knitted hearts

three

Narrator's Voice

It was the third day of the celebration where everyone had to light up candles around the town to celebrate the transition of this legend... someone she had seen last night who was thinking of coming to dwell among humans again.

Even as she slipped into her locally made dress "Aso oke" the thought of last night invaded her head, she had woken up on her bed properly tucked in and it seemed more like a dream but she was sure it wasn't. She headed to the village square to join the other maidens to dance and wriggle their waists in an attempt to celebrate the demigod and entertain the men, her heart couldn't help but race violently, she was beyond convinced that she was loosing it.

Taking the same route as yesterday where she saw Ifa, she looked at the trees and saw someone watching her, angered it was still Ifa and wanting to give him a piece of her mind for the second time, she furiously went after him but this time it was someone else...his terrifying brother, Ade.

Well, well... well...you have grown into a pretty lady, I was skeptical at first, is this the girl who lied to me at such a tender age or not? but the dark birthmark on your neck has helped clear my doubts and guess what time it is?

8am ? Ara asked nervously as she took a step back.

No darling, it is revenge o'clock...his gaze darkened "I was so close to possessing Ifa's powers, I wanted to inherit his throne and inhabit the praises of men but you crushed my plan and now I am going to crush you and come at you with everything I have.

Ara turned immediately and began to run back but she was caught in no time.

"Aren't you tired of your miserable life? If you allow me end you, you will be able to rest from all the troubles and I will become powerful, I promise your death will be quick and less painful "

"I don't want to die " Ara stated nervously

"You want to" he gave a dark cackle

"No, I don't" Ara replied trembling in fear

"Then you shouldn't have messed with my plans" he moved closer to her releasing a venomous giggle

In less than a second, Ifa appeared and both brothers stared into each other's eyes emitting hatred for themselves.

Back down Ade! Ifa growled aiming his arrow at him.

No way. He shouted back while Aralola stylishly hid behind a tree afraid of what was about to go down.

As they charged towards each other, a sudden force sent them flying in opposite directions and they landed on the floor with a thud....it was Ibikunle.

What are you guys doing? The ones above are watching he said through gritted teeth.

Can you imagine this killer? Showing up after decades with this effontery after murdering mum... Ifa raged on

What are you doing here? Ibikunle turned to face Ade

What do you mean what am I doing here? none of us is older and just because you are powerful and more respected than us all doesn't give you the right to boss me around

Ibikunle sighed "must we do this in front of the human kid"?

"Lady" Ara corrected and the trio turned to look at her.

"You know what Ade, Leave!" Ibikunle calmly said

"I am not going anywhere"

This minute! Ibikunle ordered, stressing each word

Yes leave! Ifa barked

Ara noticed the striking resemblance between the three, their physical features were almost the same except their eyes.... the jerk had grey eyes, the evil brother had deep black eyeballs and Ibikunle also had grey eyes but it danced with fire.

Do you want me to tell her how you have ruined her life? Ade asked Ifa. He is the reason why you can read thoughts, he declared pointing an accusatory finger at his brother. Anyone who lies to a demigod receives a punishment from the ones above and you lied to me, it's why you can never live a normal life, it's why that evening, the curse was placed on your head .

seeing the disbelief and hurt in Ara's eyes Ade smiled in satisfaction, "I will be back"

You are the girl with the gift? Ifa asked bewildered

"You didn't know" Ibikunle asked smiling, well I have an urgent need to meet, take care of her.

I sure will, Ifa replied with a mischievous smile Ara and Ifa were all alone now

"Your life keeps getting all the more interesting, you know? Ifa stated moving closer to Ara who was now weeping profusely.

"So you are the girl? I can help you" he replied smiling. Tell me what you want?

Ara didn't say anything instead she dusted her cloth and headed for the village square.

Why won't you just allow me help you? He asked following her

Why didn't you tell me a curse will be placed on my head?

It's a gift not curse and I knew it was bound to happen anyways, trust me I saw your future.

You are not helping me because you care but because of your own selfish gain, Ara replied still sobbing.

Just let me help you, I can end your misery.

You should, after all you caused it, no wonder they won't let you back as a god because of your unfixed mistake...I am not forgiving you, you jerk.

At the village square...

Ara! Adio called her waving his hand even as she went to sit beside him.

"Your eyes are puffy"

"It's dust" she muttered

Who was the guy following you? He asked

She turned to look but couldn't find Ifa anymore.

"He left"Is he a prince? He looks different. he answered. I have never seen him before

"Ifa is a friend"

You even know his name? Why does he share the same name with the demigod?

He just happens to share the same name with him. she lied.

"You seem to know him well" Adio stated with obvious jealousy laced in his tone. Is there something you are not telling me?

Is there something you want to know? Ara asked back enraged this same guy was indirectly accusing her of cheating even when he spent the night with her best friend Fola who was now approaching them.

"Ara! You look so beautiful" Fola complimented

"Really? I made the aso oke myself" Ara stood up to give a quick spin, " thank you" she faked a smile.

Hi Adio! Fola greeted him casually even though her mind was currently filled with the thoughts of the crazy s*x they had last night.

Hi! Adio replied pulling Ara into his embrace.

"Eyes are watching" Ara let herself out all the more annoyed at the pretense between them, tightening her fist as she absorbed the ache in her heart, I need to drink water she excused herself.

How did I get here? Seeing three demigods in the space of three days, two complete jerks Ifa and Ade and their brother Ibikunle the town's famous demigod who came visiting her, she really didn't know how much more of this whole thing she could take.

She made her way to the palmwine stand and downed a cup of palmwine (native wine), she needed something harsh and hot to distract her flow of thoughts and relax her tensed nerves.

She took another cup, she didn't want to get married to Ibikunle even though he was kindhearted, he was way older than her and she wasn't ready to settle down anytime soon... not even with a god.

She gulped another cup and belched, she needed to avoid the evil brother who wanted to take revenge on her by all means and what did he mean by getting all powerful if he killed her? She took another cup.

Ifa, the annoying jerk, wanted to help her now so he could return to the realm of the demigods, if she agreed to it, the evil brother will find her and hurt her even if she left the town so the wish was no longer of relevance, she was going to keep Ifa by her side and make him protect her from his evil brother and from Ibikunle who wanted to marry her.

Ara gulped another cup and her vision became hazy, still she kept drinking because the thoughts wouldn't leave her mind.

"See the way your daughter is disgracing you" the elders chided Ara's mother as drunk Ara blabbed nonsense making fun of the people at the gathering.

The village women gave her mother a judgemental and disgusted look of " you didn't raise her well" even as her mother dragged her and her younger brother, Tobi, home.

(At home)

Her father stormed in visibly enraged.

Where is that bastard of a daughter who will stop at nothing until she soils my name in the mud?

"She is sleeping" Tobi answered

You! He pointed at his wife immediately she came out of the room "you have not been training this girl well."

"Oko mi" (my husband ) I am sorry, she pleaded, I don't know what came over Aralola but I promise to discipline her when she wakes.

You better do woman, bring your daughter to order before I kick you both out of my house...he left for his room after.

His concubines who were eavesdropping and obviously overjoyed at the misunderstanding that ensued between the wife and their lover went on to make fun of her amongst themselves while she sobbed.

Tobi who had just a little idea of what happened went on his knees and hugged his mother patting her back with his small palm in a bid to ease her hurt and stop her tears.