CHAPTER FIVE: LIES, LIES, LIES

Ella at home washing the dresses of her grandmother while her grandmother sits in front of the house paying keen attention to Ella but discussing with her, "I have noticed this sadness in you and no matter how you try to hide it, I'm your grandmother and what an old man see's siting down even a child claims the tallest tree he will not be able to see". Ella stays quiet for a moment; Martha is not a woman you can lie too easily. How can I tell my grandmother that I had forced myself to Rex, waited for him for the past 5 years and still offered my body to him just to end up alone? How can I explain to this old woman, who is still mourning the loss of her only child, that her only granddaughter is at the break of tears whenever she witnesses others portraying love to their lovers, but she had always been hoping, persevering for the same thing to happen to her to no avail. 

"Grandma, whenever I visit the village alone I feel the loss of my parents all over again? I truly miss them, and life as an orphan in the city is not that juicy." Reply Ella. "Don't you have a boyfriend, my daughter?" Ella gets up and decides to change the topic but notices the amount of attention her grandmother is paying to her. "I do have one grandma, but we have a miss-understanding about things, so I decided to lie low for a while" said Ella. Achefor hides and watches how Ella is discussing with her grandmother, "why don't you resolve the problem with him if you love him?" ask Grandmother. "Is not that easy, Grandmother" and Ella immediately changes the topic. "Grandmother, can you remember the stream where my mother and father will always visit with me back then?". Ella starts hanging the dresses on the rope tie outside in front of the house. "I would like to visit the stream again tomorrow. It's been long I visits many touristic sites of this kingdom". "If I finish my work early tomorrow, I can walk with you there." Grandmother offered to accompany her, but Ella needs to be alone just for a while to think things over. "Thank you grandma, but I know my way around this kingdom even though it's been long I visited". Ella hoping she will decline, "OKs my daughter but don't wonder far off because the Wattu kingdom you used to know is not longer the same. Don't trust any and talk to none also." Ella smiles at her as Achefor who is hiding not far from the house, sneaks out of his hiding place and walks away. His aim of hiding and listening to their conversation is to know the timetable of Ella to direct the king towards her path. 

Ella walking into the house, "grandmother, I will wish to take a nap. I'm so tire and need to rest" Ella has decides to over work herself to forget about Rex, and it really helps because since she came to Wattu Kingdom she has not really thought about her situation for a while. "Ok my daughter, take some rest while I prepare dinner", getting up from her sit.

Ella enters into the small room that contains her belonging, she changes her outfit and falls on the bed like a log of wood. A few seconds later, she is already fast asleep. For the past 4 days leading to this moment, Ella has gone through a lot, been suspended, rejected by her lover and travelling to the Kingdom, which has brought back old memories of her parents. She really misses them. Apart from Princess Maya, who understands Ella; no one can really speak or be there for her. 

Rex working in an empty office at night alone, when everyone has gone home and he is avoiding going home. His phone rings, distracting him from the piles of files in front of him, he had come just to fill some form and leave, but because he doesn't want to go home, he decides to occupy his mind with work that is not that important just to have a valid reason not to go home. He picks up the phone and stares at the phone but puts it down on the table. "What was I thinking, engaging Julia, how could I not notice the love I have for Ella?" he puts down the pen as the phone starts ringing again. He picks up the phone and answers the call, places the phone on his ear "hello Julia, I am sorry I got caught up with work, I will be home soon". Julia replies "waiting for you honey" and Rex Puts off the phone, leans on the chair to relax. " Is she missing me? How could you sneak your way in to my heart and forgets to inform me Ella, why did I take this long to realize the love I have for you?" he picks up the phone and wrote Ella's name and staring at her number thinking whether to call or to let it go. The coming of Julia has just complicated everything. I wonder what Princess Maya must be painting about me to Ella. I don't even know when you are coming back. "What is really wrong with me? When Ella was present, I missed Julia and neglected the feelings of Ella. Now that Julia is present, I'm missing Ella and ignoring the feeling of Julia. What is this, confusion of love?" Rex though alone, the earlier I make a decision of what and who I want before is too late, the better for me. But one thing is sure, Julia will not let go without a fight. What do you want Rex?" he gets up pick his phone and leaves the office.

