LOVES NOT IN HER DICTIONARY

SHADOWS FROM THE PAST.

"Agb3 nk3k3 na wo!". ↔️ "Blessed day to you!". came from the from the other side of the phone.

'TOGUI DAGADU' the chief priest of the royal family of 'SROGBE ANLOGA' was on the phone!

A family and territory I was supposed to be the traditional custodian of, yet i refused by rejecting the chieftaincy title. when my father' EFIA GA DENGLOR II' went on his ancestral journey.

A flashback of the short convo that almost escalated into an argument between himself and that of the chief priest after his father's death played briefly in his memory.

"The baton has been handed down to you! It is your obligation to lead the people of this noble land in continuation of your father's distinguished rule and leadership.....

' Fï fiïa nûd3 siâd3 ts) d3 gbô wô, 3dz3 bè na du fiâ enû ma k3!' ↔️

'Now the ball is in your cot! You must ascend the throne curtly!"

Said the old wise man in the traditional dialect.

Young naive old Soldier then a civilian retorted...

"Listen I appreciate the tremendous helping hand you offered me during and the aftermath of my father's burial. I am sure, him in the bosom of our maker was satisfied with your services rendered him. But you have no fiat to tell me what to do!" Sincerely speaking.

in a disrespectful tone additional to a scornful glare he continued

"Fortunately for me! Unfortunately for you though! I have no interest in being held captive, all in the sham of ruling a people.

Note! I am not in any form or way looking down on the traditions and Norms.... No! Remember, I was brought up under these set of rules and customs which in a manner has moulded me into the man, I am today. But I just want to live my life without all the entangling limits my father endured. Which crippled him from reaching greater fits! Acceptance of the mantle of custodianship is a disregard to my very sanity!".sharply he concluded.

"Sorry to disappoint you but I can't! I will not imprison myself for your sake! What's in it for you anyway?" He added with a chuckle.

He always had the notion that his father' Fia Ga DENGLOR II' was enslaved to the benefits of the chief priest vastly.

He even insinuated his father was under a spell cast by the old man, to have him revere him greatly. As to take his counsel and word pertaining every crux issue of the land, into consideration without question during his reign. This disgusted him!

He didn't believe in the sentiments his father held for Togui. He was not going to allow any validation of this man in his life!

"Ones believe availed them for manipulation either spiritually or physically and he was not that gullible." he thought to himself.

"Son! You remain the only surviving male child of our late 'King' amidst three female siblings, the princesses. You knew you were not going to remain a prince forever?".

the old man said calmly as he continued

"You know a woman is not allowed near the 'STOOL' much less touching or pinning a tail on it ... it is sacrilege!

he uttered in a deterrent tone...

A death wish of any female who ordinarily dared only dream of it playfully! within these boundaries for that matter!"

He stressed

"You are the mandatory custodian of the Stool my prince and as such, must live up to the fulfilment of your destined obligation to the 'ROYAL HOUSE HOLD'. Not forgetting the inhabitants of this illustrious land who have grown to love you and look upon you to take over from your father!"

"With all due respect!"

He blurted out distastefully as though the phrase was food unfamiliar to his taste buds inciting nausea.

"Togui! I am not subjecting myself to slavery! A restrictive bondage in the God for saking! name of 'KING-SHIP ' to the fattening of others coffer's and entrenched influence! Because of the bloodline I come from?

I stand to be corrected! a suitable male candidate; can be vetted out from the offsprings of one of the female children of Fia Ga right? l mean my nephew's yeah? and...oooh! bother not ask.... you have my complete authorization, no reservations! None! what so ever!".

His consent which he knew very well was paramount for the process.

" Yes! you are correct! but why should we go for another when the destined right heir apparent is alive and abled too?" asked the wise old man.

With the air becoming heated up. His temperament about to blow out of proportion. Smoke could literally be seen evaporating from his nostrils and ear; seemingly of that of a bull in a cold weathered county steadying his stance about to pounce on a prey.

He stood his grounds unwavering, suggesting in compliance to the code of selecting a candidate for enstoolment thus should the rightful heir refuse the mandate of the throne.

As he ranted furiously, recklessly as a castrated bull in a Mexican charreada arena seeing danger(Red); which in all earnestness was been shown blue(peace) aspect of the two color sided flag in means to dissuade the beast.

Togui allowed, without interruption nor the attempt to straighten him by teaching him a drop of a valuable lesson in respect to his status and prowess, owing to the fact that he knew the reason behind the young man's unfounded motivation. The bond coupled with the high regard he had for 'FIA GA DENGLOR II' of blessed memory. His bossom friend as much as the blood that run through the veins of the young lad' Royal Blood', Prevented him from touching him even slightly. He gave the young man a free pass in his wisdom attained over time lapse . He prayed the gods he would out grow his misinformed childish delusion some day soon.

He walk out on the old man.

The last he saw and heard of Togui DAGADU' until this very moment. He had forgotten, though he declined enstoolment, he remained the heir apparent to the throne as long as he breathed. He was always going to be under a form of protection and monitoring from home with or without his permission. The royal blood that runs through his veins automatically blessed him with such privileged, but to his misderstanding it an evasion of his privacy. What he was ignorant of was that his life had been saved on countless occasions thanks to this binding law made by his ancestors. which would continue to be till his was no more.

"FIA GA! ñ3 l3 âfi mâ hâ?"↔️ "Great King are you there?" rejecting the throne didn't stop TOGUI from addressing him as he should.

The voice enquired from the other side due to the silence that followed after the call was picked and his greetings.

"Æ! Âl3 kæ....ñ3 fô sèsé hâ?" ↔️ "Yes! How is it...are you hail and hearty?"

"M3 fô sèsæ....akpè. Nû kæ dzô dè dáviâ dzï?" ↔️ "I am great ...thanks. What happened to the child?".

His direct question succeeding his response! caught old Soldier in surprise leaving him in a dumb founded contemplative soliloquy ambiance. Cascades of query flooded his mind. wondering how the news of Enyonams transition could reach home so swiftly. Who on earth could have been the self-imposed trumpeter? How they were able to acquire his contact information? Baffled him.

Neglecting the fact that Togui DAGADU' was the senior chief priest of the entirety of 'ANGLOGA SROGBE LAND' . He had powers enabling him access to information through unorthodox sources.