Malaika Read Online Free PDF Page A

back of my thighs. As I lay there staring into the African blue sky, she wrestled playfully, pouncing around me. When I caught my breath, I grabbed her around the tuft of her neck and roared lightheartedly. I could hear some of the field workers laughing hysterically at the spectacle. She really was a hunter. I had no warning. However, my jubilation quickly drained as I noticed not all were amused. In fact, most were grasping their weapons. She read my fear as she stared into my eyes. I picked myself up and quickly walked back toward my “segregated” rental. She stayed at my side. I petted her occasionally as we walked. All the while I thought about what Abasi said—Malaika would never be accepted in the village.
    It wasn’t long after I got home that Absko came over and began wrestling with Malaika. He had really warmed to her, and she to him. Occasionally, I would hear him squeal as her mouth would come down a little harder than Absko would have liked.
    “You should put a leash on her and parade her all around,” he said.
    “She is not mine to cage.” I could have snarled at such a preposterous proposition, but I didn’t.

 
     
    That evening I walked with her to the edge of the meadow. The Three waited for us as before. This time was different as they sat on their haunches. The king raised himself upon seeing us. Although I was fifty yards away from him, it felt like a mere fifty inches. I was unwelcome, and he made this clear. Malaika passed me and within moments, passed her pride leader and met with the matriarchs. She turned toward me—perhaps indicating that we would meet again soon, then retreated.
    “You know where you can find me,” I whispered.
     
    I don’t remember lying long in my bed. When my head hit the pillow I was out.
    When the morning sun snuck over the mountains, I sat in my chair and waited for her. Drinking my coffee, I preempted a saucer of coconut milk for my soon-to-be guest.
    Soon, I heard her lap the milk, and I felt proud I had such a friend as her. With milk dripping from her chin, she radiated “good morning” in her eyes. I, admittedly, was giddy this crisp morning, for I had arranged a treat beyond anything I had supplied before. I reached into a cooler at my side. Her expression was of curiosity, but in hindsight, I figure she was being polite, because with a lion-equipped-nose, it couldn’t have been much of a surprise. I lifted wet butcher paper swamped with blood. As I opened it, I set it in front of her. Absko had provided me with a fresh cut of beef. Or at least I think it was beef.
    Malaika flared her nostrils over it, then turned to me with a glint in her eyes. Respectfully, she refused.
    “Not fresh enough for you?” I asked. Exactly the case. Later, I found out that the kill is half of the meal and that handouts were below her. I was forgiven for my cultural ignorance.
     
    A couple weeks later, Absko peered his head into my room with a young lady on his arm. She was timid to her new surroundings and held him tightly. Her youth enhanced her remarkable beauty.
    “This is Sanura.”
    Pulling my glasses from my face, I placed Ralph Waldo on the makeshift table, welcomed them, introduced myself, and offered them root beers.
    “Absko, I assume this lovely young lady is your secret.” They both shied against each other. He nodded, smiling, as she pressed her cheek against his shoulder, trying to hide her face. “Oh, my boy, what I would give if I could bottle what you two are feeling. That’s wonderful, just wonderful.”
    “I’m sorry that I didn’t ask first if I could bring a guest. I know how you like your privacy.”
    “Nonsense,” I replied quickly. “Okay, you are right-on, but I am very willing to make an exception. I haven’t seen your father in days, and frankly, it is nice to see you and a new face. So, Sanura, what is the meaning of such a beautiful name?”
    She smiled as she gazed toward the floor. “It means young cat.”
    “Is that right?