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 me wonder because you would have to be of high standing in the community to be able to sit on a couch in the palace or anywhere that royalty and people of noble blood were gathered.

I could not stay seated, so I decided to give myself a little tour of the living room. I started running my fingers through everything to study the texture of the surfaces. I looked closer at the artefacts and things I found intriguing.

I was admiring a jewel-decorated ram horn when I felt someone standing behind me and breathing close to my ear. I jumped. I was startled because all my concentration and attention was on the piece of artefact I was holding, and the last I knew, I was the only person in that room, so yes, I was startled and maybe a little scared.

I turned around and saw Adam. He was smiling at me. It looked like he wanted to laugh, but he was holding it. I quickly put the horn behind me to hide what I was checking out.

"You don't have to hide that." He pointed at the horn, laughing, "a lot of people find it fascinating, you know."

I was utterly embarrassed that I just put it back and went back to sit. He came and sat beside me happily.

"I am glad you came. You know I kind of missed you. I haven't had that much conversation with anyone for a while now. Talking to you made me feel refreshed."

I was nervous and speechless, so I remained silent. He then adjusted his sitting position so we could see each other and said: "I heard you landed a top post as the village development administrator."

I was shocked at what he said. The way he put it made it sound like an outstanding job. In my opinion, I was just the king's writing and reading tool and nothing more, but hearing Adam put it that way made me feel important, and I smiled.

"You know," he continued, "I am impressed by you. Most women, or better still girls, because they are the ones that grow into women," he explained, "are raised to depend solely on their spouses. They are nothing until a man marries them and puts a label on them. But you are different." He completed.

"Well," I explained, "I guess I have my parents to thank for that. Mind you, I am not educated; I am just literate. I would have done better with my life if I were educated." I knew my smile was fading inside me, but I kept it up outside.

"You still can." He said.

"Come on, Adam; I am past the proper age for schooling, and besides, the school they will be building I learned will just be teaching people how to read and write like me. Nothing more. They claim that was all the deities approved." I explained my point to Adam.

"I don't mean here in Rayuwa, Binta." He corrected me, but all I could pick out of that sentence was my name; how he said it made me weak in the knees. I did not understand the feeling, but it was confusing, as I had never felt that way about anyone before.

Although a lot happened the day I met Adam, he remained on my mind. Though I did not breathe a word about him to anyone, he was on my mind. Looking at him now made me realise I was feeling something for him, but I did not know what it was, and deep down, I was scared to find out.

"You can further your education in Duniya." He said, and that made me laugh. Although I have always dreamt of escaping this island and living in Duniya, the dream seemed to be fading as each day passed and new events occurred. Everyone knew that the only people that could leave the island were the Royals. For someone like me, to try to leave would be suicide. Looking at his face, it seemed he found the laugh offensive, so I had to stop and keep a straight face.

Not knowing what he might do to me for offending him, I quickly apologised for laughing.

"I am not angry with you, Binta. I am angry with this island and the people that live on it."

He explained.

"Your dad also lives here, you know." I pointed out.

"Yes, him too." He then took a deep breath, and then I knew there was something he wanted to share but was contemplating sharing.

"Why do you hate an island you don't know? Why do you hate an island you never lived in?" I asked him, hoping for an answer. "My reservations about Rayuwa were understanding. I was born here. I live here, and this place has affected my life most negatively and painfully. So if I hate it so much, it is understandable. But as for you, this village has never done anything to you. You had an escape opportunity, and your entire family used it. You are not subjected to the worships, beliefs, fear, or fetish acts that all the villagers on the island are enslaved to. You do not have to watch your back and seek permission every time you want to do something with your life. You have the best any human can ever imagine. So why, Adam? Why the resentment?" I asked, finally.

"Do you know why I am home?" he asked, and I shook my head. "Well, I am home to study the island and how my father is ruling it because he fears he might die soon and I will have to take over..."

Suddenly, the rest of the sentence went mute, as I was no longer listening. What crossed my mind then was that Adam was the king's first son and the last news I heard about the crowned prince was that he was engaged to be married to the daughter of a politician who was part of the ruling government. Whatever I was beginning to feel for this man had to die because it was an impossible dream. Escaping this village was even more realistic than being Adam's wife.

