Oroma had always lived an ordinary quiet life.That was until her village was invaded.After being carried off as a slave, what more did the future hold for her? Never could she have imagined that was only the beginning.
The silvery sungu fishes glided gracefully in the clear stream. One stopped near the bank as if trying to sniff at it. I raised my hand bearing the spear and ready to strike.
Splash!
It was not because I had caught a fish. Someone had pushed me into the shallow stream from behind and I knew that one person.
'Wami!' , I shrieked as I got out of the stream unto solid ground, 'When would you stop that nonsense?'
'When you catch me!' he teased as he walked slowly away from me.
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Wami was no eight-year-old boy. He was eighteen just like me yet he still played like a child. My mum said he is so fond of me he cannot help pulling my legs every now and then. He made a good friend though. Actually he was my closest friend; he was loyal, protective, so helpful....
'Come on, try to catch me. You can do it,' he continued after being considerably far from me.
'I do not have your time now,' I said dryly, 'I was trying to do something reasonable before you disturbed me.'
Suddenly, he hugged me from behind.
'Is it sunguyou want to catch?' he asked releasing me, 'Do not worry, I will help you.'
'I am not giving you my spear,' I immediately put in.
'Did I say I needed your spear?' he asked smirking, 'I am going to use my bare hands!'
With that, he ducked in search of some sungu. I sighed. That was typical of Wami; to ruin something and then try to fix it. Funny enough, it sort of made him cute - the same way his soft black low-cut hair did, the same way his small smiles did, the same ways his twinkling eyes did which suddenly turned to me.
'Oroma, I just caught one!' he exclaimed proudly.
I really hoped it was a big one but I was disappointed to see the very opposite.
'Do not worry,' he said reaching out to my bag to put the fish inside, 'I would try to catch a very big one next time. It would be so big that you would start wondering if you would be the one to eat it or if it would be the fish to eat you.'
I tried to contain my smile which made him grin and tilt his head.
'Oroma if you want to laugh, laugh or if you want to frown, frown. Do not keep a straight face for me.'
I just looked away still smiling. Somehow Wami always succeeded in softening my serious personality. Both he and my mother had often complained that I was always so serious, quiet and always thinking - which were all true anyway. That was why I liked spending time alone in the forest during the day taking in the fresh air, exploring and admiring the beauty of nature. Wami knew this and hardly let a day pass without ruining this moment.
