The heart of the village was crowded as expected.....
Men wore their best abani whilst the women swayed in their keke...
Chittering and laughter was all over the place
Children danced to the tune being played under the moon light…..
The moon, now a crystal crescent in the midnight sky, cast a mystical glow over the scene. Flames danced, casting shadows on the surrounding trees…
Nia
" I didn't expect less myself,,, the scene before me was outstanding as always told by my friends "
Not being a lover of social gatherings,,, I've just seen how much I have missed those past years
There was this unspeakable connection between every one,,, this harmony that filled me with joy…..
" Some of the village women sung, while others dance to the tune…..
And to be fair enough,,, this was a moment for the lover birds...
Men slapped their womens' asses,,, caring less of the children around. That's how carefree the village people was…
" There you are Nia,,, Nalani was happy to see me around
These girls have been convincing me each and every time when the villagers gather for bonfire,, but it's just that I cared less.love wasn't for anybody,, it wasn't my thing
Then Nalani nudged me,,, pointing her finger at a far corner,,, the pair of burning gaze that was on me,,, it was Toron's
" Nia,,, the guy is love dead for you,,, see how he is looking at you,,, your frame is all over his eyes…..
Come on, talk to him...
Seriously Nalani???? Did he bribe you or something????
Tell me,,, what did he used to coax you??? My tone was sharp yet calm
"Well he promised me he will talk his elder brother into pursuing me….." she said looking guilty…..
I gave her that stern look….
"What Nia,,, if you're not interested in love that doesn't mean anyone else is like you,,, she chipped in stubbornly,, all her guilt fading away like a mist
"I will do anything to have a chance to be with the person that I want, girl,, she simply said,,, not caring
"Even at the cost of me dying??? I pretended to be sad
" oooh no girl,, no way I'm letting my friend die, plus being with Toron , what's harmful about it girl????,
she throwed back
" I see,,, I can't survive a day with Toron,,,, if you probably don't know Nalan" ,,, I think the clarification was needed…..
"Wait,, look at Ayla's direction,,, is that not Tim she is winking at??? Nalan was equally shocked as I was
" Girl hope it's not what I'm thinking...
For goodness sake that guy is no good,, he is a rapist
I can't believe Ayla will engage with someone like him
I sprinted forward,, took Ayla hand and dragged her to a corner behind one of the trees. Nalani followed
Tell me Ayla,,, is it him??? I questioned
Is he the one,,, I couldn't hide my disappointment
I saw this kinda , what seems like guilt flashed in her eyes,, then her face turned to pure irritation
"Yeah,,, I choose him, so what Nia,,, you know nothing about love,,, she scolded
"He is ...…. She caught me off before I could even say anything else
He is a rapist????? No that didn't happen Nia,,, it was a misunderstanding,, he told me so, and besides no one is perfect….
(...)
How silly this life can be,,, why does everything have to circulate in love???
Isn't it ironic,,, I thought to myself .
"Nia,,, look I love him,,, and nothing is going to change about that...,, she stormed off.
But wait Ayla,,, Nalani was calling behind,,, she didn't even turn back,, she went to stand beside Tim and gave him a kiss on his cheek,,, he also did the same on her forehead….
I stood there blankly,,, staring at pace,,, what the heck did I just witnessed right now,,, am I going crazy or something????
"Nalani????
Yesss....
Pinch me…..
She pinched me hard,,, and I flinched
That alone was to tell me this is reality….
We went back to our seats,,, I don't know but I was furious,,, I can't imagining my friend with this ass
And all this while Ayla was avoiding my gaze,,, I could perfectly see that.
"Nia,,, give it a chance,,, maybe he is not that bad….., Nalani reassured me
I was searching for the exact word to say,,, but found non…..
I decided to enjoy the music and yet again felt that stare,,, that stare that made me feel so uneasy,, I glanced at Toron side to see whether it was his doing,,, buh he was busily chatting with a friend of his,,, so where was this stare coming from...…
Then I felt it, it was same as the one at the river bank,,, I couldn't place my hands on this feeling,, it was so suffocating
Something definitely didn't feel right.
I quickly searched for my scarf and rapped it around....
It wasn't that the fire wasn't providing enough heat,, I just needed it.
But still I wasn't feeling okay...
I was scared of something that really didn't exist,,, something that I couldn't pinpoint on….
After spending few hours there,, I decided to head back home. I bid Nalani fareware,,, Ayla still refused to look at me
I felt a pang of guilt,,, maybe am I wrong???
Or maybe I took things too far???
Once I came back I saw aunty still seated on her chair,,, leaning in a little bit for comfort,, while chewing on her tobacco, her gaze hazed…
What was she thinking about….
" Makuna I'm back....,, I took her hands,, bent down and kissed it,,, it a form greeting in our tradition
" You're welcome my child,,, why are you back this early??? She asked,,, her eyes laced with tenderness and affection
" I wasn't feeling well Makuna"" ,, I shrugged
"What happened,,, did any one hurt you there,, tell me, you know your Makuna,,, I can really put up a fight,,, well I'm still strong
She motioned with her hands,,, all her musculine bisceps fading due to aging
I couldn't help but smile at her words
" Indeed you are Makuna",, we both laughed together
"Now, come, tell me what happened,,, I'm listening,, she motioned softly for me to begin
" Makuna,,, off late I've been having this strange feeling,, as if someone is staring at me, someone is watching every single move I make...
At a moment I thought something changed in her gaze,, but it was too quick for me to realize what it was.
" don't think about it too much,, I'm sure it nothing,,, she kindly brushed it off
"Come here",, She hugged me and started patting my back
" Everything is going to be okay,, I'm always here with you….. she said softly
That was all that I needed
"Makuna,,, can you believe that Ayla is Tim???
"Really,, she was surprised to hear as I was when I first saw them
" Is she sure about Tim??? aunty asked
Yeah,,, that's what I've been asking all this while...
I mean someone who was convicted as a rapist,,, how good can he be???
" I don't mean that way,,, Nia,,, I meant to ask whether he makes her happy,,,
That's what you were supposed to ask her
Maybe he makes her happy,,, he makes her heart beat wild,,, that love my child,,, that love
Everyone deserves a second chance,, always put that in mind...
" Makuna, have you ever loved someone before???i could read the excitement in her voice when she spoke about love
"Yeah,,, I did once….. she let it thrilled on her lips
Really??? You did??? I was really taken aback by this revelation
"Yess my dear,, the fact that you never saw me with any man didn't mean I never had a fair share of it in life...
There is time for everything
Trust me, your time will come
" well I doubt it Makuna...
Either ways,,, just listen to her,,, listen to her story,,, you will know why she perhaps choose him….
Maybe he wasn't that bad
" I understand aunty…..
She went to bed,,, sleepiness quickly took over her body