9◇ RETHINKING

♡My lips aches with the force of uncontrolled muscle pull in constant reflection. The otherwise should mean a move on♡

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With about five thousand or maybe more if there was a local recall on the present populate, locating dwellers in Salam Community was not difficult task simply because the population be as it may interludes within extended families downsizing the entirety of dwellers. So extra and sometimes unbidden information will be gossip to any asker or strange enquirer, instance?

An honest to good worker the majority responds at the question; do you know that particular craftsman who co-owns so so shop at the so so market with his wife, he sells his craft alongside his wife's famous spices, will be.

The few if at all any whose response is with a confused look need only to be reminded the name he bears, Baba in respect of his deceased namesake of a grandfather, Hij'rah Bin Uzma. Some with further, such a beautiful wife too with such lovely children! Ah those offspring of his, exceed their father they shall even though it took a while to convince that stubborn one... and on and on. A stranger will say the people enjoy the tongue wagging a bit much.

The everyday Salamer painted a picturesque of ideal family they envy in the Uzma homestead but truth be told, every man or woman is aware by smell if not by sight the concoction contained in the mate pot to be served for the duration of their bonding and Hij'rah or Baba was aware of the kind of woman he married; a lover not a mother Shumaila readily admitted to during their courtship specifically at one of their rendezvous.

Beloved daughter of a Spice farmer and midwife who got her talent in spice growing and those impossibly long limbs from her father. Although Long limbs were especially notable with their people Baba only thought of hers as beyond any others especially the gap in her front teeth that never failed to bury him deeper into her spell. Ripe they were as other younger generation for bonding sort out their mates they found one another meeting in known clandestine love nests, the very popular under the tree one.

This particular rendezvous Shumaila waited for him at that route to the well, perfect for the young lovers because hardly any of others used that path any longer. Young unwed girls were myth-ed to disappear from there but truth was, no one really knew for sure because then it was the Period of Invasion; the pale skins frequented the Communities around as easily as people went missing afterwards. Being the only time a maiden was mislaid in their community caused utter disorganization until the then chief sanctioned that path forbidden. Now it was hidden intimacy for young expressible tender hearts.

This time Baba chosen gift to her excited would it match the colored designs on her personal crafted attire? Those one kind footwear from a prior meet still well hid.

Shumaila did not miss his appreciative continual appraisal and her reason to wear these skirts accomplished but confusing was this gift, uniquely carved eating bowls, the special kind made in smaller sizes for younglins what she pulled from the woven bag her eager hands had released from the male even before proper greetings were exchanged.

Hij'rah's lover was not pleased this time.

"The one you are to marry, the one you gifted these to is a maiden, passed the season to use this". With tender finger the confused girl traced the intricate fish designs.

It is indeed lovely. but why insult her womanhood, older to her he was indeed but her heavy bosoms and properly clothed in long sleeved fugu as always Baba has felt, her behind too to know it was of a good proportion. All truth to her long gone child days.

"The woman I wish to mother my children"

The young girl's feeling of happiness when her man brought her into his arms sighed away with his words along with her.

"You wish to have little ones so early?" Mother spoke on these matters but then couldn't they enjoy themselves more longer after their union?

"Do you wish that we be too old to chase them around before they come?" Allowing her go Baba moved away too a little to the side of the tree they stood underneath. What woman would not wish to prove herself by bringing forth children for her man?

It was obvious she had angered her love. Shumaila understood because he was his mother's only as she was. But deep within confusion raged on wether to accept the natural pull of womanhood or what she actually wanted. "Being in a union without little ones will not culminate our existence Baba"

Had found herself back in his arms attempting to sway him with feminine wiles.

Point at a male who will not heed the call of manhood to be a father. How a female was healthy to make him fully man yet she refuses instead makes effort to change his mind!

Tah!

At first Hij'rah took it in stride ignoring thoughts of finding another, his heart chose no other thus continuous attempt to warm her heart to accept he did but soon they were married and she remained adamant taking preventive measures to sway his seeds. This would have continued if a family gathering was not called before she unhappily accepted yet no one will argue the affection for her children.

After all these years she was getting bigger again with their fourth one, his wife did not look happy and as Baba placed the hot food on the table for his hungry little ones attempting another 'who will finish eating first' battle he remembered she was of the same countenance with his daughter's carrying but not the twin boys, she shined like her name. Perhaps another girl? Praise the Almight then!

