His Empathy

There was a lot of noise in the crowd and I found a way to go through the amount of people gathered in the square. On getting there, it was like I was in a day dream as I watched in slow motion how the beads on her waist dangled, twisted, turned and moved to the rhythm of the music being played by the drums.

I was so mesmerized and I thought of what it would take me to score a girl like her.

"I wish I could marry this Kiara girl"

Young men whispered from the background and I could understand why since I myself have not seen someone so beautiful in my life.

I took a step forward wanting to approach her only for me to see the prince of the land already having a conversation with her. I was so hurt and I knew I was going to lose her in a heartbeat since he was the prince and he had everything I didn't.

I was so furious that I had to walk away. On my way back to the house, I saw a young girl approaching me with her head bent down.

"Good afternoon Demola, the great farmer of our time."

She spoke so timidly and I had never heard a more angelic voice. She looked up at me and I fell in love with her beauty instantly. What a great gift after being disappointed by not getting the maiden I wanted.

I got to know her name was Kawusara. She was the elder sister of Kiara despite her looking so young and fragile. I got to know her better and actually fell in love with her personality. It wasn't long before I got married to her because I was deeply in love already.

Four years after our marriage, we were still living happily well, that was until my mother barged in.

"Give me a grandchild! I want a grandchild! Is that too much to ask?"

She stood at our doorstep panting and taping her feet on the ground. Her wrapper was tied unevenly and her scarf was about falling off her head. Kawusara immediately got on her feet and tried to welcome my mother home but she pushed her aside and just walked in.

My mother's character changed on Kawusara a year after our marriage for her inability to give birth to a child. We have tried all means, taking herbs and all but nothing seems to work. People in the village have been gossiping but they find it out to speak up to us. I loved Kawusara so much that I didn't care if she gave me a child or not. Her love for me was enough but that wasn't so for my mother.

After a while, my wife dragged me in and she cried so hard. I tried calming her down but nothing was working and it broke me to see her so sad and I couldn't do anything to help. My mother wouldn't listen to me despite all my pleas to stop her from tormenting my wife.

"Wait a minute! I have an idea"

My wife said with so much urgency in her voice. Her eyes shone with hope and she smiled so wide at the thought of her idea. The smile she had on her face brought out a little smile out of me because she was a little bit happy.

I ran my hand down her face, cupping her cheeks in my hands.

"And what might your brilliant idea be?"

"How about you marry my sister? No no no, don't have that reaction on your face. She's the only one I can trust to help me right now"

"I can't marry your sister. How could you even think about that?"

She tried holding me down but no, I can't be manipulated into getting married to her sister. I mean what would people think of me getting married to two sisters? That's definitely a no situation for me.

After two weeks of great manipulation from my wife, I finally agreed to marry her sister. It was tough convincing Kiara and it took two months to do so since she already had her whole perfect life planned out. I mean she was to marry the prince and now she had to let go of all that just to help her sister in her marriage.

I got married to Kiara and a month after the marriage, Kirara was pregnant. What a joyous day for everyone. I tried so hard. Tried as much as possible but I could not love Kiara the way I loved Kawusara.

"I am helping you both out, the least you could do for me is to at least show me little love and not leave me by myself to cope with the difficulties of life. I mean I am a pregnant woman for goodness sake"

Kiara complained but as much as I tried I just couldn't.

I walked to the backyard one day and saw Kiara crying her eyes out on how she had ruined her life just for her sister. If only she could've gotten married to the prince, her life would've been so perfect,I felt her pain but the love was still not there. The only emotion I felt for her was pity and I regretted having to marry two sisters since I wouldn't be fair to the other.