Risen Fall

Chapter 1

"Marriage is the union between two people. In times of old, we had in abundance the practice of polygamy in many parts of the world if not all. As the evolution of man continued, they found out that marriage should not be about how many wives one can marry or how great a sea of children one can produce. Man found out that was bringing his family -- or should I say marriage -- apart other than together, collapsing rather than standing strong.

Man then found out that to stop this phenomenon, they just had to stick to one wife. And even with that, their marriage was either betrothed or was arranged by the man's or woman's family or by both families. In other situations, the man or woman only agrees to get married because of how they were attracted to the physique or stature of their partner. Later they found out that their marriages were ending too quickly and was very unfulfilling and depressing, and it seemed even worse than those times when men were marrying almost ten wives at a go.

Then they found a new solution, and even without trying it out they knew it was the answer they needed, and for so long searched. That solution was and is "LOVE". The man loved the woman and the woman loved the man. The feeling the man has is that he will die for his woman; the woman's is that she cannot live without her man. Their love sparks a flame to shine a great light when there is total darkness. Their stares at each other feel like a blanket that warms them up when the atmosphere is cold -- way too cold. Their companionship feels like an everlasting wall built on solid rock, unwavering, that stands tall and protects them from all evil glances and attack from the opposition; this is no wall of Jericho. What they feel: unexplainable yet explicable, incomprehensible and awkward yet understandable and comforting.

In other words it is holy and pure infatuation. In fact the feeling is more than double the feeling of an infatuation. You would not be here if it wasn't all about this feeling. This strange and weird but satisfying and comforting feeling is the reason why you are here.

Sons and daughters, if you are sure this "feeling" is binding you more and more with that person, and that person also feels the same, I give you my full blessing and support to advance into marriage. Trust me; you would never regret the decision."

Kezia listened to Rev. Quansah's speech she recorded fifteen years ago when she was with that "feeling" for somebody. As she listened, to the last words, tears started to fall down her temples to the pillows, as she was lying on her bed in her so-called matrimonial room.

Kezia was beautiful -- too beautiful. She had dazzling green eyes with beautifully accompanied eyebrows. She had a petite nose and cute little lips that were rosy pink even without her putting on any lip gloss or lipstick. Her head was oval-shaped with beautifully curved edges. Her hair flowed down to her back, just below her neck, with a dazzling dark brown colour. She had the body of a model and a perfect light-chocolate toned skin. She would have been the perfect face any advertising company would place on their billboards. She would even be fit to be a goddess. Her beauty was radiant. What even made her beauty shine brighter was the character she carried along with her. Her heart was big and strong. She was a woman of love and all who knew her admired her. They also admired her, as she did not spoil due to the fact that she was the only daughter of an extremely wealthy and highly respected family.

Lately, Kezia's strong heart had weakened. Hate was knocking on the doors of her heart but she tried as much as possible to keep it out, though she knew that it would not be long before it finally breaks in. She needed to stay strong, not just for herself but for her two wonderful children.

She woke up from the bed, and stepped into the corridor and moved to the living room. She looked up the flight of stairs and asked herself if she could carry herself up there. As she ascended the stairs, little by little, she felt her strength fall away, with her breathing becoming deeper and longer. She made it to the top of the staircase and turned to the last two doors along the hallway. She leaned on the wall for support to make it to the doors. Both doors were knocked on simultaneously but she entered the second room.

Denis was seated on his bed with several books opened in front of him. He looked at the door as his mother just flew in, standing by the door. Denis looked at his mother with his deep green eyes. Deep as the greenest leaves from an evergreen forest and even more daring than his mother's. He was only fourteen but he behaved like a grown man. He had the face and body of a child his age but his mind was of an adult. He had a lot of hair for eyebrows, which was what made his eyes even more daring for his age, and he always kept his hair grown but well kept. Almost like a neat mid-afro. His skin, which was slightly darker than his mother's, was exactly like his father's. He was strikingly handsome for his age.

Before he could speak, his ten-year-old sister, Denise, walked into the room, dragging her stuffed teddy bear along. She was almost an exact copy of her mother but younger. The only difference she had with her mom was that her eyes were huge with its colour being a lighter shade of greenish brown. Her eyes were always happy. No one could ever look in her eyes and leave her without remembering her all the time. She had a medium long ponytail, swaying from side to side as she moved towards her brother's bed. She was extremely beautiful. Just like her mother, her face was oval shaped unlike Denis whose face was slightly broader like their father's. She climbed Denis' bed and looked at her mother with a broad smile showing her almost perfect teeth, since she lost a tooth not long ago.

Kezia forced a smile and looked at both her children. She wanted to speak but her strength was not enough. She could just stare and hold her smile.

"Mom?" Denis was still looking at his mother. His gaze was into her eyes. He stared at her so intently as if to read what was wrong with his mother. He had a strong personality that was too strong for his age. He never liked to see his mother saddened. It hurt him deeply even though he never let anybody see it. "Mom, what's it? Why are you here?"

"I just came to check on you, my little heroes. Come give mummy a hug," Kezia loved to be around her children when she was down. Their presence seemed to encourage her to move on. She drew closer to the bed to sit, and hugged her kids. Tears began to flow again. She just couldn't help it. She had to let it out. What she felt was to happen was terrible and she had no idea what to do or who to go to. That's why she couldn't help herself but to release every single tear in her.

"Mom?" Deniseasked, "Why are you crying?" She used her little hands to wipe hermother's tears off her face. Kezia looked into her little daughter's eyes andshe knew now that there was no way she was going to allow herself to lose thisfight. She lifted her eyes to the window and suddenly she opened up her heart.Hate entered.