Ella shakes in the middle of the night and discovers she has been sleeping for almost 8 hours and her food is place besides her bed. Her grandmother must have seen the tiredness in her and allowed her to rest from her problems. What a thoughtful gesture. She carries the food to eat but realizes she doesn't have an appetite, places the food back on the table besides her bed. Pick up her phone and is staring at the dial call section. "Should I call him? He can't miss me with the likes of Julia gracing his bed with her wanton and insatiable desires. I was just from watching those sheets and have not even enjoyed the scents of it, Ella though". She puts down the phone and closes her eyes, when she opens it "enough of this delusion and obsession over a man that can't reciprocate my desires. It is hard, but Princess Maya and Julia are right. I'm fighting a loose battle. For how long will I keep hoping, praying and begging for his attention and love? Enough of this drama, I have to move on.

 Rex you are my past and I will make you stay there even if it means burying every memory of you with every strength I hold dear to me. From today, I will start a new life with a new goal. A fool is who that doesn't know when to let go". She carries the food and starts eating, "I'm the creator of my happiness. He can't be having the time of his life while I wallow in anger and un-forgiveness no not me. I'm stronger, beautiful and can find happiness on my own. She continues eating the food and finishes it. 

The next day, Ella gets up with zeal to start all over; she walks to the tiny mirror on the wall and staring at herself. "I will be happy, I am beautiful, breathtaking and most importantly, I am Ella, the one who can conquer all. I will not let my past stop me again. Princess Maya is right, enough is enough, I will never allow anyone to make me feel little, unwanted or sad again". She changes out of her night dress and steps out of the house. In less than a few hours, Ella has assisted her grandmother with her daily chaos, and she is on her way out of the house. Ella decides to visit the streams that her parents will always take her there when she was a kid. She walks down the path towards the mountainous areas of Wattu kingdom, enjoying the landscape, the freshness and the pure air. Ella has shut her mind from thinking about anything concerning Rex or Sanilar city. She is determined to create her own happiness and push forwards even when it sounds impossible to her ears. She arrives at the stream, removes her shoes and sits on the banks while placing her leg inside the water. She can feel the win on her face as she closed her eyes to remember the first time her father brought her here and showed her the innermost part of Wattu kingdom. The place is made up of water fall purring down from another mountain, as the water flows towards the trees growing on both side of the stream. When the water reaches the level section of the plane is cold and clean. The people of Wattu kingdom have built banks at the level section for tourists and visitors who wish to baste in the beauty of the place.

Ella, lost in her thoughts with a close eye, she did not notice the footsteps of the king walking towards her. The king requests his guards to stay far off, while he walks only with one of the guard towards the stream and to meet Ella. "What a site to baste and dine with the beauty of nature" said the King. Ella opens her eyes to see the king standing beside her. Ella has never seen or met the king in person, she had once seen a picture of him when she was a kid and another picture on the phone of Princess Maya when he was younger. But that was a long time ago, and age has not been that favorable with his appearance; couple with matters of the kingdom. So Ella did not notice that, the person standing beside her is the father of her best friend, Princess Maya and the king of Wattu kingdom. Ella though, maybe is just another elder in the Kingdom who came to visit the waterfall and the inner section of Wattu kingdom. The king in dressed in a traditional royal garment with beats handing on his neck, he appears to be well taken care of with a smooth fine body. His appearances command respect and his deep calm voice flows with authority. "Good afternoon sir" said Ella as she is getting up from her sitting position

 Then, noticing a guard standing a few steps away from them. "How do you do" the king said, smiling at the beauty of Ella's innocent face. "How do you do sir" replied Ella. "What is your name young lady?" the king's staring at her keenly which makes Ella to wonder why so much attention on a stranger like her. "My name is Ella Asufor the granddaughter of Martha Awason" preparing to leave the place, this man is getting sacral by the seconds. The king smiles at her, "do you know who is talking to you young lady" asked the king. "Sorry sir, I have not been to this village for the past 10 years and can't place a name to your face" said Ella and fear is replaced with curiosity. "Stretch forth your arm young lady" the king requested. 

