DIAMOND IN THE FOREST Episode 7
Written By Amah’s Heart
“Iya…iya… where are you…
“Omomi…wa n bi… I’m at the back yard…
Remi dropped the basket in her hand and went to meet her grandmother who was using sticks to cover her crops…
“Iya.. what are you doing…
“All this fowl has ate up my melon and groundnut seed that I planted in this ridge that Dami, your brother helped me to dug…they will use their tiny legs to scatter my plant so I decided to put sticks around The crops to prevent them from destroying the crops…any chicken I see close to this my ridge will be so unfortunate…I will use it and prepare a delicious egusi soup, me and your brother will enjoy ourself because he will be the one to catch it for me, I can’t be dragging land with this fowl and I don’t want to sell them because of you and your brother, I told your mother to come and take some she hasn’t showed interest since…aaah…see the way I’m talking about unnecessary thing forgetting to ask how you are doing and what brought you down here…. please don’t tell me you got into another fight and they sent you home for another punishment…
“Rara o (not at all) the princess sent me to get somethings for her at the market place, oja oba, I was suppose to rush back to the palace but something has being bothering me for days so I decided to drop by, check up on you and also see if I can get any help
“Hmm, what could that be my child…
“Your riddle iya, is being echoing in my mind and I see you repeating it in my dream..”two will want me.. only one will have me then disaster will struck….I will be in between and then the gods will take me away…faraway with the seed of crown…what does it mean iya…I don’t understand any single thing in the riddles except that two will want me… which is probably Leja and the Prince… will I die iya… what does The riddle means ejoo …I want to know
“No my child, you won’t die.. not soon anyway, there are things even I can’t explain…I was just The mouth piece of The gods… The gods will take you away…faraway with the seed of crown which will become a precious diamond sorted for and it will be hidden in the deepest part of the forest… that’s all I can say untill I’m given a go ahead to say more…
“I came for an answer to the previous riddle now you are adding diamond and forest to it, anyway… I’m happy that I won’t die so what I don’t know won’t kill me…is better I stop disturbing myself over things only The gods has answer to… Iya.. I’m glad you are well as usual, there was no time to stop and check up on mother and Dami…I believe they are fine…I will be on my way back to the palace now.. before the princess will start wondering what is keeping me in oba oja…
“Becarefull my child in trusting people, don’t be too soft or you will be easily penetrated and don’t be too hard or you will scare the good ones away, be in between and be wise… don’t trust easily Remilekun… don’t tell your secret out because you maybe telling your enemy in a friendly clothing…
“Iya…is okay…I don’t want more riddles… the first is yet to be interpreted… telling me more will confuse me and trouble my mind… let me just hold on to the fact I won’t die… not yet until I come of age like you…
“The gods has prepared this part for you my child…be strong because you will need alot of strength for the battle ahead…I pray the gods will have mercy and give us wisdom to live among those who hates us and strength to forge ahead even when it seem all hopes is lost…
“Amin, I don’t really have much enemy again because Nike apologies to me and she is acting all nice but I’m watching her closely because she maybe upto something…Leja acted foolishly around me one night and even made me to touch his manhood but he regretted his actions and has being avoiding me like a plague and I guess is his guilty conscience that is troubling him…I don’t want to have enemy Iya… I’m glad Nike is finally seeing me like her sister and that is what I have always wanted… but I don’t trust her… not yet though…
“Trust is cheap until your leg get glued in the trap set up by same people you trusted… becarefull my child, I will be seeking The gods face on your behalf…but just be careful…there are things yet to come which will trouble the little world around you… don’t forget to overcome hate with love and serve with all sincerity as you are called to serve…
Remi was in hurry and didn’t bother paying attention to the rest of the
things her grandmother was saying, she picked up her basket from the
ground, gave her grandmother a warm hug
The older woman tapped her gently on her back before Remi released her and run out.
