I wrapped my arms around her and held her close, “Take it easy,” I soothed, as she collapsed into my shoulders and wept bitterly. I tried to comfort her. “Nothing is perfect. Forget what has happened today; tomorrow will tell us a different story. You know, it’s a short life we live, be strong and be content with what has already become of us”.

She turned and looked at me questioningly, “Why do you sound so indifferent. Isn’t this between you and me?

For a short while I did not answer, then I replied “Yes, but we have to accept what is before us and move on. You will go your own way and I will go mine. See…you wish you had the power to change the course of everything and I wish I had the money to pay the amount your people have demanded.”

The sun was turning orange over the horizon. Weakening like a huge ball of fire, rolling over a battle field. Its reflection grasping and transforming everything it met along its path. Night was fast approaching. Soon her name would echo through the dark, to declare the end of us and whatever we thought we had as friends, partners or couples.

For the first time in my life I felt rejected by my own people. A girl I love had to be taken away from me, uncompromisingly and unjustly. Even if I proved my higher love for her, to them I would still appear weak, a weak man. It had to be money. And money was not what I had. Only love, genuine unconditional love that would protect her, feed her, shelter her…

I pitied my people’s foolishness. Money was all they wanted, the ultimate reason why they would not think humanely. I was sorry for Lekwa too, my successor; the man who would become the bridegroom in place of me, the man who was stronger than me.

I tried to picture her holding hands happily with Lekwa, but the image kept falling apart, like a million pieces of puzzle that would never fit together. If only Lekwa saw the true meaning of love, he would have dismissed everything in my favour.

Then it came, the moment we feared, her name echoed through the night, piercing through our hearts like a sharp blade and numbing our veins. Ahead, lights from torches and hurricane lamps lanced through the already dark undergrowth. Distant figures wavered towards us.

“My love this must be the end…I will miss you”. She let out a muffled cry of bitterness as she gave a final squeeze to my hand and moved away reluctantly. My heart froze as I felt the passage along my throat constrict. I fumbled in the darkness for a last hand shake or hug or whatever my heart instantly longed for, but I could only hear her sobs getting louder as she staggered towards the approaching figures. Immediately I missed her presence. I wanted to run after her and grab her, whisk her away and mend our heartache forever...but I could not, it was impossible.

The lights had come closer. “This is it” I thought, “This is the end”. I turned and paved my way silently through the palm fronds and shrubs, trying to glance back, but fearing.

I was numb to the ferns and under growth that pushed past my legs or occasionally brushed my face. A while later, the night sounded still, I could only make out the faint thud of my own footsteps. I halted and glanced back where I had come, hoping as if to see her face one last time, only to be reminded of the dullness and darkness of the night around me. 

I looked up into the dark sky and felt the universe looking down at me like a mother to a heart-broken child. Like me, many had taken this journey before and still many will take this journey – a journey of an uncertain destiny. 

I forced a smile to my lips and welcomed the bitter tears that welled up in my eyes. “Will her heart ever heal; will she ever find happiness again? Will they ever see what they had done to her - us?” And it dawned on me; only time held this answer to the mystery of love when bought.

Eric Gabriel (29) was born in Morobe Province but hails from Rigo in Central Province. He is a graduate of the University of Goroka and is a teacher at Magrida High School