Ella staring at the guard not far from them and back to the king, why will a stranger request her to stretch forth her arm? What does he want with her? But Ella decides to obey him and stretch forth her hand. Immediately, the king removes the bridal bangle from his pocket and places it on the arm of Ella with these words. "By our custom and traditions, I hereby make you my wife". Immediately Ella's memory comes flashes back to her, the royal outfit, the guards not far off and the voice that speaks with authority are all the characteristics' aspect of the King of Wattu kingdom her grandmother had told her long ago. Ella can now see his resemblance to Princess Maya. "Oh No this is the king of Wattu kingdom " Ella thought as she removes the bangle from her arm and falls down on her kneels throwing the bangle to fall at his feed. "You are the king of Wattu Kingdom, sorry my king, but I'm a married woman" said Ella. The guard is shocked at the reaction of Ella. The king is surprise but keeps his calm, "no one ever said you are married" replied the king. "Because no one knows of my union with him" reply Ella. "And who is this young man you are united too?" the king request. Ella's mind goes blank, she is lying to the most powerful man in Wattu Kingdom, and she has to act convincing to him. How can she say she is married but don't know the name of her husband, in that state of confusion, Ella mentions the first name that comes to her mind? "Rex Besong my king". Immediately Ella mentions the name, she realizes she has created another episodes of calamities if the gods of Wattu kingdom don't intervene. The king staring at her, still kneeling on the ground, "then present your husband in three days' time in my palace". The disappointed King bends down, picks up his bridal bangle and walks away in anger, while Ella is still kneeling on the floor. The guard follows the king as Ella gets up from the ground and can now sport the other guards not far from them standing beside the king's cars. One of the guards opens the door of the second car for the king to get in. while the others enter the first car and the two cars drive off. Ella carries her hand on her head. "What have I done?" She bends, puts on her slippers and starts running away. 

How will she explain herself to anyone who cares to listen that for the past 10 years that she had not been to the village the first time she came back she had deceived their king about being married to the one person she had decided to let go out of her life? Ella is running as she remembers the stories of the bridal bangle narrated to her by her mother, when she was a kid who came to this village. When the king places the bridal bangle on the hand of an unmarried maiden using the words by the "customs and traditions, I thereby make you my wife." The maiden automatically becomes the wife of the king without any payment of bride price; instead, the maiden family pays a dowry to the throne as a form of respect to honor the throne for seeing their daughter fits to be one of the wives to grace the king's bed.

The popular knowledge of this barbaric tradition is that, while the minority sees it's as a form of honor on the throne, the majority sees it as evil on the lives of the beautiful vibrant young innocent maiden who are not given a choice as to choose whether to spend their lives at the beg and call to grace the kings bed or to marry someone they decide and loves. Many are not happy because all they have is just a name that, "I 'm the king's wife" nothing more. 

As a result of this tradition, the formal king took 32 maidens as his wives and none could question him. His predecessors who did the same thing encounter numerous problems during their reign, including the formal kind. Stories were narrated to other people about the hidden battle going on in the palace. These many wives came with issues on to the throne, some kill each other out of jealousy, others commit suicide out of frustrations and loneliness, and their families bears the consequences of their act. Their families were charged to pay gigantic sums of fines to the throne to perform some sacrifices to eradicate their ghosts out of the palace and do general cleansing to the palace as a whole. 

 Other wives who could escape left the palace overnight, exile themselves never to return again to the Wattu kingdom. Because of their shameful actions, all the properties of their families were seized by the throne and these families members were asked to also leave the Wattu kingdom, never to return. 

No matter the personal action of the wives of the king, the effect will fall on the maiden's family with the weight of the throne on them. These have made some king's wives to stay in the palace not because they wish too but because the repercussion on their family is huge and unbearable. When you picture the Wattu throne, its appearance is filled with authority and respect, but behind that, is covered with lies, the hidden sorrows of maiden pains that have never been seen is a cause for concern, the battles within and the uncountable murderers that have reduced over the seasons calls for attention. The unhappy souls of the death, unfulfilling desires of the innocence are covered within the walls of the palace.

The people dare not complain about this tradition and customs to outsiders or speak of it in the public. Speaking about it is another form of disrespect to the throne, and you will be met with repercussions. So all visitors and tourists have a wonderful picture of the throne, and that status has been maintained for centuries. 

 Ella arrives home crying and meets her grandmother sitting peacefully in front of the house. Martha gets up, putting down the tray of 'egusi' she is cracking "Grandma I'm finish, I have done the unthinkable" Ella said, sitting on the ground in front of the house. "What did you do?" 

 Holding her granddaughter. "Grandma…. Noooo "gathering herself to speak. "Grandma, I lied to the king that, I am a married woman when the king's placed the bridal bangle on my arm". "You did what? Oh! Nooooo, my enemies have deal with me", holding her daughter. "Why will you do that my child" asked Martha, "Don't you know the repercussions of your actions? Where will I hide my head, my daughter"? Martha stopped talking, holding Ella "stop crying my child, you will have to leave this kingdom now" drawing Ella to get up. Ella gets up, rushes into the house as Martha looks from left to right. Ella rushes back out without her belongings. "Why are you not leaving?" asked Martha. "The king said I should present the man I'm married to in three days". Ella, you have nails my coven. You did not only lie, but you even mention a name to him? What were you thinking, Ella? My grandma doesn't usually call my name, but when she does, know that the situation at hand is dangerous to comprehend. "I need to go and see Mr. Ndefor now, she rushes into the house, collects a loin and comes out, turns to Ella and holds her. "Nothing will happen to you my daughter, you have suffered a lot from the death of your parents, and I can't allow you to join the battle in the palace". She allows Ella and walk out of the house. "This can't be happening, I came here to hid from my problems and assist my grandmother, and instead I have landed her in another bigger mess than I had anticipated. But how did the king knew I was there?" Though Ella as she goes and closes the door and leaves the compound. I need to meet with Princess Maya now. Walking away very fast!

