"I will hold you up to your words".
#
I didn't sleep a wink till the first golden light strips appeared on the sky.
Morning is on its way.
Rising from my bed, I walk into the bathroom and did my morning business, took my bath and dressed myself in our traditional dress.
Another thing why I hate visiting the elders.
You must wear your tradition clothes as a form of respect to the elders who've been alive for closer to two centuries.
Their bones are almost sticking out of their bodies, yet they refuse to die for me to mourn them.
I combed my hair before I packed it up, and rolled it into a bun.
This way the elders won't know how long my hair actually is.
Elder Tanks was the one who banned me from growing my hair longer than a male's.
He's adamant on it because according to him am too pretty, am oftentimes referred to as a girl, and growing my hair will make me complete my feminine look.
"Oh my gods", Kwofo said when he entered and saw me diligently tying my brown wrapper round my small waist.
"What is it? why are you shouting like a fool?", I glare at him in question.
" Never thought I will see the day you wake before the sun", he shrugs, " I was actually here to wake you up, not knowing you're already awake".
I sigh, " I don't want to be late for the meeting, rather do I want to stay back as Father instructed..I need to be there in case those elders try to stop the meeting from holding".
" They will do no such things Buch", he places his hand under my jaw, and lifts my face up so am looking directly at him, " you will meet with your mates in two days, you don't have to worry about those old men".
I smile before lightly pushing him, " I really appreciate the way you console me, but I will love it if you keep your distance from me. My mates gets cranky when they scent another male's smell on me".
" I don't care what they think Buch, you were my friend before you met them, and will always be", he playfully flicked my nose.
" Don't do that again", I suddenly became sad.
" What's wrong? did I do anything to offend you?", he looks at me in confusion.
" Don't flick my nose again, became that's exactly how my mates flicks my nose".
" Am sorry if I reminded you of them", he stood up, " I better go prepare".
I look up at him, " where're you going to?"
I can't recall ever hearing him talk of leaving today.
"To the elders' meeting of course, I know you need as much back up as you can get, and I as your favourite special aide will help you out", he bows theatrically
I scoff, "as if I have another aide besides you?", I roll my eyes at him, "don't flatter yourself much about being my best".