Under the moonlight

Chapter 5

When I arrived home, I knew Mama would fry me alive, but surprisingly she did not. Frankly, it would not have bothered me. I felt like I was in another dimension.

I tried focusing on my duties but Kojo's raspy voice kept ringing in my mind. And I felt warm right where his hands were. Was I really in love with him? No. It could not be.

Kia would really be of help, but it was too late to go to someone's house with silly love issues. Mama Was The only option I had. Her dramatic self not withstanding. At least she would get me. I hoped.

"Can I talk to you, Mama? " We had just had dinner and I knew Mama would have wanted to go chat with Papa, but they could always do that at their own time. I needed her more than anything.

"You are already talking, child, Just go on. " she said laughing.

"I am serious, Mama. "

"OK, come with me." she said dragging me along to her room and asked me to sit on a mat while she sat on the bed.
I did not get to go to her room oftenly and so that was a golden opportunity.

Everything in Mama's room screamed,' African woman '. From the paintings on the wall, handwoven mats on the floor to her multicolored beads carefully placed at the head of her bed.

"You definitely did not come here to feed your eyes. Speak up, child. " she said smiling and that made me feel even more close to her.

"Fine, Mama, how does one know when they are in love? " I could not look at her as I voiced my thoughts.

"Of course, I knew it was something to do with love. From the way you act these days and the sneaking around, I knew a boy was involved. Well, I do not want to know who it is, Just yet, but take care my daughter. I know that you feel really good around him, but sometimes, Dembe, you must consider what you are worth before what makes you happy. Love cannot be described you just feel it, so, I cannot tell you how one knows when they are in love. But I guess, you already figured that out and I trust you. I hope that I have been of help. "
Mama was just the best. I suddenly got up and hugged her. I had never felt so sure about myself.

So, the fever had a name! Love.
Kojo,Amare,all of them. They had been right all along. I really did love him but I just could not get myself to accept it.

The fever was no longer strange. I felt really good when he looked at me and I felt safe around him not to talk of being held in his arms.
Even after we fought, I had always defended his reputation, in his absence of course.
I had always been in love with the cocky boy!

Kojo's pov

I knew that Dembe loves me. It was all over her, her aura said it all. Not that I could read auras,but I knew. She wants me as much as I want her.
She smelled so good when she was in my arms. Well, it was just cocoa butter but it smelled heavenly on her. Her hair, kinky as it was, was just perfect. And I could tell she liked it when I held her, if not, why did she not resist. I could have held her for a while longer if only my friend down there had not gotten too excited. Embarrassing.
Mulutu had to hear of my encounter. He had to.

"Hey, man, I have something to tell you! " I shouted as I ran to meet him in his father's farm. The weeding season had just begun and it was no surprise to find him there. The boy had a thing for farm work.

"Do you not get tired gossiping like a village woman? You have to wait. Not everyone is as lazy as you are, you know. "

"Come on, Mulutu, this is way better than any village gossip. It is about my Dembe. "

"Ehee! Did she finally bite off your ear? I really hope she did because evidently, they are of no use. "

"Well, unfortunately for you, she did not. In fact I do not think she ever will because I know she loves me. "

With that, he dropped his hoe and came to where I was with a surprised look on that face of his. Ovedramatic.

"You move too fast Kojo. If only I was that swift, all the girls in this village would have eyes for me, especially Kia. " Mulutu said as I finished telling him what went down at the stream.

"I never thought I would say this, but you should definitely go after Dembe with all you have got. I have never seen you this happy nor serious about a girl. But you know it will take time for her to fall for you, considering what people say, but not to worry, I've got your back. "
Mulutu was right. All I had to do was prove to Dembe that I was a changed person, regardless of what everyone else thought.

After initiation, we were given lessons on being real men and I guess the idea got into my head. The fact that I was handsome and my feature, clearly defined, made many girls fall for me. My smooth talking ability also helped out. I grew arrogant and went out with almost half of all the girls in the village. I slept with them and dumped them, Just to prove that I could. To prove that the man in me was not dead, yet.
It never occurred to me that I was hurting the girls and consequently, the whole village knew of my callous behavior. My reputation was spoilt, by no-one else but myself.
I did not care about what any of the villagers thought, but that changed, after I accidentally stumbled on Dembe at the stream.
I had come from a hunting experience and was so down cast because I had caught nothing. I decided to go to the stream for a swim before going home, and then I saw her.
As I watched her swim, I saw the innocence of all the girls I had hurt in her eyes. Her delicate hands painted for me just how those girls had been helpless and naive. She swam with so much freedom, unaware of the fact that I was watching her.
She stole my heart and swam away with it. I could not let her get away with it. So, I made it a habit to visit the stream everyday, not just for a drink, but also just so I could watch her.
Every time I watched her, I wanted to be a better version of myself. I swore I would be a changed person. I was going to prove that I was a changed person. At least, for her.
Dembe had better watch her steps, because I was going to sweep her off those carefully carved legs of hers. ;-)

******
Mama's advice on love to Dembe was kind of cheesy. I don't really know what a mother would say. =)

Have fun!

Love,
Daisy. 💋