Chapter 5: Chapter 5

"Shh..." Uyai ordered the young man whose name she came to know as Edem, as they tiptoed to where Affiong sat braiding her hair. "You need to cease shuffling your feet and quit breathing so loudly would you?" she admonished him and immediately he pursed his lips into a tight grim.

Quickly, they hid behind a concealing palm tree, she looked at Edem pointedly and signaled him with a flick of her head. Edem gave her a puzzling look, he seemed not to get the sign.

Uyai huffed under her breath. He was hopeless.

"You need to make your move now. Now that's she alone". She hissed. Her sister was quietly atop a large log of wood. Her hands were playing with a few strands of her hair while she hummed softly to herself. A small smile etched on her fair face as breeze flew by caressing a few strands. She seemed to be in her own world probably fantasizing about her dream man.

"Okay, now." Uyai watched as Edem swallowed loudly, already beads of sweat began trickling down his temple. He was nervous she could tell; his hands shook even as he rubbed his palm together to ease the tension, he was scared out of his mind.

It was time.

He blew out his breath and squared his shoulder. He took a step away from the confines of the palm tree. Uyai gave him a thumps up.

"Remember what I told you." she whispered dragging her ear. "Take your time."

"Okay." He breathe.

"Now go." She urged.

He moved slowly and then paused, it was then he remembered the herbs he had plucked from his mother's small garden, which he clutched shakily in his hands, he was almost squeezing the life out of the poor plant. His mother had once said this herbs when used with a palm kernel oil worked wonders for hair growth and repair. He had such a perfect moment to give it to Affiong. So why was he hesitating?

The answer was simple.

He was afraid of rejection.

Edem summoned all the courage he had, he loosened his hold on the plant and began walking purposefully to Affiong who kept on fiddling with her hair. As he approached her, she looked up, just in time for their eyes to meet.

Affiong frowned...

Who was this man? And why was he looking so scared, and what was that he clutched in his hand? She watched him closely and was shocked when he stopped in front of her. She kept still, and waited. For what? She was clueless.

Edem looked at her, and was lost for words, she was more beautiful upfront, looking up at him with round brown eyes that looked puzzled. Her long black hair was twisted between her thumb and index finger. The blouse she wore did nothing to hide the swell on her chest, instead it enhanced the generous curves. Seeing the direction of his gaze, her small dainty hand had crossed over it. It was that movement that got him to snap out of whatever trance he was in.

It was then he remembered what he came for. His ears reddened in embarrassment and he averted his gaze to her face to find her looking at him accusingly.

He began just as Uyai had taught him.

"Rule no 1. You must compliment her first. Women love to be complimented no matter the reason. In fact, you need to praise her. Let her know the extent of her beauty. That will guarantee a smile from her. She'll want to hear more. There. You've gotten her attention"

"You must be Affiong." he started, and she nodded still looking puzzled. "I could tell by your outstanding beauty." he smiled and watched as her eyes lit up. Edem grinned inwardly. "You must be questioning why I am here. By the way this is for you" he said and handed her the herbs. She slowly took it from him and examined the plant with a frown.

What was she supposed to do with a measly plant? He even looked at it like it was a prized gift. Affiong didn't know whether to feel insulted or not.

She looked up at him wearing a stupid smile, and smiled back unsure.

"I am sorry, what is this for?" she held the plant away wrinkling her nose. It was just a stupid plant, not even a flower adorned it.

"That is a very rare plant. Only one family line, has the blessing of growing it and harvesting it. My family." he told her honestly

"Indeed..." Affiong saw nothing about the so called rare plant. In fact looking at it, it looked inferior to other plants, like one of those weeds father dare not see in his farm.

"Yes. It is said to cure incurable diseases. That's not all, it brings your hair to a whole new level, making it as long as Eve's hair." he whispered as if it's a well kept secret. He knew his sisters had thought Eve, the wife of Adam had extremely long hair that fell to her feet and they wished theirs would be the same. He was sure all women thought that way.

"Really?" she asked amazed, immediately bringing it closer to her person. Now, she clutched it like a prized possession.

"I dare not lie. I can see how much you love your hair. Trust me, with this herbs, you'll love it even more." he grinned.

"I have never seen you around. Which family do you hail from?" Affiong asked the now handsome young man.

"Forgive me my dear." he bowed placing his palm to his chest. "I am Edem, the son of late Chief Asuquo Eyo, the renowned exporter. I am from the neighbouring village." he finished

"The neighbouring village? What brings you here then? I doubt it is to present this herbs to me."

Edem chuckled nervously.

"It is exactly as you see it. You see I have watched you for so long, and have seen your incredible dance skills, not to mention your immense beauty and I have been captivated." He smiled, adding a little charm and deepening his voice.

