All I ever wanted

Chapter 4

There is a knock on the door followed by the king's messenger. The situation in the kitchen hut tenses. Not just because of the conversation before but also the question of what the king's messenger could be here for.

"Greetings," the King's messenger broke the silence. "I hope I find you well."

"Yes, yes. Please do take a sit," My mother put on the fakest smile I have ever seen. "Naki, go get some water for our guest!"

I walk out knowing that this was not just about the water. They just wanted me out of the kitchen because there was a full calabash of water next to mother. I saunter slowly towards the river my mind battling the thoughts I had in mind. 'How am I betrothed?' 'I have too many plans for my life to just go straight into the hands of any man' I sat by the river as a tear flowed down my cheek.

"Ah ah, Nakai, are you okay?" That was unmistakably Melody's voice.

"Melo, everything is ruined!" I said as I suddenly burst into tears.

"What do you mean everything? Did Tamuda court someone else?" She asked.

"No! It's not that." I sighed and wiped the tears on my cheeks. "I'm betrothed to someone else." Again, I burst into tears. "My life is ruined!"

"Who are you betrothed to Naki?" Melody said in absolute horror as she stood up from where she had positioned herself next to me.

"I don't even know!" I cried.

She hugged me. "It's going to be okay. Have you thought about running away with Tamu"

I looked at her in horror.  "Are you crazy!" I laughed as I pushed her.

"That's more like it," she said. "Now how about you find out who you're betrothed to then we can talk about this?"

I nodded as she helped me get up.  Melody walked me home.

I opened the door to the hut and said goodbye to Melody.

Mother and father sat there in silence. I knew something was wrong.  The messenger was long gone.

"What is it. Mother? Baba?" I asked looking at them both.

"Nakai, we faced a food shortage crisis one drought season.Teshe and I were the best of friends so he assisted me without demanding anything. That was before he was king. After his coronation, we had a major conflict that's when he said his assistance last season had to be for something in ret..." I interrupted my father with loud sobs.

"No.. no, no. This can't be." I said wiping tears from my eyes.

"So the King's messenger was here to inform us that the King wants to marry you the day after tomorrow."

Tears rolled down my cheeks. Everything was over. All my dreams right into the drain. Me, the King's wife. A man almost twice my age.

"But father, can't we just return the grain he assisted you with." I asked desperately.

"It doesn't work that way. I'm really sorry I put you through all this child." He said without even looking at me.

I walked out of the kitchen without a word. Went straight to Melody's home.

"Did you find out who you're betrothed to?" She asked the moment she saw me.

"King Teshi." I told her.

She covered her mouth to block an excited scream.

"That's not so bad. King Teshi is good looking, rich, he is the damn King. You won't have to suffer anymore Naki." She said excitedly.