He sat down to watch the children not burn their tongues.

Hopefully she will be in a better mood upon return from her mother's.

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"No mother I am not! Last time you convinced me but desist this time!"

"You mock me child. You think me warned from your cold request?"

"It threatens my home mother!"

A brown-black stripped hen moved to a more comfortable position and like the rest of her comrades at the corner in various dug holes under the fruit tree was nonchalant with the recurring scene. The umpteenth visit was enough to reassure them the screaming match was not a decision of which one of them was fattened enough for the next pot of spicey soup.

"Your shameless wanton desires treathens your home. The innocent life within you did nothing!" Her daughter had come to this, who bred...raised this offspring of pestilence? Not her!

Mother and child stood resolute on both ends. Easy to learn where the younger generation inherited her fierce-ness, the only piece of her mother she took. The rest of Shumaila was her father's, selfish. Mma Shumai always was aware of the selfish nature of the Lahabi blood.

That family had always been so and no one to blame now for her current predicament because her elder brother whom had forced a union between her and their son to settle debt he owned was not even alive. Oh, be it that their parents had not died so and left her in the arms of that gambling fool! She foresaw this.

Stubborn strong eyes of the woman who raised her Shumaila looked into, the disappointment there enough to calm some of the angst.

"Mother please!" Yet she just has to do this it had been moons since she last saw him.

Even if... no, never will Mma Shumai take innocent life especially her blood but what reason would excuse the sudden loss of a well-growing unborn? Her kind-hearted son was no fool.

"Warn you I did, no?" Suddenly tired the old woman found the comfort of her woven chair same chair gifted her by the son-in-law she was helping cockhold.

As if in response to her mother, the life within her moved. "What can be said mother regardless warnings fate decided otherwise"

"Your lose legs helped fate!". The woman was angry now. "Do you harbour affection for your husband still? Should the response be no, it may require time but the union ca-"

"Mother!" Dare her mother suggest she leave her mate? "I will not leave my man he is mine alone of course he owns my entirety!"

Surely her offspring is touched in the head? Reason other than that will concede this senseless-ness? Does one carry water-pot for the well yet walk the path leading to the market square?

"You allowed another enjoy that entirety him alone should have. Take in his seeds willing but unwilling you were to do so for your man. Love him still you claim?"

"Mother, mother you just.. please!"

"Does she still take those herbs for her eyes?"

"She does but mother-"

"Say no more child mine. My sights taken away because I shielded my offspring's shame". Turning sad eyes that have been staring into nothingness the tired mother gave final verdict to the request. "My stands changes not as of the other time. Attempt to kill your child and your man will listen and listen well to my song that is sweeter than the morning birds' hmm".

The chair held steady when the pregnant daughter's legs gave way. As final plea to her mother's tired aging face, "Mma Uzma's death was a few moon ago. His anger will never abate if he learns-"

"Neither will he forgive killing a child that may be his girl".

Soo shameless! Her child cannot say who impregnated her! All the women back to the direct descendant of the first woman will turn their gaze in shame for her failure at motherhood.

"If it is not his then?" Shaking-ly adjusting her wrapper.

"If it is, if it is Shumai! If it is? Even if it is not be shamed enough to remain a some-worth decent being. An adultress, then murderess too!" The younger woman looked alarmed turning this way that, see if the shouting crescendo attracted any prying ears.

Thankfully this was her mother's, folks hardly come but anyone could come seeking care at odd times.

"Mother please you risk exposing me!"

The old woman was not calm any but did lower her vocals. "Selfish you will remain like that father of yours. Go! Enough of your presence this day! See to control those loose legs of yours, leave me!".

Completely disposing of the hair scarf that had come undone during her sudden rise Mma Shumai sat to watch her pregnant daughter walk away.

"Planting season is no guarantee for hardworking planters for the locusts may still make mockery of their harvest". She was hoping the wind will blow away memories of this conversation from her mind and even more.

☆GLOSSARIES☆

Baba- Father. Or respectful address of male children named after their grandfathers.

Mma Shumai - Mother of Shumaila.

Mma Uzma- Another term for Mrs Uzma although translated directly will mean mother of Uzma but in this case context vary because she married into the Uzma family.

Fugu- Material made from cotton and woven or sewn into attires for both male and female. Popular with the Northern tribes or African Muslims in general.

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Dear Readers Who Have Problem Understanding, The Book Is Set In Past And Future Continues.

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