ByStanleyEdokpolo
Cont’d from last edition
Mama says the prince, Azima’s father, isn’t dead. But why did the aged king do what he did? Why was Azima my goddess crowned the ruler. Is Mama losing it like Banfuro the madman of Ajegunle. God forbid.
Anyway, I was there when Azima’s grandfather held the hands of Christian and Azima. It was the happiest day of my life, but I do understand why Mama is still crying. She blames herself for the prince’s misfortune. She said yesterday: Funmi it was my fault. I could have come a long time ago….
I tell her to forget. It’s been six months and he is not dead. Is that not what you say?
Mama says: he is not alive either.
What is Mama saying? If someone is not dead, how can he not be alive? I am frustrated but I console Mama: Okay Mama, it’s okay. He is not dead; he is not alive.
Now that Azima is married and is undergoing her preparation for the coronation, it is hard to see her. They took her away from us two weeks ago. She cannot see us; we cannot see her. I want her to come. Mama is always crying and I am the only one to look after her and Michael. Tessy too. Jane comes and goes back to school. Tessy and Azima have graduated.
After one month, Azima comes to us. She consoles Mama. She looks big and distant. She walks differently and even speaks Ibo with the people who attend to her. Azima is a goddess. She talks with Tessy and they still play like friends. I want to play with Azima.
She tells us they’ve been teaching her a lot of things like how to rule. They teach her Ibo. They teach her the custom of Umuofia-agu. She tells us the king can no longer rule, so she will have to be crowned the ruler of the people.
Before she leaves, she walks with Michael and me. The muscular men follow us. I ask her about her father. She looks sad. She tells me not to tell anyone: I don’t want to be a king. My father should be the king. But he can’t rule. He is in coma….
Azima starts to cry. I tell her: a king should not cry, Miss President.
She is shocked as she remembers our dream. She whispers: you said it. Is this it?
I smile and gesture: maybe, maybe not.
We walk to Michael who has been admiring Azima’s bodyguards. She hugs Michael and me. Then Mama. It is nice to see Mama smile because it’s been long since she smiled. Tessy goes with Azima into the car as they drive from Grandpa Theo’s house where we stay.
On that special day, the people gather in the palace. Royalties come from other nearby villages. Mama stands with the king as he puts the crown on Azima’s head. Everyone, chiefs and people alike bow before Azima. I forget to bow. I am waving at Azima. She wave slightly back. King Azima waved at me.
I am excited: Tessy, did you see that?
Tessy places her hand on my back and nudges me down: bow.
I bow. I bow before Azima my king, my goddess. But not before seeing tears drop on Mama’s queenly attire. Her head is bowed.
I touch Tessy: No one saw it but me. Azima waved at me….
Tessy frowns: No longer Azima. It’s Queen Azima. Get that?
I smiled: I get it.
We giggled. Our heads remain bowed.
TESSY VI, September 2007
I sat down with Queen Ma in her banquet hall deliberating how to rectify errors in our article titled Adanne
We heard the siren. It sounded like that of an ambulance. I decided to find out what was happening. Queen Ma smiled. “Why don’t you let the guards do their job.”
“I am not the queen.”
“I could give you the crown if you want.”
“Nooo. It wouldn’t fit my head. And by the way I like the breeze to touch my hair.”
“Jesus, Tessy!” Ma thought I meant being a queen was a burden.
“Just kidding. I dream every night that I’m a queen.” I joked.
“I can make it come true.” Ma smiled.
“I know. Just let me go. By the way, Christian will soon finish praying and you need to be together. Alone.” Before she said another word, I had gone out smiling at her. I wanted to give her and Christian time together. They said I wasn’t a good matchmaker but this was working.
Actually, I was tired of this royalty stuff. People do everything for you. We can’t even laugh freely as we used to Jane, Ma, and I. Our fellowship was breaking and I didn’t like it. Ma said after a while we will take a vacation.####
