“Part IX”
Hope
Two weeks had passed since the revolt and the mood on the floating tomb was awfully sour. Twenty nine more people had died from starvation, sickness, desperation and additional casualties were to be expected. The faith of his people fed him courage and resilience. His body had gotten used to famishment. His skinny physique only required half a fish and a drop of water every couple of days. During that time, Kaya Maga and Aminata had grown closer and started entertaining a relationship. Their attraction overcame the abundance of hunger and subdued the dryness of thirst. Despite the harshness of time, she shone brighter still. Their time together also gave him hope someone will rescue them. She made him forget the weight of his responsibilities and the error of his ways.
One morning Aminata came running into the room and woke Kaya Maga to inform him, the remaining survivors had jumped off the boat. Flabbergasted he flew off the bed, and ran in the direction of the dining room, then onto the deck to make sure he was not dreaming. Outside, he saw the deck was completely empty. Still sceptic he double checked the entire boat. He could not believe that everyone would sacrifice themselves without his consent. Aminata who was following Kaya Maga, held him against her chest and said with tears her eyes:
“They are gone, all of them”
Kaya Maga still in shock retorted:
“But why”
A much calmer Aminata replied:
“Because they loved you”
“The supplies were running out and I believe they thought after everything, you deserved a second chance at life”
Finally coming to the realisation that he was not dreaming, Kaya Maga walked outside wondering why he had to be the one who survived. Aminata stayed by his side all night to make sure he did not attempt to do the unthinkable. They spent the night on the deck watching the stars and reminiscing time back in Mali. Kaya Maga who was still unsure about how Aminata found herself on the boat decided to ask her. Unsurprised Aminata replied with a soft voice:
“Before the conflict, my father came to warn us of the upcoming battle”
“When I asked why he wasn’t helping the emperor defend the city”
“He replied the emperor’s time had passed”
“I was scared but I could not reject my family”
“After the fight was over however, white men turn their sight onto us”
“They slew my father and mother wherethey stood”
“My brother tried to run but he too was shot in the back”
“I cannot remember what really happened after the soldier bashed my head in with the side of his weapon.”
“I feinted and woke up later naked and strapped to a horse.”
“I was then sold off to the slavers.”
“The rest is history”
Her story brought him even more grief as he’d fallen in love with the person. Kaya Maga expressed his disappointment in the father’s actions, and regret for what had befallen Aminata. The night was long and grief-stricken. No more words were spoken as they clasped through the night.
It had been three months since their departure from Africa. Six hundred and forty two souls had perished, and circumstances worsened over time. But there was a glimmer of hope. Aminata was one month pregnant with Kaya Maga’s child. Their time together since the revolt had been fruitful—a young soul were to come into the world. Though conflicting, the situation encouraged them to continue hoping for a better future. They did not believe God will disregard the suffering of an unborn child. Since knowing about Aminata’s situation, Kaya Maga refused to consume food or water to give Aminata and the baby a fighting. His condition quickly deteriorated, he could barely walk ten paces before collapsing. Despite several attempts from Aminata, he would not eat or drink. Maybe the lifetime of regret had finally caught up to him.
Like his father, Kaya Maga died during a full moon, in the captain’s bed and on empty stomach. His ring around the middle finger carefully rested on his chest. He appeared at peace as if he were sleeping. His old soul had finally crossed to a better place. Aminata, washed his body wrapped him in white sheet and sent him off to join his lifelong friend Sembema. She was wrecked and lonely, but the ring and the child she carried would keep her company. Two weeks after Kaya Maga’s death, Aminata Koulibaly was rescued by friendly barbary corsairs. She was washed, fed and taken back to the port of Rabat Salé. After few months of labour, Aminata set on a path to keep a promise she made her beloved Kaya Maga before his death—To find the lost people of Mali and introduce them to their saviour.
THE END
