DIAMOND IN THE FOREST Episode 9
Written By Amah’s Heart
Leja was staring at Remi as she dance with other maiden, she wore the Ankara that Leja bought for her.
Leja was so happy as he watch Remi, dancing and laughing with other
maiden, he remembered that he has pleaded with her not to reject the
gift when she said she doesn’t want any gift from him, he had begged her
continuously until she finally collected it
And today being the
fourth day of the party she did not wear the normal aso ebi that most
maiden wore, she decided to wear the fine Ankara that Leja gave her,
Leja was admiring her as she dance and serve drinks and food to
visitors, she look so happy and cheerful, the men smile as she serve
them the women look on at her in admiration while some in envy
She
filled the whole place with her presence just like a goddess, Leja
looked on from where he stood, he felt so proud and wish Remi was fully
his, he knows the gods are already favoring him, and just a little time
Remi will be his.
Leja smile quickly turn into a frown as he saw the Prince who was already drunk beckoning on Remi to come
She walked up to him and he whispered something to her ear, she blushed
before walking away, the Prince was looking at her with desires in his
eyes as Remi went back to serving the guest.
Leja swallowed hard wondering what the Prince told her that made her to blush, he started moving towards Remi
Nike who has being dancing and shaking all her body close to where the Prince was, just for him to notice her felt bad that the Prince did not even bother to look at her side, she got tired and went to Remi asking her if she can serve the guest too, Remi told her that her turn to serve will be tomorrow, the fifth day.
Nike saw Leja moving toward Remi who was serving some group of young men and they were all admiring her
Nike wish she was Remi, so that she can get all the attentions that Remi was getting
Nike stopped Leja from mid way, with a big grin
“se iwo ma aba mi jo Leja? (Would you like to dance with me?)
“I don’t know how to dance..
“se mo le so pelu re (can I practice with you)
“Nibo…Nisisiyi…where…right here?
Beeni…nisisiyi (yes, now)
Haa…wahala wa…the Prince is just right over there…he will see that I’m not in my duty post and may tell the Oba…
“The Prince is not like that, and merely looking at him he look drunk, ko le e ri wa (he can not see us) or if you want we can move out of here so that people will not see us…
Leja saw that he couldn’t escape from Nike and decided to follow her, he planned to spend little time with her just to make her happy, he will then return to be with Remi
Remi saw that the Prince was drunk, he has whispered in her
ears “ mo nifee re Remi (I love you Remi) she blushed but she knows that
it must be a sign of being drunk, he doesn’t even know what he was
saying.
She admire the Prince and love his humility, the way he
looks at her as if she was the most special being in the palace, she was
gradually falling for him because of his sweet nature, she has wish the
prince wasn’t drunk and clearly declared that his love for her, it will
be a sweet feeling, she knows almost all the maiden will be in love
with him, it seem very normal to fall for such an important man, but to
her it wasn’t like the general feeling, it was something that makes her
have butterflies in her stomach anytime she sees him staring at her.
It was different from what she felt for Leja, anytime she sees Leja or any other man looking at her it feels normal, no butterflies or any sweet feeling like she do feel when she sees the Prince staring at her like a precious diamond.
She was watching him closely and has told every other palace worker not to pour more drink into his cup, Remi looked around for Leja but couldn’t find him, he wish Leja was close by so that he can escort the Prince to his chamber.
The Princess was sitting with her mother and doesn’t need her now until maybe later in the night.
Remi saw that the Prince staggered as he stood, he sat back down
immediately, and she wondered why he drank so much drink today unlike
the other days, he has not being drinking much except today.
Ope
came to her and whispered that the Prince was calling her, Remi went to
him and he asked Remi to take him to his chamber and she did.
