Chapter 9 9th Chapter

Often our expectations are shuttered because we miscalculated and only considered optimistic outcomes without realising that sometimes the probable results could be bitter. As soon as Tina saw that Rabu was in company with another figure, she shuddered. Her heart sank and she was gripped with greater fear. It was definite she would either have to knock and be offered shelter or spend the night outside. Both options involved Risk-taking; knocking on the door would mean creating problems for Rabu because it would arouse suspicion, yet staying out was susceptible to danger.

Somehow, she would have to decide on whether to save her life or Rabu and his family's reputation. She convulsed in fear as coldness chugged through her entire body. She stood and leaned against the wall perplexed as tears rolled down her face. There was only despair in her heart. "What do I do now? I would rather die than cause trouble to Rabu. At least I would have sacrificed my life for love." She could hear the two chat inside and every time she had Rabu's enchanting voice, it soothed her and made her strong and brave.

" I'll not give up on Rabu even if I have to suffer for the sake of it." She thought and flattened her face on the solid wall made of mud and wattle to listen to their conversation and she heard Rabu's company ask,

"About what your papa said earlier, do you like the girl?" Tina's heart raced with anxiety. She too wanted to know Rabu's answer and she now stuck out her ears and listened with intent. Rabu didn't answer immediately. Tina had a conviction that she was that particular girl they were discussing. After some time, Victor paused the question again. Rabu blushed like a schoolboy and nodded slightly. Victor chuckled loudly and cried, "Yes, I knew it! I saw your smile when your papa mentioned her earlier. There was a sparkle of light in your eyes." Tina's heart exploded with happiness. Knowing that Rabu loved her as much as she loved him too gave her hope. She would have to fight another day to be with him.

"So when do you want to bring her home?" Inquired Victor teasingly.

"Papa knows."

"But you are a man now. You know the tradition." Tina nodded from outside agreeably. The man resumed, "As soon as you are initiated into manhood, you have a right to marry. I saw how you bore the knife that day. You were brave, a true man of the soil just like your father. If I were you, I wouldn't hesitate to take her in."

Tina smiled. Her eyes shone and her heart was delighted. The man's words were full of wisdom and she loved to listen to him again and again.

"Don't worry, Rabu, I am already here. Very soon we shall be together. You will not have to pay the bride price." She thought and giggled excitedly. She must have forgotten the ways of the tradition or perhaps her obsession had blinded her; It was unheard of for a girl to leave her father's compound and go to the boy's family without the consent of the two families involved. This was an abomination! Victor had an instinct that he had something move behind the hut and he was a weeny bit scared. He turned to Rabu and asked,

"Did you hear that?" Victor wore a worried expression on his face. Rabu goggled his eyes curiously and replied,

" Hear what?" Tina heard them and her heart twisted. If anyone noticed her she would be in great peril. She'd to act fast. Then she had Victor say,

"I think I heard someone outside, behind the hut..."

Tina quickly crawled away and hid at the corner. "Tina, you are so foolish. Control yourself." She muttered and clapped her hand on her mouth. She was filled with anxiety.

"Uh, uncle, you must be feeling sleepy. Who could be there? Everyone is sleeping now." Rabu walks across to the door and opens it. There was no one except silhouettes in the dark. The still cold air entered through the window and almost blew out the light. Victor screamed,

"Eh, close that window. My belly is already satisfied with too much food. I don't want to upset it." Rabu immediately slung it on fast and bolted it.

"I told you there couldn't be anyone outside at this hour of the night. Perhaps it was a roaming dog."

"I think so too or perhaps it was my imagination." He shrugged and stretched out on the bed made of reeds and covered himself with a warm backcloth.

"May our ancestors guide us through the night." He said a supplication.

"Amen!"

Rabu replied. He blew out the candle. Tina tiptoed back and peered through the small space on the window and the shaft of light was no more. There was darkness all around. She crouched down and leaned her head on the wall and closed her eyes. In a moment, a mysterious creature stood in front of her, its fangs sharp and pointed, its mouth spitting fire. Tina raised her eyes to the giant terrifying creature and before she could scream, it opened its mouth and uttered a loud angry roar that echoed near and far,

"You disobedient child, go back to your parents or you will die, you will die..." Tina leapt off and tried to run away but it slithered out its long tongue which clutched at her neck and swallowed her up.

It was Anilu the messenger of the God of life and death. There were myths that it would often appear to sound a warning about the dark future. That often it would destroy the lives of those who refused to repent and wipe them from the surface of the earth. Tina wailed inside the creature and cried for help. She could see Rabu near. She shrieked,

"Rabu! Rabu! Come and rescue me.''Rabu stood beside a very beautiful woman with long silk hair. Her eyes dazzled like a shining star. She had an aura of a princess. She wore a flared beautiful dress and a golden necklace that dangled along her neck. Rabu glared at Tina with scorn and held the angelic lady in his arms lovingly and kissed her. Tina sobbed and bawled her eyes out and cursed, "I hate you, Rabu, You betrayed my love. May the gods strike you with thunder and lightning." Then she jolted out and opened her eyes and looked around. She was still crouching behind the hut, but her dress was soaked in tears. She was dumbfounded. Soon it dawned on her that she had been in a dream, a horrible dream that seemed so real. She was scared to death and stood up. In a moment she heard the birds humming. It was the break of dawn!