DIAMOND IN THE FOREST Episode 23 – 24

DIAMOND IN THE FOREST Episode 23.

Written By Amah’s Heart

Dami digged up more ridge for his grandma at her backyard, he kept on digging and suddenly he stopped to wipe sweat out of his forehead, the sweet aroma coming from his grandma’s kitchen filled his nose
His stomach made a funny sound, he can’t wait to eat whatever the grandma was making

He sat on the ridge and held his digging hole in hand as he look straight at nothing
He was deep in thought when his grandma startled him

“Eku se omo daadaa… (Well done good child) I’m making risi ati omiobe (rice and stew) I guess you are tired… you have tried for today… go and wash up so that you will have something to eat…I bought rabbit from the hunter…I added it to the omiobe…and dried some by the fire for tomorrow efo riro…so we will be having a rabbit stew with rice…I have miss my usual bush meat… when your grandpa was alive… people come here to ask if there’s any bush meat available…I will serve them and they will eat to their satisfaction before going to their different houses… your grandpa was a good hunter, a loving husband and a great father not just to your mother who happens to be our only child but to other children…

“And you are a great loving grandma… you seem to be taking maami’s death with ease… being your only biological child…every mother will cry their eyes out if they loose their child…

“No mother wishes for the death of their children, every senseable human prays to grow old and and die at a very prime age…peacefully. it was a mishap… like a blow to us all but death is certain, mine May not come earlier but it will, both the good and the wicked dies my child… killing another will not make the wicked to live forever, the wicked will still die anyway…

“I wish mother has lived…I wish Remi wasn’t banished, I wish father was alive…uhmmm…I just wish for many things yet I can’t have any…

“If wishes where horses even beggars will take a ride on it… isn’t it how the saying goes?…life happens my son…so, we the living have to move on… let’s not dwell on our loses but take everyday as a gift from the gods… only the living has hope for tomorrow…a living dog is better than a dead lion… being alive is not because we deserve it or we did more good than the dead…not at all… only the gods favors those they chose to favor, so everyday is a blessing and live it as such and don’t be ungrateful rather be thankful in everything…in that way you will secure more of the gods blessings…

“Bee ni iyaiya ( that’s very true grandma) I imagine what Remi could be doing, being all alone in the forest, no good shelter, no good cooked food, no friends or anybody to talk to…just all alone, exposed to all kinds of danger, wild animals and bad spirit that hooves around… she is carrying a child…who will help her during birth time… How will she cope with everything…iya you assured me that egbon mi (my elder sister) will be fine but I find it difficult to believe just imagining all the danger she has to face.. except you are saying that to console me…all I see is the impossibility of her survival…I know she is very strong, she has a strength of five men yet even her strength may fail her in such an environment… she won’t be able to make it iya…I fear… hmmm…I fear for her…

“Don’t be… Remi is fine…I assured you that… she carried a diamond that must not be tampered with… maybe if she has stayed behind the wicked would have found a means to hurt her and the seed of crown so the gods sent her away and I’m certain they will protect her… I know she has being through alot, wrongly accused, injustice done her and then a harsh sentence was passed, your mother died and she was banished with the child that was still forming in her womb… that is just too much for one person… yet she will scale through, victory will be hers when the sun finally set in her favor…

“Amin…(Amen) let me run to the river and have a long swim, I will fetch more water on my way, I can’t wait to eat the rabbit stew with rice…mo nbo iya (I’m coming grandma)

Nike came to meet Leja where he sat

“You know you can’t drop out now… whatever happens has happened..I wanted her off my way and is done…

“You are so heartless… do you know that Remi also lost her mother and I’m very sure your wicked mother has a hand in her death…how can you be okay with yourself knowing well that Remi might be dead by now for your sins… like mother like daughter…too evil….how do you sleep at night with your conscience…

“I don’t have one, I don’t have a conscience…if you become an enemy I will make sure I clear you off my way…

“Do not dare use those threatening tone on me… I’m very sure you know who you are talking to, I told you Nike..I warned you not to do anything against the oba that he has the ear of the gods and yet you disobeyed and went ahead just to have the prince and become Queen…now the prince does not want you or any maiden close to him…ever since Remi was banished for the very sin you committed… you suppose to be the one in that evil forest and probably dead by now not Remi…but I’m sure the gods will deal with you for all your atrocities…

“You mean deal with”us” I’m as guilty as you are so don’t start what you can’t finish…if I go down you are definitely going with me Leja… so you better cooperate and stop trying to shift the blame on me… and leave iyami out of this… I’m waiting for my flow this month if it did not come it means that the prince will be a father with your child…I will do everything I can to make the prince to become mine… whether he likes it or not… I’m fully into this no going back…I will achieve all my aim… just watch and see…

