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Re: Short Story Competition - <<Nuges11 wins!!!!>> by OMA4U(m): 11:12am On Oct 01, 2013 |
It was three days to the biggest wedding ceremony the Lalemians would experience. It was going to be like the King's daughter wedding ceremony that took place a year before. Bewaji was busy in her hut with her best friend, Aarinola, discussing how the event was going to be blissful. Aarinola had had enough responsibilities placed on herself to take care. No one was as close to Bewaji as her, even her mother. She was about to leave when a black young boy knocked and said" hello, the king of this hut." "Welcome, our honourable visitor." Bewaji replied and she stood up to meet with her visitor. It was Ige's younger brother. She ushered him in. Aarinola stood up and wanted to make for her way for home. "Hope I am not the one chasing you away with my presence." the young visitor quietly inquired. "Not at all. I was about going when you came." Aarinola replied with a smile, bent under the door of the hut and left. But one thing took over her subconscious; she seemed to have seen the young boy before. May be she could not remember, she wanted not to be bothered. She was hastily going home. The young boy carried a stool and sat with eased mind. He was tired, trekking twenty kilometers from Fiditi to Lalemi. Aarinola had gone inside to bring out kolanut and palm-wine for her visitor. "Have these my honourable visitor, it's been ages, hope no problem." "Yes oh! No problem. My brother, Ige, sent me to you." he said as he gulped down the palm-wine. "So what's the message? Tell me and let me have a taste of the message." Bewaji said in anticipation. She took another stool and sat at the front of the young boy. "He said he needed to see you urgently. There is something very important he wanted to tell you." "But I think he should have told you. Okay, I guess there is secrecy in the message." “Exactly, aunty Bewaji.” The young boy nodded. “Okay, tell him I would see him tonight. But I will not stay long. He knew I am getting married in three days time” She said. “Thanks, aunty Bewaji. Let me be going.” He said as he stood up. Bewaji saw him off to her door. Without a second set of eyes, Bewaji had concluded in her mind. She would go there without the consent of anyone except the omnipresence supreme creator. Ige was a child born with the legs coming out first. He was a dark and hefty handsome man. Ige and Bewaji had dated for years and they were so much in love with each other. But unfortunately they could not get married because of the quarrel that had occurred between the Lalemians and Fiditians over many acres of land before they were born. The quarrel led to a mighty war that made the two towns developed an unquenchable hatred for each other. Bewaji had made Ige understand that their relationship could only result in nothing, and nothing more. So why wasting their precious days? Ige had accepted since he knew there was nothing he could do to change that. Their departure was a painful one, but with the mischievous plans Ige had harboured in mind now, their final departure was going to be an endless pain for Bewaji to nurse forver. As Bewaji came into his hut on that very night, Ige knew he had no time to waste anymore. Bewaji had seated believing she was as safe as tortoise under its shell. She had entrusted him with all her life, and despite their departure, nothing has changed her trust for him. Besides, Ige never painted a doubtful mind of himself into her heart. Ige that was lying on his back on a goat skin had quickly got up. He rushed up to her. Bewaji was flabbergasted at his way of cuddling him this time around. It was very unlike him. Bewaji tried resisting him, and asking if he was out of his mind. He came deceptively, and so unprepared was Bewaji for the passionate thrust which followed that she screamed, so piercingly. She was even surprised at her own voice. How could one's body betray one? She should have got up and run, but something was holding here there. Not before long, Ige had made his way in getting her laid on the goat skin with her legs setting apart. "Ige, you are tearing me into two." she said with a tiny voice, until she melted and could say no more. She felt him inside her. It hurt her to the highest degree. She wept and the sobs was trying to suppress shook her whole being. "Do you think I am a fool? After wasting away my years to be the first to lay with you and enjoy the untouched fruit, you left me for someone else. You think you are smart, but now I have outsmarted you." Ige said with a mixture of fulfillment and unfulfilment. But at least, he achieved his ferocious aim. "You have satisfied