His Return

As Asha listened to Nse's sister, Elsa chattering in her usual manner, she couldn't help but think about her own self and how she had been innocent and lively before she was sent on the run by the king. So much had changed about her. She was no longer the happy girl she used to be and most times she kept her opinions to herself unlike before. 

She still couldn't believe all that had happened to her. From fleeing from her land to being betrayed by Ada's family after Elim had dumped her with them. Now, stranded in a foreign land, she wondered if she would ever find her way back home. She would have curled up in a ball in the corner and cried over how hard life was but she didn't want to upset Elsa. As she stood there watching the beautiful and lively Aku village, she thought about her journey two days ago into the vibrant town and how Nse's family had welcomed her into their home like their own. She couldn't still believe that they were people as kind as the people she had seen in Aku village. She felt at peace here… but not totally because she was so far from home and may never be found by Elim or any other person who knew about her past. It was a scary thought. 

"Will you marry my brother then? You know he does care about you?" Elsa asked, catching Asha off guard.

"Hmm..." Asha hesitated.

"Don't you think you two would make a good match? Do you even like my brother? Or do you have someone waiting for you elsewhere, or perhaps already betrothed?" Elsa pressed further.

"Actually, your brother hasn't asked me yet," Asha replied cautiously.

"But if he did, would you say yes? I will be the happiest person in Aku if my brother marries a beautiful lady like you. Even though I haven't known you for long, I like you a lot and I know we will always get along." Elsa's smile was infectious, her dimples deepening as she spoke. But Asha knew she had to tread carefully. Despite the peace of Aku village, she couldn't imagine marrying Nse and staying here forever.

"Well..." Asha began, but before she could say more, Nse entered the room, rescuing her from making any commitments.

"You two love spending time together. Sometimes, it feels like it's not me you want, but my sister's friendship," Nse announced from the doorway.

"You both mean so much to me. Your family has been so kind to me. You're my only friends now," Asha replied warmly.

"Friends? Still?" Nse asked, hoping Asha would consider more than just friendship.

"Does that mean she'll marry you or not?" Elsa interjected, nudging her brother playfully.

"I don't know. You should ask her! Does she want me?" Nse responded.

"You should ask her. Mother wants grandchildren, and I want nieces to play with. So, why don't you ask her now?" Elsa urged, pushing her brother teasingly.

Nse was about to follow his sister's suggestion when Asha gently pulled Elsa aside and suggested, "Let's go to the river. Maybe we'll run into the popular flutist on the way. He can sing my favorite songs while Elsa dances for me. Let's go!"

"I have some new wares for mother to inspect. I can't join..."

Nse attempted to protest, but Asha playfully dragged him along with them. As they ran down the street, laughter filled the air, forming a picture of a joyful trio. However, amidst the fun, Nse couldn't help but steal glances at Asha, He truly wished she could stay and fall in love with him. All the while they all laughed Asha pondered her future and contemplated her next move from Aku village.

Would she ever return home? Should she confide in the Nse family about her true identity and why she was on the run?

———

Odomudo had only sliced Ada's father's legs when he couldn't provide Asha. He only stopped torturing him when he told him for certain that Asha had been there and few of his customers had confessed to seeing a young girl in their home other than Asha. 

Not in a rush to pursue Asha, Odomudo sensed he was closing in on her. Soon, he would find her and drag her back to Maribah. Since his men were in need of rest, they lingered for a few days, indulging in food, drink, and resting at the inn without paying Ada's family a dime. Eventually, he decided to ask once more about Asha's whereabouts from them.

"I don't know how she tricked us and left before we knew it. But she was here. A strange warrior dropped her off and gave us some money to watch over her." Ada's father answered limping as he brought some more drinks for Odmudo and his men the next morning. 

His eyes were filled with fear as Odmudo watched his every move and so were his wife's and daughter's who stood by the corner as Odmudo questioned them. 

"What strange warrior?" Odmudo asked 

"We do not know him" Ada's mother quickly answered before her husband could say the wrong words.

"But before she left, a wealthy young man had taken interest in her. They spent a lot of time together and I believe he must have smuggled out of this place" Ada added, shaking fearfully as Odmudo and his men watched her.

"So, where might they be now?" Odmudo asked, gulping his drink like the uncouth brute he was. 

"We don't know much about him…"

Before she could finish, Odmudo had dragged her by her arms, pulling him forcefully to him. 

"I haven't forgotten what you did to me the last time I came here. I don't forgive easily!" he threatened, yanking her up to her feet. Ada tumbled, scraping her knees while her parents looked on helplessly.

"I am truly sorr—"

"Shh! You shameless whore," he spat, silencing her with a harsh grip on her mouth. "You all are of no use to me. Tell me why I shouldn't strike you all down for leading me on a merry chase. Hmmmm! Tell me," he squeezed her mouth harder, drawing blood.

"Please! We are sorry. We had her, but she slipped away. I'm sure if you go after the man who escaped with her, you will find her," Ada's father pleaded.

"The man whom you know nothing about."

"He's a merchant from a wealthy village, but we don't know which. That's all we know. Please pardon us!"

Odomudo rose to his full height, his hands gripping Ada's neck tightly. "I am not a merciful man!" he declared, tossing Ada roughly toward his men. "She's coming with us! If we do not find the girl called Asha, we shall kill her. Besides, we need a guide to help us find this so-called merchant."

"Goodbye, my gracious hosts," his laughter boomed as he shoved Ada's father away, causing him to fall to the floor in a desperate attempt to beg, while his men dragged Ada with them.

"Mother…" Ada cried out, knowing she might never see her family again.

——

Few hours after Odmudo and his men had left, Elim arrived in Akwara village to find Asha. It was time for him to find allies like the rich man had instructed him. If they were careful, he and Asha could find their way back to Maribah and find a way to communicate with his mother and her family. He was positive it would all work out. 

But deep down in his heart he knew he wasn't excited to see Asha again only because she would help accomplish his dream but also because he yearned to be beside her again and kiss her lips if opportunity arose again. Asha… he had missed her. He had no idea until he was in Akwara village.

It was surprising when he arrived at the inn only to see Ada's father fleeing from him while his wife stood frozen where she was dishing out drinks. 

Something bad must have happened for them to be behaving so strangely. 

"Where is Asha?" he bellowed, but received no response.

"Where is she?" he demanded again, met with silence. Without hesitation, he stormed into the house, heading straight to the room where he had left Asha, only to find it empty. He flung open doors, searching frantically, but she was nowhere to be found. Panic surged through him—had he failed her again? Was she dead?

His head pounded, hands sweaty with fear and rage. He raced downstairs, only to discover both husband and wife had vanished from their posts.

"I will kill them both!" he swore, trembling with fury as he hunted for them.