There was something about drums that always got Zahara in the mood for dancing, it was the melody, so soothing and inviting, especially when the drums were in unison with the other instruments,like the bell and the horn, that did the magic. The music reminded her that she was actually at home, the beats so traditional. She heard joyful voices of laughter and people singing from a distance. She wanted so much to be there, to dance in the magic moonlight and let go of all the burdens on her shoulders. She suddenly felt afraid,it wasn't thunder and lightening that scared her this time. Neither was is it comptetion among thriving hotels back in the city. This time it was something personal, she felt lost. She had lived in a place that accommodated everyone from all over the country, she blended in, and this made her forget the simple ways of her people, and what it felt like to belong. She wasn't getting any younger, and sometimes she couldn't help but feel the pressure of having her own family. Her mates were already married with kids, but her, all this seemed to be moving away from her.
Its okay back in the city, because there,people mind their own business, so the pressure was less bothering, but being at home was like being in a small world, especially her identity as a Royal, you are a mirror to the people, a reflection to the outside world.
The music became loud, making Zahara to toss and turn in bed. She wanted to be there, but lacked the will to move.
She couldn't escape from the beauty of the night, beckoning her to be part of something beautiful. The moon was showing it's full face, a light to the kingdom, a symbol of Hope and abundance.
Memories of her early years as a dancer clouded her mind, and how proud her father was, during those days. She would entertain royal guests during royal functions, her father would then joke with his friends that his daughter was like an antelope,Swift and beautiful, ready to wriggle her body in various forms, just by the sound of music. She was a delight to her father, whose special affection to her younger daughter was noticed by everyone.
She looked around her room, everything was exactly how she left it, she could smell the stuffiness of the room.
" I need to re-novate this room. So many memories." She said out loud, moving herself to the window.
She wanted to drink in the fresh air, while staring at the moon, it's brightenes touching every corner of the palace.
She opened the large Windows which faced the backyard,Her room separate from the rest. she remembered telling her father how privacy was important to her, to the horror of her sister who wanted the same room . It was only later that the benefits of her room being separate started to show, when she met Jamal. The palace warrior,and the love of her life.
Her mind was a battle field of thoughts, fighting for space of recognition.
She was lost in her world that she didn't hear the knock on the door, and her father entering her room .
King Zawanga stared at her daughter by the window, beautiful like her mother. She was her favorite, always has been. She reminded him of himself so much. Tough like the Lion, and very stubborn . He wanted to embrace her, and thank her for coming, but his ego won't let him. He was King, and doing that meant he was soft at heart.
King Zawanga cleared his throat, announcing his presence. Zahara turned back startled, but seeing her dad, she relaxed, but not that much. She hadn't seen her dad face to face since she arrived in the morning, she has been avoiding him throughout the day. She wanted to enjoy being back at home with her family, and seeing the king might have caused some tension,so to be on the safe side,she avoided the formal area where most meetings took place,and only stayed at the home area.
"Papa. "Zahara's tone was flat, but she could feel a warm aura from her dad.
"You are back." It was more of a question than a statement.
"Yes Papa. This is my home." That was the best she could say.
"The gods are wise. "
There was silence,as father and daughter stared at each other. There was more that needed to be said, but neither wanted to say anything that might ruin the calm .
" Won't you join your mates at the square?"
"No. I am tired, besides,if I go there everyone will stop dancing and stare. I don't want that to happen . "
The king nodded in agreement. He understood very well that his daughter was the topic of discussion among His kingdom staff, and he was sure the township too. It was a small kingdom and rumors spread so fast.
"Am happy you came. Thank you. " Zahara nodded. He knew when his dad was sincere, and this time she could see in his eyes the warmth she was accustomed to as a child. She had loved going round the kingdom with her dad,even if during those days it was not normal for a girl to be seen with her father all the time, it was expected of the boys. However, this was the king's daughter, and the king was allowed to do anything he wanted, so people questioned behind closed doors.
"Tomorrow I want you to accompany me to some place. Outside this kingdom. There's something important we need to discuss."
"Okay Papa. "
" I'll take my leave now. "
King Zawanga took one look at her daughter before turning for the door. He was just about to open the door when Zahara called on him.
"Papa, good to see you. Especially the calm you. It's been 10 years since. " Zahara didn't know how his dad would react, but she asked," "can I hug you? Please?".
King Zawanga froze for a second, that's what he wanted. He felt like running to his daughter and shout yes, but as a traditional man, emotions were not his to show. Those belong to the women.
"Zee my daughter, yes you can. How can I say no?" He had a half a smile. There was a genuine sense of comfort as the two embraced. It was a short embrace, but the two felt satisfied.
Zahara felt a sense of relief when his father left. Things were not really bad between her and the king, maybe time had healed his wounds. She thought.
Closing the window, she went back to bed, no longer concerned with the buzzing music coming from the square.
No sooner had she gotten under her covers,than she heard knocks on her window.
Immediately she knew who it was,the three knocks only came from one person. Her blood boiled. She wasn't ready to meet him, so she ignored the knock, and pretended to snore.
" Zee, I know you are still up. Am not leaving until you open. " Jamal's voice called from outside.
Cursing under her breath, Zahara jumped out of bed and opened the window.
"Really now?! Are you crazy? What if someone saw you?"
" Hello Princess. Nice to see you again."Jamal said jumping in the room.
"Exactly how you left it. I remember being here the night before you left. "Jamal was looking around, the room so familiar. It was their escape place they loved spending time in, for it was private from prying eyes.
" What are you doing here?" Her arms were on her waist.
" Just confirming if the rumors were true. "
" Now you have. Can I sleep now? It's been a long day."
" Why did you leave.?"
