The African Winds

Chapter 1

I left the throne room confused and angry thinking, Why do I have to do this. Marriage is part of my family's tradition and blah blah. I think that marriage is a burden on both the man and the woman. My parents are most likely to blame for that.

When I was little, my parents always argued. I remembered the nights when my mother came into my room at night just to hold me, cry, and complain about how much of a horrible husband my father was. After her tears ceased and she was fully calm, she would tell me not to tell anyone for that type of news would put shame on our 'perfect' family. I did keep her promise, but I did tell my best friend, Kofi. We were thirteen years of age and at the lake watching the women of our village fish for dinner.

"I thought your family was the poster child of perfection," He cackled, showing his deep dimples.

"Nkwaseasɛm!  And stop laughing my personal life. It is not funny." The grainy sand under us became much more interesting than talking to him.

"Oh, come on, Adansi. I'm not laughing at your personal life. I'm laughing at the people who claim that your family is just 'so perfect' and how your family is supposed to 'set an example' for the rest of the messed up families out there.It's just a shame, you know." I looked out unto the river and shook my head.

"What were your parents fighting about anyway?" He asked, dimpling and squinting his eyes to block out the sun.

"I do not know."

I did not know then and I still do not know now.

I stomped my way out of the palace to the courtyard to find my mother.

"Mom!" I yelled from far away. She looked my way confused. When she saw that it was me, she got up from the bench she was sitting on, hiked up her skirt and ran toward me with worry written on her face.

"Adansi? What is wrong? What happened?" She worried.

"Why did you not tell me that Dad set me up on an arranged marriage?" She stopped abruptly.

"A-Adansi. I-I..." She sighed. "I am sorry, Adansi. I was just surprised as you when I found out, and that was yesterday." She wiped the sweat off her forehead and sighed once more.

"I tried to talk him out of it, but the arrangements were already made months in advance. I could not believe that he did this without consulting me first. But, trust me, Adansi, I would have tried to stop him."

Now it was my turn to sigh. I engulfed my mother into a hug.

"I know, Mother. But, I wish you would have told me sooner so I could prepare myself." I let go of her and walked over to the bench she was sitting on before.

"Adansi! Adansi! Look at me!" I smiled as I saw Akyaa fail to do a cartwheel, but then started to laugh at herself.

"You are doing good, Abofra! Keep practicing!" Nana encouraged, sitting next to me on the bench. Akyaa gave her a toothless smile as I turned my attention from my sister to my mother.

"Well, Mother, since I'm meeting the girl tomorrow, can you tell me what she is like? I mean have you met her yet?" She shook her head.

"Son, I wish I knew, but I only found out yesterday. We're both going find out tomorrow I assume." She said, taking a hold of my hand. I shook my head, frustrated. I stood up and kissed her hand.

"Thank you, Mother. Well, If you do not mind, I am going to clear my head for a while."

"I understand. Do not stay out long. Tonight, I'm making dokonu and grilled tilapia." I hummed in excitement. Dokonu and gilled tilapia was my favorite dish and I was so happy Nana was making it instead of one of our servants.