ASAKE, THE END!

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It ended as it had begun. Asakẹ was in their backyard, pounding yam with her five months old baby, protruding from her belly. Her back ache, so did her feet from standing too much but she knew she dared not complain. It had been almost two months since her secret was discovered. Since the whole town got to know about her baby and her affair with Akin. The hateful words, the looks, she had had time to get used to them. There was also the fact that it bothered her little, especially since she knew she had her father's unwavering love and support, and that of her siblings. She knew her mother was already warming up to the idea of having a grand child, but she remained hard on her.

These days, she said being kept busy, would help Asakẹ have a safe delivery. Who was she to argue? And on days when Mama Ireti was around to give her invaluable input? She had no hope against the two of them. Each time her father went away for hunting, she looked forward to his return but not half as much as she looked forward to Akin's.
Thankfully, his father, Ajani had agreed to accept the baby, provided Akin accepted it as his upon his return. Many other girls in the village who envied her, and their mothers alike, ckaimed that she was lying against the poor boy because she believed he would not survive his first war. That way, her lie would never be discovered and she would give her child, the name of an honourable man. Asakẹ could not care less because as the days went by, her faith that Akin would survive this grew stronger to the point that she no longer had a simple doubt. She only now, awaited his return every single day of her life.

It ended as it begun. Over the sound of pestle hitting yam against mortar, she heard someone crying her name. Immediately, she stopped so she could listen and be certain. It was then she heard it, clear. She instantly knew who it was calling her. Dropping the pestle, she adjusted her iro and ran to meet Awero half way, in the passage.

"Ki lo tun sẹlẹ? Ṣe Bọde ni? Abi maami?" (What has happened again? Is it Bode, or is it mother?)

Awero dropped her hands to her knees, her back hunched as she tried to regain her breath.
"Rara o. Ati ọja ni mo ti n sare bọ." (Not at all. I've just ran here from the market place.) She replied, amidst panting.

"Lati oja kẹ? Wọn ja nibẹ ni? Bọde da?" She looked down the passage way, hoping to see her little brother. If there was commotion at the market place, she hoped Awero had not leave their brother behind.

"Rara sẹ. They are celebrating. The warriors. They have returned from war. They are being celebrated in the market place. I saw... I saw Akin at the forefront. He and eleven others were lifted up. They were hailing them alongside Balogun and Kabiyesi for bringing victory to Ilu-Ore."
Asakẹ's heart jumped in her chest and her stomach did a little flip. She wondered if it was the baby, or just her nerves. Akin was back? And was being hauled a hero?

"Awẹro... Are you certain? I hope this is not a prank. You know I would have your head if it is."

"I would never be so wicked, sista mi. Listen closely. Can you not hear the commotion, they shall do begin their parade around the village. Soon, they will pass through here but I had to come tell you immediately I found out. I swear! It's the truth. They have returned."

Asakẹ had tuned out a long time ago, tuning in to the world outside, wanting to ear the commotion herself. She heard it in time. First, it was the sound of the talking drum, then it was victory songs. Not needing another word of confirmation, she broke into a run. Past her mother who sat in front, past the other villagers who were already going towards the market place. Her mother and Mama Ireti must have figured out what was happening, for they too ran after her, all the while telling her to consider her child, to stop and take it easy, but Asakẹ couldn't. Not even if she tried.

She ran with all my might, everything in her. she ignored the protest of her feet, of her back and ran. Akin was back, her Akin. The father of her child. Soon, she arrived at the market place and confirmed with her eyes, what her ears had heard. Frantic, she searched the crowd of men for her Akin. Like before, she felt a tug in her heart and looked up, to behold the man whom she would love for all eternity. First, his eyes held hers, then they moved to her stomach and his jaw dropped.

Immediately, he dropped from the shoulders of the men who carried him, and began to push his way through the crowd. Those who noticed stopped to watch him as they cleared the path between him and her.
His eyes kept darting from hers, to her belly. She couldn't take her eyes off his body either. He looked so lean, bruised up but there was no doubt, this was her Akin. He finally reached her and wordlessly, they crashed into each other's arms. The tears flowed like stream of water from an open dam.

For what seemed like an eternity, neither said anything. Only held on tightly, as if for dear life as they sobbed. Asakẹ couldn't believe it. He was back and her world which had been tilted all these months, finally felt righted on its axis. Eventually, he let her go, so he could behold her. She saw it all in his eyes. The love, the pain, everything and she knew he saw hers too. Then his hands moved to her belly.
"Asakẹ?" It was a question, asked in utter awe.

"Bẹẹni," she nodded, a smile on her lips.

He looked up at her again, and asked. "Ṣe lootọ?" (Truly?)

She knew he wasn't questioning his responsibility, but the fact that she actually was with his child. She could only imagine how much of a surprise this was. Laughing this time, she nodded again.

"Yes, Akin. I am carrying your child. Our child."

A look of sadness mixed with joy filled his face as he crushed her in another bone shattering hug. "I'm sorry. E ma binu. Mi o mọ. I should have been here." She heard him sniff, and her heart broke with his pain.

"Rara o. O to. O sha ti pada nisin. I knew you would return, Akin. So I waited and I was strong. We were strong."

"Ah. Ololufẹ mi! Mo nifẹ ẹ ju mo nifẹ aye mi lọ. I will never leave your side again. I'm here now. I will never leave." (My love. I love you more than I love my life.)

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It was all the promise Asakẹ needed, for she knew he was a man of his words. So, she made a promise of her own. "Ẹni ọkan mi. Emi fẹran ẹ. Ma si fẹran ẹ titi di opin aye." (My heart's desire. I'm in love with you and I will love you till the end of time.) With a kiss, they sealed those promises, their baby cradled between them. It was a soothing salve to their heart's wound, and a promise itself, of a beautiful life ahead.

The End

To catch up on the story, please read Asake, A yoruba love story 1, Asake, a yoruba love story 2,, Asake, a while to tarr....,, Asake, a while to tarr 2..., Asake, Someone knows, Asake, Someone knows 2. AsakeThings fall apart, Asake, Just a little while