreed to wait. The walk to the palace was silent. Guards were not known for humour. Their duty was to protect the palace and its inhabitants and run errands when necessary. They also went into battle when there was a shortage in the number of the army, but their primary duty and responsibility was to protect the throne and everyone in the palace only. When we arrived at the palace, I was ushered into the Sarki's private guest parlour. I had never been to this part of the palace before. I had never exceeded the throne room. Although our village was backward and uncivilised, the palace was beautiful
Rayuwa 08 IN THE GARDEN
BINTA "My father holds you in high regard," Adam said to me, strolling through the garden. "He's always talking about you. Binta this, Binta that. You are the biggest topic whenever he comes to Duniya to visit. It made me curious to meet this special lady my father always talks about. Now here you are." He looked at me with charm. "And I am not in a bit disappointed with what I am seeing." I was speechless. I wasn't as enlightened as he was. I knew very little of the modern world and did not want to show my ignorance all in one day. I decided to let him do the talking while I listened, but soon, he started asking me questions. "So, how did you get lucky? I know the deities in this village are against western education and development. How were you able to survive the conflict and punishment that goes with defying the gods?" he asked. "I am asking you this because I remembered we had to relocate with our mother to Duniya just so we could be educated and be at par with our mates out t
Rayuwa 09 MAI'ALJANU
BINTA I walked home, silent and scared. How would I break the news to my mother? A lot was going on in the house at the moment. With what I had witnessed since my dad was killed, I knew deep down it would not be wise for me to leave my mother alone. The Sarki had told me to ponder on the issue, which was what I would do. I decided I would not tell my mother until I had decided what to do. It was a request from the Sarki, not an order, so I could reject the offer if I wanted to. I have always dreamed of escaping this forsaken village, and this opportunity would help me leave, eventually. The only thing tying me down was my mother. I decided to think about the whole issue and not make hasty decisions that I would regret. I had been gone for the whole day. It was late and dark by the time I got home. My stroll in the garden with Prince Adam really cost me. I have never returned this late before. When I entered the compound, I found my worried mother sitting outside her hut with Gogo by
Rayuwa 010 MAI'ALJANU 2
BINTA "What does that mean, father?" Aisha asked, still crying. I looked at Aisha and the man she called father; I could see no resemblance between the two. I just figured she looked like her mother and let the thought go. "I am not at liberty to tell you, my dear," he replied. "What will we need for the summoning?" Nana asked. It was evident that she wanted to get right to it. "A ram, a lizard's tail, a clay pot, and a vulture's feather." He responded. "These things are expensive, especially the vulture's feather. Where can we buy these items?" Nana asked. "Well, you should know where to buy a ram and clay pot. You will find the tail and feather in the night market. The market opens only at night. The traders are not normal humans, so whoever you send to acquire these things must be very careful. I will offer advice that the person should not go alone." Nana was worried. I could see it written all over her face. The ram she would have gotten easily from her son, my father if he
Rayuwa 011 MAI'ALJANU 3
BINTA I woke up in the morning to a lot of activity in the compound. They had gotten everything they needed for the summoning and were already walking on the ritual. Following my morning routine, I stood and watched curiously while chewing my chewing stick. My mother and Gogo sat in front of her hut and watched. I knew Gogo was concerned for her nephews, but she sat with my mother so she wouldn't feel abandoned, being that she had just lost her husband and all that had happened recently. My mother needed support. I rinsed my mouth and decided to go see my mother. I decided that I would break the news to her this morning. "Good morning, mother," I greeted my mother. "Good morning, Gogo," I greeted my aunt. "How was your night? Did you sleep well?" my mother asked me. "I slept well. Thank you. And you?" I asked. "We thank the Almighty for His kindness." She responded. Gogo looked at me and smiled. "You look bubbly this morning." She observed. I just smiled and sat on the mat to ea
Rayuwa 012 UNCERTAIN APPROVAL
BINTA I hurried to the palace the next day to tell the Sarki my decision. On getting there, I found the throne room fully occupied. The people all looked gloomy, making me wonder what was happening. The entire elders of the villages were there, including every deity's priest and the chief Boka of the island. The Sarki saw me but had a look of concern on his face. It was apparent the look was not for me, but I was curious to know what had brought them all together without it being a special day. A maiden came to usher me to the Sarki's living room. I was so glad because, with everything that was going on with me at home, I did not want to be a part of the blue people gathered in the throne room. Yes, the atmosphere of the throne room was blue and not the best place to break the happy news to the king (to me, my decision to come live with them in the palace was a thing of joy, and that blue atmosphere was inappropriate for me). The maiden insisted I sit on the couch, and that made m
Rayuwa 013 ACCEPTING DESTINY
BINTA Adam and I were both breathing heavily when I broke off the kiss. I immediately stood up and stepped away. He stood up too and held me in place, looking deep into my eyes. I could see confusion in his eyes. I wondered what he was confused about. "What is wrong? Did I hurt you?" he asked me, but instead of responding, those tears I tried to hide earlier started falling freely. "I can't do this, Adam. I can't." I protested. "What is wrong, Binta? Have I wronged you?" he asked me, but instead of responding, I shrugged his hands off my shoulder. I could see his confusion. Somehow, that made me angry because he was engaged. He probably just wanted to use me as his plaything before returning to his true love in the city. The thought made me furious. "Is there someone already in your life?" he asked me gently. I glared at him in annoyance, but the tears won't stop falling. I immediately blurted out, "No. There is no one in my life, but you cannot say the same!" I yelled, trying to
Rayuwa 014 SMALL DILEMMA
ADAM Binta had left. She told me she was finally accepting my father's request and moving in. I was overjoyed because I would get to spend more time with her. I wasn't ready to tell anyone about us yet, especially my father. Binta had agreed to keep us a secret to buy me time enough to plan how I would tell my father about us. Binta was a young, beautiful, innocent and kindhearted girl. I have never felt so lucky in my life. I was heartbroken about Leila, but being with Binta made me grateful for calling off our engagement. There was a knock on my door, and I decided to step outside. I met my personal guard at my door. "The King has sent for you." He told me. I asked him if there was an issue, and he assured me there was none. So I slipped on my slipper and headed to my father's room. On getting there, my father asked me to sit on the couch. "I need to inform you of something." He said calmly, and I was all ears. "The harvest has gone bad, and hunting has become dangerous for our
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