I hid behind the big mango trees at dusk, hoping the darkening sky welcoming the night would shield me. Aidha must not know I'm meeting with his childhood friend Nnu, now his enemy because of the uprising and crisis in our village borne out of ethnicism.
I'm earnestly in love with Nnu. I have always had a crush on him since I was ten when he visited our family house and brought me flowers. He and Aidha got into a fight about it. Still Nnu was always nice to me and would walk me home from school everyday except for days he played football with Aidha.
A tall figure appeared suddenly beside me as if we were playing hide and seek. I jumped a little, gasped and fell into his warm embrace. "I received your message Lila, my beau. You know this is dangerous." Nnu admonished.
"I know. I-I had to see you. I miss you so". Nnu pushed his hands into my curly jet-black hair, combing the curls out with his fingers as we exchanged sweet, brief kisses.
"Where's Alhaji?" He asked. Then I heard heavy footfalls approaching. Oh no! "You bastard!" Aidha uttered in anger as spits fell out of his mouth with his words. Nnu quickly moved me out of the way and shielded me with his body. I would not have it. I cannot let this get out of hand.
"Hold it right there!" I raised my voice.
"Shut up you silly girl. You will get this family in trouble! Get inside now!"
"You would not speak to her like that!" Nnu countered. I stood between them both, one of my hand on Nnu's warm, broad chest while I held the other in front of my brother. "Please Aidha. I'll come with you. Don't start any fight. Please." I implored with pleading eyes. Aidha growled a little, pulled me and matched to the house. I turned and waved at Nnu who stared at me longingly with sorrow in his eyes.
These harsh partings hurt me deeply. Will Nnu and I ever be together or be allowed to express our love for each other freely? Our communities are against each other, fighting, spilling blood. The chiefs are against intermarriages between our tribes. Nnu and I will have to find a way.
I was asleep in the middle of the night, a week later, turning and tossing in my bed, my body yearning for Nnu. Then I heard it. I became still then I heard the knock on my window again. There was the man of my dreams at the window, beckoning me to open the window. I did. He had his traveling sack with him.
"My love, are you packed?", he whispered. I nodded vigorously. I turned and pulled out my own traveling sack from under the bed.
Nnu helped me down from the window and unto his big, brown horse. He climbed over and sat behind me. It was a peaceful night. A night of new beginnings for us. We will not be deterred by the discrimination in our communities.
I rested my head on his shoulders and he embraced me from behind. I gasped as he kissed my ears and a sweet tremor ran through me. We rode fast into the cool night to a town far, far away to start our new life together.
The end.