"Youths of Yashilan Kingdom, I call upon all of you to gather here for this great announcement!" Called as she run to the market square calling out for youths with a megaphone. As soon as they heard this, they came running from every direction and gathered around her. Above everyone on that market stage, where announcements are being made and occasions take place she, she spoke:
"Thank you, thank you all for coming. I have brought to you such a great opportunity from his majesty, to the youths of Musebenzi town. We have never participated on Yashilan day, right?" Excitedly asked and everyone answered with a yes. " Ok, now listen to this_, the king has given us the opportunity to do something on that day, isn't it a good news?"
After saying this, it was noise everywhere as youths celebrated for the king's considaret of their small and overlooked town for many years. Life in Musebenzi town isn't easy people hustle to survive, poor housing, water, roads as well as schools and with no proper drainages. When it is rain season, people's homes are flooded this is because, the people in charge of the development of this town are too selfish to do anything good for the town. it is in the capital of the kingdom, yet it looks like an outskirt village. Even so, the people of Musebenzi, lives in harmony with each other and always there to support one another in bad times and I'm good times.
"Wait Bri, are you trying to say that finally the king has given us the honor of taking part in this great day, Where even the young prince, from overseas will take part?" Asked Michie as other youths adding up, "Yes Bri, tell us!"
"That's very true. " Blissfully spoke.
"How is that even possible for the king to allow that?" Donard question, one among the youths.
"It is possible because you too are part of Yashilan Kingdom." Answered prince Lawrence from the blues. Everyone turned to his direction. He walked to the stage as everyone give way and stand next to Brianna. The two looking at each other with smiles, then he turned to address the youths.
"This was the day that Yashilan Kingdom took over what was rightfully ours. Every citizen of this kingdom became free to do anything, take part in every occasions without restrictions so long as it is allowed to do so, so then why are you doubting what she is saying? Don't you think you are worth the honor? Well, you are wrong, you are all part and parcel of whatever is happening in this kingdom, therefore put in your best as a group and show this kingdom the talents hidden within yourselves, as a team." speak with so much belief in them.
These words really reached out for their soul and brought out the desire and the courage from within them to do their best on the day coming in two weeks time.
"Alright guys, let us do this! I personally, my prince I'm in for the performance!" Raise a fist as the symbol of power and the rest of the youths join in, ready for the performance. Elders who were watching felt very relieved and happy that at last their youths will do something for the kingdom. Mrs Grace Kumwenda watching from her shop looked at the prince and her daughter who where looking so happy on stage, joyously celebrating with the rest, but when eyes met with the prince, she looked away and enter the restaurant. Lawrence stopped dancing for a while and lost in wonder of why Mrs Kumwenda doesn't seem to like him nor even happy whenever he sees him with Brianna?
Manoah is watching from a distance and unnoticed. seeing how happy the two seemed, made his blood to boil, "I warned him, yet he choose not to abide, shoot him." Give order to one of his trustee.
A gun is pointed straight to the Prince's chest, ready to pull the trigger, but the guard interrupted when he walked up and whispered something in his ear which made him to say goodbye immediately to Brianna and walked out and they left, back to the palace.
That day passed, a decision was made that they will have to sing and recite a poem for the day approaching so fast. Only three days has remained before the day and the training is been taken very serious. Non from the members of 10 Courageous selected seem not to show commitment, everyone is eager to do their best. Other youths will be there to give support to them that will be performing.
Brianna has been running up and down with preparations, but haven't forgotten to do her duty in helping her mother in the restaurant. She is going from shop to shop offices and other working premises distributing food to their customers as she always do and afterwards she comes back for money.
"Coming out from one of their client's offices, in her apron, not watching her way as she walked while counting money, she bump into a man and the money scatter down. "Oh no, sorry sir." bend to pick it up and the man thought of doing the same at the same time. Their forehead met. The moment became so awkward when the doctor blinked affectionately while staring I'm her eyes. She immediately rise, "I'm sorry doctor, I should have been more careful with the way I walk." put the money in the apron pocket, not realizing she has left one with the doctor when he pass it over to her. "How are you doing?" Calm and serious as usual.
"I'm fine."She give out a silly smile.
"And my patient?"
"Fine, very fine." Awkwardly looking around embarrassed of having been careless.
" I will take my leave, now." Made a turn to leave when he said something that she had to look back,
"Nelly misses you. " He said
"Really, how is she?"