"Binta, Binta, Binta," then he touched my shoulder, and I shrugged. I unconsciously felt we were now sitting too close to each other, so I shifted a little.

"What is wrong with you?" he asked me, looking concerned. Then he moved closer to me and placed his hand on my shoulder, "is it anything I said?" he asked.

"No, your highness. Not at all." I quickly responded, but my heart was still aching. I wanted to start crying. I felt weird and uncomfortable.

"When did you start referring to me like that? Leave the title thing for my dad, please, and call me by my name." he corrected me.

My eyes were full at this point, so I looked away, so he won't see the tears gathering in my eyes. "It is your title, and I have to respect it. I can be punished if seen calling you by name. I am from a low-class family. I am not even worthy of being called your friend." Then the tears escaped and started dropping. To my surprise, he touched my chin and turned my face towards him. So he could see me. I bowed my head in shame immediately, but it was too late. He had seen the tears.

"Binta! Why are you crying?" he asked me. I could see the concern on his face. I had to think of something fast. I could not decide to ignore and not answer the question, nor could I tell him why my heart was breaking. So I lied.

"When you were talking about the island, I just remembered that it was one of the village deities that killed my father." I lied.

He gasped in shock and held me close to his chest. I broke down immediately and cried because he was making matters worse for me. I could smell him, and he smelled awesome. His hard, masculine chest made me feel safe and protected. He was every woman's fantasy. I couldn't deny that, but he was someone else's.

I wiped my tears and pulled away. Then I took a deep breath, cleaning what I felt was left of the tears from my eyes with my finger and asked him to tell me the real reason behind his hatred for the Rayuwa.

"I was born in this village, you know." He said, and it surprised me because everyone believed the king's children were born in Duniya all along.

"The real reason why we left the village for the city was not because of education. It was something else." He adjusted his sitting position in an attempt to compose himself, and he did an excellent job at it. He looked composed. Adam will be a worthy ruler, I thought while I watched and listened to him.

"When I was three years old, my mother gave birth to a little girl. We called her Yasmin. She was beautiful, and she brought joy to both my parents. Usually, people get excited when they have male children. The case with Yasmin was different. She was celebrated." He paused and took a deep breath, and I guessed what he was about to say was the hard part.

"When Yasmin was three years old, there was a famine in the village. People were dying from hunger. My father and the chief priest did all they could to appease the gods, but the gods were not listening. Soon the soil on the farm brought forth blood, and nothing was growing. The people that tried to escape the island were either killed by wild animals or went missing. No one was allowed to leave. No one is allowed to leave."

He adjusted himself again. I could see the discomfort in his posture, and it had nothing to do with the physical. It was clear his heart was sad.

"My father and Chief Boka became desperate and sent for Mai'Aljanu." He continued, but I gasped with fear at the mention of that name, and it startled Adam.

"Why, what's wrong?" He asked; though I knew he was reliving a painful experience, he had a genuine concern for me.

"I know that man. Nothing good comes from him." I said angrily.

"Wow, what did he do to you?" Adam asked, deviating from the topic. But I wasn't a stupid girl, so I told him I would tell him when he finished the story he wanted to share with me. He made me promise, and I promised. I intended to keep the promise.

"When the wizard arrived, he told my dad that the gods of the land were unhappy with him. That Aljanan Daji, who ruled over Rayuwa, was angry. He explained that my father owed a debt to the deity when he succeeded his father but refused to pay it then, which was why his rule was becoming a nightmare for his people. He explained that it would get worse if my father did not pay up."

"What was the debt about?" I asked curiously.

"Apparently, certain sacrifices are to be made when a king ascends the throne. My father thought it cruel and inhumane, so he refused to do them and opted for the easy way out. Which was ignoring their requests."

"Obviously, his decision was not the easy way out." I pointed out.

