MICHELLE'S STORY - A VISIT TO A TRIBAL VILLAGE

 

By K.C. Douglas

 

The week began at a furious pace. Elections happened with Sarge ensuring Rodney saw only what the ruling junta wanted him to see. Rodney was obligated to observe all polling stations and he was required to confirm that everything was conducted according to international protocol.

 

Sarge kept the conscientious observer occupied many hours a day in the capital city before they were scheduled to visit some outlying villages. Things were done merely for appearances sake, as the election outcome was really a foregone conclusion. The international community reasoned that the country was reasonably democratic, but in reality most of the tribal people still lived under strict, dictator rule.

 

Rodney tried hard to concentrate on the job at hand, but he kept worrying about his wife's wellbeing even though Sarge insisted Michelle was safe. After two long days in the capitol city, it was time to inspect polling stations in remote villages. "Capital city is done. Now we go villages... one is village where I come from," Sarge informed Rodney. "Not take long... we check election stations. Wife come, too. Michelle needs see country... visit African people."

 

It seemed like an eternity since Rodney had seen Michelle. He longed for her every waking hour, overly concerned about her safety. It was early in the morning when the limo pulled up at the hotel to pick up Rodney and the couple was finally together again. When the backdoor opened and he saw his wife, Rodney felt the biggest wave of relief and happiness.

 

Rodney quickly got into the limo and he put his arm around Michelle's shoulders, giving her a loving embrace. "I've missed you... so much, but I fully understand. You don't have a choice... please, let's do whatever the bastard wants. Then maybe he will let us go," he whispered.

 

"Yes, he promised... he said he would," she replied and kissed her husband.

 

"I guess we're making a visit to a small village... the one that Sarge, himself, comes from."

 

"Yes, oh honey, I've missed you."

 

Sarge didn't tell Rodney much other than they were going to the village where he was raised. He had a personal reason for the visit plus the trip was planned to coincide with Rodney's election scrutiny to ensure all of the voting procedures were carried out properly.

 

They drove through the barren countryside until several antiquated dwellings came into view. Michelle cringed at the obvious poverty, as nothing looked modern, from old outdated automobiles to ancient houses. The temperature was extremely hot and there always seemed to be dust in the air, giving everything a spiritual appearance.

 

The limo drove into what looked like the center of the village, as there were many tribal men, women and children mulling around an enormous statue. Sarge, along with three of his security guards, got out of the car and one of the guards escorted Rodney and Michelle out into the bright sunshine.

 

Michelle licked her lips, trying to freshen them from the parched air. She glanced around and noted that most of the men wore scant clothing designed for the hot weather and the women wore long dresses that were mere wraps of bright colored cloth.

 

Without much ado, Sarge ushered the couple to a building next to the village square. "This where we vote... please go over everything. The voting slips are in metal box... there," he said, waving his hand at a large container sitting on a table. "It will take you hour or two to check... check everything. See if all done according to American standards."

 

Then Sarge led Michelle and a small group to another building, leaving Rodney to do his work. There was a small gathering sitting around a large table and the table was set up with food galore. Everyone stopped eating when Sarge entered with his guests. "This beautiful woman Michelle... she our guest," he said in his native dialect.

 

"Please... sit and let's eat," Sarge said to Michelle, as he directed her to a seat and sat down next to her.

 

Although she wasn't very hungry, Michelle tried to put on a brave face. She slowly glanced around the room, taking note of her surroundings. The table was long and quite narrow and the top was covered with various local foods, which oddly looked somewhat appetising.

 

Besides Sarge and herself, there was an elder who appeared to be head of the village. Also sitting at the table were a half dozen young men who looked like tribal warriors. She looked closer at the men and noted that three of them were dressed differently than the other three. Also the three were definitely a little older plus they had numerous tattoos covering their bodies. The younger three were clean-shaven and without any body markings.

 

Sarge noticed Michelle looking around so he decided to explain a few of the African customs. "Older gentleman is Zuberi. He is chief... leader of our tribe. We are highest-ranking tribe in the country and all political leaders come from our village," he explained and poured Michelle something to drink before he continued.

 

"The experienced, most trusted men of the tribe are sitting on Zuberi's right. They are full-fledged warriors of the tribe. Others on left are almost ready... they will be initiated, as true warriors this week. It special ceremony and one you American's would find interesting," Sarge said with a devilish wink.

 

He looked at the beautiful woman with a wide, knowing smile covering his ruggedly handsome face. The food was passed around the table and Michelle reluctantly took some fruit and bread so as not to offend anyone.

 

After what seemed like an eternity, she started to relax a little and felt slightly more comfortable. Then a glass with a reddish drink was passed to her, which at first tasted very sweet, but tasteful. Sarge encouraged her to drink and even toasted her a couple of times, but Michelle found nothing strange about his actions.

 

Another hour passed and suddenly Sarge whispered at her. "I must go... Rodney almost done inspection," he said. Sarge stood to leave and sternly motioned for Michelle to remain seated. "You enjoy Zuberi's company. You very lucky. These men consider you goddess... true African goddess. They deem it the highest honor to be with you... in your presence."

 

Michelle didn't want to stay. She took a quick glance around the room and noted the admiring stares yet she didn't have the courage to refuse Sarge's request. Even though she hated the man, she felt severe pangs of anxiety when Sarge departed, leaving her with his tribal friends.

 

All of the men continued to talk loud and boisterous while she tried to be as inconspicuous as possible. It seemed quite natural to pick away at the fresh fruit and sip from her glass, which seemed to mysteriously fill-up all the time. None of the men talked to her and she kept very quiet in the background.

 

When Michelle heard the sound of a car's engine, shivers of dire panic shot up her spine. She quickly stood up to look out a window and noticed Rodney, Sarge and his guards getting into the black limousine. Everything got very quiet, as she watched the car drive away in a trail of dust.

 

Michelle desperately wanted to run after the limo because her situation suddenly became ominous. She stood silently at the window with all of the men around her and each warrior had a big grin on his dark rugged face.

 

All of a sudden Zuberi took her arm and led her away. Her legs wobbled so bad that Michelle had a hard time walking, as the eldest tribal leader ushered her into another room of the African abode. A thousand frightening things were running through her head and it all made her totally confused and bewildered.

 

She was in a rural African village with men and women who didn't speak English and she didn't know any of them. Zuberi took her into a room, which looked neat, but it was extremely hot and dry, which caused her to sweat.

 

Michelle looked through teary eyes at a large wooden table that appeared to be fully set up and arranged for some kind of celebration. There were four women standing at a stove in one corner of the room; three kids that appeared to be teenagers sitting against one wall, and two small children were playing on the floor. It all appeared like a large family get-together, but Michelle didn't feel like being friendly.

 

Her initial urge was to run or put up a fight. Suddenly she determined that any resistance would do no good, as there was absolutely no place to hide. Michelle grudgingly allowed Zuberi to sit her down at the table and quickly all the seats were taken by the same bunch of nearly naked warriors who she met earlier.