The darkness kept its march as Night spread its wings over the silent earth. Here I remain – here I sit at the threshold of twilight. Vain longings. Heart forlorn.

The bank of this river was a favourite spot of mine even before the eclipse that plunged my heart into eternal darkness. It was a calm and restful place for a quite soul to retire and contemplate the workings of nature. A haven where one withdrawing from the stench and narrowness of human society commit oneself to the dark recesses of leafy woods and inhale the aroma of the evergreen.

It was here – here in this humble surrounding that I first met Ifeoma. She had come to the river to fetch some water. It was in the cool of an evening. She had come in the company of a friend. I did not see them as they approached the stream but the spirited chatter of their voices reached my silence subdued ears. No man I believe ever forgets when he first comes in contact with true beauty – Not the beauty that rouses the senses to brute conquest and acquisition but a beauty that moves you to stand, that stills you to motion, that stirs your heart to such quiet that you forget all that you are and remember this – and this alone – that you are just one man on the face of the earth – no more, no less – one man with a love-throbbing heart. A beauty that peals the bells of wonder and an aura of harmony that weaves a braid of peace.

On my perch beneath a canopy of trees I knew they could not see me. I watched as the pair negotiated the slopy terrain down to the river. I watched the pair but had eyes only for one – one who stood in beauty in the somber light of the evening – illuminating it. I watched, enchanted, the woods all about me fading into nothingness at her approach. Dark and graceful. Lips that seem set in a perpetual smile.

She walked knee deep into the river. The water glad to be so honoured rippled all about in an epiphany breaking in diamond radiance upon the pebbled shore.

Her fetching pale brushed the surface of the water. Tilted. The water rushed in to fill it. She waded it gently to the river's edge. Her voice - a spontaneous laughter – merry bells – the tinkling of crystals. This goddess waited at the shore for her priestess to join her.

The sun halted its fall at the horizon. To peep. A last peep. A worthy image to loll it. To a blissful sleep. The bowl rose to her head. Her back turned to me. She walked away. The darkness was returning. Then she slipped. And fell.

I found my voice!

"Good evening". I barely heard myself.

I cleared my throat, as I clambered down from my perch

"Good evening " I said again

I made towards her – half running, half walking. I reached out a hand and pulled her up. The spilled water in rivulets carved out paths to join the stream. She was initially stunned but started chuckling at the prodding from her companion. I mumbled my sympathy.

"This ground around here can be treacherous" I said

"That, I have found out today" she said, the remnant of a smile still playing on her lips.

"So I guess we start again" I continued, picking up the bowl and made for the river. I returned.

"What is your name?" I asked

"Ifeoma"

"I am Dike. Is it possible to see you again?"

"That depends on what for and where"

"O just to make sure you are alright. That was a nasty fall you had."

"I will be okay."

"Whose daughter are you?" I pressed on.

"My father is Okaka. I must go now. Night is falling fast."

"Okay. Take care of yourself." I said.

That was the turning point in my life. The wings of love were fluttering in my heart. My poor beating member was on the verge of bursting with rapture. Where was the freshness before now – this air that swells to plumpness my lungs? Where the trees ever this radiant? – these branches of green that like fingers caress the last rays of the sun in a dance of light. Did this heart – my heart – ever beat? I doubt it. Did I ever truly live – till this moment. What is this feeling of cold warmth that ripples my bowels. A veil has been peeled of my eyes and I have seen it – another world. I hummed a tune beneath my breath as I made my way home.

***