"Good morning neighbours!" Grace running through neighbouring compounds on the way to Reuben's house. Reuben Kumwenda is a 25 year old young man, who has been raised by his widowed mother. He has been his mother's hero since the death of his father. They live in the urban village like compounds, just near the rich.
"Finally I have found you! Tell me why you always disappear and reappear, minus telling me where you go to?" I looked for you at the river bank, In the bushes where you always go there to speak to animals, but you weren't there!" she said this while holding his ear, so tight.
" Ouch, relax, Grace. I went to help mum offloading her tomatoes and vegetables from the track to her shop."
"lier I came there and didn't find you," continued holding on to the ear.
"no, I'm sure the time you came I had left, right mother."
Upon turning, she saw Mrs Kumwenda and let go of the ear.
" Good morning auntie. Tomorrow is my 20th birthday, I expect you both to be in my house 8 o'clock."
Phone ringing, it's Edmond calling. Reuben, upon seeing the caller, his face turned gloomy and turned down in sadness. since they where young, Reuben has had special feelings for his best friend, but respected their friendship more
" Bye, see you there," she left running back home.
On her way home, she meet princess Lukundo, drive towards her direction. she saw her first and hit the breaks. " From the boyfriend's house, right?" Grace sigh in disappointment and got into the car.
Lukundo has never supported the friendship that her friend shares with Reuben. she sees him as a looser and a nobody and not a guy of their status. Despite of her friend's view, Grace has never thought of ending her friendship with Reuben.
On the other hand, Reuben doesn't like princess Lukundo one bit. He thinks she is a bad influence to her, a girl with bad character and a betrayer.
In some minutes, the car was parked aside, a black BM that belong to Mrs Sosala. The girls hurried in teasing each other, not aware of Eddie's presence, sitted on the couch facing the entrance. Not the mum nor Eddie said a thing over their noise making, they both remained silent, watching them as they make their way in.
suddenly Lukundo is silent, eyes fixed on Eddie. His awesome look got the best of her. She thought her eyes were deceiving her, but not, this handsome man is right in front of them. Her sudden pulse draw Grace's attention to notice Eddie.
" O my Goodness, Eddie? " " I'm so sorry I kept you waiting," she hurried and stood beside him.
He looked at her and smiled revealing his white dent with a smoulder that makes every young lady to melt. His big white eyes is a spear into their flesh.
" Hey, Lukundo, this is Eddie, my.....cut short. " your friend, I know. hi Eddie, I'm princess Lukundo, the only daughter of the great Emperor of Livingstone," suddenly push Grace aside and stood on her place and gave him a tight hug that was so suspecious to both Grace and her mother.
It almost suffocate him, when he pulled out. With no shame, she went on acting silly and giggling silly full.
" Excuse me, let me save you some dessert. I will be right back." She only took a step when Eddie opened his mouth, " hold on Grace." she turned sharply and nervous. " I was about to leave when you came. About dessert, you are late, mother already fed me. I will just come back tomorrow to celebrate your birthday." smile.
" O no, I'm sorry. If you say so," sadly said.
Eddie pick up his car keys from the table and turned to leave, but before he could leave, he turned to Grace in regret of not said what he came here for.
" See you then. Auntie, see you."
"Alright son. my regards to your parents."
" I will be leaving too, auntie, his highness is just calling. Grace see you tomorrow," without waiting for a response, she run out, to catch up with Eddie. unfortunately, he already drove out of the gate.
In her persisent, Lukundo jump into the car and hit the gears , make a turn in speed as though being chased by gun men. without realizing, she took an opposite turn to the left of where she missed the chance.
In anger and disappointment, Lukundo hit the driving wheel twice, groaning, then let the head rest on the wheel hopelessly.
It isn't over yet for she thought of tomorrow as another beautiful day to make things right. The thought of tomorrow's event gave her hope to drive back home calmly
Grace is left to think of why she behaved that way, towards him. In her naiveness, she had to suppress her negative thoughts towards her best friend. she hurried to her bedroom to take a shower, but before she could change into her bathing towel, she fell on bed with a heavy sigh of relief with hands stretched straight above the shoulders and legs spread evenly free, facing the celling board, she closed the eyes to ease, when suddenly the phone vibrate beside her. It made her heart race heavily like she has been climbing hills for over hours.
