by Abeni Inks
The men balked, insulted. But Awo Nla was not finished.
"The law was made in ancient time to save a world at the brink of war.
A world filled with fear and malicious untruths.
Superstitions whispered in fearful silences. All eyes on the backs and fronts of heads.
In a time when women went to Oshodi, sand in their palms to throw at everything and everyone. When men and thugs held mirrors to see if you would be reflected in them. Do we still live in those times, Daya?”
The men shifted among themselves. But none spoke.
"The law served its purpose.
No community is without the Daya now. Sons. Daughters. Generations of the Daya are as many as pure born inhabitants of Earth.
A war of humankind versus Daya cannot hold. Bloods of Daya would rise to protect your world. To divide humans in their selfish quest to conquer and own the universe."
Awo Nla paused dramatically.
"But we can have a war of the cult against the Daya."
Awo Nla laughed.
His dress danced and his mirth warmed the room. Then suddenly all was icy again. His face had gone cold. Set in dangerous lines.
"Except, that would be slaughter."
He looked over each Daya slowly. Carefully. Assessing.
When he spoke next his voice was a low, too-gentle murmur.
“The war wouldn’t even leave this room”
The 4 Daya blanched visibly. They stepped back. Huddled closer.
“But we are talking as friends, aren’t we? That won’t happen, would it? We want the girl and we want her now. Unharmed. Oh so help me, all the gods in …”
Awo Nla raised his staff and one of them, the one who had spoken first, extended his palms facing Awo Nla.
“Don’t, Awo Nla. Please. We are friends. You said so yourself”
Awo Nla lowered his hand but his staff stayed suspended mid-air.
Ifekunle realised then that power was shimmering. Flaming about them in a halo of white and gold licks. He smiled inside. Filled with awe. Proud to be a part of this ancestry that upheld truth, justice, love, harmony. The Cult that protected worlds from the dictatorship of its guardians.
“Ifekunle?”
She was suddenly in the room and Ifekunle realised he didn’t know if he could go to her.
“Uncle mi?”
“The cult thanks you”
The executioners disappeared and Awo Nla smiled.
“She’s beautiful”
He nodded.
A rush of emotions had clogged his throat. Clouded his eyes. She was back. Safe. And tears threatened.
Goodness! It's one thing to break down in front of Awo Nla but… Apes! Of all unmanly welcomes!
The society of African men couldn’t be pleased.
He looked to Awo Nla in silent plea.
The older man stepped forward. Arms outstretched to embrace Demilade. Give his nephew time to collect himself.
“I am...”
“Awo Nla?”
Her eyes shone with wonder. Awo Nla was puzzled. How did Ifekunle's besotted know about him?
“Ifekunle always said he has a big powerful Uncle. He used to holiday with you, didn't he? The very best of Men. Awo Nla. That’s you; yes?”
It was Awo Nla’s turn to have emotions lodged in his throat.
He nodded. Made a gruff sound in his throat. Led Demilade to Ifekunle before they unmanned him; in his full cult regalia, nonetheless.
Woman in her man's arms, he closed his eyes.
Sent them back to their hotel. Whispered a message in Ifekunle’s mind to see him soon.
He still wanted the full story, after all.
Epilogue
“You should probably know. I have a daughter”
“And?”
Demilade frowned.
It didn’t mean anything to him or he didn’t care because he had no intention of being involved?
“Do you love me, Demilade?”
She frowned.
“No. Wait. You needn’t. I can wait for that. I can love enough for us both.”
Ifekunle wished he wasn’t a chattering mess. But perhaps there wasn’t always a cool way to romance the woman that filled you with love and life itself?
“Do you want me?”
His heart started to beat in his throat and he shifted from foot to foot. Why did any of these matter? Wasn’t he beyond happy with what she already gave him?
“I’ve always loved you. Ifekunle 1temi nikan, omo Awonla.”
His jaw fell.
He wanted to say the words back but his throat was doing that clogged up thing. He reached for her instead, kissed her so hard she understood.
“You should probably know. We’re having twins”
She gasped. Ran her palms over her flat stomach.
“My being is dedicated to you, Demilade. All I am. All I dream. And I'm selfish. I want you. All of you. Everything, Love. To love and honour. Cherish and protect”
Tears filled Demilade’s eyes. Fell.
Ifekunle fetched them in his nail bed. Licked them off. Then he pulled her close. Claimed her lips again.
It was the birth of forever.
* * *
1. Temi nikan: Mine alone
Coming Soon...
-From the Protector Series
Pure Instinct
Chapter 1
Hello?
The voice a lazy growl. Groggy with sleep and a grumble.
“Doctor Isa? Na Mama Janet GRA. Jack is dying.”
The voice broke. The line was filled with an anguished scream tempered by many years of servitude.
“Calm down Mama Janet. Can you tell me what’s happening exactly? Where’s Hamid?”
“We two dey here. Please no let Jack die Sir.”
“I don’t even know what time...”
“Please Sir. No let Jack die Sir ooo! Jack ooo”
She broke into another bout of anguished heartbreak . He held the mobile device away from his ears. Looked at its screen.
1:15a.m
“Mama Janet...”
“Abeg Doctor Isa. I know say time don go. Janet don prepare guest room for you Sir. Please Sir”
He muttered a string of words she didn’t comprehend. But that didn’t matter because his voice became alert. He asked what Jack was doing. What it had last eaten. If the colour of its poop had changed….
“Please clear a table in the store, Mama Janet. Clean it with Izal. Has Hamid called Estate security to say you’re expecting me? In the meantime add half spoon of salt and 2 spoons of sugar to Jack’s drinking water”
He disconnected the call. Pasted his toothbrush and headed to the bathroom.
At the door he removed a wooden column. Picked a permanent marker. Wrote on the pinned cardboard:
06/08. 1:18hrs. GRA.
Reckoning was here.
He would have justice. By whatever way... or name.