Chapter 5: New Paths and Old Prayers

I hear say: the fastest way to forget person, na to find new love.

Na true dem talk. If you use new gist take cover old pain, e go heal small small. But na only brave person dey try am quick.

As I look the Fourth Prince wey dey waka somehow, idea just enter my head.

My mind begin dey calculate. Maybe I fit try new path, forget old wound.

In two days, daughters of officials from sixth rank up fit go register for palace selection.

All the girls for village dey rush buy new wrapper, dey polish shoe. Na big opportunity, if you lucky, you fit enter royal house.

I remember say na so dem dey pick prince wife sometimes.

Palace dey do selection every few years. E fit be by festival, fit be when prince dey search for wife. My own heart dey beat fast.

But somehow, the Fourth Prince risk him life reject the marriage wey Oba give am.

E shock everybody. For this land, no be small thing to say no to Oba plan. Fourth Prince get mind.

Till he die, him house empty.

People dey gossip, "Na so Prince Sani do, house empty, no wife, no pikin." Some say na curse, others say na choice.

I time my return to house, don make up my mind for keke napep.

As I dey bounce for back seat of keke, dust dey hit my face, I dey tell myself say, "No looking back again."

When my mama come back from church service, I tell am my plan.

Mama no quick answer. She just dey look me, as if she dey see another person. I fit feel the worry for her heart.

Mama look me well, her face squeeze small:

She dey twist her mouth, eyebrow high, voice low. "Your aunty come meet me yesterday, dey talk say Zainab dowry too small, she wan collect better things from our side. Thank God I never gree sharp sharp—if dem pick you, how my pikin go do?"

Mama dey reason the family politics. E get as the matter be. Everybody dey find way wey go favour their own.

I rest my head for Mama lap, smile small.

Her hand dey warm for my head. Na comfort I need that night. My small smile, na for her only. Mama rub my back, whisper, "God go guide your steps, my pikin."

For my last life, my cousin marry well, carry plenty things from our side, no return am. Mama just bear am, for family sake.

I remember how mama carry all the insult, still stand. She be real woman. Family first, always.

Now wey both families balance, e too much to still dey take from us.

I dey wonder why people never get enough. Sometimes, na greed dey spoil relationship.