Ope walked past Leja and Nike as they argue that day, Ope noticed that since Remi left, the palace has loose it’s color, everything seem boring and quiet or maybe is the way she feels and Leja and Nike seems to be having argument every now and then
The next morning
Ope passed Leja without greeting him, Leja called her

“Hey…do I look so small or I’m I invisible that made you to walk pass me like that…

“Imabinu… ekaro (don’t be angry, good morning)

“You have being giving attitude this days Ope…I noticed it but wanted to keep watching you until I’m sure of what you are turning into…be guided…

“I’m guided you are the one I should be telling to be guided…I don’t mean this as an insult but why don’t you hush Nike like you are doing right now…I know both of you are upto to something…I don’t know what it is but I just hope it has nothing to do with Remi being banished… Remi is a good maiden and has a heart of gold… her sister Nike was always jealous of her and I know it right from time is just Remi did not see the green snake in a green grass that Nike was.. you lied the baby she carries was yours but I know is not true it belongs to the prince… Remi said it herself… and I believe her… even the princess confirmed it…I saw your guilty face that day her sentence was passed…it was as if you were being punch… Leja I understand that jealousy is making you do the things you don’t want to do…but the gods will not forgive you if you don’t let the cat out of the bag… Remi maybe dead but she will not be forgotten in the heart of those of us that love her… don’t you feel guilty… you killed an innocent girl with your evil minded companion…

“I did not kill any one… stop assuming things that you are not sure of… whatever happens is in the past now.. everyone is trying to move past that…

“Not everyone… Leja… you can not move past it because it is glued to your conscience…

Mikai hard a whistle from the far end of the forest and whistled back

“That was my father, I call him Pah, he is back from hunting…we use mouth whistle to communicate sometimes… Let me call him to come over…

Mikai whistled again three times with her mouth different sound, before turning to Remi who has thousand and one question she wanted to ask the girl who looks like she was not afraid of anything or anyone.

“What are you roasting…I mean what kind of animal is that… burning out… that’s not how to roast a game…

“Is a grass cuter… the one it’s back is covered with spikes… that is what i use to make my arrow…

“Ooh…it looks like a hedgehog to me… and your bow and arrow is made from a bole..tree trunk… that’s not good.. you can’t do anything with this…I will give you one of mine…I have different types some made from animals skin… Pah thought me how to make my own weapon…I really have questions I would love to ask but let my father come first.

“Same here, I also have questions but let’s wait for your father…

The monkey jumped on the tree and
started making strange noise, a mouth whistle was hard not too far from where they where and Mikai responded

“I guess your father is close by… that is why Ore..my friend is making those funny noise…

“Sure he is… animals has a funny way of communicating to humans… when you live among them you will get to understand them better…here he comes…pah…

A tall young man, maybe a little younger than Leja or same age, with a hand made raffle hanging on his shoulder, he was good looking and has a big scar on his forehead, Remi has expected an older man but was shock to see a young fine man, a Father to Mikai who has a little of his resemblance
He stood surprised as he looked from Remi to Mikai, Mikai spoke first

“Pah… her name is Remi, that’s her friend the monkey, who she calls Ore… she is lost…I guess… so we are not really the only one living in the forest…we have a companion… and she is expecting a baby… look at her tummy… God added to us… we will have a friend and a sister… isn’t that cool… pah… pah

Remi smile as she watch Mikai speak to the man who seem to be lost in thought as he stare at Remi. When he got himself he moved closer

“Pardon me please… I’m just shock to see another human here after many years. before I start throwing the question going through my mind let me introduce myself first… I’m Sipah from the far north. I guess Mikai has introduce herself already…I thought we are the only human here… I’m glad to meet another maybe we can talk about why you are here… you will need good food and a shelter…

“I’m Remi… you and your daughter’s accent sound so different and sweet to the ear .. I’m so happy that I’m not alone here… thank you Si…pah

“Just call me Pah… and don’t thank me yet… because we haven’t done anything for you…I will pick up your things and we will all leave here…

“Thank you “Pah.. I’m grateful

Sipah and Mikai gathered up Remi things, wrapped it up and carried it, as they turn to leave, Sipah turned to Remi…

“Forget about the bush meat…is almost turning into charcoal, whenever you want to roast a game.. don’t leave it ones you throw it into the fire just… keep turning it untill is properly done…I will teach you how to do that… Do you still have another person here or you are the only one…

“Yes, I’m just the only one with my monkey friend… Ore, hope you don’t mind if he comes along…he has being so helpful…

