All Chapters of Rayuwa : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

LAILA Why did he do this to me? Adam knew why I had come here. I was sorry. He knew I was sorry, and he still did this. How could he? I have loved him for four years. Those other men meant absolutely nothing to me. I got lonely now and then whenever he was not around me. I always imagined he was the one I was having sex with when I was with other men. I only had sex with them because I missed him and wanted to feel him. I knew what I was doing was wrong, but Adam was too busy to have my time. I was conscientious. I wonder how he ever found out. If he truly loved me, he would have forgiven me. "Why, Zuwaira? Why will Adam do this?" I asked my cousin. "Because he is an asshole," she responded, "you are better than that. You can get yourself a richer, more handsome man that will make him look like nothing. I knew coming here was a bad idea, but you wouldn't listen." "No, Zuwaira! I don't want another; I want ADAM! I want Adam! I need him," and I started to cry. "What should I do, Zuw

SAFIA I was shocked to ride into a forest. Aisha and the wizard were waiting for me. "I need to talk to you two." Mai'Aljanu addressed both of us. "This place is treacherous. Everything here gives challenges humans are bound to fail. Do not drink the water, eat the food, follow, converse or trust any creature or being you come in contact with." I began wondering why he was telling us this. After all, we were simply going to mirror his actions and only do what he ordered us to. At least I knew that was what I planned on doing. So why the warning? "Looking at both of you, I can see you are wondering why I am telling you this. It is because the forest is alive, and it would test us individually and together. If we fail, we can't pass through, nor can we leave. If one of us fails, that person can neither pass through nor leave. Do you now understand?" We both nodded. What he told us was simple and clear enough. I immediately started to fear I might not return home. Somehow I began to

Adam Leaving the gazebo, I couldn't believe what had just happened. Leila came to apologise and beg. She practically humiliated herself. Her behaviour did surprise me. At first, I thought it was an act knowing who she was; she might have been up to no good, but when I humiliated her, and she remained, my doubts began to alleviate. Could it be that Leila had truly realised her mistakes and changed for the better? If so, I am happy for her because at the rate she was going, she was bound to harm herself and bring shame to her family. Binta surprised me. She didn't feel or look threatened by Leila. I guess it is because of our engagement. The engagement might have given her confidence, and I liked that. Though most people would see how I proposed to her as acting irrational, it was the right thing to do. She was perfect for me, and I loved her just the way she was. My father had sent for me, so I had to escort Binta to her room and then go to see him. Leila insisted on walking back to

Binta Leila's behaviour had baffled me. If she was as proud as Adam said she was, then she was surely up to something. I was very uncomfortable with her stay in the first place, but I had no power there. It was up to the Sarki to send them packing. I made it a point of duty to make sure that happened. When the Sarki told me what happened to our development plans, I was despondent. I wondered how people could willingly choose to remain in the dark with so much light shining around them. Every state in our country, Lafiya, was developed except for our island, Rayuwa. Lafiya consisted of four states, with Duniya as the Capital. Fili state, Ruwa state, Daji State, and Gona state. Rayuwa Island and Duniya City were in Daji state. Unlike the other states that had governors, Daji state had a Sarki, the Sarki of Rayuwa ruled and governed Daji State, and he was the most powerful and influential of all the rulers in Lafiya. Our status in comparison to the other towns in our state baffled me.

Leila There was a hard and loud pounding on my door, and I was mad. I opened it out of anger, and to my surprise, I saw armed palace guards. "Miss Leila, you have been summoned by the king along with your cousin, Miss Zuwaira." A guard announced. I wondered what the whole drama was about. "Ok, let him know I'll we will be there." I was about to close the door when the guard blocked it with his hands. "We are to bring you two immediately." He said. "What!" I exclaimed, "this is an embarrassment. This is harassment. Very well then, let me tie my scarf." I left the door open for them, and Zuwaira and I prepared to follow them. Deep down, I was scared. Whatever it was, it was obviously not good because of the way the guards had come to get us. I strongly wished my father hadn't left me with these people. If he weren't too ambitious, he would have just left things alone and let me move on, but he insisted, and now I am being treated like trash. When we got to the throne room, what I