Chapter 1: Chapter 1

Dun! Dun! Dun! Went the sounds of the drums...

Both the conga and the talking drums elicited beautiful beats and rhythms. The sounds of rain drops on thatched roofs and tapping feet on the muddy soil was a melody on its own. The light from the burning coal illuminated the faces of the dancers, accentuating their beautiful features. Beads of sweat lined their temple while some escaped as tear drops. It was an enchanting sight indeed as mouths were agape and sighs escaped wet lips. They were all beautiful, as their feet and hands moved in tune with the beats of the drums; as waist sashayed, and hips swayed in circular motion. Even their ebony skin glistened as drops of rain lingered...

Suddenly she was envious, not because of their graceful movement, but of the rounded figures showcased in their brief tops and skirts. Unlike others, she wore a long skirt that hid any hint of a curve. It was her mother's old skirt which she had folded twice on her waist to fit.

Uyai felt compelled to examine her nonexistent breast, her bony hips with her thighs wide apart. Even with the skirt as a shield she already knew how she looked. She had memorized her features after staring at herself numerous times; she was a walking skeleton, only with a little meat. It definitely wasn't a wonder how every yam festival, when young maidens showcased their dance skills, she was absent, hiding in the background concealed by a tall palm tree.

No one ever noticed her, for she faded into the background easily.

Uyai could only let out a sigh just as drops of rain from a lone palm leaf splattered on her forehead as if trying to cool her feverish mind that swirled with depressed thought.

"Uyai!" someone whispered close to her ear. Startled, she stiffened. Her hiding spot had been discovered.

Slowly she turned...

"Mma...I- I was just..." she averted her gaze to ground embarrassed as her eyes met with the eyes of her grandmother. The one person who had always praised her looks encouraging her to love her body more, knowing the extent of Uyai's thoughts towards her body.

"Hush, my child, why are you not with the maidens? You should be out there having fun. Don't you know the young men are scouting for a bride? Go on! Join them." Her face was schooled in a frown as she appraised her granddaughter's depressed state.

Like the older women present, she had worn the traditional attire which consisted of a fine patterned ankara wrapper which rounded her waist, a was once white lace top, her favorite she had said. On her head was the same patterned ankara hair tie which concealed her gray hairs. However, like everyone else present, her feet were bare.

Uyai raised her head and reluctantly looked back at the crowd rapidly forming. It seemed most of the young men had arrived in tow with their latest harvest. A yam. Their aged tradition during a festival to compare their harvest and hence reward the harvester of the largest yam.

Uyai turned back to her grandmother, her expression grave, she said, "Mma, I can't even dance-I'm not curvy enough." she muttered quietly to herself. But Grandmother's hearing was sharper than she thought because she took her by the arm and ushered her out of the confines of the palm tree to a secluded area where she was sure no one will find them. It was darker than the other region, few feet away from the dancing maidens and besotted men, with overgrown trees being its main occupants and having few large boulders finely decorated with algae.

The old woman sat her down on a makeshift stool covered with algae. Her face was stern, but her eyes betrayed it for it was softened with pity.

Uyai averted her eyes to the moist ground as she felt almost tears well up her eyes. She despised that look. Pity. She hated it. It painfully reminded her of the asset she didn't possess, of her short comings. It was the same that greeted her whenever she was around maidens her age and their mothers were present. Uyai knew grandmother meant well but she wished not everyone would give her that look. Especially coming from grandmother, it was a big blow on the little pride she had managed to salvage.

"Uyai," Her grandmother began tentatively as if careful not to break an egg. It made her feel weak and involuntarily her eyes stung and became watery; she could feel a batch of tear threatening to be released but she bit her tongue to prevent a cry from bursting out.

She refused to cry.

She won't cry.

She blinked back the tears and managed a smile. "Mma..." she responded.

Grandmother raised her chin up so her eyes made direct contact with hers "Being slender is not always a disadvantage you know, it allows for flexibility. Who in the world says you cannot dance? You are not stiff as a board are you?" she paused while raising a daring eyebrow before releasing her chin after discovering she had gained Uyai's full attention "...besides you are a growing girl, when you drop a child or two you'll get what you're looking for. Live in the moment dear child ehn? Love your body because you are beautifully and wonderfully made."

"Okay Mma." Uyai forced a smile.

"Do not give me that young woman. I want you to know you are beautiful and be comfortable with your body. People only know you are beautiful when you realize so yourself. There is nothing more appealing than a woman who is comfortable in her skin. Pair it off with your amiable character then you have got a diamond in the rough. Now I want you to go out there and enjoy the feast." grandmother said sternly as she pointed a finger to the large crowd.