When the Prince got into his chamber, he started speaking to Remi as he staggered round his chamber
“I told you earlier that I love you, I whispered it into your ears and you didn’t take me serious because you thought I was drunk, am not drunk or maybe I am, the fact still remain that I love you…yes…is true…you got into me right from that first day at the festive dance…when I first set my eyes on you…I have always wanted to tell you this but I don’t know how you will take it…so today I decided to drink so much…yes…I drank enough to get high…so that I can find my boldness and voice to declare all my stored up feeling for you.…I wanted to tell you this when you came to clean my chamber the other day…that was more reason why I told my sister to send for you but I still couldn’t find my gut…but today I have a full gut to tell you that I love you Remi…and I will tell the Oba that I want to marry…marry you…you will be my queen…come…come closer to me…are you afraid of me…don’t be afraid of me because my love for you is real…it can cast fear out of you…aaah…look at you…ni fe mi…emi ni ore re (my love, I am your friend)your real friend, don’t see me as a prince, son of Oba of this great kingdom, see me as your friend, if I have a son with you I will call him Ademi, my crown…because he came from a beautiful maiden who is after my heart. oruko mi ni Aremo, yes that is my name because am a heir to this great Oba’s throne, and I need a queen like you to compliment my kingship when the time comes…with you by my side I will rule with honor…you said you love your grandmother because she was also a good dancer when she was young…right Arewa…(beauty)
“Remi…my name is Remi, you are drunk my prince you need to lie down, I will tell them to bring cold water for you…stop talking…the drink is taking too much effect on you…you don’t even know what you are saying again…
“shhh…I know what am saying…I still need more drink, I was talking about your grandmother…one day you will take me to her…I will like to meet her and I will also love to meet your father and your mother…
“Babami oti ku (my father is late) you know that already, is time to relax your head…please stop talking..
“oopen that cabinet and give me one bottle of drink there…I want to get real drunk because of you nifee mi (my love)…don’t say no to your Prince…do it, bring the drink to me here… am in my chamber…not outside there, the party is still going on…but I can’t even carry my own legs…is so heavy, I wonder the kind of heavy bata (sandals) that is heaving my legs like this…everywhere is blurred in this chamber… I will just stay here…I don’t want people to start saying “the prince got drunk yesterday and fell down…all those normal gossip…don’t really care…Oba will be angry if such happen…that was why I specifically ask you to take me to my chamber and you did…thank you…what was I saying before…what did you say now…about your father…ooh I have forgotten…please come…stay with meeee…uurrggghhhh….
He started throwing up, the bottle of drink that Remi gave him as he ordered her fell off from his hand and the drink spilled everywhere, he was vomiting, Remi stood and held her mouth not knowing what to do, she went out and brought cold water to wash his face and sprinkle some on him.
He removed his wet agbada and was only in his trouser and singlet, he was still talking but Remi wasn’t paying attention to him as she cleaned up the whole place
He gently pulled Remi to himself, Remi thought that it was because he was drunk that is more reason why he was misbehaving around her, the prince held her in his arm and not wanting to let go of her, Remi loosen from his grip.
He smell of alcohol but he his body felt so warm, the prince pulled at her again as she tried to walk away, she fell into his laps,
“duro nbe” (stop) she silently cried, but he wasn’t listening to Remi’s quiet plead as he caressed her body and kept on saying, “ aro re so mi…mo nifee re” (I miss you… I love you) Remi wanted to leave but it was as if something kept her there as the Prince touched every part of her body, she struggled a little before relaxing back, the Prince put his hand under her cloth and pulled out her breast cloth, he moan and gently lay her on the bed and muttered “mo nifee re” again to her before digging into her.
it was until the deed was
done Remi realized she was in trouble, blood stained her cloth and the
bed too. she was a virgin and the Prince just broke her up, he did not
force her, she can’t even explain why she couldn’t run out, push him
away or fight harder as she would have done to any man, she just lay
there and watch him do it without stopping him, and when he was done, he
slept off without wasting time, and began to snore loudly.
Remi
stood up and saw all the mess, she started cleaning everywhere, she
clean and adjusted her cloth, she wrapped up the blood stained wrapper
so well into a bundle so that it won’t be noticed.
She was almost
done when she had a knock on the door, she felt pain in between her leg
as she walk to the door after making sure everything was in place.