"You flatter me." she smiled shyly.

"I dare not. I speak only the truth."

"Do tell me Edem, of all the women in this village, what prompted you to approach me, apart from my beauty of course, 'cause I sincerely doubt I am the most beautiful woman here." Affiong asked seriously, she wasn't about to make it easy for him, besides a little compliment from him would not hurt.

"My dear, you see beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and my eye has fortunately recognized yours. To me you are the most beautiful woman in the whole village." he smirked, his confidence brewing...

***

Uyai watched the duo with round eyes. Yes she was shocked. Edem was a sweet talker than she gave him credit for. In fact he was a natural. He needed no pointers at all. Uyai wondered if he had used these lines on many women and how many had fallen for it, because it was so obvious Affiong was falling for it by her incessant giggles though she tried to suppress them, but Uyai was not stupid. Sister had definitely fallen for Edem and he didn't even need a large yam for that.

Uyai suddenly felt pity for the other young man who was still mustering up courage to approach sister, and unfortunately was also watching the duo with a crest fallen expression. Of course Uyai noticed him only the other two engrossed in their own world were ignorant. Uyai knew she must do something about it, her fondness for Edem was becoming less and less. Now as she looked at the two, the first giggling stupidly she wanted to throw up and the latter turning up the charm made her scowl heavily.

She didn't know why she suddenly felt dislike for the young man. Was it because he was such a charmer and she didn't notice? Or was it because he made sister laugh? Uyai decided not to give it too much thought. She just knew the competition must be fair. It was time to help the poor young man who was sneakingly wiping his eyes.

Yes Uyai did notice.

Uyai left her hiding spot that was behind the palm tree as usual and purposefully walked to the tree the young man stood under, now with a far away look. She drew nearer until she was a step behind him, and gently tapped him on the shoulder. Of course Uyai was expecting a little startling response, surely not the one she heard. The young man shrieked like a little girl and even jumped at least five feet off the ground if that was remotely possible. It was that bad that even she felt startled she almost forgot she was the one who sneaked up on him.

"Uyai?" was his startled response.

"You know me?" Uyai asked taken aback, she didn't know whether to be alarmed or pleased that he at least knew her name, because she could swear Edem didn't.

"O-of c-course. Affiong's little sister." he stuttered, obviously finding it hard formulate a speech. Again she was taken aback, how much of a stalker was he? Was that how much he liked Affiong he was willing to learn the name of the lesser sister? Uyai was shocked as well as impressed. This young man had definitely earned a point in her book.

"Who are you?" she asked curiously, wanting to know the name of the man who she could swear could narrate her family background because she was sure he had learnt every single detail.

"E-Effiong." and look at that! Their names even rhymed, was this destiny or what? Uyai was so amused she almost laughed.

"Effiong? From which family?"

"The family of Ifiok, my father is Chief Ifiok, the village firewood supplier." he replied confidently as if his father's occupation was something to boast of. If it wasn't obvious in the way his speech had suddenly lost the stutter, or in the way he puffed his chest, Uyai knew that was one of the lines he had hoped to sell to Affiong. How unfortunate. She wished she could tell him that Affiong was not interested in his father's firewood occupation, rather his title as the largest yam harvester. Although Uyai was not so sure about that now since Edem didn't even need a yam, but a plant with no attractive coloring, just the usual dull green. Maybe something was wrong with her sister. But then again, this young man kept earning points in her book, she knew his father but had no knowledge of him ever having a son, besides he hailed from her village; which made her think, why marry sister off to an unknown territory when she could marry one of their own? Uyai just knew she had to help Effiong in winning Affiong's heart.

Even their names agreed.

"Really? So tell me what brings you to my father's compound?" Uyai asked appearing clueless.

"E-Eh?" she was sure she startled him, but she wasn't going to let him off that easy.

"I-I w-was j-just p-passing by." he stuttered, the lie so apparent, his sentence spoke volumes of it.

"Okay...and you just happen to rest by this tree right?" Uyai said playing along.

The stupid young man nodded vehemently as if Uyai just spoke the truth.

Uyai scoffed.

"You must think I am stupid, and here I was thinking I'll help you try to win Affiong's heart. How silly I must be." she sighed wistfully and turned to leave. She had already walked ten steps, yes she counted, when she heard an exasperated sigh. She felt tempted to stop, but she continued with the eleventh step.

"W-wait!" And that was the incentive she needed to stop, so she did. But, she didn't turn. She stubbornly held her grin and waited for another word.

"I-I...I-I..." now Uyai was getting tired of hearing him stuttering the same word. Her patience ran out so she had no choice but to turn. Now what?

"What do you want?" she frowned seemingly impatient.

"I want to marry Affiong." He sure as hell didn't stutter did he?