Ariah
Not long ago I was presented the invitation to be King JoLe’s second wife. It kind of feels like an invitation to enter a life that was not meant for me. While also being the best thing that could happen to me. Admittingly early on I did feel King JoLe was corrupt in his ways. Though I must admit King JoLe has proven himself to be a King that is for the people of this village. Things have been quiet between myself and Meliza since receiving the news of the chosen bride. She is not her usual self. Not in a bad nor good way.
Even offering to help me with attire and hair for the family’s meet with King JoLe tonight. I am not sure if it is the right decision to change things up and be more like Meliza or just do my own style. Often asking myself “when and how did King JoLe choose his second wife?” If I knew then I would know how to present myself. It is two hours until the time of the dinner invitation and I have just sat in the corner of my bedroom paralyzed with the thought of ‘am I now expected to be a different person?’
In the background of my thoughts, I can hear Meliza’s voice. “Ariah, um Ariah, are you okay?” Snapping out of my trance responding like I am still a bit out of it. Yes I am fine. Earlier you offered to help me with attire and hair, would you still be up to it? “It seems that I have taught you nothing over the years. Hair and attire take a minimum of three hours and we only have an hour and a half. You are a lucky girl Ariah, because you have me to help you out on such short notice. Come come now, we must get started right away, because there is work to be done.”
Following Meliza to her wardrobe of beautiful fabrics she chose an orange gown for me. “Now Ariah, this gown will accentuate your beauty and help you to gain favor from the Queen. No love no hate type of aura.” After getting dressed I look in the mirror and I look like me but with the full essence of glamour.
My hair in the most beautiful twist like afro slightly parted accentuating my face perfectly. With my gown being light weight, soft orange and flowing. Meliza chose to wear the most beautiful black gown easily making her the most beautiful woman attending the dinner tonight. Her choice of attire is bold and is the choice of a woman who is sure of herself. Her long kinky hair flowing down her shoulders is simply breathtaking.
Ariah
Myself, Aunt Suleh, Uncle Aveitu, and Meliza all sit quietly in the horse and carriage King JoLe sent for us, bringing us to his stay. “Ariah, I don’t tell you often enough, but you have become a daughter to me as my sister would have wanted. We all miss her a lot and she would have been proud of the young lady you’ve become.” When Aunt Suleh tells me this it feels good to hear but makes me nervous. Mainly because I don’t want to let her down. Thanks Aunt Suleh your words mean much to me.
Once arrived our family is escorted to King JoLe’s dining hall where he himself and Queen Iza are already seated. While walking in I noticed King JoLe noticing me. Our eyes locked and I felt something. Probably because he is such a wise and powerful man I am intrigued. Wondering about the things he wonders about. We are all seated, and my aunt and uncle already have a relationship with the King due to their running of the brick-and-mortar house. We all start to greet and King JoLe start to speak.
“Here on this day, I welcome you all into my family. Thank you, Mr. Aveitu, for allowing me to marry your niece, Ariah. Mrs. Suleh Thank you as well for raising such women in your household. I am sure you all are interested in knowing how I chose ‘you’ Ariah as my coming wife. It is a story that goes far back. Ariah, your father ‘Chofi’ made great sacrifices for this village which in turn cost him everything. Two of my sisters Ela and Zai were married to the King of the village Yocheki when I was 20 and 1 years of age. They were 16 and 19 years of age at the time.
The King of Yochecki was brutal to them both. The marriage was a peace offering between our villages because at the time it was a drought for food here in Yisraem. After the drought had ended Chofi had seen enough of Ela and Zai being abused. He felt it was a disrespect for daughters of Yisraem to not be treated as upstanding women. Chofi knew that my father could not break an alliance between King’s over marital disputes.
Which is why Chofi took the matter into his own hands and slaughtered the King of Yocheki in order to free my sisters. As they were also like sisters to him. After this happened the Yocheki people required Chofi’s head, and we could not deny them. It is the reason Chofi, Fuma and you Ariah had to all escape to Egypt. My father promised Chofi a better life when he was able to return. When we heard Fuma and Chofi were slaughtered the decision was already made on who would be my second wife.
Ariah it is my duty to your father to make you a well-kept woman. I feel honored to fulfill this duty.” Hearing King JoLe say these things I have to hold back tears from hearing about what an honorable man my father was. Although a few weeks ago I was nowhere near thinking about marriage and definitely not to the King, I now feel this is the life and marriage meant for me.