She opened the door and it was Leja, he looked at her suspiciously before saying
“I did not know that you are in here…I was looking around for you at the party ground but couldn’t find you…what of the Prince…
“He is asleep…he…had too much to drink and when I helped him up here… he vomited everywhere so…so I have to clean up the place…
Leja looked at Remi, she was shaking, he tried to touch her but she moved away from him…
“are you alright…you are shaking…I guess is from working too hard, you need rest Remi before you break down, you could have called me to come and take the Prince to his chamber…you look so pale. Are you sure you are okay…
“Yea, am fine Leja, I will just leave now…since am through with…with the Prince…I mean cleaning his room…I will take some of this and wash…they are dirty…
Leja tried to collect the cloth that Remi wrapped up in her arm but she refused
“Your work is with the Princess not with the Prince…give me those stuff I will tidy it up myself…
“Don’t worry Leja…i…I will do it…I have to go…
Leja watch as Remi walked out, she wasn’t walking properly, no matter how she try to pretend something wasn’t right, she walk as if she had a broken leg, she was still on the Ankara cloth he bought for her
“Are you sure that you are okay…did you hit your leg somewhere…can I see it…
“Am fine…I just stumbled my feet on a chair…I will use ori on it…
“Okay…if you say so, by the way the Ankara look good on you…do you like it…
“Yes Leja…thank you…
Leja said something else to make Remi jealous but she was more concern about her present trouble than anything Leja was saying
“I was with your sister, Nike, she was teaching me how to dance and after which we had a good time together…she is so funny and lively too…
“Okay…that’s good, I’m glad you had fun with her…
“I prefer to be with you over anybody…you are more lively and fun to be with than….
Leja was saying something else but Remi ignored him as she gently walk away.
She had wish the Prince will not remember any of the things that
happened, because she feels so terrible and covered in her own shame as
she walked away.
she needs to speak to somebody about the incident with the prince. somebody who is trustworthy.
and Nike has proven to be real to her, and she has being acting so close and nice, like a sister would.
maybe talking to Nike won’t be a bad idea.
DIAMOND IN THE FOREST Episode 10.
Remi walked to the wash
room but couldn’t wash the stained wrapper because of the pain in
between her laps was excruciating, she wrapped up the bundle up and hide
it away, she Will Wake up early in the morning to go wash it, she
thought within herself
The guest has all Left to prepare for another party tomorrow, the maidens were sweeping and cleaning the big Oba’s Compound
Remi washed up herself and changed into her night wear, she prepared
The princess bath, made her bed and set out her night wear before going
out to look for Nike
She saw Ope and beckoned on her to come
“Have you seen Nike…she is not here… where could she be?
“I saw her following the Queen like fly follows corpse, she just want the Queen to make her among her personal maidens, who knows all The lies she’s telling the Queen mother just for her to be recognized, that your sister is too desperate, all she wants is to start robbing shoulders with you, she is a pretender…she is not humble or real like you…
“Is okay Ope…alright, I know you two are always fighting each other and is normal but Nike is still my sister and she can’t be like me, even identical twins don’t have same behaviour…so is very normal for Nike to be a little different from me…I will go and search for her…
As Remi was about leaving she Saw Nike walking down with a full smile on her face, when she got to Remi, she began to talk very loud so that Ope and the other maid can hear her
“Sister mi, the gods has done it for me…
“,Nike, I was searching for you, I need to speak to you urgently… there is something I need to tell you and is…
“Remi wait let me finish with my own announcement, so that my enemies can go and die, well… finally… finally the Queen has agreed for me to be her personal maidens…haaa…it wasn’t easy o.. but The gods has decided to remember me, now I’m one of the Queen personal maiden, may the gods be praise, while some will remain an ordinary palace maiden till they die, my position is higher now, by tomorrow I will resume my new acquired duty…aah…aahh…I can’t wait to tell iyami, iyami will be so proud of me…who the gods has blessed nobody can curse, now I will get to even see the oba and the prince often than before, I told somebody here that she should watch out for me… she will be surprised at what the Future holds for me… the gods has already started working very soon some people will start dying of jealousy…
Ope turned from what she was doing and face Nike in anger
