As our eyes met at the stream while I was fetching water, an instant connection sparked between us. Our gazes locked, and at that moment, we felt a profound and undeniable attraction. Our hearts beat steadily and in unison for each other, fueled by mutual affection. And in that split second, I realized I'd found a soulmate.
"Can I help you carry your calabash?" A gentle voice resonated from behind, captivating my senses as I turned, only to be spellbound by his powerful and alluring masculinity.
"Yes, you can. Thank you so much," I replied as I averted my gaze.
Together, we journeyed to my house as he effortlessly balanced my calabash atop his head. I wasn't scared of having him accompany me to my house because I stayed alone.
I had no parents, I'd found solace in the care and nurture of my grandmother, who selflessly and lovingly raised me until her timely departure when I turned fifteen.
From that moment onward, I shouldered the task of self-care, relying on my strength and resilience to navigate life's intricacies on my own.
Arriving at my house, he brought down the calabash from his head as he made his way to leave.
"A moment, please," I called out.
So he stopped and walked toward me.
"Thank you so much for relieving me of the stress by bringing my calabash home. By the way, I'm Mira!" I said, stretching forth my hand in pleasantries.
Letting out a smile in astonishment he replied. "I'm Maro!" as he placed his hand tenderly on mine.
Startlingly, I locked my eyes with his wondering about the near coincidence of our names, and how they almost intertwined.
With every passing day, our connection grew stronger, fostering a profound bond that seemed unbreakable. The yearning to be inseparable became overwhelming, and we wholeheartedly embraced the decision to marry, sealing our love for eternity.
Our marriage was graced with the presence of elders and a small gathering of villagers who joyfully celebrated with us. As the celebration came to an end, they bid us farewells and departed to their homes, leaving us to bask in the euphoria of our blissful union.
In the depths of the night, I opened my eyes to discover a space beside me, devoid of my beloved husband. Carefully getting up from bed, I grabbed a lit candle that illuminated my path as I ventured outside our dwelling, tirelessly scouring the entire surroundings, yet unable to catch a glimpse of his familiar figure.
With my impatience mounting, I anxiously awaited the arrival of dawn, desperately hoping he would arrive and provide explanations for his absence, only to find him nowhere in sight.
A sense of restlessness weighed heavily upon my heart as I imagined various scenarios that might have befallen my husband. Anxiety intertwined with my thoughts and with an overwhelming mix of uncertainty and fear.
Day after day, I mourned, wailed, and grieved over my husband's disappearance.
"Why am I so unfortunate? Why does everyone abandon me? First, it was my parent, and then my grandmother, and now it's my husband. Where have I gone wrong in life?" I said, wallowing in tears.
With every passing day, my worry deepened as I longed for any sign, hope, and assurance that my Maro is safe and coming home.
The villagers were already calling me a witch, making life so unbearable for me, and these were the same people who relished abundant food and palm wine at the celebration of my marriage.
Life became tougher and tougher, topped with the way I was treated. No one sold for me, and I could barely eat or sleep.
As I walked restlessly within the confines of my hut, my gaze was irresistibly drawn to the figurine smoothly mounted on the wall. I moved closer to it, marveling at its artistry as I noticed the tears that gently streamed down the figurine's eyes.
In utter shock and bewilderment, I let out a scream, but no one could hear me. "What's happening?" I gasped in panic.
Letting out another thunderous scream, I ran off to where I had no idea. It was a bush with just the harmonious voices of the birds.
Immediately, a voice called out. "Mira!"
With quivering feet and a pounding heart, I turned to meet the eyes of an elderly woman, her appearance disarrayed and her hair frail and unkempt. "Who are you?" I shivered.
"My identity is not a problem, Mira! I know you're weary and in so much pain because so many bad things have befallen you. Your husband's disappearance has caused you so much grief, but unknowingly to you, he's not far from home."
With so much curiosity, I swiftly cut in. "You know about my husband? How? Is he safe? If he's not far from, then where is he?" I asked.
"He took your place," the old woman replied.
"How do you mean?" I asked again.
"Your father was a great hunter. There was no time he ever returned empty-handed, and at such, was greatly loved by the king and his subjects. One day, he stumbled on my sister in the forest, and ........" she paused and coughed.
Then she continued. "My sister begged for a piece of meat, but he horribly ignored her by pushing her down as he made his way out of the forest. There was something he was so clueless about, he never knew that my sister was his lucky charm. She got so infuriated that she decided to take his life and that of his family, and at that time, your mother was pregnant with you. So I pleaded with her to spare your life because you were only an innocent child." She narrated, bringing out a bottle of water from her bag to quench her thirst.
"What happened after, old lady? I asked.
"She spared your life but promised she was still going to take it back someday," she replied.
"If she had promised to take his life and that of my family, then why did my grandmother remain alive till I was fifteen? I inquired, shivering at every revelation I got.
"Your parent died immediately when you were born, and you needed to be taken care of. I pleaded with her again to let her live for a while so she could raise and nurture you.
I broke down in tears as I thought about my dear grandmother and how she beautifully raised me.
"Mira, when you found Maro and the instant connection sparked between the two of you, I realized that was the closest to happiness you've ever been. But your time was near, your life was about to be taken."
At that moment, my heartbeat heightened. Was I really going to die?
"I felt so sad for you, and I couldn't do anything to stop your fate. I started appearing in Maro's dreams, revealing to him what might become of you. To ascertain the truth of the revelation, I inquired that he meet me at the stream near the sacred place where the land priestess had been buried," she continued.
"Did he come?" I immediately asked.
"Yes, he did. He pleaded with me to save your life with his. I told him the mystical things he would do on the night of his matrimony, and I further revealed to him that since it wasn't his fate, he wouldn't die but be transformed into a figurine adorning the wall. Although transformed into a mere figure, his capacity to perceive and experience emotions remained intact. That is why you see him cry whenever you're sad."
I stood motionless, as tears welled up in my eyes. Maro went through all of these for me? He chose to be transformed into a figurine just to save my life? An influx of questions filled my mind to the brim.
"Please old one, what can I do to save my husband? Just name it, and I will do it." I soberly asked.
"Take these three eggs," she ordered, handing them to me
"When you get home, smash the eggs on the figurine. Move closer to the wall, and with your eyes closed, kiss the figurine as long as you can until you feel the succulent lips of your husband. Then open your eyes, and you'd find your Maro in front of you," she strictly commanded.
A monumental joy filled my soul as I thought of my life with Maro again.
"Why are you doing this, old one? I asked.
"There's something I see in you that my sister couldn't see. I see in you the greatness that surpasses human comprehension." she replied.
"Thank you so much, old one. I really do appreciate all that you've done. I promise you, when all of this is finally over, I and Maro would be here again with yams, vegetables, and corn to show our appreciation." I said.
"Do not worry yourself, my child, for I am old and feeble, and my time is near." she replied.
Without wasting time, I sped off to my hut, smashed the eggs on the wall, moved closer to the figurine with my eyes closed, and placed a gentle kiss on it. In anticipation, I kept my lips pressed to it until I felt a delightful and succulent feeling of Maro's lips upon mine.
"Maro!" I screamed as we both hugged tightly.
"It's over, Mira!" He said,
"Yes, it is," I affirmed.
Then we hugged again.