"Hmm." Adam agreed, then continued, "my dad was asked to pay the price so there will be peace in the village. The price was the blood of a virgin maiden. My father was uncomfortable with this, but the decision was no longer up to him as the elders and the people of the island had revolted and taken matters into their hands. They rounded up the virgin maidens available in the village and asked the wizard to select the one the gods preferred. But none of them was chosen." He paused.

"This confused the elders, and though my father was relieved, it also confused him. The wizard consulted with the deity to figure out what the issue was and what she really wanted. He returned with an answer and said any of those maidens would have been acceptable if he made the sacrifice when it was requested of him, but since he insulted the gods and deity by ignoring her request, he had started a war he was bound to lose.

They said for them to be appeased that the head deity, Aljanan Daji, has made a request." I immediately gasped at the mention of her name. She was the one that took my brother, annihilated my unborn siblings, killed my dad and now wants to take away my stepbrothers. She indeed had blood lust. Before Adam could ask me what was wrong, I told him it was all connected, and I would tell him my story when he concluded his.

"The deity asked for a virgin from my father's house, his daughter, my one and a half-year-old sister. She said she wanted him to feel pain and have something to remember her by the next time he chose to ignore her request. Of course, my father refused to comply, and it caused a deadly riot. He asked for them to dethrone him and place a new king, but they said it would not be possible, that there is only one ruling house in Rayuwa, and there always will be just one. They said if he killed himself, the next king would inherit the debt and have to pay the price. One day the villagers trooped in and took my sister by force."

He bowed his head and pinched the bridge of his nose to clear his eyes, but I figured he was holding back tears. I touched his chin to turn his face towards mine so I could look into his eyes. Though there were no tears in them, there was sadness registered deep in his soul. He sniffed and continued.

"My mother fought my dad and threatened to leave him if he did not get her daughter back, but deep down, I think she knew it was beyond my father's control. My sister was sacrificed in the forest most brutally. She was taken there and abandoned for wild animals to hunt and feast on her alive." Then he broke down and wept.

I pulled him close and wept with him. I felt his pain and sorrow. What happened with my family was nothing compared to this. No one deserves to die in such a cruel manner.

"The deity was believed to turn into an animal and wander the forest. So the deity directly feasted on her, I believe. Not a single part of her was returned, and no proper burial ceremony took place. Her soul will wander for eternity, the wizard said. Of course, my father tried to banish him, but the villagers on the island stood up for him and argued that he was only doing his job. My father was blamed for his predicament. This hurt my dad because, in a bid to spare somebody's child's life, he went against the gods, and now the people he tried to protect from pain and sorrow turned on him and showed no mercy. He decided to relocate us to the city and vowed that we would never live on this island again."

He composed himself quickly, and all of a sudden, it was as if he had never cried. I noticed he was good at hiding his feelings, and I commended him for that.

"Well, that is the real reason we left the island." He concluded and stood up. "Now it is your turn." He said to me. Immediately I was nervous because my story was not sad compared to his, but I had made a promise, which I intended to keep, so I decided to tell him.

When I cleared my throat to speak, he sat close to me and held my hand in a bid to encourage me to speak. I decided to tell it all.

"My father went hunting and killed the Aljanan Daji's husband unknowingly. They thought it was bush meat." Adam laughed at this statement. I could see some form of satisfaction in his eyes from hearing this. After all, it was the same deity that had brought him and his family so much pain, so clearly, he felt like it was Karma. The only downside of Karma is that it comes with a price.

"The angry deity tried to kill my father in return by sucking his blood dry. I was not born then, and this story was only revealed to us after my father's death. In a bid to save his life, my mother and grandmother traded my older brother for his life."

"What! Why?" Adam exclaimed. I understood his surprise because naturally, a parent will willingly die than kill their child to live. I needed to explain the situation to him adequately.

"The deity did not have my brother killed." I immediately said to calm Adam down, "she wanted to have my brother as her son. Although it was a huge loss to my parents, knowing no one died and their son was living happily somewhere brought peace to their hearts." I looked at Adam for a while and continued.

"It was the same Mai'Aljanu that brokered the deal between the deity goddess and my parents. But he held back some information which they found out later."

"That man is an evil bastard. I hope he rots in hell when he dies." Adam said, slamming his fist into his other palm.