yourself, right?" that was Bewaji's only statement and she left in agony. Bewaji was alone in her room, wailing endlessly. "I am doomed. I have put my family to shame and disgrace. Who shall I tell mine? No one". She was bombarding herself with questions and providing unsuitable answers by herself, while Aarinola came in. On the sight of her bosom friend, she quickly rubbed off her tears that rolled down her cheeks. "Bewaji, what happened? I have been knocking ever since with no response." Aarinola knew something had gone wrong. She bent down close to her side, and pressured her,” talk to me Bewaji, you know I am always there for you." "Aarin! Aarin! I am doomed! I am no longer a virgin." she said and boom into much tears and pains as the thought of the mischievous acts of Ige raced through her mind. Aarinola almost tore apart. She could never believe what she was hearing. "How did it happen?" Aarin inquired inquisitively. "You know when a young guy came yesterday?" "Yes, I know. Then what?" Aarinola cut in. "He was sent to me by Ige." Bewaji explained everything to her leaving nothing behind. With tears of pain and regret flowing in her eyes balls, and streaming down face. Enough volume of mucus was streaming down her nose with high viscosity. She cried out her life. It was the worst moment Bewaji ever experienced. Whosoever saw her perfectly structured body and beautiful face now would not know that she was like the taste of pineapple that makes pineapple sweet, but the pits in it were uncountable. She was now an empty barrel made of beautiful designs outside, but she could keep no water. Aarinola remembered where she had known the young black boy. She had once gone with Aarinola to pay him a visit when their love was still igniting. She thought for a while, disturbing her gyrated-working brain. Aarinola knew she would, one way or the other, find alternative. Her friend and her family could never be banished while she still had life in herself. "You will never be disgraced. Trust me, rather than a child of ‘Orunmila’ fallling into dungeon, the lightening would deliver its sent messages. There must be solution" Aarinola said in assurance, patting her on her back and cleaning her gloomy face. Bewaji believed in her, because she had saved her from many unusual and bad experiences, but not worse like this. |
Re: Short Story Competition - <<Nuges11 wins!!!!>> by OMA4U(m): 11:17am On Oct 01, 2013 |
If a day were selected, it would one day clock; if a month were chosen, it would one day come to past. The night Bewaji was going to her husband's house had come. The families had blessed them with prayers. The fathers of the couple and the male elders were all dressing in green coloured 'agbada' - a large flowing gown that covers from the neck to ankle and from the left wrist to the right wrist. Young men were dressing in 'buba' - a loose and roomy top that was shorter and smatter that the 'agbada', and 'sokoto' - a roomy garment like a pair of pants with an elastic band to tie it at the waist. The women were dressing in 'aso-oke' with 'gele' to complement it. The bride was dressing in a navy blue 'Al'aari' - rich maroon. While the groom in 'sanyan' - a very light brown with strips of cream. The couple had gone in, and the crowd were awaiting in expectation to see the white handkerchief given to the groom turned red, to prove to them all that the new taken bride was a virgin. Under the hut of Ajayi, Bewaji began to cry mercifully as she was about to get laid on. It was no surprise to Ajayi, as it was her first time. "Don't be fretted, my wife. It's not going to hurt you. It's something we are both going to enjoy." Ajayi said with seductive voice, loosing the band on his waist. "No, it's not about that, Ajayi. I have offended, you and your creator. You can no longer meet me at home." She explained how it happened. "Ah! No! No!, what do you mean? I am not going to allow this. I will expose you to the whole world." Enough of pleas she had said, and getting close to him, dragging her kneel on the ground, to get hold of his legs tight, and shedding hot tears on him. With the love Ajayi had for her, he could do nothing, but to accept her. His anger melted like shea butter under a scorching sun. "But what do we do? And how do I convince the people you are a virgin?" He asked, dragging her up to her feet. She placed her head on his chest. Half an hour had gone. The crowd outside had been waiting impatiently. Ajayi's harsh mother had been knocking rigorously. Bewaji and Ajayi began shivering, it was becoming no hope for them other than Bewaji to be exposed. As they were pondering, a whispering voice alarmed them through the backyard window, calling "Bewaji!" They thought it was the gods