"She is fine, but missing you. Would you like to visit her, one of these days?"
"Yes of course, but this week I'm kinda busy, our town has a performance to do on Yashilan day." Explained happily. " Hey you will attend right, perhaps I can see Nelly from there!" She shouted excitedly.
Marcos said nothing about, so she assumed. "Oh I know. You hate functions, you are not an outgoing person, right doctor?" She spoke with out giving him a chance to say anything as she can talk tirelessly at times. " Oh come on doctor, it's just a day that comes once in a year. You can attend it for once." Pulling him by hand trying to convince him to attend, but he kept staring and trying to figure out what kind of a person she is. Her fearless character speaks something to him. Everyone seems to hear him because of his less associate character, but she seem not to.
"mmm, your silence means yes, I will be expecting you, goodbye doc, see you there." She waved at him as she walked away leaving him staring at where she was going.
Yashilan citizens from all the 10 provinces who are eager to perform and support the day have already started coming to a overnight preparation for tomorrow's occasion like they always do. They call this night as the eve. Every group to perform on that day gather for introduction and to prepare for some mass performance, like the anthem singing, the palace chancellor chooses the one to match with the soldiers with a flag , presenting it to the king in opening the parade.
In the palace hall, every performing group is gathered. The place is noisy as drams are being played, dancers are dancing, making the night lite and entertaining to keep everyone awake. Brianna and her group arrived late, in punishing them, they had to pull them on the stage to dance. Excitedly, they enter the floor one by one with a free traditional dance, they amused the night that the rest of them sitted, joined the dancing in a chain circle, they run around the pilamid of fire outside the hall dancing.
The program spear header Mr Kama, the in charge officer for every occasions that takes place in the palace, blow the whistle calling everyone inside for announcements. Without wasting time, they all run back in the hall. Waiting for every one to settle down, he and his assistant stood silent on the stage until finally it was quite. Kama is a very strict man and always need neat and clear things to be done. He has worked in the palace, organizing palace functions year in, year out without mistakes for 25years. The man is sometimes ruthless especially one pose a threats to his work and orders, he makes sure he ruined them without leaving a mark. He is the most trusted person for handling palace issues, yet a silent villain, responsible for every calamities that had taken place in the palace.
"Silent!" He shouted. The man doesn't seem in good mood tonight and the reason is on the king having decided on his own, for the first time ever on who the host will be for the opening of the parade. A random girl who belongs not to a noble family, but a commoner, this really sounds like an insult to him. In his selection, not a single day had he given a chance to someone from the low class. Every year it's the same people, from the Noble or some related to royalty and no body had ever questioned his selection.
The room was silent as he continued, "this year's gathering is unique in it own way, this is because the young prince will be coming back from the states of America for good. This means, we will be celebrating Yashilan day and the welcoming of the prince, Therefore do your best performances." He explained "This year's parade opening will be done by___," he poss for a while, sadly because he is not approve with the king's selection, "the parade Shall be opened by Miss Brianna Kumwenda as the king's wish. I request you to stand, madam. The announcement really came as a shock to everyone, especially the lower class members, for they least expected such an order from the King himself.
Without further words further words, he walked out and his team followed behind, leaving Brianna standing idly and the rest to wonder about it.
"Congratulations, miss, this is a rare opportunity, that the king himself would select you." One young lady from the group honestly wished her lucky. Others too pass their heart felt positive congratulations, but on such occasions, there is always those people against over every decision, They hold their grudge against Brianna just after hearing of this.
It is a bright and amazing day for everyone who lives in Yashilan. The ground is already filled with people, the stage is cleared for performances, the high tables are arranged accordingly and the royal sits are put in place, surrounded by the nobles sits and the cabinet members. To the right of the king's sit is the guest's sit. king from Mukango kingdom, a neighbouring kingdom and an alliance of Yashilan for many years. King Edmond Immakando, his queen and young daughter Of 14years. The rest of the sits are occupied by the locals who are there to watch.
Gaby's phone the've been trying, but it wasn't going through. The guards went to the airport to wait since 6 am, as he told the king that around 8 he will be at the airport.
"Hello, Musa, any news of him?" Asked prince Lawrence, very worried looking at time.
"Not yet." He looked forward and saw him coming, "We have just seen him, I will hung up now." He hang up and hurried over to receive him with two of the guards, him as the leader.