“You are very stupid Nike, so you are indirectly referring to me…I don’t even see anything big in serving the Queen, after all you are still a palace maiden or did your title also change from being a maid, so what’s the fuss about. You that was ready to sell your soul to the devil just to be like Remi, Remi did not need to struggle, talk or cry her way into the office that she presently occupied, the kingdom chose her and she was favored among all but you…your case is just so opposite and you are only doing this because of Remi not me because I have no business with you, you want to be equal with Remi by all means but she will always be ahead of you in everything…
“See this fool, Ope did I mention your name now, please did anybody hear me call Ope’s name…see what jealousy is doing to you, just because of this my new Post you want to kill yourself… please get ready to die because the gods may decide to make me a Queen of this kingdom soon and I will have you serve me, you will be my footstool…
“, May the gods forbids evil, such abomination will never happen so stop day dreaming Nike, the best you can ever be is a palace maiden nothing else, the gods chose wisely, they chose beautiful, humble loving, and Royal maiden of the land, if they ever decided to chose a commoner then it will be somebody like Remi, she poses all that quality, I will love it if the gods chose her because she will rule with all fairness, just like our present Queen… while you…
“Shut up that your filthy mouth, who made you The mouth piece of the gods, just watch and see what the Future holds for me… The gods has already started a good work in me and very soon they will lift me higher than my enemies, I hope you won’t die before then out of jealousy…
“Must two of you fight all the time… and you will likely drag me into your argument,, i’m out of here…I have enough trouble already…
Remi started walking away, Nike left Ope to meet up with Remi
“Sister mi, don’t mind that witch, she is always jealous of me… you said you have something you want to talk to me about…
“Yes..I do but I guess your new acquired office is very important to you than anything else, mine can wait…congratulation anyway…I need to go and lie down, I don’t feel too well…
“Aahh…ahh.. Pele…you can tell me what borders you… I’m The only one you can trust here, don’t ever trust somebody like Ope, do you hear what she said earlier, she said the gods can chose you to be a Queen of this kingdom but the gods can’t chose me because it will be an abomination, how can she say such rubbish, what is the difference between you and I…aah, I swear by the gods I will surprise that girl, I will…
“Nike, please stop, I said I have enough trouble of my own, whatever Ope said was only because you two are always at log head… don’t take her serious, she doesn’t even know what she was saying, ofcurse you can be the next Queen of this kingdom if the gods says so…
“Yes… certainly, I like what you just said…I can be the next Queen of this kingdom, I will rule in power, I Will be greatly feared, I will squash all my enemies and make them lick my feet…so tell me what troubled you Remi…
“Let’s talk tomorrow, I’m tired and I need to attend to the princess before going to bed…Aram kole Dara Dara (I’m not feeling too well)
Remi walked into the princess chamber, leaving Nike outside
Nike wish Remi could just tell her all that troubled her, if Remi who
seem to have the gods favour over her could be in trouble that means the
gods has turned their back on Remi and chose to favor her instead by
making her to be among the Queen’s maiden, Nike thought within herself
as she turned and walked away with a smile
she can’t wait for tomorrow to come so that she will finally hear what Remi has to say, she want to know how useful the information she will get from her will be, it may help her in her next plan.
Remi could not sleep well that
night, when she finally slept she had a terrible dream of her mother and
brother again, she woke up amidst sweat and couldn’t sleep back till
day break
She wish she can bare her trouble to somebody that is
trust worthy and who will understands her without being judged, she
thought of her grandmother who always understand, “will she understand
if i tell her that I lay with The prince, he disflowered me while in
drunkenness, I could have stopped him but I didn’t, I just lay there and
whist in pain as he dig into me, now I’m no more one of the proud
virgins of this great kingdom, every one will mock me and treat me like a
criminal they will think I seduced a drunk prince and lay with him,
they will think I was defied even before coming to the palace to serve,
who will believe me, Maybe iya will understand, nobody has to know, it
will be a secret I will hold forever…
Remi kept on thinking about the whole thing to the following morning.