calling; they were engulfed by fears until she said "it's me, Aarin." Bewaji was stunned at how Aarinola had maneuvered to get there, and what she was up to. Ajayi took four steps forward to the wooden made window. "What do you want?" He had known her to be his lover's best friend. So there was not much ado. "Open the window. Be fast, please!" she said as she stole a glance at her two sides if no one was seeing her. Ajayi opened the window. They couldn't believe what Aarin had done. They were astonished, and gratitude flowed on their faces. She took them away from the tense environment, and replaced it with joy. "Ajayi, I want you to believe everything Bewaji had told you. Please forgive her." she said, and pointed another red handkerchief that had soaked in a blood to him. She continued,” take this handkerchief and show them when it is time." she concluded, and without wasting time, she left there. Aarinola had gone to meet the butcher while they were slaughtering the cow. She had taken little blood from the dying cow, and soaked the handkerchief in the blood. She showed a high degree of intelligence had she helped her friend out of the misery. Ajayi believed her. Not only because of what Aarinola told him, but also because he had known Bewaji to come from a decent family. He lay with her, and hurriedly went out to show the crowd that the white handkerchief had turned red. Everyone dressed so cute, they were all looking elegant. They were accompanied by drums like 'gangan', 'omele', and some other musical instruments to the groom's house. The aroma of 'egusi' and 'efo-riro' - a vegetable mixed with melon, and pounded yam and other foods prepared for the event, had taken up on all sides, and it was perceived by everyone. The drums beat continuously and a loud welcome was made to the bride. Everyone wine and dine, and enjoy the rest of that night. For many a month, she was respected for her beauty, strong body for the good garden she made for her husband. But gradually the attitude of the people changed. Bewaji could notice people's cold stares, pointing fingers and low whispers. Her thumping hears would not let her sleep. How happy she would be when her reproach would be gone, and she would have children. But the months multiplying into years still saw her walking with empty arms. Her family had taken her to different kinds of herbalist, where she had bathed and drunken different kinds of herbal concoctions in no measure fruitlessly. Until one day, the two families agreed to take the couple to 'Orisha Igbale', where they believe the ultimate solution was. At the shrine, Orisha Igbale had revealed to the new chief priest that took over from the old chief priest that died some months back. The new chief priest explained what the 'Orisha' had said to the family. "Orisha Igbale says the couple had committed abomination. There is a secret between them and until it is revealed, the two would be unable to bear children." Bewaji was going through insanity; her thoughts had made her feel the day and night had been working against her. Her balloon of fears of the unknown was bursting. Her eyes were now gory due to extremely high blood pressure caused by excess of ultimate rage coming from somewhere deep in her past. She knew the beans-cake was about to explode into palm oil. She felt it was time to let know of the hidden deeds they had harboured. At least after much disgrace, she would conceive. She thought as stood promptly in front of the crowd with less courage, and much fears. She explained everything without holding backing anything. The families were exclaimed at what they had done. It was like a super story to them. "If this is the case, what do we do, the wise one?" Ajayi's mother asked in hurry to get feedback. "There is a solution. The only solution is either Bewaji should die or the man who rapped her. One must go. Even if they get married to someone else, it would still be the same. They have committed abomination and they must suffer for it." The chief priest said and left the ugly scene immediately. In two ticks, the story like a flame of a burning house had spread all over the town. Ajayi's family insisted Bewaji must lay down her life for their son to proceed with his life. They believe she had to die because she was the culprit. |
Re: Short Story Competition - <<Nuges11 wins!!!!>> by OMA4U(m): 11:39am On Oct 01, 2013 |
