MAIDENS

MAIDENS 10

Wura was confused by the flow of the whole interaction. They had seemed to be angry, then disappointed. Now, they were having fun at her expense. This bunch of people were confusing. How was she supposed to control them? They would walk all over her, especially Dinatu.

Margaret moved closer again with a smile. She had not said a thing since she let the cat out of the bag. Wura was beginning to categorize her as one of those people who spoke very little but always with heavy meaning. She did not disappoint. "I suspected she was when she accidentally identified who I was before the teacher said anything. It was a sign of someone that has access to the Iwe-Mimo and I felt then from her that she was someone special and there is just something about her. You must have felt it in her voice then. You know what, Dinatu?" Margaret looked at her new friend with a smile, "I think you should explain what happened outside. I sense she has a lot of confusion."

Wura needed to make something clear. "I don't need your explanations and I am not confused." They had already said she was a fool. She would not add to it. She would not let them look down on her title. They were not in any way greater than her.

"She is so proud," commented Rahila with much disapproval. Maybe because it came from Rahila who she thought was more compassionate and sensible than the whole Hausa lot but she saw red. She sealed her lips tight.

"I see many questions in your eyes," probed Margaret with an encouraging smile. Wura was sure her lips looked like a straight line.

Margaret shook her head and turned. "Well, that ends that."

"Uhh, do not leave us here with...her. We will go with you too, "said Dinatu but she paused to look her straight in the eyes. "When you can swallow your ego, you know where to find us."

Wura's eye twitched as she saw them move out the door. Why was she being so stubborn? They were offering her answers to the questions she really wanted to know. So, what if I have to swallow my pride to get it? She remembered how Adelola had run home hopelessly after today's class. None of these maidens had the struggle that Adelola had. What made them different? How were they stronger? What if she had to look like a fool to get answers? I could get answers to these questions now. How sure am I that they have any answers though? They could only be trying to taunt me or to get me to admit I know nothing... No, Wura. Think of Lola. Think of Lola... Hurry! Dinatu is almost gone. Wura, hurry...Please, open your mouth. Think of Lola.

"WAIT!" she heard her voice. Dinatu stopped and rewarded her with a blinding that's-my-girl-smile making Wura want to take back her words. She squared her shoulders instead. "I do have some questions for you to answer."

"You did not die, did you?" Saratu was smirking. I detest the lot of them!

The whole troupe returned and thankfully Margaret was the one who spoke next. "We are listening?"

"Why did you send off Ist..uhm, the man when he came all the way here? It is clear to me that he had a deep relationship with all of you. And you, Margaret, you talked about abandoning all too, to get here. Why did you do that?" Wura took a deep breath. It was getting easier to say what she felt. "Maybe what I really mean to ask is why did you abandon all your families and friends and properties after all they must have meant to you?"

Dinatu took up the challenge. Wura was not even surprised when she spoke first. "I think you have misunderstood something. If you read further, that verse you are referring to was explained. It is not simply "all." There are lots of descriptions to help you recognize the kinds and situations to let go off. The "all" in that verse means there will not be any compromise where these things are found. ALL of them must be dropped if there is even a piece of garbage as the next chapter explains. Did you even bother getting to the next chapter?"