She got up early in the morning to go and wash the stained wrapper she
hide away but it was no more where she kept it, she searched around the
whole place wondering who could have taken it away, somebody spoke
behind her and she startled ad turned to see that it was Leja
“Is it The wrapper you wrapped up into a bundle and hide in between those plants that you are looking for, you told me it was just some ordinary dirty cloths that you wanted to go and wash, despite how I tried to collect it from you, you refused to hand it over, you said it was just wrapper the prince vomited on but I saw a blood stain on it, where did the blood come from Remi…
“How…how do you know I kept it in between this over grown plants, how…
“I’m the Chief guard here have you forgotten, one of the guards on last
night duty brought it to me, he told me where he found it and on seeing
the bundle
I knew it was from you, I was curious and opened it
only to see blood stain on it, so that takes me back to my previous
Question, who’s blood is that and how did it got into the prince wrapper
which was spread on his bed yesterday morning, answer me Remi…
“The blood is from my injury, I told you I stumbled on a chair and sustained an injury from there… that was why I couldn’t Walk well…
“Can I see the wound, and why do you have to hide it here if it was an so ordinary, and why is there blood on the prince wrapper…I have questions but you haven’t given me a reasonable answer, hope is not what I’m thinking Remi, you can confide in me if there’s a problem, did the prince force himself on you…did he…I know this sounds ridiculous because the prince is not that kind of man but the way he has being looking at you with desires in his eyes was enough to raise such Questions…
“Leja, I don’t know what you are talking about, the blood stain was from the wound I sustained on my thigh when I stumbled and fell down, and I can’t show you my thighs, the blood got to the prince wrapper when I was trying to clean up the prince vomits, so I bundled up everything to go and Wash but I was too tired and couldn’t wash it that yesterday so I put it here just to avoid this same questions you are asking me now from anybody that may see it in the wash room… and becarefull the way you accuse the prince, that can be very dangerous for you… now that i have answered your question can I know where you kept it..
“Well, I’m not yet convince but I will let the sleeping dog lie, I kept it in the wash room, go there you will see it.
Remi nodded and left, Leja stood looking at her as she walks away, he
was having trouble believing her, he felt like something was wrong, he
remembered how Remi was shaking yesterday, he has tried to touch her but
she stepped away from him, he silently hope is not what he was thinking
Leja breathed deeply before walking away
Remi tried all she could to wash off the stains but she couldn’t, she started regretting of not washing it yesterday, if not for the pain she felt in between her legs that prevented her Leja wouldn’t have seen it or suspected anything.
Remi hanged them like that hoping that when the sun dries it the stain won’t be obvious
On her way back to the chamber she saw Nike, Nike who couldn’t wait for
the day to break so that she can hear what Remi got to tell her,
greeted Remi warmly before asking her to tell her what troubles her
yesterday, Remi told her that it was too early for such talk, Maybe
later in the day they will talk about it
After Remi finished up with her morning duty to the princesses she decided to ask her if she can visit her grandmother briefly
“Jowo semole yoju si iya agba (please can I go and see my grandma)
“Hope there’s no problem Remi, why the sudden urge to visit your grandma…
“Nothing, my princess, is being a while i saw her, I just want to check up on her
“You know the party still continues today and even tomorrow, your help is greatly needed here, just wait when the party finally comes to an end, which will be in few days from now then you can go, I will give you a day off to visit your people…
In the early afternoon as
Remi, Ope and other maiden prepares for another party day as guest were
already filling in the Oba’s large compound
Leja came to inform Remi that the prince sent for her
Remi’s heart skipped as she hard that, she went to the prince chamber
and found him pacing the whole place, he had a worried look on
Leja stood behind the close door and place his ear close to the door so
that he can hear what is going on between the prince and Remi,
he
wanted to eavesdrop on them but Remi sensed it and gave the prince sign
not to say anything yet, she quietly walk to the door and forcefully
opened it and Leja fell with a heavy thud to the ground.
the prince was shock, Leja quickly stood up in shame
“Leja… what are you doing… wait a second… are you eavesdroping on my conversation…
“Rara o..omooba…(no prince) I was just relaxing on the door waiting for when you will summon me, I’m sorry my prince…imabinu…
The prince ask him to leave immediately and he flew out without looking back, he closed the door and face Remi, who’s heart started beating again
