SHADOWS OF LOVE (Episode 4)

Awelewa could not understand why her father delibrately chose to lie about what happened at the burial ceremony, but she did not have enough guts to question his opinion and judgement. Her eyes were filled with tears as her father left her angrily under the mango tree. She was certain her father never liked Ayandele, but, what puzzled her most was why her father could go as far as lying about the fight. As she sat under the Mango tree in her father's compound, she tried to add things together, and it was then it dawned on her that Agbegbemi had been visiting her father so often for a couple of weeks now. At first, she thought it has to deal with the farm produce her father wanted to buy from him to start his own new farm. But, with her father's new and sudden attitude, she knew for sure that there are more to the cocoa seeds between the two farmers. In a hurry, her mind went to what she saw some days ago. Which she didn't really read much meaning to it, neither did she think about it for so long. But now, the whole thing seems to be making a lot of sense to her. During one of Agbegbemi's visits last week, Awelewa had brought kolanut and palmwine for the guest, and it totally skipped her mind to come along with calabashes. Her father's call reminded her of her mistake, and she quickly brought them. "Awe, a maiden's beauty is in her ability to take care of her husband." Her father said as Awelewa knelt down to apologize. Agbegbemi smiled shyly as he said, "Baba, it's the eyes that knows what can satisfy the belly." Awelewa was totally lost with the proverbs, but, she begged to take her leave. As she stood up, she observed a small bag full of cowries beside her father's chair, but she didn't read much meaning to it at all.

"Could it be that my father has been collecting money from Agbegbemi?" She asked herself in amazement. "If not, how come it is the buyer who is collecting money from the seller?" Her mind again quickly went to her father's response when she asked him why Agbegbemi had been visiting so often. "I want to buy some cocoa seeds from him for my new farm." Awelewa's mind became so troubled, and she could not understand the next line of action. She got up from the wooden chair she sat on, and she went straight to Ayandele's house. She met him sleeping, and thought it wise not to wake him up. As an alternative, she decided to help Ayan put his drums in the sun. She remembered vividly that Ayan had told her it's always good to put drums in the sun. "It would make the skin stronger." Ayandele had told her some months ago when she asked him. As she was about reaching for the drums, she had a voice outside. "Ko! Ko! Ko!" The strong masculine voice said. "Eku'le" The voice said again. At that point, Awelewa was so certain about the voice. It was Agbegbemi's voice. "But, what could he be looking for here?" Awelewa asked herself. "Can I come in?" The voice said again. Awelewa decided to hide in the inner room to see what Agbegbemi was up to. She was certain that Ayandele would also wake up once he hears more footsteps. Agbegbemi was already in the room before Awelewa remembered that Ayandele might not wake up no matter the noise, because Baba alagbo had added some sleeping portion to his herbs. But, Awelewa was already hiding in the inner room, and it was too late for her to come outside.

(c) 2015. Austus Ofmat Nwanne

What are you thinking about right now? What do you think is Agbegbemi's intention? No doubt, Ayandele is fast asleep, and sleep they say, is next to death. Well, to find answers to these questions, you know what to do - just join me tomorrow as we continue the story.

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AUSTUS OFMAT NWANNE (Mr. Tackle)

Inspirational Speaker and Business Consultant,

TYO Konsult Services.

+2348072970850

tackleyourobstacle@gmail.com