Chapter 4: Old Battles, New Choices

I no get any feelings for the Fourth Prince at all.

No spark, no butterfly, just respect. I dey see am as person wey pass through wahala.

For my last life, just for Musa career sake, I force myself go learn about the prince likes.

I dey read newspaper, ask question, even spy for palace, all because I wan help Musa climb ladder. I put head for wetin no concern me.

I find out say na him dey in charge of appointment for Ministry of Defence and sabi spot better person.

People dey fear am small, but na him get eye for good soldier. If him like you, your future sure.

So that Musa go fit get promotion, I waka go visit many big oga house.

I dey beg, smile, even buy gift go palace. Na hustle I dey hustle for my husband, nothing more.

Last last, Musa get the promotion, but na the Fourth Prince carry am go fight for border.

E pain me that time, but I no fit talk. Na the prince give order, Musa no get choice.

He waka two years.

Two long years—na so my hope dey up and down. Everyday, I dey sleep with one eye open.

Letter from house rare, everyday na wait I dey wait, dey pray make he come back safe.

I go church, mosque, even native doctor. I just dey find where my mind fit rest, make Musa come back in one piece.

Later, as Musa dey rise for rank, the big madams wey dey my circle dey become madam of madams.

The circle tight, e get politics. Every madam dey do big madam for face, but na for back dem dey play dirty.

Anytime I go out, my mind no dey rest, I dey fear say if I make mistake, wahala fit land for us.

Even ordinary outing fit spoil your name, so I dey walk on top eggshell. Small slip, enemies go use am drag my family.

All the pain for my heart, I no fit share am with my husband wey dey border, nor let my mama worry.

Sometimes I go sit for night, dey write letter, but I go tear am before morning. I no wan add to anybody wahala.

I just swallow am, force myself stand strong.

Na so I carry all my burden, still dey smile for face, make people believe say all dey okay.

When Musa finally return to town with the Fourth Prince, even he surprise:

E shock Musa as e see me. E just look me up and down, wonder how I take lose weight when food full house.

"Morayo dey enjoy for house all day—why you come thin like this?"

Na joke him talk am, but e no know wetin dey my mind. I just force smile.

I say, "To dey relate with people no easy."

I talk am like joke, but inside my heart, e dey pain me.

He just laugh: "Morayo don dey pamper by mother-in-law. As she enter house, she collect house key. E better pass your cousin own."

Him laugh loud, but na only me understand the meaning. For our place, if mother-in-law give you house key, na big respect.

To dey explain woman wahala to man, na waste of time.

I no get energy to dey talk story. Musa no go understand, so I just close mouth.

If na so, why I go suffer all this for this new life?

My eye don open. If na to find better life, I go try. No dey use another person path walk my own.

I go find better husband, no dey chase after wealth and title again, just enjoy peace for my life.

Na true o. Peace pass gold. I go wait, take my time, choose well this time.

As I think am, I slowly bend my knee, talk say, "Your Highness the Fourth Prince, I wish you peace."

I give small bow, as our tradition demand, show respect to prince even if we dey alone.

The Fourth Prince nod: "E don late, go house."

Him face gentle, but him voice strong. He no dey drag matter.

He lift him fishing rod, carry basket, limp comot.

Na so e waka go, him steps slow because of limp. People say e get accident for horse that year. I just dey look am till e disappear.