Day #1 – Food

Rigozo

A beat… two, one, three, two, two, one, three, two. A song – haunting and captivating – full of longing and dark promises. And a blood-curdling scream filled the air…

Kefe showed no sign that she was aware that somebody was watching her. After several minutes had passed she looked up, and she saw a young man with dreamy eyes and a killer smile – oh he is lovely, she thought, pleased with herself.

She blew him a kiss and pretty boy was taken aback – not what he was expecting. She laughed and waved him over.

“Sorry! I did not mean to disturb you, I was just listening…I heard you drumming and singing all the way from my father’s farm. You are very talented. I think yours is the most beautiful voice I have ever heard.” Pretty boy said in a single breath.

“Thank you. And don’t worry, you did not disturb me.”

He was younger than she had thought. All those big muscles must be from years of working on a farm.

‘My name is Akpan. Nice to meet you. Please, what language was that song? I’ve never heard it before.”

“Delta – Igbo.”

“Oh. That’s lovely. What’s your name?”

“Kefe.”

“It’s beautiful, just like your voice.” Akpan said shyly.

Kefe giggled.

Akpan was quick to forgive her for laughing at him because it was the most beautiful laughter he had ever heard. In fact everything about her was beautiful. She was an angel.

“Are you alone?” She asked him.

Akpan looked as if she had insulted him.

“Of course, I’m alone. I have been working on Papa’s farm for years… Besides I’m a man and I can take care of myself. You are a woman. You shouldn’t be out here by yourself.” He replied, mildly offended.

“I didn’t mean it that way.” Kefe said. Wonderful…he’s a fiesty one. Ah! He will be a mouthful, she thought.

“Well…okay.  You don’t look like you have ever done a day of farming and this place is very far from town. Did you get lost?

“I was searching for food.”

Akpan frowned. “You don’t have money to buy food in town? And it’s not the time of harvest…but it doesn’t matter. I brought some food with me, enough to feed two people. It’s back at farm. I’ll share it with you.”

She looked down at her palms. They were red and stinging. She must have been singing and drumming for a long while. Maybe she shouldn’t have come this far out but it was harder to find deserted places in town. Because of the mess she makes whenever she eats, cleaning up was too much work.

Kefe looked back up, “Thank you.”

“Let’s go to the farm.”

“It’s okay. I already have food.”

“You have? I don’t see any food here.” He looked around. “Kefe, no need to pretend. I don’t have a problem sharing my food with you.”

“You are so kind but I’m not pretending.” She said licking her lips.

Akpan stared at her mouth. Her lips were full and red, her teeth white and perfect. The tongue was so pink and for a moment he forgot what they were talking about.

He scratched his head. “Okay.”
“Ehm, will you sing again? I think I will die a happy man if only I can  hear you sing again.”

Kefe laughed softly.

“You are right about the dying part.” She said.

A beat… a song…and a blood-curdling scream filled the air.

#30 days writing challenge – Not Enough Writers

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