MOTOR AND PESTLE

MOTOR AND PESTLE

24

It turned out that the Insaka was divided into two camps, the move to abdicate was not supported by either camp. The marriage divided them, scratch that my choice of a bride divided them. I could tell from their faces that the abdication was unwelcome, my successor would be my cousin, he was very unpopular because he had gone and married a Moslem woman. For some of the old geysers here that was worse than marrying Zuri.

“Your highness, the house has decided that you can marry the woman of your choice as long as you settle here,” the Headman spoke up.

“Abale,” I said firmly. “Don’t get me wrong, I am not asking your permission to marry Zuri, I will marry her, as for your condition that I settle here, that will not happen. My wife and I will make our home in the city. I will serve as I have done for the last few years.”

The room was silent.

" If there is no other business, the chair can close the meeting. ” I ordered.

The chairman smiled slyly at me as he closed the meeting.

" You are indeed your father's son, “the Chairman smiled.” I am amazed at how you handled the situation you should have seen the Induna’s boasting about how they would tame you. ”

I laughed with him. He was not just chairman he was also my paternal uncle.

" How is Tamikani? ” he asked.

" She is fine Uncle, growing up very fast, “I said.

" At her age, you were already attending Insaka perched on your father’s laps,'' he smiled.” I hope you can find some time to bring her to the Insaka. ”

" I will. ”

I will teach Tamikani everything I wished I was taught.

The drive back home was easier and I felt as if a great load had been lifted off my shoulders. Finally, I could look forward to some normalcy whatever that meant.

I found Zuri in the garden with Tamika busy watering, she looked cute in her red Ankara dress and blue boots. She was busy but when she saw me she quickly abandoned her hose pipe and squealed. I lifted her up and kissed her cheek.

“Hello Princess,” I teased.

“Your majesty,” she replied with a smile.

“You’ve been busy,” I said putting her down before she messed up my chinos with her muddy boots.

“Hey babe,” Zuri smiled pulling off her gardening gloves and hanging them on the wire fence. “You look happy How did you meeting go?”

“Just like I said it would,” I replied cockily. She needn’t know that I was practically sleepless last night.

Zuri smiled. “Aha,” was all she said.

“You have a wedding to plan,” I told her.

“Who said I wanted a wedding?”

“I have a weak heart Zuri,” I whined.

She laughed.

I kissed her on the mouth as Tamikani ran into the garden.

“Mommy look!” she exclaimed.

“Easy, Tammy you’ll drown the seedlings.”

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Zuri asked me.

Only then did I realise that I was staring, I could not wait to marry this strong woman and make her my wife. She completed me in ways that my eloquence failed to decode.

“Yes, to the wedding small nothing glamorous,” she said. “When does the happily ever after start?” she asked packing up her gardening tools.

She was not expecting me to be on my knee when turned to face me. A gasp left her lips. Before I could even ask her. She was thrilled.

“Marry me?” I put in while she was jumping excitedly.

“Yes! Yes!” she said kissing me.

“I love you,” I said seriously.

“I love you too, I love you very much,” she said kissing my face. I laughed, a happy laugh, a man in love kind of laugh. In my arms was the woman I wanted to love me all my days

XD...

THE END...