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“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.
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