knitted hearts

four

Narrator's Voice

Ara stretched and yawned slightly opening her eyes but it didn't look like her room so she snapped out of the sleepy state she was in immediately. She looked around, she was in the shrine and could see four priests clothed in a red robe with chalk markings all over their body.

What am I doing here? She asked the chief priest

"You have to appease the gods".

"Why? "

"Isn't it forbidden for a lady to get drunk in this town, worse still during Ibikunle's celebration, you have to appease him".

"I wasn't drunk".

Your mother will soon be here with the goat for the sacrifice, in the mean time wrap this red cloth around your body while I prepare the calabash for the rites.

10 minutes later>>>

The chief priest and her mother who were whispering in hushed tones came closer to her.

Chief Priest: you are to carry this calabash on your head while you call out Ibikunle with his "oriki" (praise name) the journey is an hour long on foot so I hope you are prepared, you are not to drop the calabash till you get to the T_ junction ahead, if Ibikunle is pleased your sacrifice will be accepted, if he isn't you will keep going till it's accepted.

An hour long journey on foot? She asked with widened eyes, I have not even had breakfast and there is the hangover part too, I feel so tired.

"You should have thought about that before getting yourself drunk in front of the whole town", her mother retorted glaring at her.

"If I am tired I will just come back" Ara mumbled

Ewo! (Taboo! ) you cannot come back if you do not reach that junction, you want to put your family and the whole town in problem.

She scoffed and angrily carried the calabash on her head making the content shake.

Gently! He yelled "it's for a demigod and should be treated with care and respect.

After she went through the backdoor, the chief priest turned to face the mother "Woman, you have failed in raising a daughter fit for marriage"

***********

Ara's POV

An hour long journey? That should be roughly about 2_3 miles. I have not even gotten anywhere and my hands are beginning to ache, it's the fault of those three. I have never drank before, couldn't the priests just let go this time around? I did not even land in the gutter like most family men did after getting wasted at the "palmwine store".

Ibikunle! I yelled out impatiently, it's your fault I am here in the first place, if you had not appeared to me and your brothers have not dragged me into this, I wouldn't have gotten drunk.

Ibikunle! I called again, come out and make my work easier so I don't miss breakfast. Instead of the "praise names " here i was accusing him, if only the chief priest was here he would have gone mad out of anger and fear but I couldn't care less at this point.

For the sake of the village people, take your sacrifice. At least the people did not drink the wine with me so shouldn't you let go because of them, they celebrate and respect you...so honour them today.

I am here, his calming voice echoed through the lonely pathway.

I turned in fear, the calabash almost falling off my head but surprisingly he helped me steady it. You are nowhere near the junction, why are you calling on me?

I was speechless.

Don't tell me you want me to assist you in carrying it?

You don't have to carry it, just collect it here and now so I can turn back home.

It must be placed at that junction, I know the priest must have told you that.

I scoffed..." I can't possibly carry this heavy calabash on my head on a three miles journey on foot"

"Don't tell me"...He fell silent, "okay bring it... after all you are going to be my wife soon". He lifted the calabash off my head and watched me massage my scalp.

"I love your hair" he complimented, "I have a thing for women with long flowing hair and then your sparkling eyes".

"I thought Ifa is the flirt and womanizer"..I smirked.

Why did you call me into your boring conversation? Ifa's boastful voice was heard

"The womanizer" I rolled my eyes.

"Referring to me? I am a demigod remember?"

"Still as boastful as always but it's not like I am lying" i countered.

"Why are you making Ibukunle carry the calabash?"

"Are you going to fully appear or is it just your voice we will keep hearing throughout the journey?"

Then he fully appeared, my heart raced slightly "i was in between two demigods" what about Ade? I asked in a bid to get away from my thoughts.

Acting like you care huh? It was the evil jerk, it won't change my intentions towards you.

"I know" I blurted out.

What are you doing here? Ifa asked, fury setting in

*I don't think I need your permission to move around"

Brothers! Ibikunle called them to order

How did you get here without powers? I asked quickly changing the subject

He flashed a stick right before me, "it can do and undo"

"You didn't steal it, did you"? I asked honestly

The other two brothers chuckled, "she knows what you are capable of doing" Ibikunle muttered.

"I didn't steal it, it was a gift from Ibikunle to me years ago". He replied icily glaring at me.

It doesn't change the fact that you are a killer, you killed our mother Ifa glared at him.

I swallowed and shifted uncomfortably "Three demigods who are sworn enemies are talking and walking with me like it's the most usual thing ever I thought to myself.

"Today is when the people get to release their wishes into the canoe" Ibikunle said excitedly changing the topic.

I couldn't help but feel the love he had for the people which was quite overwhelming "I am guessing it's your favourite day among the seven days then"

He nodded "you can say that again, I will be blessing each sincere desire tonight..what's power if I can make others benefit from it?"

Ade became furious as his eyes got a shade darker "that's not how to display power, it just shows you are weak, the people are just going to take you for granted"

"Nobody takes him for granted" I defended him

"They do", he retorted "people like you".

"But still I exist for them" Ibikunle replied smiling broadly, "His smile was sweet, heartwarming and loving" and I felt myself smiling too.

"The gods chose the wrong person to give these powers to" Ade complained.

"The gods are never wrong, in fact I will say they have done a good job in not giving you any power".

"One more word and I will scratch your face" Ade barked and I shuddered in fear.

"Will my sacrifice be accepted?" I asked Ibikunle who was now walking in front.

"Of course! We are the cause of your present predicament after all".

"We are not"! Ifa retorted, "Did we lead her to the local wine stand or force the wine in her mouth?"

"No!" Ade concurred. "I will say we make her learn her lesson in a hard way".

Ibikunle paid them no attention and we all kept walking, the only sound that could be heard were from the birds chirping.

My eyes remained fixed on this demigod walking ahead, his sturdy build and broad shoulders, his full hair that screamed "delicate" and his height that made me look so short even though I am 5'10".

"You find me attractive too huh?" Ibikunle asked turning to face me

I almost fell if not for his quick hold on me "you can read my thoughts? I asked feeling so embarrassed.

"I am a demigod and I hear your thoughts actually"

"So it's like a voice to you too?"

"Yup"

I turned to look at the brothers behind me and he understood me immediately

"Ifa heard too"

What did she say? Answer me! Ade yelled, Is she crushing on Ibikunle?

I lowered my head in shame a bit grateful Ade didn't hear as he kept shouting for an answer to his question.

Immediately I lowered the calabash Ibikunle handed over to me and it touched the rock at the T_junction, it disappeared and I flinched completely taken aback by what happened.

Thank you! I jumped excitedly, it felt like I had saved the whole community from a looming danger, I mean the sacrifice was accepted.