"You are majesty, welcome back home." Bow their heads l, waiting for a raise order from him. Instead he chuckled proudly as a proud man he is with no concerned for humanity. His ego is the one that rules everything about him.
Gabby is every woman's dream man. He is tall to a normal size, brown skin tone with an oval face, muscular body, always chasing after fashion, neat and smart. Casual and not into formal dressing. He is a full time outgoing person, clubbing is part of his life style with women of high statuses. Beside these, Gabby is a trouble maker, always indulged into gangs fights with his companions. He turned out to be a drug dealer that act smart with the law.
Without saying a word, he gave him a hard slap, " how dare you keeping me waiting."
Musa hold his cheeks in pain.
"Count yourselves lucky, all of you fools! But anyway, I will deal with you later." Walk to the car. They rushed before he reached the car and open the door for him, bowing their heads. He stopped by the door with an angry stare at the man, before he could get in.
The driver was already at his sit and as soon as they got in, he step the gears
People have already filled the stadium, but the royal household are still waiting for the prince. Now people are are questioning why the king is taking so long when his guests have already taken their sits. In the royal chember, the king was pacing from side to side in worry, "What time is it?" Asked his guards.
"10 Am, my king." one of the guards answered.
"Let's leave, he will join us when he come."
The guards had already opened the door to when they found him standing , "He is here my king." Said the guard. Everyone turned as soon as they heard him.
"Dear mama." He hurry and embrace her.
"Oh my dear son, you have grown so much." Staring at him excitedly.
"Father, how are you doing?" Hug him and then hit shoulders with his brother. His father.
"Let's keep moving, I know you waited for me for so long. He said, but no one seems to move," Lead the way, you fools?" demanded the guards.
King Yashi stared at him from head to shoes a boot on his feet, the sweat pant he was wearing, that bote top, the cut on his head with a side shed. "I'm sorry my dear, but that's not an appropriate attire for the occasion. Your royal combat suit is already set ready for you. Musa, take him to his room to change."
"Are you kidding, father, what's wrong with this attire?" Surprisingly questioned.
"You over stayed in a foreign land, and you forgotten that you are a prince, and this attire isn't acceptable for your status!"
"Father, lower your tone." Lawrence calming him down.
"Son, do as he said, we will talk about it later, we are already late."
Without further argument, he followed the guard, put on the royal suit and then joined them.
The trumpet I'd blown, everyone stood up as the king and his family as well as the cabinet escorts following behind. The troops of soldiers matching in suit and stopped by leaving a narrow path for the leading soldiers, a group of 10 who escorted Brianna with, matching in slow match with a flag and stopped by king Yashi. The soldiers stood still, so did the king Yashi, king Immakando, the queens and everyone else at the royal sits. They remained still until after Brianna cited something. "Your majesty, You have rude with honor and pride, I have therefore presented to you this flag to you as symbol of your authority and pride."
After she is done, the soldiers saluted and waited for the king to drop a hand then they all dropped and the flag was received by him. He took a step ahead and raise it high as the symbol of his authority above many kingdoms.
"Long live the king!" Thunderous shout of victory from the Citizens.
At that moment, they took their positions, putting a right hand across the chest standing still and Brianna begin the anthem which everyone joined till to the end.
The floor is open, and performances have started taking place. it's very exciting. The master of ceremony stood up to announce the next group to come on stage. " your majesties, the queens, Prince's and Princesses, ladies and gentlemen. The next group on stage is Musebenzi Youths, a round of applause!"
After a little while, an amazing voice came from the back stage then Brianna came out from there, dressed in traditional attire a an animal skin dress with her face painted in ashes, hands culfed in chain, as a symbol of slavery. A song she started with tears rolling her cheeks, giving in all emotions, following the lyrics from the song. Upon singing the first verse of the song, Daniel came in with another verse and then the first person came in from behind the curtain with the first stanza of the poem for freedom, matching the song. Where she stopped another one came in until the 7 of then and the poem was over. In conclusion, they sung a chorus together, holding hands so tight like a chain grip and raise them up high.
For a while, no one was able to utter a single word due to grieve and raised emotions. Non could hold their tears, including the king himself. Thunderous round of applause from every direction as they walked out from the stage.
The day was awesome ybat everyone left feeling happy and the day will forever be remembered.