" What are you talking about?" Zahara knew exactly what Jamal was asking, but she wasn't going to make it easy for him.
" You left even without saying goodbye. I thought we were one, and your problems were my problems. Yet, you chose to escape without telling me."
" I was banished Jamal. Different case."
"No. You left because of the rumors in town about your banishment. It wasn't official. "
" I couldn't sit and wait for the rumors to be confirmed,and get myself to suffer the humiliation from this people. Desperate situations, call for desperate measures. So I flee. "
" Do you think the king would have let you go?."
"Traditions Jamal. Traditions were to be followed. See, it doesn't really matter now. Turns out, I am innocent from all this. The gods have been with me throughout."
" You broke my heart. " Jamal said moving closer to her. His hands were itching to touch her face, but he didn't want to make her uncomfortable.
" Hearts are meant to be broken Jamal. Yours wasn't the first, and it won't be the last. You moved on. Right?" Zahara stared at him, really wanting to know if he moved on .
" You really want to know?"
"Mmh."She nodded.
"Well, you are right, my heart was broken, torn to pieces. So I found someone who helped me put the pieces back together. It's not whole again, but at least it's working." He had a smirk on his face.
Zahara's expression changed.
"Who is the girl?" She didn't even recognize her voice.
Was she jealous? Zahara was never the jealous type, not that it mattered, but curiosity got the better side of her, and she wanted to know who took her place. Was it someone she knew?
Jamal looked at Zahara, his feelings dead from the heartache caused by her abscence, but there was a new force that was pulling him towards her, especially now that he was looking at her after a very long time.
"Alma." He spit out.
"Alma? " Zahara had a crossed look.
She has always been aware of expecting the unexpected, but this one was total news.
"Why are you surprised?"
"Are you seriously asking me that? She is my best friend."
"Was, your best friend. I don't think she is now."
" And how would you know?"
"Let's just say, I have been around her alot to know. Free advise,from now on, be very careful around her. "
Zahara didn't know what to figure out from this information. Deep inside she knew Jamal wasn't joking. She looked at him, he was already staring.
"So why are you here? You should be at the square, with your girl." There was disappointment in her voice.
" Are you jealous?"
Zahara laughed out loud.
"Me? Jealous? For what? Infact, I too moved on. I have a boyfriend in the city, his name is Danny. Don't worry, we are even now"
"Do you love him?" Jamal asked politely. His gaze was fixed directly at Zahara's eyes. She shifted, feeling uncomfortable.
"Yes." She answered looking down.
" You don't seem convincing Zee. " He was moving towards her.
"Huh?"
" Don't stress. I won't pry." He said throwing his hands in the air.
" Good. "
" Great."
There was an awkward tension in the room, Jamal's eyes not leaving Zahara. He hadn't seen her in ten years, and seeing her in front of him was like a dream, he never wanted to wake up from. This was his girl, his woman, his queen he had envisoned for so long. And after accepting that he had lost his treasure, the gods have returned her.
"Zahara,I know a lot has changed, and things will never get back to how they used to be, but the thing is our love was more fierce,and more deep like the ocean. Things happened, and ,We, especially you, didn't want to nurture our love ,so it withered,but, seeing you again,has proven to me that, love never dies. The moment I saw you, I swear I could feel something in my heart again,.." He was moving so close to her, she could hear him breathing.
" Jamal please, leave my room.?"
"Are you afraid of me Zee?". He moved one step forward, so that they were almost touching each other . Zahara's heart started racing fast, her blood rising up. This man still affected her. He was towering over her, his upper body showing ranges of six pack. She wanted to kiss him, hug him so tight, but she couldn't move.
" You know I can't breathe. You are too close.
" You used to love me around." He said softly. Zahara swallowed loudly.
" That's in the past." She looked aside.
Jamal raised her chin up, staring in her eyes.
" You are more beautiful than the last time I saw you. Confident. The fear you once had ten years ago is no longer in your eyes,but braveity and strength. I knew you would come back,I was hopeful,that my eyes would see you again. To be honest, am here just to tell you what I have been wanting to tell you for the last ten years, I love you. Always will. .."the words came out of his mouth like poetry.
Jamal was so good with his words, and as it would have it, Zahara loved words. To be told everything her heart wanted to hear. Her love language was words of affirmation and time.
" Why are you telling me this,"
" The last time I delayed, you went missing for ten years. "
Zahara let out a small laugh. Gosh, how she loved this man.
" Am not going anywhere."
" Good. " Jamal moved back, there was a smile on his face.
" What's the smile for?, Zahara asked raising an eyebrow.
" The moon is smiling back at me . It's the night of the full moon Zee, do you know what that means?"
" Yes. Moments of Truth, togetherness and new beginnings. " Zahara chorused back the line she had mastered since she was a child.
" So, what happens to Alma? Do you love her?"Zahara's voice was low.
" I don't know. However, I do know that leaving her will be difficult. She's so obsessed. " Zahara just nodded. She knew their situation was complicated. She couldn't blame him, he was a man,who needed a shoulder when she wasn't there. For a second she felt sorry for him.
"So, what will happen to us?" Zahara asked.
" Only time will tell. For now, let's be on the low, as we figure out what to do. " His voice was calm and deep.
" Am sorry for leaving you."
" You should be. We would be parents by now." They both laughed.
" What now? " Zahara asked staring out the window.
" Our adventure is only beginning. This time, we are a team. And one thing you should know is that, we have a lot of dragons to slay'",
" Am ready. " She said smiling at him. He smiled back, relieved to meet a consensus.
There was love in the air, that neither could fathom.And as people danced the night away, Jamal and Zahara were in their own world,allowing the magic of the full moon to illuminate in their hearts, rekindling the fire that was burning out. It was indeed a good night to fall in love again.