Still, her mother never failed her. She fed Latty with care. She sang to her every night. She made her feel important in a world that treated her like nothing.
When Latty turned nineteen, she made a small wish. She wanted to walk around the village like other girls. Her mother agreed and asked the neighbor’s daughter to guide her.
As they walked slowly that day, a gold seller saw her. He heard her voice — soft, calm, beautiful. Something touched his heart instantly.
The gold seller’s name was Eba. He was rich and respected. That day, he could not forget Latty. He asked questions quietly. When he learned she had been blind from birth, his heart did not change.
He told his mother he wanted to marry her.
His mother refused at once.
“A blind girl?” she said angrily. “Never.”
But Eba stood firm. He told her he would take Latty to the white man’s land to fix her eyes. He believed she was special.
One evening, Eba came to Latty’s house with palm wine and gifts. Elders gathered. He spoke clearly.
“I want to marry Latty.”
Latty’s father laughed loudly.
“Why would a normal man marry a blind girl?” he asked. Then he pointed proudly at Toro. “Look at my second daughter. Beautiful, complete.”
But Eba shook his head.
