THE CROWN - EPISODE 3

Mmesoma and I were on our way from the stream.

“What did he say his name is again?”

“Emenike.. why?”

I questioned too

“Now that I think of it, his face looks familiar. I don’t really know but something tells me he’s a prince”

I laughed

“Prince? Did you see him with guards? Do you think a prince of this great land will help a maiden carry water home? Or walk around without guards?”

I stopped walking and she did too

“You’re right but what if the rumour is true and the crowned prince is indeed back?”
She asked again.. I rolled my eyes and continued walking

“I’m just looking at possibilities, I mean his appearance, the way he talks… well I think you’re right.. a prince will be too busy to be scaring people to near death”

She concluded and I chuckled.

“Nne?”

I called my mother as we prepared dinner together. Baami wasn’t back yet so we were taking our time and enjoying the moment together

“Yes dear”
She replied dropping the wooden spoon inside a bowl beside her.

“How did you and Baami fight all odds to get married?”
I asked

” How many times should I and your father repeat this story?”

I dusted my palms together and sat upright.

Indeed I’ve been told several times in details but I can’t get tired of hearing it.

“But mother c’mon, I’m your only child and you should tell me this Story everyday to remind you of the battles you fought to marry Baami and have me”

“You don’t need to be reminded like you owe us for bringing you into this world.

Your Father and I loved each other and so we fought for that purpose.. you came later on as a blessing”

She smiled.

My mother is really beautiful, her skin is so light that sometimes when she’s stressed one will see visible red marks on her skin.

I got my complexion from Baami but beauty from them both. I giggled

“When you’re already to start a family, make sure it’s with a man you love and he loves you unconditionally too.

Where he’s from shouldn’t be an obstacle, we deserve to find love anywhere”

she smiled and placed her hand on my cheek

I smiled back and nodded.

Love? My parents makes it so beautiful.

I stood up and started singing and dancing..

my mother taught me how to dance but the gods blessed me with the voice to sing.

She started clapping her hands and soon she got up and joined me to dance.

After a while of dancing and singing we finally stopped laughing and smiling..

we turned when we heard claps, it was Baami

“Have you been standing there for long?”

Mother went back to sit down. I bent to greet him

“Did you know your mother was this land’s best dancer?”

He said, walking in closer

“Really? I know she’s a great dancer didn’t know she was also the village best”

I chuckled and offered him a seat, he sat down

“Don’t start”

Mother fired playfully at him

“Baami please tell me more”

“You and stories” she laughed

“Your grandparents wanted her to participate in the dance for the crowned prince who is now King but she wanted to marry me instead”

baami said the last part proudly with a light smirk.

“A dance for the crowned prince?”

I asked confused.

They tell me stories of themselves alot but I’ve never heard them mention this

“Yes.. when the crowned prince reaches a certain age, a dance competition is held for him to pick his wife and the next Queen of Umuagwo” mother replied

“So maidens participate and just anybody is picked to be the next Queen? I find that absurd, what if they don’t love each other?”

“Not just anybody, even when the prince picks his best dancer the gods will have to accept her for her to be the next Queen”

I turned to Baami

“So what happens if the gods do not accept her?”

“Such has never happened but if so then the gods will pick the chosen one” mother smiled

“Why didn’t you participate?” I asked even though I already know the answer

She turned to look at Baami and smiled, I smiled too.

“When the next dance comes to season you can participate” Baami added

“Don’t joke with my daughter, you know she won’t be chosen and besides I want her to marry a man she loves ”

“What do you mean by that mother? Why can’t I be chosen?”

I have no interest in becoming the next Queen of Umuagwo but my curiosity always gets the best of me.

“Because only true maidens of the soil can be chosen” she smiled, I nodded.

We finished making dinner, ate and went to bed.

Mmesoma was busy planting new stems while I plucked vegetables to prepare lunch.

Mmesoma suggested we cook and take to our
Mothers in the market since we weren’t busy with anything.

We do it once in a while, that’s if we are able to meet up cause sometimes we end up talking the whole day.

*Konk! Konk! Konk!*

We both stopped.

“Did you hear that? It’s the town crier”

she stood up

” I wonder what the announcement is”

she added

“Keep quiet so we can listen”
I told her

*Konk!Konk!Konk! People of Umuagwo!! I bring you goodnews from our great Igwe.. Konk! The crowned prince of Umuagwo will be returning home in the next Eke market day and so will be welcomed in grand style. Igwe is inviting everyone if so pleased to the event. Konk!konk!konk!*

Mmesoma turned to stare at me, giving me looks

“Why are you staring at me like that?”

I asked and continued my business

“You know why, didn’t I tell you it was no rumour?

She said

“It was until now, hurry up please”

On our way back we saw Chioma running like she was being chased.

She stopped in front of us panting hard

“Chioma what is it?”

Mmesoma was quick to question her

“Have..have you heard? The Town crier..the crowned prince” she was trying to catch her breathe

“Relax, we’ve heard” I said

“So what does that got to do with why you’re running?” Mmesoma asked

“When the crowned prince returns, the Umuagwo Dance for the prince will be held for the prince to pick a wife and the next Queen of Umuagwo”

She stood still now

” Shhh… You don’t announce such things you’re not sure of ” mmesoma stopped her…

I gave her a *see who’s talking look*

“My father and the other elders discussed it with the king at the counsel meeting yesterday..

for all we know the prince might already be in the village as we speak so my dears better start preparing for the competition and you Adenike..

I would advice you don’t bother cause after all you’re not a true maiden of the Land and for the other maidens, they will just be giving us a show cause this beautiful maiden standing in front of you is the next Queen of Umuagwo”

she turned herself around slowly and confidently

We just stared at her

“I’m on my way to inform Ebere and the others, it’s not like anyone dances better than me anyway but for the liberty it’s right I inform them too. See you around”

she completed all in one.

We watched her walk pass us majestically and walked away.

Mmesoma sighed.

We weren’t surprised, Chi has always been like that, her father owns a high position amongst the King’s elders.

“If she’s right which I know she is then we should start preparing for the competition”

“Which competition? Don’t be ridiculous mmesoma, you know I can’t participate even if I want to”

“You can participate but you won’t be chosen, it’s a fact that shouldn’t bother you”

“Why should it? I want to marry for love not title and wealth”

“I will participate in all rights as a maiden of the land and I will be tutored by the best” she giggled

“By that you mean you Chioma?”

” I mean you, we both know you dance better than even Chioma”

I chuckled lightly and she smiled.

“Let’s go please, it’s getting late into the afternoon”

She said and pulled my hand.