CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Prince Abeonego headed back to the Lexus jeep and drove out of the palace amidst hearty cheers from the people who had come to welcome the war veterans from their sojourn. He knew where Queen Celandine’s brother Prince Zamil lives in Kambam; he was shown the place during the communal war.
His mind was troubled because of the many problems he had at hand to solve especially the issue of his late friend, Mark whom he still had to look for his daughter, Barira. He hoped it would be smooth and without any form of complication but nevertheless, he decided he would consult the elders if the need arose. He willed himself to concentrate on his driving on the highway and as he approached Kambam, he encountered horrendous traffic which made hawkers used that opportunity to sells their wares to the motorists. He looked at the young children struggling to sell chilled sachets water, biscuits, loaves of bread, oranges, and what have you.
“These children have parents or guardians somewhere,” he pondered sadly, “I would have put Aenas in the same situation those years I used to misbehave.” The vehicles were trying to press forward in the slow traffic- stream.
“Kambam is becoming congested; where are all these vehicles going?” he wondered wearily as the Lexus surged forward nearly knocking down an unkempt-looking boy who was trying to sell biscuits to the bus in front of him. The boy stood frozen to the spot and that instance something about the boy ignited his curiosity. He came down from his jeep and went near the boy, “Are you okay?” he could not believe his eyes, the filthy apparition was Aenas, his son. The stricken resemblance was obvious, “Aenas, is it really you? What are you doing here selling biscuits?”
The boy could not believe the man knows his name, “Who are you, sir?” he asked, out of fear than curiosity. The vehicles behind him were getting impatient as they toot their horns endlessly. “Come on, get inside the vehicle!” he ordered but the boy was reluctant as he turned to his friends who pretended to be busy with their wares but were witnessing the happenings so as to have first-hand information to report. “Come on, Aenas, I am your father!” he collected the tray of biscuits and threw it away to the surprise of onlookers. The boy started crying, “Sir, how can you be my father? My aunty will kill me today!” the boy wailed.
Prince Abeonego looked deep into the boy’s eyes and shouted with desperation, “How did I know your name? Come on, let me take you home then we will iron things out.” He helped his son into the jeep. One boy who was bold enough moved near the jeep, “Sir, where are you forcing him to? We come from the same area.”
Abeonego had to restrain himself from lashing out at the boy. He entered and resumed his driving. Tears ran down freely from Aenas’s eyes. “You were five years old when I left you and your mother,”
The boy was a pathetic sight as he trembled all over; his nose running and the torrent of his tears stream-like. “Dadd..daad...why...why...did you abandon me and mummy?” he stuttered painfully.
Prince Abeoneo did not know what to say as the question hurt him deep inside with its terrible aching sadness. “I didn’t abandon your mother and you, Aenas. I had to answer a national call, that was what happened; I am here now, and your sufferings are over.”
Aenas smiled despite himself, “Why were you selling on the road, isn’t it dangerous for a young boy like you?” Prince Abeonego asked, “Prince Zamil is quite comfortable or is there a problem with him?”
“It is Uncle’s wife who made me sells; she said I have to work for my upkeep with them.” He explained, “I am so happy to see you again, daddy; mummy used to tell me beautiful stories about you. She said you went to fight in a war that you are very brave. Then I used to dream of becoming a soldier when I grow up.” Aenas chuckled. “There was a time we heard you were dead that was when Prince Amadeus came to pick mummy from grandma’s place not too long after, the queen came to pick me also and took me to Kambam with the excuse that uncle Zamil’s wife needed a servant. Mummy didn’t believe you were dead, she used to tell me you would come back one day.”
Prince Abeonego was speechless, “I was planning to run away any moment from now assuming you didn’t turn up.” Aenas said,
Prince Abeonego stroke the boy’s head fondly, “I am sorry about all you and your mother went through.” He signalled and turned into a quiet and neat street. It was a street for the rich class of Kambam town judging by the modestly built houses and the well cared for surroundings though many of the houses were not fenced. He drove into the fourth compound and pulled up. Prince Zamil’s wife, Elena came out when she heard the vehicle pulled up. She was shocked when she saw Prince Abeonego alighted with her son and rushed back inside the house.
