African Sunset

Chapter Five

Sadiwe's POV

"Tulasi, what's going on? Why is papa summoning me? Have I done anything wrong?", I bombarded my sister-in-law with questions.

"Hold on Sadi. You will definitely know when we get back to the palace, alright.", Tulasi said, trying to hide her glee leaving me in a sulky mood.

Something big was about to happen, I could feel it in my bones. Papa seldom called on me, he just let me be free. This was my mother's dying wish; to let me,her daughter be free and run wild, just like she did in her youth.

After crossing the Ikom bridge,Tulasi and I arrived at the palace.
There was something odd about the place. There were many saddled horses lined up behind the gates.

"I will not ask again Tulasi, what is going on!", I yelled in worry and a bit of annoyance.

"Fine, I'll tell you.", Tulasi finally gave up.

"Prince Wèsé of Mhekani is asking papa for your hand in marriage!, she said, giddy and excited. "Isn't that good news, Sadi?

"Good news my foot! I will not marry any man I do not love!", I said angrily, storming into the palace.

"Papa!", I cried out, expecting my father's booming voice to answer me.

"Keep your voice down Sadiwe.", someone said from behind me. "Papa is having a meeting with a prince."

It was my little brother.

"Sowsa, where's Samala? I am not going to let this happen! Nobody is going to impose love on me for the second time!", I angrily whispered.
How dare this happen again.

"She's in the kitchen.", Sowsa answered, scared what I might do to him in rage if he didn't answer my question.

Angrily, I made my way into the kitchen, ignoring the servants' congratulatory remarks about my upcoming engagement.

What engagement?!

I snatched an apple from an ongoing tray and furiously bit into it, chewing like it was the prince's heart in my mouth.

"How dare he do this to me again? I told him I would not marry a man that I do not love.", I muttered angrily to myself on the way.

"Samala!"

"Yes Séwa.", Samala quietly replied.
She was in the kitchen.

"Did you know about this?", I asked politely due to the respect I had for my dear grandmother.

"Oh child, you've forgotten? I told you he was going to ask for your hand but I didn't think it would be so soon."Samala said whiles making gestures with her hands.
"Stay here until you are called on by your father, in the mean time, help Luola out with the oven."

Twenty eight minutes passed since then and I was getting frustrated. My heart almost skipped a beat when my brother called me.

"Sadiwe!, papa wants you inside right now."

I steadily made my way to the big room in which the meeting was held, and sat down beside my father,no smiles on my face, obviously not impressed by anything or anyone before my eyes.

"Won't the bride smile?", said a woman with a funny red hat on her head, obviously covering what was left of her damaged hair.

That must be that donkey's mother .

"Sadiwe, in front of you is Prince Wèsé of Mhekani. He has traveled a long distance with his family to ask for your hand in marriage. Will you accept him?, my father said.

Of course not! Who does he think I am? A prized horse?

I glared at the prince across the room, cockily smiling at me.

I apologetically looked at father and turned to the present people of Mhekani.

"My apologies, I shall not marry your son, safe journey back to your land o.", I said, quite amused at the bewilderment on the faces of the people in the room.

Gracefully, I exited the room and headed back to the kitchen.

"What happened child?", Samala curiously asked.

Letting out a giggle, I said,"I said no Matouré."

"Good, I can imagine how ugly your children would be if you accepted that dowry."

"Sorry Matouré, I can't stay and chat, I've got somewhere I ought to be." I said exiting the kitchen through the back door.
I bade my grandmother goodbye and left.

Where can I find Rubadiri?,
The stream!

I ran as my thin legs could carry me and got to the stream. The sun was setting.

I sat on the flat rock and looked out onto the still water.

Then, I felt someone behind me.

I turned and sighed. It was Rubadiri.

"We always meet at sunset princess.", he said with a smile.

"Enough with the formalities, call me Sadiwe.", I beamed at him.

He sat down beside me and stared at the stream.

"You are beautiful, just like an African sunset ", Rubadiri said, looking me in the eyes with intensity.

I looked at him then at his hand and slowly laced my fingers in his.
Together, we watched the sun disappear from the sky and be replaced with the moon.

"I almost got engaged today.", I said, breaking the silence.

Rubadiri looked down at me wide-eyed.

"I said no.", I continued with a giggle, remembering what had happened earlier.
Unexpectedly, my giggle broke into a full on laugh.

"You should have seen his mother's face when I said no.", I laughed heartily.

I narrated my experience to Rubadiri and by the time I ended her story, we both were laughing so hard that it made near passerby's stop and stare.

"I must go home now.", I said with sadness.
"Tomorrow is a market day, my favourite day of the week."

"I'll walk you home.", Rubadiri said.

"That would be wonderful."

He took my hand and together, under the beautiful moonlight, we walked to the palace, hand in hand.