The Moon Girl: Part 1

1.30am June 1, 1991

Femi was beside himself with fear and desperation. His wife, Morenike was lying on the mat groaning in terrible pain. She was in labor in the middle of the night and they were stuck on farm, deep inside Okiki forest, miles away from the village and anyone who could help. Femi could only hold her, letting her squeeze his hands painfully as each contraction gripped her. He watched her slender frame writhe, watched tears and sweat pour down her face and felt as useless and as helpless as never before. Was she going to die? He knew nothing about childbirth! He held her close, trying not to weep, he squeezed his eyes shut and prayed silently in his heart. "Dear God, if you are out there watching, please help us, don't let Morenike die, please bring forth our little one safely, we waited so long for this". A gentle breeze began to blow into the hot little hut. Femi opened his eyes and noticed the moon inching slowly out from under a heavy cloud, gradually changing the pitch-black night into a beautiful moonlit night. Despite the ongoing drama and dilemma, Femi stared up at the skies wondering what was happening. The moon wasn't due out and certainly not this full until 2 weeks time! He gradually became aware that his wife had calmed down and was breathing more steadily. "Morenike my love, are you alright?" he asked. "I suddenly feel so much better and I'm so grateful for the reprieve but I don't understand how come I feel so good when the contractions should be increasing" she replied, looking simultaneously relieved and perplexed.

Husband and wife held on to one another, grateful for the calm yet afraid for the next contraction. Morenike gave him instructions to get several clothes to stem the blood to come, a knife to sever the umbilical cord, and a bucket of water to wash up. He got all the items quickly and hurried back to her side. "We are going to do this together," he said to her, looking into her eyes with so much love and fear. The full moon was shining brightly into the hut and the gentle breeze continued to blow very soothingly. The pain gripped her again but rather gently this time and Morenike moaned softly. "Femi, it's starting again" she said. As though on cue, a bright shimmering figure of a woman stepped into the hut. Husband and wife gasped in shock because this was obviously no human being; she was obviously some sort of deity because she had on her head a stately, glowing crown. She gleamed and glittered like the moon and was so beautiful! "You called for help and here I am" she said. She knelt before Morenike and proceeded to perform the services of a mid-wife. Femi watched in awe and wonder as the beautiful moonlight creature birthed his baby. Morenike was no longer crying, just groaning a bit every now and then. In no time, the hut was filled with the wailing of the newborn. The creature cleaned Morenike up, washed the baby quickly, wrapped her up and handed her to Femi. "Take good care of her, she is very special," said the creature. She raised her hand as though calling for a host of heavenly chariots and faded away right before their eyes! Morenike, feeling extraordinarily alright for a woman who just put to bed and so she sat up and rested her back against the wall just like her husband. She stretched out her hand for the baby. Femi handed her the delicate bundle. They both watched as Morenike unwrapped their baby, wanting to know the sex and received another shock. Their baby was a beautiful little girl but she was shimmering and glowing like the creature that birthed her!

6.30pm June 1, 2018:

It was Diana's 27th birthday and she was out with her friends and having an amazing time. She looked absolutely gorgeous and the contrast of long black hair against her flowing white ball gown was a sight to behold. She was quite used to receiving admiring looks from both guys and ladies and today was no different. She was however acutely aware of Richard's dark and compelling gaze on her all day. His eyes had been calling her but she resisted the urge to go sit with him and instead chose to mingle with other guests. Her phone rang stridently and she knew it was her Mum calling. She stepped away from her dancing friends and pressed the phone to her ear. "Diana, you must return home as fast as you can!", said her Mum. "The moon will be out soon and you know what that means dear". Her parents had named her Diana after the goddess of the moon, hunting and virginity because they were convinced that the goddess had visited them on the day she was born. "I will be home soon Mum, please don't worry" said Diana as she dropped the call. She went back to her friends and told them she had to leave. They didn't want her to, but they were used to her eccentric parents' curfews. They would continue the party without the birthday girl and they didn't mind. Diana said her goodbyes to her guests and turned to leave only to find Richard standing in her way. Her heart skipped a beat as she looked up at him smiling down at her. She couldn't resist smiling shyly back at him. He was so handsome and so much of a gentleman. She had been deeply attracted to him since the first time they met on her 26th birthday last year and she knew he felt pretty much the same for her. "Why do you always have to leave so early birthday girl?" he asked. "Can't you stay a little longer today? I have been wanting to talk to you" he said. Diana knew in her heart what he wanted to talk about. They couldn't be in any kind of close proximity without intense chemistry filling the air. Everyone knew they liked each other and they were all just waiting for them to get together formally. "I'm sorry Richard, I really have to go now" said Diana.

He stared down at her and looked like he was going to insist that she stayed, but after a beat, he stepped out of her way and she hurried out of the hall. She looked up, saw the moon was already inching out from under the clouds and broke into a run. Her long black hair and flowing white gown flared behind her as she ran to the car park and jumped into her car. She gunned the engine and drove off in a squeal of tyres, speeding home. As she drove, her fair skin began to change subtly and she began to glow and shimmer. By the time she drove into her parent's secluded estate, she no longer looked like the light-skinned Nigerian girl that she was. Diana was as bright as a lamp, lit up from within, as white and beautiful as the moon itself. She parked the car in the garage and stepped out to hug her Mum who had been waiting anxiously in the garage for her. Morenike looked at her glowing, shimmering daughter and asked fearfully, "Did anyone see you like this?"

To be continued....

Cheers & thanks for reading!!