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MUSTARD I – Ch. 15 | KT OLLA

MORO’S eyes bulged in shock as he watched Adukẹ strode away from him.

The young man knew he wouldn’t be seeing the pretty young lass again, as the lovebirds parted un-amicably.

Now their love story started about a moon before. And then after a lovers’ fight it came to an end.

It had happened that Adukẹ was the first beauty who caught Moro’s eyes, the instant he settled in the town.

And so he’d found out about her, and done everything to meet her.

He sent a go-between to talk to her and carry his thoughts across. It was the way they court women in those days.

Yes, the intermidiary talked so well, as the coy pretty maiden came round. They were soon talking and loving... just Adukẹ and Moro.

Well, this young suitor had gotten good looks which seemed to stand out there.

He looked dark and bold, with a striking gaze in his eyes.

Then he stood at a proud height above his peers, his shoulders squared in a dignified stance.

He talked with a gentle speak... like a coward in men fight. Yet when he fought to protect, he stepped on people.

This was the man Adukẹ met. He was dark and bold—and gentle.

So, it didn’t take much effort on Moro’s part to win over this girl. For Adukẹ stuck to him the moment she met him.

Even so, a day came when the pretty young lass talked about family. And it was this thing that shattered them.

‘I’m worried how you will tell him,’ began  Adukẹ. ‘How you will tell Father you want me.’

‘Oh why should you be?’ answered Moro. ‘I will speak to your father – he will give your hand to me in marriage. He will do that, I’m sure.’

‘No, that is not it.’ Adukẹ shook her head. ‘You do not know my father!’

Moro looked at her again. He wondered what this was about.

The young beauty went on speaking.

‘Father is the bravest of all hunters in Ede. He is the first to tame a leopard since the days of our ancestors.

‘He caught the leopard, mother of seven cobs, in the jungles of Alajuẹ.

‘He wound a latch round its waist, and then he walked it home!

‘Father is the bravest of all hunters alive!’

Moro looked at her and smiled.

Oh, Adukẹ! What has this to do with our future?

The lady caught the look in his eyes. She realised he wasn’t quite impressed by the record.

And she simply set out to flaunt her airs. For Moro had gotten a great feel round him which just made her feel small.

So Adukẹ hit hard; she wasn’t going to stop yet.

‘You should also know that my father’s father was a great hunter! He killed two ember-eyed tigers! He did with his barehands!

‘He went several moons into the wilderness beyond Ọya (the Niger River). And brought back home his kills for both king and pauper!’

Now Moro could tell by these words that the lady wasn’t into how he could court her father’s favour. And make him give him his daughter.

He realised that she only wanted to boast about heritage. Her family heritage.

Yet Moro had gotten no roots to win Adukẹ’s father with. All he owned was a good name. And he was confident of its worth.

So he looked at his woman – it was his turn to respond.

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