To Heed A Mother's Words ¬ Story Cubes Contest Round 7

Toyin had an admirer. It was Jide from SS1B, the one that always wore cool glasses. She had not considered him at first but he was persistent; Toyin was a sucker for a good poet, and Jide was on his way to becoming a fine poet indeed. He wrote her several letters as was the trend in their day, and finally, one of his letters won her over just as they were resuming for a new school session as second year senior students (SS2).

Toyin my dear,

How are you my darling? I hope this meets you in the best health. I am fine myself as I am sure you’re wondering. I have missed you dearly.

You were running through your daily route in my head yesterday and decided to pay my dreams a visit. I can’t remember all the details but I remember you wore a yellow dress and looked prettier than sunflowers, I could only awe in your beauty.

Don’t listen to the boys in science class; they are not as smart as they pretend to be. I chose to be in art class though I’m smarter than they are. So if anyone tries challenge you just tell them your boyfriend would come and school them in their maths and physics.

I wish we could lie on the grass and watch the stars together, and then I would tell you you’re more beautiful than every star. I hope to see you soon and I have my fingers crossed you would give me a hug this time.

The Number One Contender for Your Heart,
Jide.

This was the third letter she had received from him, and he got bolder with every letter. His flattery made him desirable; he was just like the men from those classic American romance films and novels she entertained herself with, he knew how to admire a woman. She wasn’t too young to have a boyfriend; I mean girls start having boyfriends in JSS2 now, and he seemed charming enough she thought.

She started visiting his dreams more, spending time with him while asleep helped her solidify her decision. She was going to accept his offer while taking measures to ensure her mom never found out, Abeni had warned her against dating boys and could punish her if she ever discovered.

Soon they were holding hands when walking home after school. She always made sure to take an alternate route and left him long before she actually got to her neighbourhood, she was sure she could factor her mom’s routine into her plans, but no one could ever plan enough for the gossiping aunties in the neighbourhood.

One day Jide wanted to stay a little longer after school, he said it was so they could do their homework together and also so he could explain whatever she didn’t understand in any subject he could. Before long he made his first move, he put his hand on her thigh acting like it fell there absentmindedly. She pretended not to notice his hands were there but she could feel it shaking a bit, he was nervous but she wasn’t, she knew it was coming and had practised many times in his dreams.

She let him kiss her after he built up enough resolve. He was a clumsy kisser in his dreams, but he was a bit better awake. She didn’t let him put his hands up her blouse. She was willing but didn’t want to make it seem easy. She allowed him the third time they waited together, and soon they waited every day.

Abeni had noticed her daughter was acting different. Mommy Laide the neighbour had told her Toyin was getting back from school later than usual, and Toyin lied it was because she was in a preparatory group for her JAMB and WAEC examinations. After a quick search Abeni found one of Jide’s letters hidden in Toyin’s pillowcase, her suspicions were confirmed.

Whenever her mother called her by her other name Eye Ale Toun Joba Lori Adan (The night bird that’s rules over the bat) Toyin knew she was in trouble.

“I have warned you not to follow boys but you have decided not to heed my warnings. I Arikulojufikusere (The one who looks death in the face and toys with him) did not teach you how to sail into dreams to go and have you play around with one stupid boy.

I hope you have not fallen in love with him. You have put him under a spell, he won’t function properly until he leaves you, but he will never want to leave you. Stop whatever it is you’re doing, or you will chain this boy for life.”

Abeni watched her daughter cry. She did not console her, the quicker she understood the true nature of their lives the better for her. They were gifted and cursed, nature’s way of maintaining a balance. Toyin had fallen in love with Jide and was devastated; she understood the weight of her mother’s words and finally understood why her mother never talked about her father. They were destined to be lonely women who wield the power of divination.

She broke up with Jide immediately after, her mother had punished her with reality this time, but if she didn’t heed her words the next punishment would have been physical. Jide never stopped thinking about her; even after they left secondary school he stalked her relentlessly on social media until her trail went cold. And every night he made sure to search his dreams, hoping to get another glimpse of her.

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This is my entry for the story cubes contest. I used the cubes thinking(1), stalking(2), letter(4), magic(5).

Thanks for reading. Image used courtesy of pixabay.com

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