“Ofcurse not…Ore is from now onward our friend… let’s go home

Remi smiled as she looked from Sipah to Mikai who were both smiling, Sipah has a very attractive fine smile as he looked at Remi, she looked up the tree where the monkey was jumping from branch to branch

“Ore… is time to go… come let’s go… there’s home for us somewhere…

They walked untill Remi could see a mould house and the out house was built with leaves and sticks the whole place was widely fenced, and there were vegetables and yam farm, there was also corn and Millet farm everything seem to be in order and well arranged
She smiled as Sipah ushered her into their home in the heart of the forest
She thanked him ones again as Mikai took her into a warm room
Sipah rushed to the fire place to cook something for Remi, who despite how stressed and troubled she look she still posses an inner beauty that is so welcoming
He can’t wait to hear her story and what she was doing in the forest
Remi’s looked out at the small window and saw Sipah, cutting wood and putting them on fire, something was cooking in the fire place, Sipah has a well built muscle and and an inviting smile, despite the scar on his forehead he was still very handsome and also young
Remi wondered if he was truly the father of Mikai because of how young and handsome he was
She can’t wait to hear their stories and what made them to build a home in the heart of the forest surrounded by wide animals but for now she will silently thanked the gods for sending Mikai and Sipah to her aid.

DIAMOND IN THE FOREST Episode 24. Written by Amah’s Heart.

“….you don’t understand how this people think…they reason like the old and did not want anything that will change their believe and when he came with that…it became a total war…they wedged a serious war against him and his family because they thought he wanted to corrupt their land and change what they hold dearly…

“My grandma told me such stories…it also happened in our place…but they were chased out…

“well…it still happens my dear…some people have a heart of stones and which can not easily be penetrated…that was how our people was…I’m Mikai’s uncle, but I have watched her grow everyday and turning into a strong beautiful woman, when her parents died and I escaped with her, she was just four years…she is twelve years now…which means we have live in this forest for eight years…the people almost killed us, as they lynched up the house and it went up in flames…their was no way of escape, Mikai’s mother was the first to burn up…I saw this things happen as angry mob stood outside rejoicing that they have burn us all, i called my elder brother Mikai’s father and his response was…was not in this world again…but I hard him saw…”sip…take Mikai…run…run as far as you can…become a father to her and let her be a daughter to you…don’t fail to put God first…for even in death there’s victory…dust off your shoes sand ones you are out of this town and never return to it…because this land will become desolate and barren…fear God…and put him first…let Mikai grow with the knowledge and power in the name above all names…

“They were missionaries…I mean Mikai parents…

“yes…they were like I said earlier… that was their only sin…our only sin, I wrapped Mikai up, there was no time to pick much things so I just pick the few I lay my eyes on and escaped through the window with Mikai, I ran with her into a near by bush and watch as the house was burn down…I held my breath and thought I was going to die too…but for the sake of Mikai I needed to be strong, we roam round the bush for days, eating anything eatable…but the Lord was with us…I dust my feet as I was told and cursed the land for taking the only family I hold dearly to my heart, Mikai father took care of me so well after the death of our parents until he got married and the wife became both mother and a sister to me…but that village took them untimely while we sleep at night…they set the whole building on fire and I manage to escape with Mikai…I live in hate and bitterness until I was tired of it and I just have to let go…hatred and unforgiveness does no good to anyone…if Christ can forgive his persecutors how much more we that claims to love him…i found a living here Remi…and God indeed has being God to us…

“Your scar…on your forehead…was it cursed by the fire…

“Not at all…I sustained it from here when I battled with a wild bear…well it gave me a life threatening injury but I killed it after all, and I also have several on my body, a hunter was attacked in the night one day, on hearing human cry for help I rushed to rescue and it was a hyena…not just one but four hyenas…hmmm, I killed them all but my body was scattered with their sharp teeth and I loosed a lot of blood but I recovered, God has being good to me and Mikai, he has never forsaken us, we have no charm protecting us here or any other power except the power from above…so…tell me about yourself…what brought you here

“I was banished…I was wrongly accused of poisoning the king and I was banished…sent here to die, well it looks like the gods are smiling down on me just like my grandma always say, is a long story Pah…but I will tell you all about it…maybe tomorrow, today is almost gone, let me cook evening food for us…

“the child you carry…is it for your husband…are you married…why will your people be so heartless to banish a pregnant woman…for God’s sake that’s so cruel and inhuman…

“I’m not married, I got entangled with the prince one night and it resulted to my pregnancy, he can’t even remember because he was drunk…so when I told him the truth he refuse to believe me…so I bore this shame with pride no matter what…a child is a gift from the gods and shouldn’t suffer because of the sin of the parents…my story is an interesting one…but I don’t count my trouble anymore because I now have you, Mikai and ore as my new family here…well let me start the food preparation…

