Just 19 years old, Aryanna Kollie was faced with the challenge of a lifetime: rule the continent of Africa.
Born in Washington D.C., USA, Aryanna (better known as Arya), lived a simple, quiet life. Her mother died while she was young and her father...
As I stood before my father's portrait inside my office, I couldn't help but fight back tears. Today, November 2nd, 2023, my twentieth birthday, was supposed to be my father's special day. It was supposed to be our special day, for different reasons. Instead, here I am feeling like I'm hogging all the glory. My father will be nothing more than a nod to while I am officially crowned queen of Africa and celebrated across the continent. While I celebrate becoming queen, turning twenty years old, and, in five months, welcoming a baby, my father will be rotting more and more in a glued-shut casket-all alone in a cold, dark vault. I want to be mad at him for what he put my mother through, but I can't even bring myself to be. In a way, this all came full circle. If Dad had not done what he did, Edward Taye would still be around. And though Taye's actions might have been different in that circumstance, who's to say that he wouldn't have another trick up his sleeve somewhere?
As my mind wandered, my father's painting seemed to have come alive. His pupils suddenly moved, startling me. "Be calm, Arya," he warned in a low tone, "you are okay. I do not mean any harm. I just want to let you know that Africa will be just fine, as long as it has you. You will lead this continent to a success like no other. Mark my words." I nodded, my eyes getting teary but a tear not falling. My dad continued to speak, "So do not weep for me, Arya" he requested of me. "Do not be sad. For I was awarded in heaven, I did as was ordered to do. When I was greeted by The Almighty, he said 'Well done, thy good and faithful servant.' You may have not understood the plan my dear, but as time goes on, the rest of the world will." I stared blankly at my father, wondering if he was going to say something else.
"There you are!" Aminata greeted me. Unlike my reaction to my father's portrait speaking to me, I was not caught by surprise when Aminata came into my office. That might have been because I expected Aminata to be looking for me, given she was in charge of my coronation makeup. She looked at me, as I hadn't even turned my neck in the slightest upon her arrival. I could see her doing this from the corner of my eye. She then turned toward my father's portrait. "Arya?" Aminata asked as I refused to break contact with Dad's painting. "You okay?" I nodded very slowly, still refusing to look away. "He's talking to me," I barely let out, "Aminata." I could hear the clacking of Aminata's heels and again, from the corner of my eye, see her emerging closer and closer. She lightly rested the back of her hand on my forehead. "You're a little warm..."
