Chapter 2: New Beginnings and Old Fears

Two years later, better marriage proposal come my side.

My auntie for Makurdi nearly dance for joy when she hear. Even my old landlord do thanksgiving for church. Na new chapter. This time, no palace wahala, no prince wey dey do like say na God.

The night before my wedding, my gentle and fine fiancé suddenly talk.

"One big guest dey pass through, e go visit us tomorrow. When you see am, abeg, make sure say you no offend am."

He talk am with that his quiet way. Me, I just dey fold wrapper, but my mind begin dey reason how important guest dey show for village like say na Lagos.

I shock, the thing just fly from my mouth before I fit hold am,

"This big guest, e from Abuja?"

My voice quiver small, and the room quiet for a moment. I try hide am with small cough, but Peter Sulaiman eyes sharp, he no miss anything.

Peter family get power for Makurdi, dem fit control everything. For Peter Sulaiman to call person big guest—

Na only Abuja dey my mind.

I feel as if cold water pour for my back. Abuja people no dey waka anyhow unless big thing dey happen. For Makurdi, na dem get final say for land matter, for contract, for everything.

Peter Sulaiman nod.

The nod slow, as if e dey measure my reaction. My hand grip wrapper tighter. This kind guest fit scatter ground if person no careful.

My chest just tight small. I begin feel somehow.

I try smile, but my face stiff. E be like say pepper enter my heart—sharp, hot, I fit feel am for my chest. Wetin Abuja person wan find for my new life?

For the two years wey I know Peter Sulaiman, e only sabi me as widow, alone, no family. E no know say the husband wey die early na just story wey I cook. My past, I no fit talk am for public.

Na only God and I sabi how I take escape palace story. Na so I dey waka—light for foot, heavy for heart.

Now, big guest from Abuja—if this person don see me before for Okpoko Palace…

Na so fear dey pinch my skin. I dey try remember everybody wey I see for palace, who fit remember me. My mind dey run helter-skelter like goat wey thief pursue.

The thought just dey worry me. I wan ask Peter Sulaiman more about the guest, but na that time dem knock door.

Knock wey carry small authority, not be small pikin own. My heart leap.

"Oga, the big guest wan see you."

Voice steady, na houseboy wey sabi keep secret. I adjust my scarf as if cold dey worry me, just to hide my face more.

Peter Sulaiman no even waste time. E just give me small instructions, waka comot.

E fit sense say I dey anxious, but e no talk. He just tap my shoulder soft, like say, "No fear. I dey here."

That night, as I dey between sleep and wake,

Sleep no really gree me catch am. Mosquito dey buzz for corner, generator dey hum, and my mind just dey chase old memories.

I dream say I dey kneel down for ground.

For my eye, I see cloth wey dem sew golden lion and plenty colours on top.

The thread for the lion shine like say na real gold. Na cloth wey only palace people fit wear, no be market people own.

One man voice, e dey low, e no get any emotion:

"Jang family pikin get better background, fine, sabi herself, and na the Prince choice for princess.

But she talk say before wedding, you must comot from Okpoko Palace.

You get any vex for am?"

The voice dey like wind for rainy season—carry power but e cold. My heart cut small, but for dream I no fit cry.

I just bow head touch floor. "I no dare."

If palace wahala wan finish you, you gatz humble yourself. Wetin I go talk? For palace, if you open mouth anyhow, dem fit use am against you.