Beautiful maidens who had visited the palace before always stayed out of side of the kings of Wattu Kingdom to avoid what is happening now, one of the main reasons why Ella had never been opportune to meet with the King one on one as any other maidens. People will hide their daughters from the kings and pretend like their daughters are not around. Ella arrives at the palace gate, knocks on it and a guard comes, opens the gate for her "what do you want" asks the guard. "Please can I see Princess Maya?" asked Ella. "Sorry, do you have an appointment?" guard asked and Ella said "no". "Then you can't come in" closing the gate. Ella pleads with the guard to allow her through, but he refuses. Ella calls Princess Maya on her phone. The princess is preparing food with two of her maids in the kitchen and is shock to see the phone call from Ella. "This is not time for her arrival. Why is she here this earlier than arranged "? She picks up the call, "hello Ella". Ella said, "please tell your guard to let me into the palace, we need to talk now". "Ok give the phone to the guard", Ella hand over the phone to the guard who accepts what Princess Maya tells him. He off the call and hand over the phone to Ella, opens the gate to let Ella through. "There, enter that door on the left and wait for her" point at one of the story buildings. Ella walks fast, so she will not coincide with the king. 

You can't be running away from the lion and still walking through his den normally. Ella opens the door and enters the small hall. Is an attractive, well decorated hall to receive strangers into the palace? It has well carves designs chairs that depict royalty. The carpet on the floor is made of ancient's flowers and feathers of unknown animals. There are stools beside each chair and flower jars for the 4 conners of the room containing different kinds of flowers. The table is made of wood design like a half cut tree shinning with carving of small animals around it. Ella sits down as Princess Maya's maid walks in carrying a small bowl of chewable to inform Ella that Princess Maya is on her way. She places the bowl on the table and walks out of the room. Ella is mute on what to say or to do. The fear of the king finding her here is 95% possible.

Princess Maya finally walks into the room, "I thought we made the program for 4pm and here you are". Staring at the bowl of chewable, she had sent to Ella, "why are you not eating". Ella is quiet, staring at Princess Maya with tears starts flowing down her eyes. Princess Maya sits beside her. "Why are you crying, Ella?" The worst time for Princess Maya is when she sees tears in Ella's eyes. "I lie to your father that, I'm a married woman when he places the bridal bangle on my arm, calling me his wife" Ella said. Princess Maya jump off the chair, "you did what?" What were you thinking lying to the most influential, powerful man of Wattu kingdom, Ella?" shouting Princess Maya. "I had no choice; I never knew he was the king when he presented himself in front of me. Only after the said actions, I understood I was exchanging dialogs with royalty." Princess Maya carry her hands on her waist, "what have you done Ella" walking up and down and turns to Ella, "you have to leave this village now, never to return." Ella gets up to leave, she walks to the door and breaks. She turns back to Princess Maya walking towards her. "I can't run away from this Princess Maya, I ran away from my problems in the city back to this Kingdom, now I want to run again to the city, I can't" she goes back and sits down. "Do you think I don't know what I'm doing, how dare you compare your Sunday school drama with Rex to the calamity you have just pulled yourself into ". Holding Ella, "you are leaving this kingdom now, never to return". Ella said, "no, I'm not leaving my grandmother to face the repercussion of my actions. I know you understand what I mean. She is old and has lived all her life in this village. How can I abandon her as I did before when my parents died, have you seen her lately? She is a representative of the woman I use to know".

 Princess Maya sits down on another chair. "Whose name did you use to lie to the king he is married to you?" asked Princess Maya. Ella knows the moment she mentions the name hell will be let loose, but she is already in hell, no needs to be afraid of the heat. "Rex Besong" Said Ella in a cold calm tune and Princess Maya gets up gradually, "who did you say? Oh! may the gods of our land save me, if you were one of my maids I would have to call the guards to place you in one of my father's dungeons. Walking closer to Ella, so of the 3 billion men on planet earth, you chose to call the one forbidden name, a no-go area. What were you thinking, oh! you have placed the final nail on your casket Ella.

To be Continued