Chapter 27 Thoughts

At Mbaku's manor

Mbaku looked at me as he entered the manor.

"Have you been waiting for me?" Mbaku asked.

"A yes and a no" I replied.

"Why no?" he asked.

"Because, mother-in law's carriage just left."

"And the yes?" Mbaku asked as we walked towards his hut.

"Because mother and I were waiting for you to return. It looks like she misses you a lot" I said.

I turned to look at Mbaku and realized his eyes looked red. They looked like had been rubbing his eyes with his fingers.

"Your eyes are red. What happened? Did dust enter them?" I asked.

"Has Jabari returned?" Mbaku asked ignoring my question.

"No. He hasn't returned. Do you think something might have happened?" I asked.

"I can't tell. But it's possible" he replied.

"What do think can happen?" I asked

"Anything!" he replied as he unlocked his hut.

"Can I come in with you?" I asked.

"As you wish!"

I entered his hut after he did and closed the door behind us. I turned to see him standing with his back facing me. I gave him a tight hug from behind. He released himself from my grip, turned to face me and asked in a clam and clear, yet cold voice;

"Is everything ok with you? Did something bad happen when I left?"

"Yes, I'm ok. Nothing bad happened when you were away" I replied.

"Are you sure?" he asked with a stern voice.

"Yes, I am"

"Tell me what happened. I won't judge you. Just tell me" Mbaku probed.

"Lady Shui came with a physician today. She asked him to assess my health. The physician did. He told her I was fit and healthy. Even though, she didn't cough out anything in relation to her need for grandchildren, I think she brought the physician to find out if I can have babies"

"Do you want to have babies?" he asked me looking into my eyes.

"Who is this married woman who doesn't want to have babies?" I asked in dismay.

"Go to physician Nelli and find out from her when your body will be in tune with the moon. Let me know her reply and prepare for anything since you asked for it"

"I will!" I answered happily.

Prepare for anything. Did he say I should prepare for anything? I thought. Do I prepare for anything? Anything just happen! Nana is very good at determining when a woman's body will be in tune with the moon. I will go to her instead.

"Mbaku, I miss my dear grandmother. Can I pay her a visit tomorrow? I also want to find out from her when my body will be in tune with the moon." I said as he took a we sat down.

"Yes, you can" he replied without looking at me.

"What will you take for supper?" I asked.

"Anything edible"

"Ok, I will prepare you anything edible when I get to the kitchen" I said.

I kept quiet for sometime while looking through the window with a sad face. I didn't notice Mbaku was looking at me.

"What is bothering you, Zui?" he asked.

"Mbaku, do you think I can have babies?" I finally asked what was actually bothering me.

"Why do you think you can't have babies?" he asked.

"We've made love for a couple of times but I still can't get pregnant."

"Come closer"

I drew closer to Mbaku. He place his palm on my abdomen and looked at me. I was shocked but tried to conceal it.

"You have a warm womb. It means you can have babies." he finally said.

"How did you know?"

"I read it from a medical book"

"You read medical books too?"

"Yes, I do"

"I didn't know I lived here with a physician" I said playfully.

He smiled, took a book and began to read.

"I'm going to prepare supper" I said and stood up to leave.

Mbaku nodded and kept his attention on the book he was reading. I walked to kitchen and realized Yhuri had prepared all the ingredients just as I told her to do and was waiting for me.

At the King's harem

The Queen sat in her hut mourning he dead son. She felt she betrayed him. Is my son's life just the beginning of my retribution? Am I the only bad person in this palace? Why do I have to suffer so much? Or is this happening because of that oldman's curse? The Queen thought. That oldman cursed me about twenty years ago. It can't be that curse! Or am I paying for the blood of the poor babies I killed twenty years ago?

Twenty years ago

"Father, even though I am the first wife of the King, he plans to make Lady Shui Queen!" Lady Abiola told her father as they sat conversing about life in the palace.

"Really? How sure are you?" her father asked.

"He has given the golden fan to Lady Shui. What intention do you think he had when he gave her the golden fan?"

"Our family supported Oucko on only two conditions, to choose a King from your sons and make you his queen should we succeed. We helped him climb the throne and now he wishes to please himself?"

"Father, we have to act now. Or never"

"I understand you, my daughter. I will handle it as you wish"

"Shui has a friend. All she has is her family and a small farm to depend on. Yet, she's very beautiful. Beautiful enough to please the King. We can use her as a pawn since she's not married"

"Good! You are my daughter. Why would you miss such an opportunity?"

"She's very beautiful. Even I envy her for her great beauty. Yet, she isn't married. The King would want her at first sight. I would meet with her and promise to get her married to the King if she helps me. For any woman, the king is the best spouse, it'll be a good offer"

"Work towards it from that angle, your uncles and I will work towards it politically."

"Ok, father. I will"

"Good! You may leave now"

"Good bye father!"

Lady Abiola left her father's house to the palace. The next day, she went with a maid to Mami's house. She sought audience with Mami.

"Mami, how's life?" Lady Abiola asked.

"Everything is fine, My lady" Mami replied.

"Mami, have you ever thought of getting married?"

"Can my lady, explain herself?" Mami asked.

"Let me go straight to the point. Is there anyone who wishes to marry you at this moment?"

"No, my lady"

"I want the King to marry you. I can make him marry you"

"I would be grateful my lady!" Mami responded happily.

"You're too beauty to be any other man's"

"Thank you my lady"

"But I will do that after you help me"

"May I know what help my lady needs?"

"I want you to introduce me to the herbalist who was invited to the palace by Lady Shui to attend to Rwanwa"

"Okay, I will take you to him whenever you want to"

"Can we go there tomorrow?"

"Of course! My lady"

"Alright then get ready to go with me"

"I will, my lady"

Lady Abiola took leave of Mami. Mami went to Rwanwa to inform her about Lady Abiola's visit.

"Mami, I'm scared. I don't think she's up to any good" Rwanwa coaxed Mami.

"Yes, that's why I came here. We all know how she tried to sabotage Shui and the King's marriage. Why would a woman like that promise to even to let her husband marry me? It means she's up to something. But she wants to use me as a scapegoat." Mami replied.

"I'm glad you understand me, Mami"

"I promised to take her to the herbalist tomorrow"

"Will you make it?"

"Of course, yes! I have to know what she's up to"

"That's a very good idea. I wish you all the best Mami, for being such a good friend. You will find the best husband for yourself. You are too beautiful to counted among many wives"

"Thank you Rwanwa! But make sure you don't say this in front of Shui"

"Buka always says your beauty can make any man trip"

"Liar! Why didn't he trip when he first saw me?" Mami asked sarcastically.

They both into laughter and talked about other issues until Mami left to her house.