The case was taken to the king's palace. The families were lying on the mat spread all over the ground at the palace. They all chorused "Kabiyesi o." The king had known all about the occurrence. He quickly judge Bewaji to lay down his life. He commanded "Bewaji, you are to be beheaded before the sun set. That's my judgment, and no one can use a bare hand to scratch the sharp tooth of my sword." The king surmounted the guards; he ordered them to take her to the 'ogun' - the god of iron - shrine. She was sentenced to death. The atmosphere seemed to be possessed as the king judge and went in. Bewaji cried bitterly and collapsed into Ajayi's arm. She held Ajayi tight and told him she loved him, but she had to resign herself to fate. While she was taken away, she stared at her parents. "Mama, Papa, I am so sorry for disappointing you". Ajayi could not withstand this, but he stood option less. Was he going to lose his love just like that? Ilori who was present there hurriedly held Ajayi from falling. Aarin sat on the mat cooking up in her mighty brain how she was going to be saved. She had to prove to Bewaji again, she is worthy to be a friend. The family of Ajayi was neither happy nor sad. Their son would have children as they have him though, but it wasn't pleasing to the eyes, beheading Bewaji. The whole environment filled with undefined wails. Sooner or later, Aarin thought that what if Ige could die, Bewaji would stay of course. She alerted the depressed husband. Ajayi took that as a good idea, he told Ilori. They all shared it as a brilliant idea. In two ticks, Ajayi had sent a message to his male servants that they should prepare for war. The servants saw this as a way to show their sincere gratitude to Ajayi. The all got armed. With Ajayi and Ilori leading, Aarinola and the male servants followed. At the entrance door of Ige's hut in the town of Fiditi. They Fiditians and the entire family of Ige were sober, mourning a brave man that just departed in the mid-night. They were all on blacks. Ige's mother had hit herself to ground countless times, but that was not going to wake his dead son. No one knew what had killed him overnight. It was a grief moment as the Fiditians lost one of their great men, Ige. Aarinola had directed them so well. They got there, but to their surprised, they met people mourning someone. Their mighty arms of war fell. Aarinola moved closer to ask Ige's youger brother who came to Bewaji's hut then. He told them Ige had died overnight. Aarin looked back at others. Ajayi winked at him, signal her to ask where the corpse was. She asked they boy quietly. They pretended to be some of his war men that have come to sympathize with the family. He took them in. Under Ige's hut, he was lying down lifelessly. His end has come. Ilori whispered in Aarinola’s ears, “but how do we get his blood?" "Let's carry him to Lalemi, at the Igbale shrine where the sacrifice would be made. We have to be fast. Bewaji's life was at stake" Ajayi concluded, and Ilori supported him. They carried the corpse in no time, and the male servants surrounded to protect them. "Where are you taking him to?" Ige's youger brother alarmed the mourners outside. They rushed in to know what is going on. Before they could make any move. The servants had begun shooting up to the sky to scare them away. The smell of gun powder and the stony faces of Ajayi's servant scared the pants off them. They succeeded in carrying his corpse to the town of Lalemi. Bewaji had been taking to the god of iron shrine, where her head would be cut off. The guards grabbed her roughly and tied her face with a black piece of cloth. Bewaji was enveloped in darkness and fear had overthrown her life. She began shivering. Her head was going to be cut off like a dog. Everyone experienced misfortune at some point in time but the misfortune Bewaji was experiencing now was death. Her head was hung on the two branch short leafless tree at the front of the shrine. The Beheader had come out with his sword in its cord. He removed it out of the cord and asked for the approval of other priests that gathered. He raised up the sword and made some incantations. Ige's dead body had been taken to 'Orisha Igbale' shrine to get his blood and appeased the god. The chief priest brought out a knife placed beside the shrine, he handed it over to Ajayi. With less time they had in hand, Ajayi had cut Ige and gotten enough blood from him. With a race that had no second part, they all left for the god-of-iron shrine to make it known to them and stopping them from carrying out the barbaric act. A twinkle of an eye could mean many things, but the one twinkle at Ajayi, Aarinola, Ilori, and the male servants, was the head of Bewaji laying on the ground Head of Bewaji sprinkling out blood from the lungs. Bewaji had been beheaded. She had gone and never to return. A place of darkness to which all deads go. The priests present at the god-of-iron shrine said something must have gone wrong. One of the priest that seemed to be in high rank showed them a sign they had placed in