“You don’t need to stress yourself…I will do the cooking… Ore, our monkey friend can keep me busy with it’s whining, you and Mikai can take a walk round the farm…I will prepare your bath before you return, and the food will be ready…we process our own little food here and is easily done…a lot of dry meat and fruits, oil, cassava meal, yam, millets, honey, quail and goose eggs too, the forest has thought me into knowing how to do almost everything and anything… this is our own world…far from our kind and live in the means of animals, most of the animals are very friendly…just like Ore, the monkey…if you don’t hurt them they will not hurt you…I set trap all around this fence for trespasser…Mikai is growing stronger and stronger both in the Lord and in strength…

“Your way of believe is strange to me…and it sound and look so foreign, I grew up with different setting…and the gods of our ancestors are real…they set me up on this journey…hope you don’t mind if…

“ Remi…in this place we won’t force you to adapt to our system of living and worship… in every village there are origin and traditions of the land that the people follow, like a yam festival, the moonlight festival, the first rain festival and so many others…and without this festivals and celebration the said kingdom may loose It’s purpose and traditions…live a free live here and don’t feel intimidated with our ways, the sun shine both on the good and evil…same is the rain…we are all one but have different calling and purpose…whatever rocks your boat…is fine by me, the gods of your ancestors still point down to the almighty, who is all knowing….and wise, the foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of men, he alone knows why our part crossed…and only his will must be done…

“Amin…thank you Sipah…you are God sent to me…you Mikai… also Ore….hahahaha…it sound so funny how a monkey could be so helpful…I feel so blessed to be surrounded with your warm presence…i can’t stop saying thank you…

Remi live with Sipah and Mikai even as her month of birthing drew near, Sipah and Mikai fetched water to feel their hand made pots, they put everything necessary down as Remi’s day drew near

Remi was slicing vegetable that day Sipah has gone for hunting, Mikai went to the spring to get water, Remi was with Ore as she felt something gushing under her cloth.

“Ore…Ore…come…come here…quick….

The monkey shakes it’s tail as it look up from the nut that he was eating, but did not bother to move

“Ore…I said come…here….i need help…go and fetch me that wrapper over there…wrapper…my cloth is socked up…I can’t seem to move…Ore…get away from that nut and get that wrapper for me…please…..

The monkey jumped up and down, making noise as if it was saying something to Remi…which Remi did not understand, the monkey instead of bringing the wrapper from the place came close and sat with Remi still eating his nut.

“Ore…I wish you can understand me…but is…aaarghhh… there’s a sharp pain coming…aarghh

The monkey jumped on top of a chair that has pieces of cloth, he shift it close to Remi who was just confuse on what to do

“that is not the wrapper I asked you to bring but this will be helpful…thank you anyway…

She cleaned herself up, and tried to use her mouth to whistle as Sipah and Mikai does it but to no avail, she couldn’t do it despite how many time Mikai has thought her, she wish Sipah or Mikai will return and help her
The monkey senses her discomfort and ran out, facing the spring, he later return with Mikai, who was on a run

“is there a problem…Ore came to meet me at the spring, where I was washing, he was trying to tell me something I sensed is about you…are you alright

“I think is the baby…is coming…the baby is coming…water just rush down under my legs…I don’t know the meaning of that but I sense the baby is coming…

MIkai set up all the necessary things for her inside the warm room she share with Remi, she assisted Remi to go inside and just when she lay down and with just the second push a baby cry was hard.
It filled the whole room, and just then Sipah came in with a big bush meat that he caught. He hard the cry of the baby and rushed to the room where Remi held her baby in hand while Mikai, tried to clean up the place after cutting the umbilical cord

“Oh my God…wow…our baby is here finally…

“Pah, she just gave the second push and the baby came forth with ease…giving birth looks so easy than what you told me…and is a baby boy… so cute…wow…I can’t wait to hold him too…

“hahahaha…giving birth is never easy for some…some women pass on from there but I’m glad that is not her case, God is truly with her…no complication, and yes that’s a sweet looking baby…can I help with anything….congratulation Remi…

Remi smile as she looked at her baby whom she wrapped up with cloth and he gentle suckle in her tiny breast…

“thank you Sipah…God is good…everything was almost done before you came in, Mikai will make a good midwife…just help us and bury this umbilical cord…Mikai will do the rest…thank you…and we will also be needing a hot water again…

Sipah smile and nodded, he can’t express how happy he was to see Remi deliver safely, he later rushed to the kitchen after burying the cord in his farm, he boil more hot water as Remi had demanded.

Ore was just going around with Sipah as Sipah set up another fire to prepare a yam pottage for Remi with the bush meat he just caught.

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