FIGHT FOR LOVE

Chapter four

Just when I was about to voice out the cooked up story I had in my mind, a crier's voice was heard, announcing the arrival of the Bammuhene. I sighed with relief. My father stood up, ate one last piece of the yam and walked away, not without giving me a side eye. I knew what this side eye meant, that this conversation was far from over.

As soon as my father walked out, my brother pinched my side. I turned to face him with a raised brow.
"Where were you?"
I shrugged. "Outside and around" was my vague answer. He sighed and continued eating. If I had told him, he would have told my mom who would have told my father. Hearing that his own daughter was befriending an enemy was a taboo and would have sent me to go serve in the shrine or be punished publicly.

I finished eating and waited for everyone to do so. After the prayer, I walked to my room. I took my flute, jumped out of my window onto the branch of the tree near it. I positioned myself on the branch very well and placed the mouth of the flute close to my lips. Soon I began to play a melodious tune. I was a very known flute player in the community all thanks to my father, who was a music lover. He taught my siblings and I dance and music. The females were expected to learn dance and the males, how to play the instruments. I had learned how to play the flute because its tunes fascinated me. I learned both dance and music.

I played till I got tired. I then sat quietly on the branch and watched the moon as it went about its job. The clouds then covered the moon and everywhere became black. I hopped onto branches, moving from trees to trees till I got outside the palace gates. I ran to the town square. It was almost midnight and the children were gathered around Egya Anor, the storyteller. This has been happening since ages and I had been joining them since I got to know that this has been happening. The children do not recognise me as I usually sit in the dark and they will be too engrossed in the storytelling to notice a princess among them.
My father or any of my relatives did not know about my night escapades.

I quietly sat at the back of them, I'm the dark, when I reached the town square. Soon Egya Anor entered with his walking stick closely guided by his youngest daughter. He sat on a stool which was placed in the middle and smiled at the children.

This man was a great storyteller. He told us stories of Ananse, the spider, and even stories of other lands. Children loved him and I did too. I think he knows I am the princess because anytime he looks in my direction, he gives me a wide smile, showcasing his missing teeth.

He began with his usual greeting and began the story.
"My story today will be Ananse and the talking skull"
He began telling the story making us feel as if we were there. If there were songs, he paused, taught us the lyrics and we sang loudly into the night skies. It was a very nice experience.

I joined them in the singing and laughed when it seemed necessary. I was enjoying my night. Soon the storytelling ended and he asked us what we had learnt. We all told him. When I told him mine, he winked and said,
"You're special, don't forget that"

I did not understand but I smiled. Maybe he was trying to tell them I was a princess or something. I got up, dusted my dress and began running back to the palace. I began climbing the trees back into my room. The minute I got inside, thunder began to boom and the rain fell heavily. I thanked the gods for  letting me reach my room before it began to rain. I laid on my bed and soon fell asleep.

I woke up when I heard a knock at my door.
"Who is there?", I said and yawned. I was so tired.
"Nuna, Ohemaa. It's time for your bath", Nuna, my maidservant said.
"Come in"

She entered and walked straight to my bathroom to get everything ready for my bath. After, she stood at the door of the bathroom waiting for me to entertain. I got up, stretched my body and entered my bathroom. She stood there, with her bowed, handing me the stuff I needed. I had strictly warned her not to bath me as I did not like anyone touching me.

"Nuna, do you have a boyfriend?", I asked. The silence was killing me. Unlike other towns and villages that did not allow their maidservants to marry nor give birth, mine did. You are made to sign a contract with how many years you will serve the royal family. When that time is up, you're sent packing.

I looked at her as a shy smile appeared on her lips.
"No, Ohemaa. But I like someone"
"Who?", I asked, eager to know.

"Asare"
"Asare? Which one? Egya Offei's son or Gyaasehene Koo Ofori's son"
" Asare Ofori"
I gasped. "You did not get anyone to crush on, Gyaasehene Koo Ofori's son"
I laughed when she looked at me and frowned,
" what do you mean, Ohemaa?"
"Drop the title and it's nothing. Don't mind my silliness"

I grew up with that boy and I know he will not be good for her. He was a womaniser, chasing after women in this village, causing his parents heartbreaks.
We soon finished my bath and I dressed up for breakfast. I went downstairs and saw my parents and some of the elders in a deep chat. I turned to Nuna,
" what's going on?"

"Egya Anor aka nkyene agu. Egya Anor is dead"

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Heyy,

How was this chapter? Quite lengthy, right?
If you find a twi word or phrase in the story that you don't understand, please let me know.

Sorry for the grammatical errors in this chapter. I will be editing the book soon.

Don't forget to like, comment and share with your friends.

Love,

Nana😉💜