LYRICS IX, JUNE 2007
God knows that she and Christian needed one. At least to compensate for the honeymoon they didn’t have because of Ma’s responsibility as King. But that can wait because the girls need a little partying.
As I got out, I saw Jane with Mama and Fumni. People were crying. It was actually an ambulance. They said it was the dead body of the Prince. The doctor didn’t even prepare us for this. I will give him the piece of my mind. Ma’s father has been in coma for nine months. He had experienced death in a length of time that it takes a woman to carry a child. My dad had wanted him flown toGermany, but the chiefs had said they could take care of their own. They took him to Enugu Teaching Hospital. They didn’t want to raise anyone’s hope. They considered him dead. That was why the king insisted that Ma be crowned. He had told me personally that he was afraid that if he died mourning his son, there were some people who would oppose Ma’s coronation.
“Whether she is woman, she is my child.” Three months after crowning Ma, he was still alive mourning his son and supervising his grandchild. He holds a session with Azima and I every evening. He guides her decision and encourages her to do her work with authority.
He didn’t expect his son to come out of coma. He told me once, “I’ve learnt to expect the worst in every situation so I can prepare extensively.” Now the prince had finally died. Poor prince boy. And to think of it that he was rushing to make amends with the love of his life. Poor lover prince boy. Tears came to my eyes. I had barely known him yet I was crying for him.
I went quickly to Mama and held her other shoulder. Jane had taken the right. The doctor came out of the car and ordered the people to step back. I conveyed his instructions to the guards. They quickly started to create enough room for the doctor. I turned to the surgeon. “Why did you not inform us that he had died before bringing him to upset the family? Can’t you see they are not prepared for this?” I screamed at him. I was mad again.
He was scared. Had I gone too far? He stammered. “He is not dead.”
“What did you say?”
He regained his composure. “He ordered us to come.”
“Why? Where is he?” As we talked he kept on pacing, waiting for the crowd to disperse. People were wailing everywhere.
“Last night he regained consciousness, and kept on calling for Adanne.”
“Where is he?” I choked.
“He is inside. We ,” he pointed towards the ambulance.
I opened the door and saw the Prince. He thought I was Adanne.
“He is alive.” I screamed and there was silence. “The Prince is alive.” They screamed and rush towards the ambulance. Oh God, I made a mistake. The guards were excited. They too rushed to the ambulance to see the prince. “Guards.” I screamed. I like this royalty stuff. “Make way” They were happy and started dancing as they did their duty for their Prince.
I held Mama and said, “I saw him. He is alive. Your husband is alive.” Mama had been ceremoniously married into the royal family. I left her and ran to Ma who was already coming out. Even the King was walking out with the aid of a walking stick. The jubilant noise was louder than anything I have heard. God, these people really can shout! I hugged Ma. We walked towards Mama who was now hugging the stretcher where the prince lay. “I love you,” she kept on saying.
People were dancing. Even the aged king danced. The palace drummers started to play as Ma went to her father who had stepped out of the stretcher with the aid of the doctor and Mama. Clinical drip was attached to his right arm. Ma and Mama walked with him as they guided him to the palace. He looked at Ma she wore the attire only a king can put on in Umuofia-agu and smiled. “You will make a great king.”
“Papa, not yet. I have prayed for your recovery because I am not prepared for this.”
He tried to laugh, but it was painful. “My daughter, you are prepared.” He paused, “We will rule together.” Ma hugged him slightly as they continued to walk. Suddenly he stopped. He looked into Mama’s eyes.
“Adanne can you still dance?” It was not a question because before Adanne answered, he added, “Dance for me, like it’s the last.”
Mama felt shy. Queen Ma looked at Mama and said, “Mama, dance. I too want to watch you dance.” Mama smiled and hugged Ma, “Azima my-” she wanted to say it but Ma had told her not to call her a goddess. But this time she said it anyway. “Azima my goddess.” Ma hugged her. The Prince just watched them mesmerized.
Mama cleared her throat and began to sing -a song of joy. I was amazed at Mama’s voice; I had never really heard her sing. Then Mama began to dance. She danced like one possessed with Owumiri. An old woman’s waist does not forget its youthful dance. It has been said, “An old woman is never old in the music she knows how to dance.” The village shook as their Adanne danced alone then with her Azima. The villagers shouted: “Adanne the Immaculate, Adanne the Enchanting, Adanne the Adorable, Adanne the Queen of our people.”
The girl who danced like one possessed by the spirit of Owumiri was here again. The one who had displaced the village champion dancer, Nkechi, was here again… As she danced, the moon, trees, and every star in the sky seemed to dance with her… Her later glory had surpassed the former.
Therefore, Adanne and Azima became a parable.
ByStanleyEdokpolo
