Entangled

AGBÉ̩KẸ́

I woke up hyperventilating, beads of sweat glistening on my forehead, realizing with a heavy heart that my life was about to change. The night I had was uncomfortable, plagued by persistent bad dreams. One particular dream kept me perspiring and awake for hours.

Amidst my mother, father, stepmom, sisters, and brother on the palace ground, I stood, observing my family. They stared blankly at me without uttering a word. As I moved closer in an attempt to reach my mother, blood began to ooze from their eyes, nose, mouth, and ears. I cried out their names as they slumped down.

I cast off the blanket, rose from the bed, and bathed. Afterwards, I dressed into Àṣọ Òkè, traditional Yoruba attire characterized by diverse colours and designs. I began by slipping into the Bùbá, a loose, round-neck blouse with either short or long sleeves, and then tied the Ìró, a wrapper, around my waist. To complete the ensemble, I adorned my head with a tie, my neck with beads, and my wrists and ankles with beads.

I chose to visit Alánì, my childhood friend and betrothed. The agreement to get married was before my birth, following a customary practice in our culture. Alánì resides outside the palace with his father, a close friend of my father and the minister in charge of agriculture. If there's anyone capable of lifting my spirits, it's Alánì. As usual, I left my room with Adigun trailing behind me. Upon reaching the entrance, I noticed Olorí Ṣáléwá, my stepmom, and stepsisters. Contemplating how to avoid them, I realized that was the sole exit available.

They have consistently been unkind to me since childhood. Asákẹ́ and Adúkẹ́, my halfsisters, frequently played mean pranks and bullied me. Their mother supported and scolded me whenever I went to our father to report. During my childhood, the absence of love from my sisters, especially after losing my mom, left me feeling sad and lonely. However, I discovered I could thrive without their affection as I grew. Fortunately, I share a strong bond with my brother.

"Agbé̩kẹ́, how are you?" Olorí inquired, her face adorned with a frown. She wore Àṣọ Òkè, and her gele sat regally atop her head.

Despite her stern demeanour, she possessed a beautiful face with thick, heart-shaped lips. Her milky skin tone provided a striking contrast to that of my father. She is a force not to be reckoned with and a beauty— that I cannot deny. Asákẹ́ bears a resemblance to her, while Adúkẹ́ takes after our father. Though Asákẹ́ is two years older than her sister, you can hardly tell the difference in their age gap.

"I'm fine, Olorí," I replied, bowing respectfully.

"There's a significant role you must undertake for your people, Agbé̩kẹ́. I hope you approach this responsibility with utmost seriousness, but I trust you won't want to let your people down or disappoint your father."

"I don't understand, Olorí," I answered, feigning ignorance.

"Ọmọ yii, ṣe o rọ pe o mugo ni mi? - You, this child, do you think I am a fool?" she continued. "You know what I mean. A little bird told me about your visit to the courtroom yesterday.

I would have scolded you, but it's a good thing you know your fate now. Do not think of running away; it will only worsen it, and you do not want to disappoint your father. Do you?" She asked, her lips twisting into a scowl.

"There's no greater honour than sacrificing yourself for your people; your name will be noted for good in history," Asákẹ́ declared from behind her mom, a tight-lipped smile on her face. Adúkẹ́ stood there, wearing a neutral expression. They all strolled past me, with Asákẹ́ purposefully shoving my shoulder.

I usually don't let people's opinions, especially those of my sisters and stepmother, get to me. However, the realization that I was to be taken away by the Egyptians, combined with the fear of disappointing others and the burden of potential lives lost if I didn't comply, rendered me speechless.