ALIMA

ALIMA'S BETRAYAL

ALIMA'S BETRAYAL.

I looked up to the half moon. There wasn’t much time left and I earnestly hoped I would find the one herb I had been looking for in river Oba as I wandered into the night.

I heard movements in the bushes and I sensed the presence of someone behind my back. I spun around immediately and my eyes met the glittering green eyes of Oko. I gawked at him as his eyes shone in the dark, like the predatory gaze of a cat. I couldn’t help but notice how handsome he really was—standing under the moonlight in his god-like build—he oozed perfection. I shook my head slightly as I finally found my voice.

“What are you doing here?” I whispered, in an attempt not to wake the creatures of the night.

“I came to see you.” He whispered back; his words sending tickly shivers down my spine.

He walked closer to me and crouched down to my height before leaning to my side.

“But, why are we whispering?” He said into my ear and I slightly flinched.

He returned to standing uprightly, and I instantly let out a breath I did not realise I was holding. What’s happening? I cleared my throat and replied.

“It’s late at night, that’s why.” 

“It’s late at night, therefore you shouldn’t be out here.”

A frustrated sigh escaped my mouth. “I have to be in Osoosi as soon as possible.”

“Osoosi?” He said. “Why?”

“The herb is un— Wait.” I paused, eyeing him.

“Wh- What?” He stuttered, searching my eyes for answers. I wondered why he was so uptight, but I ignored it.

“I thought you couldn’t walk on the lands of another god—a taboo or something?” I asked.

Oko then let out a sigh as though he was relieved. “Oh, that.”

“Are you okay?”

“Yes, yes I am. You see, you have left Ibile, this particular land does not belong to any deity," He said, rubbing the back of his head with his hand nervously.

“Okay. Why are you here?” I asked, as I resumed walking, while he followed after me at the same pace.

“I don’t know, I thought you might’ve wanted me to keep you company?”

I thought about what he said for a while, and a small smile graced my face. Oko stopped on his tracks and I turned back to him.

“What?”

“Your smile,” he said. “It’s beautiful.”

I felt a rising heat on my cheeks and I immediately looked away, walking further into the night. He raced after me, till we were walking side by side again.

“Don’t just go around giving random compliments,” I snapped.

A little smirk played out on his lips. “What? You don’t like it?”

“Yes, I don’t.”

“Well, you usually don’t smile, so—”

“And how would you know that?” I questioned, turning my gaze to him.

He stopped to turn to me, and he held my gaze.

“Because I know you.”

The mood had suddenly drifted to a very much different atmosphere. I felt the surrounding air increase by a degree as I flapped my fingers over my face to wade off the heat. I could still feel Oko’s gaze on me—his eyes raking my body. I made to proceed walking, but his fingers wrapped around my wrist. I stopped abruptly and turned to him, questioningly.