The woman watched Remi until she was out of The compound, she lifted
her face up and muttered something in the air before returning to her
crops ridge,
Remi’s brother came in with a pot of water, he joined his grandma in cutting more sticks and digging up the ridge
“Your sister just left here not long ago before you came in. If you have come in earlier you would have seen her, she stopped by from oja oba, where she went to buy something for the princess
“Okay, I was filling mamis water drum, she was socking the cassava she peeled, she want to prepare fufu that she will sell next tomorrow in the market place… that’s if the cassava soften and ferment on time for her to be able to cook it… since egbon (big sister) now work in the palace I have to double up in helping out…
“That’s very good… omo daa daa, (good child) you are a good son…dig that stick very deep let me see how this crazy fowls roaming everywhere will be able to scatter my plants again… and don’t forget to bring my own fufu ones your mother is done with it… she makes a very nice fufu without odour and also soft…
Remi was making the princess bead outside, as she sat at the swing chair alone, Nike came to meet her
She wanted to engage Remi in a conversation which Remi was not sure if she should fully trust Nike or not.
Nike sense Remi’s withdrawal and decided to apologise again to her for the past deed
“I know I was terrible in the past Remi, je ki aje ebonati aburo pada ki a si gbagbe tateyin was (let’s be sisters again and forget about the past)…he ki a jo sise papo bi ebi still ore (let’s work together, let’s be sisters and friend)
“It doesn’t work like that Nike, is not magic… because I know for sure that anytime you begin to act all nice and guilty is only because you need something from me and ones you get what you are looking for… you switch back to your real self…I don’t trust you… so spill it out… what do you want Nike…
“Nothing, I don’t want anything I just want to be your sister…I know I have being very bad to you… but I’m a changed person and I’m for real this time not because I want anything…I have come to realize that we are sisters and we don’t suppose to be fighting each other all the time…
“Are you just realizing that now… is better we just remain as enemies and avoid each other than to start this our friendship which has never ended well…
“Aah aah Remi, don’t say that…I don’t want to be enemy with you… not again, I’m tired of fighting with you every time when we should be looking out for each other…I know no matter how much I hate or fight you… you will keep getting favoured more than me and will always win so I can’t be fighting a loose battle…I just want to truly be here for you and support you like i was meant to be…ejoo…Remi my beautiful sister…
Nike kept talking untill a maid came to inform Remi that the princess was calling her
The following day as Remi was walking along the long Royal passage to
hang the princess wrapper which was not properly dry the previous day,
she ran into Leja, who has being avoiding her ever since the night incident
He tried to ran back but couldn’t as he stood face to face with Remi
he was speechless on seeing Remi, Remi tried to ease him up
“Good afternoon Leja, is being a while I saw you… did you travel… how are you doing…
“Mi…o wa kpa…(I’m fine) I have being around…
“Ooh really…since that other night… I have not seen you…is being over seven days if I’m not mistaking… I’m glad you are fine…
“You sound happy to see me, Are you not angry with me for what I did… that was more reason why I have being hidding from you…I can’t even come to you and apologise…i can’t even look at your face…I have being so ashamed of myself…I felt so terrible after that night… and since the gods has decided to bring my fear to my face I will use this opportunity to plead for your forgiveness…Remi… I’m so sorry…please pardon my uncultured behaviour…I know I went about expressing my self in a very wrong way…to tell you the truth I have beaten myself so hard than the pain I feel after hitting my head on that chair when you pushed me that night… I’m not that kind of man that takes advantage of palace maiden… no I’m not but many maiden will want me to approach them like I did to you but I can’t because I have no interest in them…I wanted you Remi and I felt I was loosing you…so I thought I will get you down to myself after I Saw you alone that night…I don’t have any thing reasonable to justify my actions… all I want to say is I’m sorry… I’m really sorry and thank you for stopping me from such an abominable act and giving me that hard push…I needed it… although I had a terrible headache after that but it serves as my punishment…I…
As they were talking Nike walked past severally and greeted them with a smile each time she walks past, Leja ignored her and kept talking while Remi responded
“Is okay Leja, I hold no grudges against you, I’m glad you learnt your lesson and sorry for the headache you had because of my push…
Leja loosened up and laugh, Remi also joined in and also laugh making Leja more at ease with her
The prince was coming down and saw Leja and Remi talking over something and laughing together
He wondered what they were talking about.