"My mom started having lots of miscarriages, and it called for concern. After all the renowned herbalists had attended to her and found nothing wrong with her, spiritually and physically, they decided to seek the wizard's help again. He then told them that as long as they were on Rayuwa's soil, the deity would not allow them to give birth to male children, and if they tried to leave and relocate elsewhere, she would kill them, and their sacrifice would have been for nothing. She will have their only male child, their only heir, the only continuation of my father's lineage, so indirectly, she was wiping his family off the surface of the earth as a daughter cannot carry on her father's name."

"This broke my parents' hearts. They were also warned not to tell anyone, or else the deity would punish them. My mother was angry that the wizard did not tell her this part before the sacrifice. It would have played a huge role in determining her decision. And if they had done the same, they would have been prepared not to dream or hope for a male child ever again. But the deed had been done. My parents resigned themselves and had me."

"Wow, so sorry, Binta. Although you never knew your brother, you know he is out there somewhere living," he said, rubbing my hair. I felt a tingle on my spine and shrugged it off.

"Well, when my father died, a woman came with two children, boys to be precise, and claimed that they were my father's children. My grandmother owned up to this, and it broke my mother's heart because she paid the highest price at the end of the day for a crime she did not commit. My father had broken his promise to her and betrayed her, but he was dead; she couldn't take out the frustration on him. She decided to tell us everything, and she did." I took a deep breath.

"The next day after the incident, we discovered that my father was killed in the forest because he divulged the secret to his new wife; therefore, the deity kept her promise. Hyenas feasted on my father's flesh and left nothing behind."

"That deity is evil. What a painful way to go. Just like my sister." I immediately covered his mouth to interrupt him and shook my head.

"Your sister was pure and innocent; she paid for a crime she did not commit; she was a sacrifice." I said with tears rolling down my face, "she did not deserve what happened to her, but my father's case was different. He had committed an offence against the deity; he was bound to pay up one way or the other. Although he escaped the initial punishment, his weakness and betrayal led him to offend the deity again. He knew he would have to pay with his life. As far as I am concerned, my father killed himself."

"Yes, if you put it that way. Yasmin was indeed wronged." He agreed with me.

"Now, those two boys are neither dead nor alive. The deity has captured their souls and has also started sucking their blood. They lay in my grandmother's hut right now as we speak." I told him.

His eyes bulged out in surprise, "you don't mean it?"

"Yes," I responded, nodding my head, " but this time, there is a twist."

He looked at me, confused at what I had just said.

"My father's young wife is Mai'Aljanu's only child," I explained.

"What!" he exclaimed with a straight face. I nodded my head to affirm what I had just said.

"Yes. Adam. The boys are his only grandchildren. Now he is furious and wants to journey to visit the deity not just to restore his grand children's soul but also to retrieve my brother."

There was a sudden look of confusion in his eyes. "Retrieving your brother will be impossible. The deity did not steal him; he was willingly given away by your parents."

"No, no, let me explain it to you properly." I argued, "my brother was given to save my father's life. She was to spear his life upon accepting their gifts. But when she killed him, she broke the contract. Or so Mai'Aljanu explained."

"No, she didn't," Adam argued. "Your father broke a rule by telling his new wife their secret and had to pay for it."

"Yes, but Mai'Aljanu said the moment she became his wife, she had the right to know as she was also indirectly part of the contract. Therefore, no rule was broken."

"Well, if he puts it that way, he may have a point. All the same, Binta," he touched my hand again, "please do not get your hopes up. It will break my heart to see you crushed."

Wow, he felt this much for me. He cared about me. But he was engaged. Therefore, it was him I shouldn't get my hopes up for as the odds were against me ever being in his life.

Adam came close to me until there was no more space between us. I couldn't hold it anymore. My heart was beating fast, and I began to sweat. My knees were weak. He leaned forward and started kissing me; I immediately returned the kiss. We kissed so hard, and I wanted him. I tried to remain glued to him. To be in his arms, always to know that he had only eyes for me. I held his head tight, and he held mine tighter. I felt his need for me too. Then I remembered the rumour about his engagement, and I broke away.