the sky - a yellow tiny line that would change to red - if the 'Orisha Igbale had been appeased, but they wondered why there was no sign. They all went back to 'Orisha Igbale' shrine to inquire what went wrong. The chief priest consulted 'Orisha Igbale', and it was revealed to them that Bewaji was not deflowered by Ige. She had been deflowered a very long time ago, at the age of fifteen, when she fell stupidly in love with a boy whom her sister was deflowered before marriage. And the entire family of that boy, and the boy himself had been banished. Ajayi looked up the sky pitifully, he said,” As I got blood from Ige, I thought I have conquered for us a place in the sun – a comfortable place where Bewaji and I would live to enjoy the rest of our lives, unknowingly to me that it was all fallacy. Where am I to begin from?” “Ajayi Ogidiolu, the one who owns a well everyone comes and fetches water from. Ajayi who takes his bathe in the river and every lady washing at the river bank leave their clothes and run up to. It is true Bewaji is gone, but we have conquered for ourselves a place in the sun where you and I would live forever. I promise to be yours forever.” Aarinola said, as she kneeled down in his front, shedding hot tears. The chief priest concluded, “It is fate that has brought you together. Go In peace, and get married. Bewaji will be glad in heaven to see you two together, and never to depart.” 4 Likes |
Re: Short Story Competition - <<Nuges11 wins!!!!>> by MaziOmenuko: 12:30pm On Oct 01, 2013 |
<<<<<<<SUBMISSION ENDS>>>>>>> For comments and observations, go here https://www.nairaland.com/1441838/short-story-competition/25#18552517 Thank you |
Re: Short Story Competition - <<Nuges11 wins!!!!>> by Mynd44: 12:12am On Oct 04, 2013 |
Feedback from the Judges. Please you should all note that the judges are seasoned writers and have done numerous works of literature. They are in no way out for a witch hunt or trying to pull anyone down. Please take whatever they say and try to improve on it. |
Re: Short Story Competition - <<Nuges11 wins!!!!>> by Mynd44: 12:14am On Oct 04, 2013 |
Mazi_Omenuko: Abu Mikey |
Re: Short Story Competition - <<Nuges11 wins!!!!>> by Mynd44: 12:15am On Oct 04, 2013 |
Mazi_Omenuko: Ruby spice |
Re: Short Story Competition - <<Nuges11 wins!!!!>> by Mynd44: 12:17am On Oct 04, 2013 |
Mazi_Omenuko: T-flow |
Re: Short Story Competition - <<Nuges11 wins!!!!>> by Mynd44: 12:18am On Oct 04, 2013 |
Mazi_Omenuko: Numero uuno |
Re: Short Story Competition - <<Nuges11 wins!!!!>> by Mynd44: 12:18am On Oct 04, 2013 |
Mazi_Omenuko: Plainmirror |
Re: Short Story Competition - <<Nuges11 wins!!!!>> by Mynd44: 12:20am On Oct 04, 2013 |
Mazi_Omenuko: Royver |
Re: Short Story Competition - <<Nuges11 wins!!!!>> by Mynd44: 12:27am On Oct 05, 2013 |
Mazi_Omenuko: Bestluv584 |
Re: Short Story Competition - <<Nuges11 wins!!!!>> by Mynd44: 12:29am On Oct 05, 2013 |
Mazi_Omenuko: Sammy Hoe |
Re: Short Story Competition - <<Nuges11 wins!!!!>> by Mynd44: 12:33am On Oct 05, 2013 |
Mazi_Omenuko: Nuges11 |
Re: Short Story Competition - <<Nuges11 wins!!!!>> by Mynd44: 12:35am On Oct 05, 2013 |
Mazi_Omenuko: Nastydroid |
Re: Short Story Competition - <<Nuges11 wins!!!!>> by Mynd44: 12:36am On Oct 05, 2013 |
HumbledbYGrace: O |
Re: Short Story Competition - <<Nuges11 wins!!!!>> by Mynd44: 12:37am On Oct 05, 2013 |
HumbledbYGrace: MY TRAVEL ADVENTURE |
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HumbledbYGrace: What lurks in the dark |
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HumbledbYGrace: SOON TO BE MRS ADEBAYO |
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HumbledbYGrace: PINKY SNICKETS: SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS. |
Re: Short Story Competition - <<Nuges11 wins!!!!>> by Mynd44: 12:44am On Oct 05, 2013 |
HumbledbYGrace: A JOURNEY TO AKURE |
Re: Short Story Competition - <<Nuges11 wins!!!!>> by Mynd44: 12:45am On Oct 05, 2013 |
HumbledbYGrace: <Two wrongs > |
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HumbledbYGrace: Dark Chocolate |
Re: Short Story Competition - <<Nuges11 wins!!!!>> by Mynd44: 12:46am On Oct 05, 2013 |
Omolola1: THE MAN WITHIN |
Re: Short Story Competition - <<Nuges11 wins!!!!>> by Mynd44: 12:48am On Oct 05, 2013 |
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Re: Short Story Competition - <<Nuges11 wins!!!!>> by Mynd44: 12:51am On Oct 05, 2013 |
Omolola1: MY TRAVEL ADVENTURE |
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Omolola1: THE HAUNTED ROAD |
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Re: Short Story Competition - <<Nuges11 wins!!!!>> by Mynd44: 12:55am On Oct 05, 2013 |
Omolola1: THE WISH OF THE GODS |
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