As Remi and Leja saw the prince they knelt in respect and greeted him, he asked them to stand up and they did
He looked at Remi, who’s Head was bent in respect and Leja who stood
straight like a statue, he asked them to look at him and they both did
“I was wondering what could be amusing two of you…I love happy people and I’m glad you two are finding something to laugh about…so I want to join the conversation… Hope you two won’t mind…
Remi and Leja looked at each other, not knowing what to say
“Relax, I was only joking…go ahead with your conversation…Remi please see me later…
“Yes my prince…
The prince walked past,
Remi and Leja departed, Nike came to meet Remi as she spread the princess wrapper outside
“egbon mi…ore mi to sho. hahahaha eku se jare (hailing Remi, “my elder sister, my sure friend, Weldon) what was Leja telling you…he talks like a woman, he was talking and I walked that passage four times…he kept talking…non stop…he talks too much… what was he talking about…
“Some unimportant thing…is not relevant…
“Despite I would have love to hear it but I’m much more interested in what the prince said.. he said something to you… please can I know what he said…?
“Still not important…he just stopped to say hello to me and Leja…
“Eeyah…I like him he is so humble and and also very nice, he is handsome too… fine prince… anyway can I assist you in hanging The cloths…
“No, is not much… I’m through with it..
Remi later returned back to the princess chamber, The princess had message for her from her brother
“Remi, my brother said once you are through with whatever you will do tomorrow you should come and tidy his chamber, he complained that the cleaners are not doing it properly, he need you to come and do it, he has already informed me so I told him I will send you to him tomorrow…is a good thing that the prince wants you in his chamber, he doesn’t allow maidens or any female palace worker to come in there except boys…so is a good thing he picked interest in you and trust you enough to clean up his chamber… you should be excited…
“Yes my princess…I will go and attend to his chamber ones I’m done with my work here tomorrow
Remi wondered why she has to be the one going to arrange and clean the prince chamber when he has a male personal servant that attends to him.
DIAMOND IN THE FOREST. Episode 8.
Nike saw Remi and one other palace maiden, Ope talking about something and laughing together, there were baskets containing a ewedu leaf in Ope’s hand, and another in Remi as they walk towards the kitchen side.
Nike dropped everything she was doing and ran upto them
“Remi my beautiful sister…where are you going with Ope…I can go with you if you don’t mind…I don’t have much to do around here…
“We are going to the Queen’s kitchen, tomorrow will be the beginning of the full moon, so there will be a great party as the Queen will be adding another year, the party will last for seven days…you can join if you want…
“No Remi…the Queen specifically said only four maiden should start the food preparation…if your sister join us we will become five and the queen may not like that…
“Then you should step aside Ope…Remi is my sister and she is the princess personal maiden which made her higher than all of us, I should be the one helping her and not you, and if Remi said I can join in the preparation who are you to say no…they suppose to pair me and Remi together because we are related…
“Nobody is dragging the sisterhood with you, all I’m saying is that the queen want only four maiden to start the food preparation, Remi, me, Seun and Ayo. We are complete already…maybe she will add you in the next grouping but for now you are not needed…there are still other things to do, like fetching firewood from oja oba, joining the other maiden to remove sand from the ofada rice and washing the wrapping leaves…but we are complete in the queen’s kitchen…sorry…
“sorry for yourself too, who are you to tell me what to do, even my sister Remi, who holds more rank than you here doesn’t order me or anybody around…why don’t you go and fetch fire wood, pick the rice or wash the leave so that I can join my sister in the queen’s kitchen…don’t you ever tell me what to do again…we are all palace maiden here…so don’t order me around…
“Nike, is okay…it hasn’t come to that…Ope please let Nike join us…there are a lot of things to do and Nike’s help will be greatly needed, and after sometime I will be leaving to attend to the princess, I have some other work I have to do later…ejoo Ope…
“Remi don’t beg her…why are you even begging her…she is a nobody, if she want to die let her go and die…anyway, Remi What other work do you have to do aside this….can I join you…you can always call me if you need help with the cleaning or washing…we are sisters and i will be glad to help out..
“No Nike…I don’t need any help, if I need any I will let you now but for now I am fine…
They all walk down to the kitchen together and join the other maiden, every one of them got busy as they talk and laugh about one thing or the other, Remi assigned work for them and they all get started, the Queen came down to check how the preparation was going
“eku se oo (weldone)
They all knelt down in greetings to the queen before getting up to continue with their work
The Queen saw Nike and asked Remi
“isn’t that your sister, Remi, the one you fought and almost killed…I’m glad that two of you are getting along…that’s how it suppose to be…no enemy or fighting in Oba’s place…work in unison…in togetherness…so gbo? (Do you hear me?)
