Alma was walking relentlessly in her room, little perspiration forming on her forehead. She kept muttering to herself and cursing out loud, it was evident that she was really upset about something. She was about to sit down when a soft knock was heard on her door. She didn't want any visitors,her temper was that of a raged bull ready to fight. she wanted to scream out loud in frustration, but no voice came out.
"Who is it?" She asked angrily.
"Jamal. " A man's voice answered from outside. She let out a small smile, knowing well who it was.
"Come in. The door is open.
Jamal pushed the door slightly and showed his face first. He smiled sweetly at her, before stepping inside the room. He looked like he was from sleeping, but this didn't make him any less attractive. He was one of the handsome warriors in Zina kingdom, and every girl wanted to be his woman. Everyday his isimba would flock with different girls who brought him food, others fetched him water without him asking. He was strong, smart and funny too,every girls dream man. From a young age, he was a charmer, attracting the attention of those who met him. He was known as the greatest hunter, and when the time for initiation came, his late father asked him to join the kingdom's warrior team in protecting the kingdom, to which he gladly accepted with honor.
"You look horrible Alma. What's wrong?" He asked when he got in and saw the frustration on her face.
"She is back!
" Who?" Jamal looked confused.
"That outcast girl. "
"The princess? ". Jamal got curious, confusion written all over his face.
Somehow he hoped it was Zahara she was talking about.
Alma did not answer, instead she walked up to her window and stared outside. Jamal did not have to ask twice for he knew the meaning of that silence.
"Finally. I knew she would be back. One never forgets her roots." He said with a half a smile.But Alma saw it.
"You still love her. " it was neither a question nor a statement.
Alma turned fully and stared at Jamal, waiting for him to say something in regards to her statement. Not wanting to cause more chaos, he changed the subject.
" Are you going with me to the moon dance tonight? "
" You still love her, huh?.
" That's in the past."
"I can see it in your eyes Jamal. You still love that outcast.
" Why do you hate her so much. Remember she is your friend. "
" Friends? Friends don't go behind my back.
" Aren't you doing the same?
" Why are you even defending her? I am supposed to be your woman. And that means being on my side. "
" Am not defending anyone here. Listen, everything's in the past now. I used to love her, it's different now. Besides, we haven't seen each other over a decade now. Things have changed, so is my love for her. "
" Love?" The words came out of her mouth like venom.
" Really now. What's wrong with you.
" Now am the one who has a problem? Am just trying to state the obvious here
"And what's the obvious ?"
" That you are still in love with the outcast princess.
" Whatever girl. You know what, am getting sick of all this . I came here to ask if you will be going to the moon dance with me, and this is all I get? I thought you were not the jealous type. I guess I was wrong.
" Won't you try to protect the sheep when a snake hisses?" Alma said with a sneer.
Jamal swallowed painfully, he did not like what she just said. He tried so much to be calm but he was loosing it.
Zahara was special to him, what they shared before she left was nothing but wonderful memories. He remembered how painful it was to learn of her disappearance. She didn't even tell him that she had the plans of running away, he would have gone with her. Her absence had caused him so much turmoil that it took him three years to move on. And Alma, she just never gave up pursuing him. It was through a state of healing his broken heart and loneliness that made him to accept Alma's offer. She was a good woman, very hardworking. To add to it, she was a good cook, and as the African proverb says, the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Alma really got her way to his heart. And it's on few occasions that he would catch himself thinking of his lost love,a love he knew would never be his again. Everyone in Zina knew Zahara would not come back, she was an outcast, an embarrassment to the royal family. He didn't know what to feel of all this, whether to be happy she was back, or sad that their love never got the chance to bloom.
"I beg to take my leave now. " he said reaching for the door.
" But you just got here. Let me prepare for you your favorite, fish and ugali. "She said smiling
" Am okay now. I have said what brought me here.
"You have never said no to my food Jamal. Her coming back has started changing you already. "She said arrogantly.
"If I stay here one more minute you are going to make me say something that I will regret. It seems you won't stop talking about Zahara. You really are threatened by her. Mmmh. Am beginning to suspect you had something to do with her leaving..
"What! Me? Of course not. We all know she tried to tell the royal counsel I was the one who stole the Ofuleni and wanted to sell it to the neighboring kingdom. "
But, did you?" Jamal was serious when asking this.
" What! You are unbelievable. How can you even think of that. It's been ten years, and now you think I had a hand in what happened?
" I just asked you a simple question Alma. Yes or No."He was looking at her intensely, she looked away.
" No I didn't. The outcast did. We all know too well she hated her father's rule. Besides,she had better access to the palace than me."
" That's what we all know yes, but that's not enough for a father and daughter to hate each other so much to the point of him pronouncing her an outcast.
"Well, I don't know about all that. Perhaps you do. After all you are one of the Warriors in the palace. "
"Not any more. " he said looking down.
"Are you serious? Why?" She asked holding his hand.
"I won't be able to stand being in the same room with her.
" I knew it. ," she dropped his hand immediately , moving away from him.
" What are you talking about. " he looked confused.
"You still love her. " she bluntly said.
" You can believe what you want to believe, but here is what I have to say to you, and it's because I respect you as my woman. Zahara hurt me so badly. And seeing her would make me want to strangle her for leaving me.." it was too late before he realized the impact of his words.
Alma looked at him, anger in her eyes. His words cut too deep. So she was right, she thought. He still loved her.
"Am sorry Alma. I have to go. "
She didn't say anything until he was out of her house. She slumped on her chair and started crying, feeling all the loss of trying so hard to make Jamal forget about Zahara. She loved Jamal so much, ever since they were kids. It wasn't before Zahara left that he started noticing her as a woman. She thought she was winning, but the game was just starting.