Seeing the caller, the sensation within her body suddenly changed. Her heart begin to beat softly, sending sweet impulse all over her body, draining the strength out of her. She had to put herself together in order to open the text,which she finally did.
Text: " Sorry I left without saying a thing. see you tomorrow," Eddie.
Just by the name Eddie, Grace could not think any further in replying to the text than she jumped up on bed like on a jumping castle with excitement. suddenly run to the bathroom, open the shower and sock her body wet, together with a towel.
Eddie, sitted on bed with the phone in his hand, waiting anxiously for a reply which is taking forever. Thoughts of her beautiful blue eyes took the best of him that he didn't even realize when his Young sister, Theresa came in. She stood there over 20 minutes, just watching him smiling like fool in love. she smile and make a hard knock on his head that brought him to reality.
"Ouchhh!" Phone slip off from the hand. " That hurting!" rubbing the hurting part.
Giggling, Theresa, " who would have thought that may brother would fall in love, like a moron?" she continued laughing and teasing him. " oh this woman is indeed a powerful witch," sit beside him as she continue laughing.
" what do you mean she's a great witch, when you don't even know who she is?"
Theresa chuckled," is that what you think? "
He nod
" well you are deceiving your self, because, we all know that you are in love with Grace! spoke on top of her voice.
Eddie suddenly covers her mouth with a palm, " would you lower your voice, at least."
" For what? You think mum and dad are not aware of this? well sorry to disappoint you, sweet brother, it's no longer a secret to everyone that you are in love!" laughing even harder, she ran out of his bedroom still giggling, leaving him in shock and embarrassment of a thought that his parents knows his hidden feelings.
Princess Lukundo is excited about the clothes she would wear to the party tomorrow. She summoned all her Six maidens to line up and help her make a choice of one dress. she made the whole wardrobe down to the ground, just to pick one attire, and all the shoes in the closet brought fouth. Talk of the makeup kit, all for one informal occasion.
Lukundo is one selfish person, who is egocentric about the world and the people around her. She makes sure everyone dances to her tune, and always have what she wants. This character in the was inherited from her Royal Highness, queen Anna, the mother. so, it's of no surprise to her that she is like that.
Maidens toiled for over 5 hours trying to chose an attire for their princess, but to no avail, she found nothing pleasing and attractive to her eyes. At last, she had to send everyone out of the room and remained alone crying.
Descending the stairs, the maidens, meet his majest and her highness by the living room, having a chat while sipping on coffee, in uniform, they all bow and greet .
The queen and king nod heads in response.
" May we know of where all the six of you are coming from?" Asked the queen.
In unison, " from her Royal Highness, princess Lukundo." these words are spoken while heads down in respect.
By the mention of her name, the queen sit up straight in great interest. " what happened to the princess?" curiously asked.
chief maid, " the princess is frustrated, in search of the attire she would wear to her friend's birthday party," bow once again.
"Is that so?" asked the king.
bow once more in agreeing
" That isn't a frustrating issue. she has more than a boutique in her closet." He spoke in his deep, strong and scarely voice that makes everyone tremble at his feet, when ever he speaks.
About to say something, the maiden, the queen interrupted. " It's okay, you can go back to your duties. I will attend to her. she raise, bow head before the king and ascend the stairs, to the princess' room.
The princess was not in her room. Where could she be? On her way out, she meet her by the door with four carrier bags.
The queen stare at the bags she is holding in her hands, "where did you go?"
" To the mall," surpass her in to the room in her proud step, leaving her with no choice then to follow in.
As she unpack the clothes, the makeup, the queen was sitted on the edge of her bed watching her new stuffs. To her surprise, she bought clothes that looks as though she is going to a disco. A very short dress, few inch before it could reveal her pant and a see through, red in colour, long black heal that is blocked.
" Princess, it's your friend's birthday you are going to, if I can recall, not to a disco, right?" surprisingly asked.
"Of course your highness." playfully bow while caved her legs like a barren dancer, bowing to her audience.
"Then, what's with the dressing, or is there going to be something unusual than a birthday celebration?"
" Oh mum, you ask too much," she went and sit beside her with hands round her waist while leaned on her shoulder.
The queen spoke no more but only gave out a questionable sigh.