Dee-or and Esor had been lovers for about nine years. Although Esor’s parents disapproved of their relationship, the lovers never gave in to the persistent threats and insults from Esor’s parents that greeted them from day to day. In his mind, Dee-or kept the hopes of resolving the differences alive. He never gave up on the fact that Esor was his future wife, and that being confrontational with his potential parent-in-laws could jeopardize his chances of having Esor for a wife. “I can’t let their attitudes drown my love for Esor. I’m sure they’ll understand one day how much we love each other,” he usually consoled himself after every poignant encounter.
This eventful evening, Dee-or had thought, “Why don’t I ask Esor how she feels about our relationship and what she thinks about my being her future husband? After all, we’ve been dating for nine years now…”
“Esor darling,” Dee-or called. Esor was in the outer compound discussing with Dee-or’s cousins. From the barrage of laughter that floated into the room, Dee-or could deduce they were having a very hearty conversation.
“Yes, Dee. On my way!” she answered. “Hey. You all have got me into another trouble…pray for me…,”she whispered to Dee-or’s cousins.
“You had better pray harder yourself,” shouted Neeka with a throaty laugh. Neeka was the hearty one of the bunch. His brothers and friends knew him for his cheery attitude. He was very industrious. However, he loved singing, dancing and drumming. Neeka was one of the best drummers become singers in the entire Baedae Village. “Esor, you know he’s not a monster, my cousin I mean.”
“Whoever says his mother’s soup isn’t the sweetest?” Esor quipped racing to the door, her long straight legs disguised by an almost ankle deep flannel skirt. She made it to the door in seconds. “Yes, dear, I’m here. Now what? Lonely again, darling?”
“Yes and no.” Dee-or answered with a broad smile. “Yes, because I’m lonely without you. No, because you just asked me the usual. Can we talk for few minutes?”
“Always at your service, mister.” She kissed him and sat hand-to-chin next to him. “What are we talking about this evening? The New Yam Festival is months away. Easter just came and went. The rain is here though…I’m sure the implication of that isn’t lost on you, is it?”
“Not at all. But that’s not what I was thinking about… at least for now…” Dee-or was interrupted before he could complete his sentence.
“My father once told me ‘a frog does not jump in the daytime for nothing.’ Dear, the way you just started suggests something serious weighs on your mind. After our years together, I don’t need a soothsayer to tell me how ogbonnor and okro mix can make the soup thick. Dear, tell me: what is it…?” Esor asked.
“Alright, alright! I’ll tell you. But you have to be very sincere with me. Not that you’ve not always been. It’s just… well, this whole thing is some how sensitive. Promise you’ll take it kindly. Well, e-n-m, I wanted to know how you really feel about this relationship. We’ve been dating for about seven to eight years now, and as you know, I don’t have any other intention but to make you my wife. Esor darling, I’m not oblivious to the attitudes of your parents towards me. I’m equally grateful to you and your siblings for accepting me for who I am. What do you think? Please talk to me.”
Outside, a rooster crowed. Nearby, a herd of sheep trotted passed, surprising a group of chickens that were pecking at the base of a groove of plantains into a stampede. In the distance, the sound of kere tumbee could be heard. It has been rumored round the village that the Zia Festival this year would be marked with a special outing of tumbee. At the waterfront, young men were already honing their summersault tactics and styles in readiness for this upcoming occasion. Dae Deekor, the only surviving carver in the village, has been doing overtime lately.
“Dae Kor, what with all these new young faces around you these days?” Korodumaa had asked the other on his way from mui-bara. “Vultures don’t just gather unless there’s a feast of flesh.”
“I know,” Dae Kor had replied. “Only an old crocodile knows where its young ones can hunt and rest without harm. Korodumaa my friend, Dae Kor is never at odds with strange visitations. Our gods and ancestors know why I’m still around for these young lads.”
“May the gods direct the master craftsman’s chisel right. The iroko tree stands tall because it knows no matter the strength of the storm, its head stands ever tall.”
“Korodumaa, you beat the drums of our ancestors. May they heed to prayers and grant you the voice of invocation as the festival draws closer.”
“Korodumaa, you speak well. That’s my prayer too. And may our gods and ancestors smile on us!”
The room was silent but for the ticking of the wall-clock, tick tock, ticks tock, tick tock…! Dee-or broke the ice, “Esor, did you hear what I asked?”
“Nam taa búú. I heard you loud and clear. What do you want me to say, darling? Why ask me what I think about our relationship? How many times have I told you how I feel about you? Darling, you don’t believe me, do you?” She started sobbing.
“I don’t mean to hurt your feelings, sweetheart. And I believe you too. There is no doubt in my mind about how much you love me. However, that’s not what I’m….”
“What you’re what?” interrupted Esor.
“Take it easy, dear. I just wanted to know your take on our future together, especially given the way your parents are behaving these days. That’s all…. Look, if you’re comfortable talking about it, well…okay. Maybe someday…”
Esor suddenly sat up in bed. She crossed her legs in a yoga position, took a deep breathe and hissed gently. That was signal to something big about to happen. This wasn’t good, Dee-or thought to himself. I’ve just touched the tiger’s tail. What do I expect? After all, he who dips his hands into the water where crocodiles are feasting expects and gets nothing but trouble! She held her chin in both palms. Her neatly manicured fingers tap-danced intermittently at her beautiful cheek. “I don’t get it, Dee-or. My God! Why can’t you understand…what’s there to know after all?”
“I’ve told you, if you aren’t comfortable discussing the topic, just let it go, please…,” Dee-or pleaded.
“You really want to know the truth? Then I’ll tell you, Dee-or. Just so you let me alone.”
“I’m not forcing you, sweetheart. Stop behaving like a caged rat…”
“You’re, mister! Well, the truth is, you’ll make a wonderful husband. But…but…us together? I don’t know…” She started sobbing uncontrollably. Dee-or drew Esor to himself, comforted her.
“It’s okay, dear. I understand. Stop sobbing. I promise you one thing: henceforth I’ll not ask you such a question again. Let the wind blow where it wills. If it blows us ashore together, fine. If it doesn’t, well, we’ll accept the verdict in good faith.”
He smiled thinly, then gave Esor a long wet kiss. The last of the candle-like fingers of the evening sun was flickering out. In the distance, kere tumbee sounded with dirge-like resonance. The wall clock kept its eerie rhythm. At that very moment, a mosquito hummed in on Dee-or’s right ear. He slapped hard at it and suddenly remembered what his father once told him: “Son, whenever you climb with a ladder, step gently. If you force yourself on it, it can break. And there goes your climb! A relationship is like a climb with a ladder. Do you understand?”
“Do I?” Dee-or smacked again at the buzzing mosquito. Esor was sound asleep in his arms. “What a life!” “Here’s the news cap at midnight,” called the RN announcer.
« return.