THE CROWN - EPISODE 5

“Nike you can do that when we return, rehearsals will end soon”

Mmesoma kept hastening me.

It was still late morning and I wasn’t done with my chores but Mmesoma wants me to accompany her to her rehearsals.

“Hold on, I’m almost done. You can go alone and I’ll catch up”

I told her

“That’s what you said the last time but Emenike always ends up getting you occupied with his activities”

she rolled her eyes

I couldn’t say a word cause she was right.

I’ve not gone with her to any of her group rehearsals except the ones we have here at my place or at hers when I’m not with Emenike.

He has indeed be getting me pretty occupied, such a free spirited person. I love his view on things, very simple but deep.

He’s funny too and very humble, a man of physical looks are rarely this humble.

He’s a fine young man and I’m happy to have him as a friend. He’s also taught me how to swim.

I finished up quickly

“I’m done, let’s go”

I said and took her hand.

I could hear the drums and other instruments being played from a distance as we walked closer.

We did and it was a crowd of the land’s daughters all dancing.

Chioma was in the middle, parading herself as usual.

“Look at Chi parading herself as she village’s best…” She stopped and hissed loudly

“I don’t blame her. C’mon let’s join them”

We did.

We danced playfully, laughing and clapping her hands together at intervals.

“Wait! Wait! Wait… ” Chioma gestured her hand to the drummers and they stopped playing

She turned towards me and took few steps closer

” Adenike, You join us today?” She sneered

She walked around me and stopped in front of me

“Can you dance? And
Hold on… ” She smiled

“Even if you’re the best dancer which I know is not possible, not while I’m here. You won’t be chosen cause you’re not a true maiden, you’re an outcast”

“Chi that’s enough, you don’t have any right to say that. She’s not an outcast.. this is her maternal home”

Mmesoma fired at her

“But she won’t still be able to participate, that’s a fact and it shouldn’t hurt” she laughed in mockery

I smiled

” I may not be a true maiden of the soil but I’m not an outcast and I have certain rights too….”

I stopped to look at her, she definitely doesn’t surprise me

” I will participate in the dance to be a wife to the crowned prince and so the next Queen of Umuagwo”

I said boldly even though I was completely uninterested but Baami always tells me that people will be able to step on my toes only if I let them.

They all looked surprised including Mmesoma.

I walked to the drummers and took the palm leaf from the lips of one of them.

I raised and signified my participation in the dance for the prince.

I swallowed nothing, I have nothing to lose

Showcase my gift to the whole villagers, even though I won’t be chosen, there’s nothing to lose.

“Why did you do that?”

Mmesoma asked on our way back

“Because I love dancing” I smiled

“But you know your chances of being chosen so why
risk it?”

She asked worriedly

“Look at it this way, I get to go with to every group rehearsals and be with you on the day of the main dance”

I placed my arm over her shoulder

“What group rehearsals? You don’t dance there or allow me to” she laughed

“Yeah, it’s better to keep your skills private, those dancers are very competitive”

She nodded in agreement and I smiled

“Let’s just rehearse together then, this is going to be fun” she giggled.

“You will be participating? Is is worth it?” Emenike asked as we took a walk

“It is. I will have fun” I smiled

“The fact that you won’t get chosen even if you’re the best doesn’t bother you?”

He stopped walking and turned to face me, I did too

“It doesn’t. I want to marry for love not wealth and title” I said proudly.

“Stop staring deep at me like that, it makes me feel uncomfortable” I said after a long quietness of him just staring at me.

A young girl walked closer to us, I turned to her because his gaze shifted.

“Good day my…” I think she was about to bend her head

I turned to look at him and he dropped his hand. Did he gesture her to stop? She walked pass us hastily

“What was that about?”

I questioned still trying to process it

“I got you something” he said instead and brought out something toward from his back

“Waist beads?”

I smiled bringing them all out. They looked very expensive

“Thanks but…”

“Adenike please take those, I struggled trying to choose these ones “”so please don’t refuse my gift to you” he added.

I looked and they were five of them, jigida. So solid and pretty

I raised my head and smiled at him

“Thanks, they are so beautiful”

He smiled.

“Can we meet up tomorrow? I would love to see you wear them” he requested.

“I will be spending all day with Mmesoma rehearsing, the dance is close. You can join us at my place”

I told him and he nodded.

Gozie played the drum for us as we danced, he is Mmesoma’s brother from her maternal aunt, her cousin.

We were rehearsing at my place together and he played for us as usual.

I stopped and turned to look around towards the entrance into the compound.

“Adenike”

Mmesoma touched my shoulder. I turned to her

“Have you fallen in love?” She asked shocking life out of me

“In love? With who?” I laughed

“Emenike of course. Do you see him as a man? Do you have feelings for him?”

She asked looking serious that I couldn’t help but to laugh

“No, I’m not in love with Emenike, we’re just good friends” I said honestly and scoffed at her silly ideas

“What about him? Can he say the same?” She asked

“When he comes you can ask him yourself”

“Ask me what?”

I turned and there he was smiling and standing manly as always.

“You’re here, welcome” I smiled pleasingly

“Hi Emenike, you’re here” Mmesoma said

“I will get water, I’m thirsty” she added walking to go get water

“What were you two talking about?”

“It’s nothing serious, just Mmesoma having silly ideas”

Gestured him to sit down and went to get him water to drink.

He drank and dropped the cup

” They look even more beautiful on you” he said staring at the jigida (waist beads) on my waist.

I smiled and touched them

“I guess it’s because you have eyes for good things, thanks again for this”

I said

He smiled.

“Indeed he has eyes for good things” Mmesoma smiled. I know that smile, this girl ehn.

“Please dance” Emenike said

We walked away from him, Gozie started playing and we took turns in dancing

Mmesoma danced and I cheered her happily,

she’s a good dancer and this past days she’s really improved more.

“Adenike c’mon” she said when she was done.

I glanced at Emenike, he sat up.

I smiled and slowly started moving my legs, I started dancing.

The jigida hit each other and made pretty sounds as I moved my waist.

I glanced at Emenike and he was already on his feet, I smiled.