LARABA

IN THE BEGINNING

Laraba was once a doe eyed little girl. She was referred to as the daughter of seven for she was perfect on every way. She had no flaw physically and had a warm and large heart. She was also armed with a winning and engaging smile.

As a child, she already had many suitors as you can imagine. She had such radiance around her that people often referred to her as a child of the gods.

Despite all this endowments, she was as humble as they came. She lowered her eyes and dressed modestly to cover her dark skin. He mother always ensured she had her friend Tahar escort her wherever she went. Tahar had always hung around. He was a middle class Fulani boy that had eyes for the beauty of Garin-shaki- Laraba.

On the eve Laraba turned thirteen, she began to notice Tahar in a different way. He had just turned 18. She did not understand all these feelings that washed over her so she told no one. Tahar had waited a long time for this day to come, the day his love for 10 years will look at him through the eyes of a woman. He was overjoyed. He could hardly contain himself and it took all his self-discipline to excuse himself form escort duty that day so that he could get himself together.

That day, Laraba walked alone to the stream. This was her first time of doing do ever. Instead of feeling ill at ease, she felt strangely comforted as the forest kept her company with its sounds and smells. She thought a lot about Tahar but mostly though about her future. What would she become? Was there life outside this small village in Kebbi State, Nothern Nigeira? Would she ever amount to anything?

She had learned to read all on her own but didn't let anyone know. Tahar had helped. She loved Tahar and wanted to be his wife, she may be 13 but in her world, her mates were already mothers. She thought of Tahar’s broad shoulders and well-muscled arms. His light skin and tight stomach. She thought of his delicious eyes, thin but expressive mouth. He was a Fulani man to the core. And he loved her. He made her stomach do flips. She soon returned from the stream and let reality wash back over her.

The story of their love became famed abroad in moonlight tales and campfires. Yet they never did as much as hold hands. It was such a spiritual connection and a beautiful feeling. The intimacy they shared could not be rivalled even between the Digachi and his favorite wife.

Their love was not a wild fire. It was not fiery. It was the sound of the flute over a slow winding river. Their love was intense but they always respected the boundaries. Their relationship was above reproach.

The day came when their world was shattered in a million pieces never to be put together again. Kesien, Laraba’s mother called on her one day. So far they had had a very close knit relationship as all they had was one another. She drew her daughter close and said-

‘You would never know how sorry I am to do this. I pray someday you’d forgive me. I am sending you away…’

Laraba heard no more. Her world tilted on its axis but she stayed strong. She was going to do whatever her mother asked. As much as she loved Tahar and there would be no life without him, family always comes first. She asked one question-

‘When?’

One week later, she was on her way to Katsina to marry a man she had never met. She was not a fifth wife no. She was to be the first wife of the last son of a wealthy Alhaji. Her mother needed the money from her bride price for an operation- kidney stones they called it.

Laraba had been more than willing to give her life for her mother’s by relinquishing the love of her life. She was now 16 and a woman in every sense of the word.

Tahar had almost killed himself. He almost lost his mind. Laraba made sure that he came to terms with her departure. She did these without words for words would not have sufficed. As they stared into each other’s eyes for the last time, Tahar broke the silence and pulled her into a long hug for the first time ever.

She clung to him with every fiber of her being, memorizing his body. They almost made love right there but when Tahar couldn’t take anymore, he held her apart panting like he had run an 800 yard sprint.

He turned his back for a while to collect himself and finally held Laraba at arm’s length. He told her-

‘I want you to always remember that God loves you and I Tahar Meshakim as long as breath remains in my body will wait for you no matter how long it takes’.

Laraba covered her mouth as tears brimmed in her eyes and replied

‘Tahar, I can't let you do this, I need you to promise me that you'd love another. I need you to live’

‘No Laraba, love always finds a way to love another would be death to me for I have sworn on my life to my creator that you'd be the only woman I would ever love. To love another means death to me’

‘Tahar! What have you done? I am sure the Creator is forgiving, you have to love another. For me to picture you miserable and longing for me is slow poison to my body’

‘Laraba, don't worry, loving you sustains my life breath. If we never marry, so be it but don’t drive me into the arms of another, how can I when you are my very heart beat?’

So the matter was laid to rest as the lovers bid each other ‘ADIEU…’