“Bee ni queen mother (yes, queen mother)
She looked at Nike who got so serious with her job so that the Queen can commend her efforts, she was happy that the Queen noticed her presence, she felt so important and adjusted so well as she kept on smiling from ear to ear, she wish the Queen will ask her to come and be one of her personal maid, she will be so happy, she will no longer be ordinary palace maid, she will be like Remi
“Ki ni oruko re? (What is your name?)
“ Oruko mi ni Nike…your majesty(my name is Nike)
“se daadaa ni o wa (hope you are fine)
“Been ni die…mo wa daadaa, ese (yes, a little, am fine, thank you )
“Why little? are you not enjoying your work here in the palace?
“ I am Your majesty, I always want to help out in many ways just like my sister, Remi does, and give my best service but the position I’m fixed in does not allow me to do much, as an ordinary palace maid I don’t always have much to do until I’m assign for it… I’m so privilege your majesty to work here and to be speaking with you…many wish for such opportunity…I wish you can assign me to do more than I’m required to do here, maybe to be one of your personal maid…or something close to that for the period that I will be here…I really want to serve well in this palace and not lazy around like most maiden do here…please don’t take offence in my request…
“No…no offence, is a good thing and I will look into that, I have enough personal maiden but I will see where I can fix you up…
“aaah…may the gods keep blessing you my queen, you will live long in good health and will keep prospering in this kingdom…more years will be added to your greatness…
Nike knelt down and was singing praises to the Queen before the Queen left.
After the Queen left Ope who was not deceived by Nike’s show confronted her
“congratulation hard worker…we have seen how much of a strong girl that you are…the rest of us here are just lazing around…while you are the best worker and you want to be well recognized…now the Queen has said she will consider and place you somewhere…you should be celebrating…you are succeeding…you will soon be rubbing shoulder with your sister Remi…that’s what you have always wanted…I told Remi bringing you here to the kitchen… to join in this preparation was a bad Idea now you have come to make us all look like we are not doing anything and you are the most hard working maid here…
“jealousy…jealousy…go and die Ope and everyone else who is jealous because the Queen herself picked interest in me…I don’t care about anybody I’m only here for myself…so stop talking rubbish, I am very hardworking and also the most beautiful among all of you here…and that was why the Queen singled me out and asked of my name and well being…she doesn’t even know if any of you exist but she picked interest in me and that’s why you want to kill yourself…
“is unfortunate that the Queen is just noticing you after several months of working here, she knows Remi and she knows me and everyone else and she ask of our well being anytime she see’s us so you should be worried that no one noticed you…if not for Remi is related to you nobody will even know that you exist…people like Remi that are beautiful and well endowed has never talks or boast about their appearance but you…a common palace rat is making noise…
“Ope, am I the one you just called a palace rat…I will beat you up Ope, I will stuff the earth dust into your mouth and make you eat sand…I will beat you blue and black… jealousy…enemy of progress…
“beat me….hahahaha…mtcheeeww… if not that fighting in the palace is not allowed…I would have continued from where Remi stopped on you the other day but on a second thought, I think I will just let you be… you almost died that day because of that small beating she gave you…you just passed out…we all poured water on you before you came back to life… is not in my hands that you will finally die… look for somebody else that will kill you not me…Remi should ha….
