Page 37 of Cursed Daughters
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She didn’t go to the kitchen. Instead, she and Golden Boy snuck away from the group to the courtyard, where they spent the afternoon sitting beneath the iroko tree, enjoying its generous shade.
Time went far too quickly. Even though in reality it had been five hours; three since her mum had left the house. And to make matters worse, he was travelling to the UK to take an engineering course that his father had insisted on; so really this was the last time she would see him for months. Still, what was a couple of months? Six months into the relationship and she was more certain than ever that she was meant to spend the rest of her life by his side.
“I have to go, babe,” he said, standing up. In response, she grabbed the hem of his shirt; she would milk this time for all it was worth.
“Not yet, Golden Boy.”
He sighed, but let her pull him back down. “Will you never stop with this whole Golden Boy ish?”
“Why would I? Your skin is golden, your heart is golden, your wallet is gol—”
“My wallet? I don’t even have a proper job.”
“Your father’s wallet then.”
He chuckled. “I didn’t know I was dating a gold-digger.”
“Now you know. I’m here for the big bucks.”
“Ah, I’ll have to make sure he disowns me then, so I can test this love.”
“Then where will the money come from?”
“We will go and live in a face-me-I-face-you apartment.”
She laughed. “God forbid! Who will follow you there?”
“But I thought you said our love is special. You said, and I quote, ‘This love will survive anything anyone throws at it. It will survive curses, it will survive—’ ” She pinched him. “Ow! This one na domestic violence.”
She kissed his skin; it was already beginning to redden. Then she nibbled, and he sucked in his breath.
“Mo…”
“What?”
“You know what you’re doing. And I have to go. My mom will be home soon and she will raise hell if I’m not there.”
Monife frowned, though of course he had to go. Her own mother would probably be back soon. “Okay. What will you give me, before you go?”
He raised an eyebrow, but she maintained eye contact. “Fine. I shall give you my…” He patted his pockets, then pulled out his handkerchief. “My hanky.” She took it and held it to her cheek. “Am I free to go now?”
She pouted. “Is that how they say bye in your village?”
He pulled her to him and kissed her. It was as though he were trying to pull her being into his, they were so close. When he released her, she felt light-headed. And then he was gone.
Ebun must have heard the gate open and shut, for she was in the courtyard only a couple of minutes after Golden Boy had left. She found Mo on her knees before the tree, digging the soil with a trowel.
“What are you doing?”
“Burying Golden Boy’s handkerchief.”
“Why the hell are you doing that?”
“It’s an antidote against the curse.”
Her cousin rolled her eyes. “You just made that up.”
