At night I went to see Yoké. He was already there by the tree waiting for me when I crossed the yard. As soon as I got to him he started to kiss me. We kissed for a while and then he cupped my cheeks and brought his nose to mine. We shared a warm smile. He then swerved his nose against mine."Why do you always do that?" I asked him.He smiled and put his arm around me and we started walking. "I just enjoy doing it to you. Also because I know you'll smile when I do it.""Hm..." I blushed. "Well, I like it.""By the way we shouldn't go this way because your people are camping there." "So they are really here?" I asked as we took another turn. "Yes, I was the one interpreting for them when they came to the chief's hut. They said they'll stay for 7 days.""Didn't they recognize you?" "Ofcause they did!" Yoké laughed. "They wanted to beat me up in front of the chief. It's good that the chief couldn't understand a word they were saying. But I told them that I had no idea where you were. A

4 days until Rena and Abu’s marriage 6 days until Yoké and the princess’ marriage That night I went home with Furah. We didn’t sneak back. We walked across like it was day time. I was so scared someone would see us but she didn’t care. She was so upset with me. The next morning she didn’t even respond when I greeted her. Even Gamu noticed.She didn’t teach me anything on our way to the river or even when we got there. She basically just accompanied me. And when we were returning we met Yoké and Uma on the way. They both greeted her but she didn’t respond. I tried so hard not to catch Yoké’s eyes, although I could feel him staring at me until we passed them.After we got to the hut Furah went into her chamber and stayed there. I spent a while sitting in the main chamber and just waiting for her to come out. Then I remembered that she had said that she was no longer part of the uprising. That meant that I had to go on my own now. It’s okay, I was not going to stop this uprising no matt

3 days until Abu and Rena’s marriage 5 days until Yoké and the princess’ marriage When I woke up at the crow of the cock and stepped into the main chamber only Gamu was there. She was busy removing the spider webs at the corner of the walls of the hut. When she saw me she stopped and looked at me.“Where’s Furah?” I asked her after we both greeted each other.“I went to wake her up but found that she was already awake.” Gamu replied. “She said I should leave her for a while and I don’t know why.”I frowned. “Okay…”She came close to me and whispered. “I think there’s something wrong with her. She seems really disturbed. Since yesterday she’s been acting so strange.”I sighed heavily and didn’t respond.“Didn’t you notice?”“No.” I replied.“Watch her closely today.” Gamu told me.“I’m going to wait for her outside the hut.” I told Gamu. “If she asks, tell her I’m right here by the entrance.”I stepped outside. It was very windy and dull outside. The wind was blowing the sand into the

The witch doctor had white drawings on her face, arms and legs. She looked cross for some reason, as if someone had angered her. She did not even get up to greet Furah like everyone else normally did whenever they saw her. Instead she remained seated and continued looked up at the ceiling after we entered her little hut. I looked up too but saw nothing, just straw. The hut did not look welcoming at all, there were carvings of faces which looked oh-so angry. Those carvings hung on the walls of the hut and some were on the floor against the walls. “We greet you.” Furah told the woman. The woman began nodding and didn’t stop. Furah and I exchanged looks. I frowned. Everything about this woman was so strange. “Sit down.” The woman told us, still nodding. I followed Furah closely and sat side by side with her in front of the witch doctor. We then continued watching the woman nod.“What is she doing?” I whispered to Furah. “Shh.” Furah told me quickly. The woman all of a sudden stoppe

At night the lightning and thunder continued but the rain had stopped. Despite the grave trouble I knew I could get into if I was caught sneaking out again, I left the hut and walked to Yoké’s hut. I was trembling, not because of the cold but because of fear. The fear of telling Yoké about my pregnancy and the decision that I have made. When I got to his hut I entered without clapping. He was seated on his bed and painting with the little light from the oil lamp. When he saw me enter he looked up at me with a frown.“Genesis?”I nodded. I was still shaking in fear. He abandoned his wooden board on the bed and came towards me.“What’s wrong?” He asked me taking me into his arms.“I’m pregnant Yoké.” I told him. Even hearing myself say it suddenly scared me.“What?” Yoké asked stepping away from me and looked at me.“I’m pregnant Yoké.” I told him again.“How?”I couldn’t believe my ears. “What do you mean how?”“How do you even know?”“The witch doctor.”Yoké placed his hands on his h