As Prince Abeonego entered the living room, he met Prince Zamil and his three children playing and watching the television. Prince Zamil had his legs placed on a stool, “Welcome, uncle,” the children greeted heartily and disappeared into their bedroom at their father’s promptings. “You are welcome, Abeonego, how was your journey?” Prince Zamil said as he adjusted his seating position and withdrew his legs from the stool. He looked at Aenas, “Aenas, go inside and take your bath; my wife will give you new clothing after you are through.”
Aenas made to obey but Abeonego held him back, “Zamil, you are a disgrace to humanity; I don’t want to know how my son ended up in your custody, but you disappointed me greatly. Assuming I ended up dead that means you and your wretched wife would have subjected my son, a prince to a life of servitude. If you know you were not capable of taking care of him, why didn’t you leave him with his grandmother?” Prince Abeonego said fiercely, his nostrils flared in a sure signal of suppressed anger. “You and your evil genius of a wife sent a boy of nine years to the street to go and hawk biscuits while you and your children stay, relaxing in the house.”
“Is that why you have the guts to call me by name?” Prince Zamil asked as he drew in a long breath and pulled himself to his full height, his fury taking the better of him, “I didn’t ask you to abandon your family. Did I?” he had suddenly found courage from nowhere.
“It is you that is a wretched and evil genius,” Elena’s voice came from the bedroom which got Abeonego into an uncontrollable rage and made him unbuckled his belt and marched into the bedroom, banging in. “You are a bastard and good for nothing woman; you still have the mouth to talk?” he growled as he descended upon her with his belt and gave her the beatings of her life. “I was willing to overlook your excesses, but you have just shown you are not worth it. If you are a witch, I will show you I’m a wizard!”
She screamed and kicked wildly, “You will kill me today, you wicked fool!” she cried hoarsely,
“Abeonego, you dare raised your filthy hands on my wife?” Prince Zamil retorted as he rushed into the room and made for Abeonego. Prince Abeongo, who was past caring, turned and stopped Prince Zamil with a military slap on his cheek, making Zamil’s eyes watery and stunning him at the same time. Prince Zamil was speechless as he rubbed his cheeks; it felt hot in his palm. He suddenly remembered that Abeonego was a warrior who delivered his kingdom from slavery and apart from that he also belonged to a special force who just returned from a peace-keeping mission and a shudder ran down his spine. He quietly left the room. “I don’t intend to ferment trouble but if you push me further, I will kill somebody, and nothing will result from such an act!” Prince Abeonego threatened as he heard muffled sobbing at the doorway. “Daddy, please leave them alone.” Aenas pleaded tearfully. Elena used that opportunity to run out of the room still crying wildly.
“Come on, Aenas, let us go.” He called, “They deserved more than what I gave them, but I leave the rest to God.” He extended his arms to his son. “I will make sure you don’t suffer again. Aenas, you are a prince, and I will give you the best that life could offer.” He promised. His eyes became misted, and he quickly turned away.
He drove carefully to Kuburin where the elders were still waiting for him; Aenas and his mother were so happy to see each other again. Sanjala, Mason, and Banito had gone to their homes except for the elders and some district heads that came to welcome Prince Abeonego, the palace was relatively quiet.
Prince Abeonego hugged his mother affectionately when he sighted her, “I always thank the gods who give you to me,” Cynthia intoned with tears of joy seeping from her eyes. “I have never regretted giving birth to you for one day because you have always brought me untold happiness.”
“Mother, I’m happy having you as a mother also; I will strive to make you happy for the rest of your lives, so you are not returning to Kurinma again; you are going to live in the palace with us.” Abeonego informed his mother who simply shrugged her shoulders, “If that is the way you want it, it is okay by me.”
The elders with the chief priest met with Prince Abeonego that night and announced that he had been chosen to become the new King of Kuburin kingdom and the preparation for his coronation which would be in fourteen days’ time would begin in earnest. He told them he needed to rest and reunite with his family. Elder Obsem said he does not have to do anything because the coronation committee would do everything, what was needed was his approval. He gave them the go-ahead after a thoughtful pause.
THE END
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Oluwayinka Ajibade is a staff of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN). Abuja Operations. He hailed from Modakeke, Ife East Local Government Area of Osun State, Nigeria.
He is a graduate of the Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State. He also has a Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) in Education from the National Teachers Institute, Kaduna. Nigeria.