OnuIdu(The Lion King):Period of the British

Chapter 11

Furqan

The days passed in a flick.

I arrived at the entrance of Umomi kingdom on my horse accompanied by some administrators, kings, few members of my family, General Azeez and of course the soldiers.

"Make sure this kingdom is secured. I whispered to Azeez who nodded and started ordering soldiers on duty.

Chieftain gathered at the entrance. Most of them pleased to see me and some gawking at me finally seeing me for the first time as though they've seen a ghost. I smiled a little walking past them as they bowed and chanting Gabaiduuu.

King Uthman approaches smiling delightful. He's a dark skinned man in his late 60s. Dressed in a leopard print royal gown with bead embodied crown having single red feather sticked to a side.

"Gabaiduuu. He said and bowed lightly."Welcome OnuhIduh.

I nodded and smiled.

"Hope you had a splendid ride to Umomi? He asked smiling.

"Of course. Ibegwu always protects. I said

"Yes indeed.

I was escorted by King Uthman, his kinsmen and his five sons to a big opened straw house where people of Umomi were all seated inside on mats spread everywhere. People got up and knelt chanting Gabaiduuu! OnuhIduh! Woo LA ule!  I raised my hand and motion them to be seated.

A small shrine is built at the stage of the straw house where a straw mat is spread at the front and decorated with Ebule jonu attire.

On the right of the stage, Yaya mama, Ba Ikani and the rest of my family members Sat. while on the left, King Uthman, his wife Queen Lami and the rest of princess Suri's family members Sat on the left.

I was told to sit on a chair decorated with Ebule jonu attire and tiger print table was laid at the front. Everything seem new to me, I closely and quietly observed Umomi 's culture.

Soon a young girl was escorted by group of girls who sang Igala songs accompanied by drums. They danced gently as the girl walk slowly in the middle. She was veiled with yellow chiffon material to her toe which made it hard to see her face. My heart began racing rapidly. I felt unsettled. What if.. What if she's not good looking? What if she's rude? Arrogant? Clearly she's marrying me because of my powers and position. I exhaled tapping my foot on the floor slowly. They got to the stage and was asked to sit.

As per Igala tradition, the bride's friends began saying her waist aches so Yaya mama smiled delighted and got up accompanied by Ba Ikani and some respective administratiors. They threw gold, rubies and Cowries on the mat. The crowd chanted "Gabaiduuu!!! Praising my displayal of wealth.

After they sat, Ba Ikani ordered the guards to bring the Kola nut, palm wine, fancy wines to the stage and present them to the mediators of the bride family asking them to give them their daughter to their son. One of King Uthman's kinsmen asked princess Suri if they should accept it. She slightly nodded shyly.

They accepted. An elderly man stood up from the kinsmen and cleared his throat.

"Princess Suri our daughter. It is forbidden to eat Kola nut twice in our kingdom. From today henceforth, You're now Onuh Furqan Obaje Oma Omar's lawfully wedded wife. He said and sat down. I felt panicking. I am really married? Hard to believe. I began feeling bad for Almas. I've heard so many stories about princess Suri. She's known to be a young naive arrogant princess. Rude and Bad mannered. But who cares anyways. It's just a marriage of alliance! I spat back to my inner self.

"OnuhIduh. My attention was brought back to whatever function they were doing.

"The feeding, clothing and health of our daughter the princess will be your responsibility.

"And inshaAllah, The Almighty will bless this union and strengthen our kingdoms relationship. I added and stood up.

King Uthman held his daughter's hand and I stretched my palm forward. He placed her hands in mine. And the deal was sealed.

King Uthman raised my hand up in the air with Suri's hand still in mine and faced the crowd.

"To Udama (unity), peace, love and friendship!!! He shouted.

"To Udama (unity), peace, love and friendship!!! The crowd yelled back. Some toasting their Calabash cups filled with palm wine up in the air.

I smiled silently nodding my head slowly facing the crowd.

Now am married. Almas will see that I too deserve the love of a powerful woman. Umomi is the strongest kingdom in terms of weaponry and well standing army. My marriage to the princess symbolizes more power. From this moment, she'll see completely opposite side of me. The caring part is gone! I'll try and love Suri regardless. And I am glad Almas decided to stay in my palace. She shall witness heart shattering attitude from me.

'Be ready princess Almas. You'll soon get to know me closely I quietly said and smirking to myself.

I looked over to Suri. I saw her as a trophy and kissed her forehead planning how I'll use her to shatter Almas soon.