Preparation

Everyone in the village has started preparing for the festival. Normally the villagers would tie ingiri and walk barefeet. But today was no ordinary day.. it was the Iria festival and everyone will be dressing amazingly, everyone has been preparing for the day. The men would tie wrapper around their waist and feni shirt while the women would tie long feni wrappers around their waist and lace blouse with head ties while the young maidens would tie two feni wrappers, the first one would be tied around the waist and will stop just above the knee and the second feni wrapper is short which would be tied around the bosom leaving the stomach to eye view.

But today was no ordinary day.. it was the festival of iria and everyone will be dressing amazingly.

Greetings mama, a young maiden greeted

Greetings to you my daughter, said Abigail, raising her hand for her to come in, how are you doing?

I'm doing fine mama, the girl replied

And your parents? Abigail added

They're fine too, my mother sends her regards.

Okay that's good. I hope you're preparing well for the festival? Abigail asked

Yes mama, I'm preparing well, she replied smiling.

Agnes! ibitein called in excitement.

Ibitein! they hugged each other, I missed you so much they both said smiling.

I know, I know, ibitein said sarcastically, and the both laughed. I thought you wouldn't come, "you were supposed to come earlier" what happened? she asked

I know, my mother sent me on an errand to collect dried fish from Bigga's hut for the preparation.

Oh okay, it's fine, come on let me show you something, ibitein said dragging Agnes by her hand and taking her to her room, leaving Abigail in the sitting room.

Easy! Agnes said

Sorry! Ibitein apologized

Come here, tapping the bed for her to sit, she carried a box to her view and opened it to reveal the floral green gown.

Wow! this is beautiful she said

I know.. ibitein said nodding her head

Girl you'll surely get more suitors with this beautiful dress, said Agnes.

Surely! ibitein added

Yeah, unless you won't be rejecting them, Agnes said raising one of her brow.

It sounds so bad when you say it, ibitein said rolling her eyes and you're supposed to support me in this.

Of course I'm supporting you, that's why I'm yet to be married, but I know when I see something wrong and.. Agnes said raising her hands.

I'm totally sorry about that but are you saying "I can't choose whom I want marry?", is that what you're saying? ibitein said with a smirk, standing up from her bed and walking towards the drawer, ibitein took a small box out from the drawer.

You know exactly what I'm saying ibitein, Agnes rolled her eyes at Ibitein.

Anyways, I saw this in the market yesterday and I thought it will look pretty on you, ibitein said opening the small box, it was a pearls necklace with earrings.

When will you ever stop surprising me, Agnes said with a wide smile.

"Never" ibitein replied

So do you like it, she asked.

Like? I love it and it's going to match with my dress.

Yeah it will, that why I bought it.

Thank you, she said and she hugged her.

You're always welcome.

Ibitein and Agnes have been friends for forever. People in the village call them sisters because they were more like sisters than friends, they were inseparable and the main reason why Agnes is still unmarried was because Ibitein was yet to choose a suitor. They planned to get married the same day and their parents didn't object. Agnes was also an islander too but unlike ibitein and her parents, Agnes and her family lived on the islands.

I should get going, so I can also prepare, Agnes said standing up and so did ibitein.

Yes you should.. ibitein responded, they held each other's hand, they both walked out.

I will see you later in the evening, ibitein said as Agnes entered her family's carriage.

I will see you soon, Agnes responded.