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“So you lied to Papa?” Dee-or whispered under his breath.
“Shhh! The wall has ears. Darling, it was an unusual night for me. That’s why I had to call you up this early…don’t you believe me?”
He lifted Esor off her feet and gently dropped her on the bed. “I do. It was an odd one for me too…had a very serious dream about…”
“Don’t tell me it’s about us!” Esor cut in, excited like a baby in a new dress.
“Of course, yes. Papa heard it all…”
“Oh my God! What was it all about, dear? Tell me…”
“I will. But, first tell me why you really are here…” Dee-or said, parrying Esor’s inquiries. He knew that nature has a way of playing tricks on humans. This is probably one of those times when nature tries its tricks on humans like him. And anxiety can drive somebody crazy. What is it our people say about situations like this, Dee-or asked himself. His premonition right this minute was harbinger to what he hated to hear from Esor.
Esor noticed the unease that dotted her darling’s smooth but pale face. She could sense the level of anxiety in him. “Dee-or darling, are you okay?”
“Sure. Why?” Dee-or asked, pretending to be flabbergasted by Esor’s question. Deep inside, he knew something sinister was in the offing. He was coming apart with fear. For more than nine years he had fervently and patiently worked and waited for this very moment. He had suffered intimidation, indignities, and ignominy from Esor’s parents and some of his friends. His own parents had started asking more questions about the relationship. They loved Esor so much and were pressurizing him to go knock on Esor’s parents’ door. For her, he had fully committed himself emotionally, physically and financially.
At the moment, his life was twisted. He’d suddenly become a laughing stock among his friends. He’d turned into a gossip item on the lips of the old and young in the village. Dee-or was no more the proud, smart, intelligent and handsome prince of the village. How could he make Esor understand his plights and state of mind without breaking her heart?
“Dee-or, you’re neglecting me… what’s really going on with you?”
“Never mind.”
“Never mind what? You’re not talking, man,” Esor whimpered exasperatedly.
“What do you want me to say, Esor? Only the agama lizard is impervious to the barks of the hunter’s dogs...”
“Can you please talk for one moment in the layman’s language, honey?”
“It is only the strumming of the xylophone that can wake the drooling child. My hunch tells me darling, I’m playing the devil’s advocate here…”
“What!” Esor interjected. “I want to believe you didn’t mean what you just said!”
“Maybe, maybe not. Know what, darling? I’ve lost my flair and respect in this town. I’m the newest jerk, the story on the tongue of every household. Why? You! Yet, whenever I ask you a simple question, you pretend as if I was the jerk this town sees me to be… You don’t love me, do you, Esor?” Dee-or questioned almost shouting.
“Sweetheart, you don’t need to shout. I understand your plight…”
“My plight? What about you – don’t you care? Doesn’t it touch you?”
“Know what? I’m not going there with you. However, darling, I want you to understand this: I agonize each passing day. Why? Because there isn’t any doubt in my mind that you’ll make a wonderful husband. To share this life with you has been my dream.” She started to whimper. “It breaks my heart when you say what you just said.”
In the background, the transistor radio was playing an early morning tune: “Broken dreams and…it seems to me there was a time, it use to rain on friends of mine, now I look around and find, it only rains on me.”
Dee-or shook his head from side to side as if responding and equating the lyrics of the song to his present state. “Esor cut it and just answer me straight. Will you marry me or not?”
“The moment of truth…”
“You’re right. And I hold no exception to that. But please, answer me: will you marry me?”
“If I had the power to, yes, I would have. Unfortunately, I don’t, in spite of the love I have for you. My parents have complicated things for both of us. Traditionally, I can’t jump their guns. To answer your question straight therefore, darling, no I will not marry you. I’m sorry.”
The tears were flowing freely down her beautiful cheeks now. She sobbed uncontrollably, and stormed out of the room, dashed round the back of the house, heading through narrow path, to her house.
Outside, the cool morning breeze flirted with plantain and tree leaves. The hens were leading their chicks to scavenge for food. The goats bleated and children called out to each other as they scurried like rabbits, to the river for their baths. In the distance, the school bell tolled. It was ironic sort of. Dee-or fought back his tears as the truth finally hit home. Did she say “the moment of truth”? Exactly! He had asked for it. And he had got it!
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Dumletam
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