Uyai grimaced and then looked longingly at the crowd; the women with huge smiles on while the danced to the beat of the drums and the men enraptured with their fluid movements. "Okay Mma," Uyai finally said. "I will enjoy the feast." she said softly standing up with a determined look.

"Come here dear." Grandmother smiled and gently pulled her in for a hug "To the fullest Uyai. Enjoy it to the fullest" she said in encouragement and then released her.

With little hesitance, Uyai redrew from her embrace and turned to leave. Her paces were slow as she pushed forward to the formed crowd, elbowing her way through the crowd of men, flinching slightly as her skin came in contact with their slippery bodies. Stumbling through yams, they spared her no glance; she was acknowledged by no one. To them she was invisible.

"Watch my Mfon, see how she moves. I tell you, she and I are meant to be." A young man talked excitedly to his neighbor. His neighbor elbowed him "Humph! Watch where your hand goes." he shrieked as he massaged his lower region.

"My bad." he apologized none too carelessly "but did you see how Affiong danced? How her ample bosom and generous bums call out to me? In fact her eyes as dark as the midnight sky become alight like the stars when she smiles. She is my dream woman." The young man sighed with longing.

Uyai stopped short at the mention of her sister's name and turned to look at the young man. She gave him a close inspection and grunted in approval at what she saw. He was quite handsome and like all the men present, he had a sarong tied to his waist that fell to his knees, and a white singlet that molded to his broad chest. It was the typical traditional attire worn by men of their village. Apparently he was smitten by her sister, considering his poetic description.

Uyai scoffed.

Sister was pretty alright, but so were the other maidens. They all possessed the qualities he had so ardently described.

She once again gave him a once over only to stop fleetingly at his feet where his harvest laid.

Sister surely won't accept his hand, his yam was not big enough.

Yes, her sister was superficial that way.

"Yes, Affiong is indeed pretty. Do you think she has a sister?" Uyai heard and abruptly turned at the voice. It was another young man, less handsome. He looked curiously at the handsome one awaiting answer.

"Indeed she has." a new face replied. Uyai turned to her left to see the newcomer. It wasn't someone she knew.

In fact, the conversation was getting interesting.

"She's less pretty if that is possible." I beg your pardon? Uyai raised an eyebrow at the blatant reply. Who was this man and where did he come from?

She scowled darkly as she waited for further comments from him. She made sure she took notes of his not so great looks, that if given an opportunity, she would deal with him.

"In fact I have seen her myself, she is built like a man. Imagine!" the man continued enjoying the attention he seemed to be getting.

Uyai's scowl deepened. She glared at the man who was ignorant of her presence.

I am right here you know? She wanted to scream. I know I don't have curves, but built like a man? Isn't that stretching it to a bit?

Uyai gritted her teeth and fisted her palms, she could feel her blood boil. She swore she could even see steam coming off her in waves.

If only he knew that she had butchered him a thousand times in her head, he would have kept shut.

Who do you think you are? Do you think you are so good looking with your broomstick legs?

What right did he have when he wasn't even good looking at all; his flat nose that almost covered his entire face, his jaw that was angled to one side, not to mention his brown stained extra-large teeth and of course his broomstick legs. He was really a turn off in every way and he still had the guts to talk?

Uyai was pissed, very pissed that her breathe came out in short loud puffs; her nose flared in anger, she was about to explode.

Unnoticed to the men, there were still talking adamantly. They now huddled closely together while they gossiped. It was unheard of for men to gossip or was it? She was quite surprised because this was usually the women's duty.

Uyai blew out her breathe in attempt to calm herself. It's not as if she could even do anything about it, like beat him senseless while his friends watched. Indeed the thought was tempting, but she resisted the temptation that would unlikely come to fruition. Besides, she had promised grandmother that she was going to enjoy the feast. And that she would do, never minding the infuriating comments and that good for nothing man.

She heaved a sigh and squared her shoulders while she muttered a mantra chant breathing in and out...

In and out...

And at that instance, Uyai felt relieved. This breathing exercise sure works wonders...she mused.

With raw determination she changed her stance and elbowed her way through the huddled men shoving them forcefully; making sure to give a sharp push that would hurt and was satisfied to hear groans of protest.

She smiled a little, and continued to push forward until the dancing maidens were in her vision. She would enjoy the dance, as much as she would not partake in it. She would Imagine herself swaying steadily with the wind with a beautiful smile on her face, entrancing everyone as their gaze follow her every step.

A nice dream indeed...

Uyai thought with a sigh.