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 her side. My mother ran to welcome me as soon as I stepped into the compound.

"What happened, my dear? Was the Sarki angry with you? Were you punished?" She asked me.

"No, mother. The Sarki just wanted to see me and introduce me to his son that came to visit." Upon saying this, my mother's face lit up, and I could see the same excitement on Gogo's face. Knowing what they were thinking, I immediately explained to them, "it's not what you think; the Sarki just wanted to discuss the school project with me, and also, since I'm the only person with a form of education in this village, he felt I could converse with his son. That was all," I explained. But their faces did not drop; instead, my mother said, "you must always be on your best behaviour. You never know where your destiny lies." She said and winked. I was surprised at my mother because I could see no trace of worry on her face anymore. She was just beaming with joy, and my heart broke. I told myself if only she knew.

As I turned towards my hut, I saw an old man come out of the room where the two boys lay. Nana was sitting in front of the hut. Aisha went out of the hut, too. To hear what was going on, seeing my mother and Gogo were not interested, I decided to go greet Nana. I greeted Nana. She responded with a sad look on her face. She told me she was worried when I did not return home at the usual time. I comforted her and explained that I had gone to help the Sarki with something. She said the Sarki should have known better than to keep a young girl out till late at night. Because I did not want to give Nana something to talk about, I let her blame it on the king. It wasn't like she would accuse him and question him physically. If I told her about my walk with Adam, it could go either way, and I was too tired to argue with Nana. I was about to turn and leave when Nana asked me to come to sit with her. She made me greet the man and Aisha, which I would have done anyway. I had no issue with them, and they had not offended me in any way.

"So what will happen to my grandsons, Mai'karfi?" Nana asked the old man in Hausa.

"To be honest with you, this is beyond me. Only one person can deal with such an issue, but I fear he might be reluctant to come." The man explained.

"Tell me who this man is. I will make sure he helps my grandsons," Nana requested.

"It's Mai'Aljanu." He replied.

She simply looked at the man and said, "I know Mai'Aljanu; he has helped me in the past. I am sure he will come again."

"I cannot confirm your confidence because Mai'Aljanu is very picky these days. He has refused three times more jobs than he accepted in the past 5 years."

"Is he not still living in that Buruku village? I will go get him at once," Nana responded.

"No, he has moved deeper into the forest to live with the spirits and D'jins. He can no longer be called physically; he must be summoned."

This man sounded weird and creepy. I quietly asked my grandmother if the man was Aisha's father, and she nodded.

"So, do you mean our situation is hopeless?" Aisha asked, crying. I hadn't heard her speak since I returned. I realised she was in great pain. The woman was willing to give up anything for her sons; somehow, I felt the man knew that too.

"I will try to summon him. And with what I know, this is a more personal matter for Mai'Aljanu. His seed has grown and brought forth fruit. It is time for harvest."