“Ope, please stop mentioning my name…and stop all this childish argument…there are lot of things to be done around here, two of you should not spend the rest of the day exchange words and looking for who is the strongest…enough…am going to do some other things for the Princess…I want by the time I will return all the preparation should be almost done, that empty drum need to be filled, Ope, you and Nike should do that, fill the drum from the big tank at the back yard, please no more argument…or I will separate two of you to join others in fetching firewood…I guess that will keep both of your mouth shut…
Remi left the maiden in the Queens kitchen to continue with the preparation
She went to the Princess chamber
“I was almost sending for you Remi, have you gone to clean my brother’s chamber…
“Not yet my princess…I was trying to foresee things in the queen’s kitchen…the maidens are preparing for tomorrow’s day…so I assisted a little before leaving…
“ko si wahala (no problem) are you still busy…do you still have something else to do…
“Yes my princess but every other thing can wait until I’m done cleaning the Prince chamber…the other maiden are attending to most of the chores…
The princess nodded and Remi left with her cleaning bucket and rag to the Prince chamber…
She gently tapped on his door and he responded asking her to come
inside, she went in and close the door before kneeling to greet, she
looked around the place,
there was much to be done around the big
chamber, it will take her time to fold up the wrappers scattered on the
chair and bed, using water and soup to clean the ground and dust off
every dirt on the floor, chairs and window, she will finish up more fast
if the Prince was not in the room, relaxing on his bed and looking at
her all over
“I was already wondering if my sister did not give you my message yesterday that I needed your help in cleaning up here…
“Yes…she did, I was assisting in preparing things for the upcoming Queen’s party and the full moon celebration…
“yea…which starts tomorrow…is going to be a full seven days of eating and drinking and getting merry…that’s why I want this place tided up…are you excited about it…like I am…
“Of curse…my prince…I am, let me start with the cleaning right away…
“alright if you can’t finish up today then you can continue tomorrow after the party…don’t over work yourself…sorry that I have to chose you to do this…I feel so comfortable with you doing it than any other person…do you need me to do anything…sorry I don’t really know how to do much chores but I can help with little, if you ask me to…or you can teach me…I will be glad to learn under you…
“no…not at all…thank you, I feel honored my Prince , I can handle everything…but I would have love to start from your big bed but you are lying down on it…never mind, let me not disturb you, I will just start from the tables and wardrooms…
“Remi…is fine…if you want to start from the bed then I will stand up…I will leave you alone in the room…don’t let anybody into my chamber…I will just check up on the queen mother…giving you space for you to be able to work effectively…
Remi nodded as the Prince stood up and walk past her to the door, he turned back and look at her before walking out.
Remi felt relaxed as the Prince walked out, she was happy that her trick worked and the Prince left the room for her, she began her cleaning with a smile, singing to herself, there was a lot to do but it will be faster now that the Prince was out of the room.
Nike and Ope were getting water from the water tank to the Queen’s kitchen drum when they saw the Prince coming, Ope and Nike greeted and stood up at his command
Nike wore a very broad smile, she wanted the Prince to notice her, Ope watch Nike in disgust
“My Prince…E ku abo, that’s a beautiful agbada you are putting on…well crafted with beautiful design…
“ose…(thanks) you are Remi’s sister…Right?
“Bee ni…(yes) Remi is my sister, in my family we are very hardworking, my prince I am one of the most hardworking maiden here followed by my sister, Remi… I a…
“What is your own name…
The prince ignored Nike who was still talking to face Ope
“Oruko mi ni Ope…my prince… (my name is Ope)
“Have you seen the queen mother this evening…looking out for her
Before Ope will say anything Nike replied him
“Yes…yes my prince…I can take you to where she is…I saw her sitting and talking with some visitors at the royal sit out, can I take you there…
“Take me there? …why…when am not blind…your information will do…Ose
The Prince turned and walked away
“Hard-worker…maybe you should turn into a town crier so that you can announce to everyone, go to Oba himself and tell him that you are most hardworking maiden… desperate fool…
“Jealousy…jealousy that is your own problem… go and die Ope…just watch out for me in this palace…you will be surprise at what the future holds for me…nonsense…lazy girl…
Leja walked up to Nike who was still battling words with Ope.
Ope carried her water and left after greeting Leja
“Hey…Nike ba wo ni (how are you)…have you seen Remi…
“What happen…I don’t know where she is…what do you want I may be able to help you if you ask me to…
“you can’t help me…I just want to see Remi, she has being so busy and I haven’t set my eyes on her since today…I got a gift for her and I want to present it to her, by myself…
“Well, keep looking for her then…I don’t know where she is…why do you buy a gift for her…today is not her birthday…what is inside the gift wrap…what is she celebrating Leja…
“Is none of your business, I will find her…thanks for your time…
Nike carried her water and left, while Leja went on searching for Remi.
