Too exhausted from yesterday's arguments and walking in search for the means and way to go back home, Brianna and Gabriel over slept. The girls kept banging on their door but they were too sleepy to hear them knocking. At last, Beatrice opened the door and the rest of the ladies find themselves in with so much noise, eager to see the visitors.
As soon as they heard some noise, they woke up. One of the girls even opened the window which it's rays hit direct on Gabby's sight. "Ooh, what nonsense," covering his eyes. "Who opened the damn window!" He yelled that everyone got scared.
When he finally rose up without a shirt, all the ladies froze at a sight of his strong body, his abs and muscles made them go crazy with eyes widen they stared.
"What are you even staring at, get out from here."
"Sorry." They run out in a hurry. "Brianna, please come outside." Beatrice called out on her way outside.
The girls celebrating outside, giggling in Joy, "did you see how cute that man is?"Nach commented.
"He's rude, but very handsome, awe... She is very lucky to have him for a husband."
"He's not my husband."She answered, unexpectedly.
"Brianna, we are so sorry for bugging in like that."
"It's ok. You said you needed to see me?"
"Yes. Join us to the stream. Here is your bucket, every girl fetch water for her family."
"Especially for your hubby...." they taunt her.
"He is not my husband, get it from me."
"Then who is he to you?" they asked
"Girls don't you think you are asking too much? you are making our visitor very uncomfortable." Beatrice defended her
"Sorry friend. My name is Witney."
"Sally."
"mwendalubi, but they usually call me mwenda.
"Feel free with us, Brianna, we are all your friends." Beatrice concluded.
They all agree and then left as Gabriel was watching throw the window. In few minutes, Joseph came by, accompanied by his friend, Terry. They meet Gabriel by the door, wondering.
"Good morning."Joseph greeted him, but he only looked at him then turned his face away as though didn't hear him greeting.
The two men looked at each other in question mark and greeted.
"Hey, sorry for bothering you, but would you like to join us, fishing?" Asked Terry.
He turned his unfriendly gaze at him, "do I look like a fisherman to you?"
Neither Terry nor Joseph are easily angered, so they maintain their peace.
"Sorry, we only wanted you to accompany us, so that you don't feel bored. We are leaving now, but if you feel like changing your mind, ask anyone from this compound to bring you to the river."
After this, they left. He sighed as he watched them disappear. Later after some hours, Gabriel decide to take a walk with the hope of finding the way to get out from this place. walking alone in the narrow road that leads to a stream, he met the village bullies coming from the opposite. Three boys about his age or older than him. They sensed that he might be a foreigner in their land, so they saw it as an opportunity to harass him, not knowing the kind of person he is.
Two of them blocked him, then the leader had to push on him. "Not so fast."
Gabriel looked the other side with a chuckle. "Are you trouble seekers? Tell whoever sent you that we found a wrong target." He took a step to walk away when one of them pull him back by a shirt. Gabby had to turn to him with a hot fist, that he fell on bushes.
Seeing this, the two others attack him, but he defended himself. The fight went on, one against three, but he over power them with his combat skills. He twisted the leaders hand to his back as the girls watching, those that suffers in these bullies hands and some men.
Watching their leader screaming in pain, the two boys found their escape in the bush when attackers landed on them. Brianna, with the girls, coming that way, they saw a group of people watching the fight. They wondered over what was happening.
"What's going on there?"
"Obvious they are those bullies, bulling someone. I wonder whom they have attacked now." Answered Beatrice.
"Do they always harass people?"
"Yes. this stream path, they call their depo."
"meaning?"
"Their meeting place. No one passes through it freely, except for the ones who doesn't know." Witney speaks.
Brianna looked ahead and saw Gabriel in the fight, beating the gang leader. She let go of the bucket of water on her head and run to stop him. She pushed her way in, through the crowd. "Gabby, stop it!" Trying to loosen his grip from the man's neck who was fighting for a breath on the ground. She tried but he was too powerful than her.
"I say stop, do you want to kill him?" Pulling him. Slowly he loosen his grip, until he finally released him. panting from being tired and everyone gathered applauding for him like a hero who saved the City from bad guys.
Joseph, Terry and some other men, reached the place only to find the fight was over and people are still cheering for him who challenged the unchallenged. They made their way to the middle, asking what was going on.
"Kibela is defeated by this handsome stranger." some ladies answered Joseph's questions.
He was surprised to see Gabriel as the hero everyone was talking about.
"Gabby, what happened, How did you find yourself in fight with these boys?" Surprised.
The people became curious when they heard Joseph called him by name. "You know him?" They asked.
He rolled eyes as though scanning everyone, stopping at his sister Beatrice and then answered, "Yes. They are visitors in our house."
Cheers increased when they learned of this. "I must say, you are blessed to have him." One lady from the crowd passed a comment and then everyone conquer with her.
"Yes yes. He is such a fighter.
"Thank you all. Come on, let's get going."
A way is given to them and they walked away.
All the way, they didn't talk. Brianna seem very angry with him for his continuous trouble. She holds herself until when they will be left the two of them. Upon reaching the compound of their reside, Mr Yosef was already waiting for them, to be taken to the Chief's house for introduction.
They had to take another journey to the Chief's palace, not very far from Yosef's compound. Within an hour they where in the Chief's court. Sitting before the Chief's men, the chief himself and his family members and also other village citizens, including Yosef's family as witnesses for their alive.
Everyone was in silence as the king welcomed Brianna and Gabriel.
"I'm told you lost your way and landed into our great kingdom, I will then ask you to tell us your names in full, which kingdom you belong to, and how long you intend to stay in our kingdom, specifically this village."
"Young lady, tell us about yourself."
She bowed in showing respect and then speak something, "My name is Brianna Kumwenda." She stopped from there.
"That name, Kumwenda, it's obvious that it's a name belonging to Bayani kingdom, am I right?" Asked the chief.
She looked at Gabriel before she could say anything, "According to my father, yes."
"Where do you come from, if you haven't grown up from your mother land?"
She swallowed hard, "I was raised in Yashilan kingdom."
Everyone was astonished upon hearing Yashilan. It is a well known and respected kingdom.
Noise increased from the people's murmuring, mumblingthe. It went on and on until the chief called for silence. "Yashilan is very far from our kingdom, I wonder how you found yourselves here. Young man, you can go ahead, telling us who you are.
Gabriel hesitated, what would he say knowing he is a prince of this heart King that every kingdom talk of. What will they think of his wondering with a stranger, with no any protection of guards. He thought of something to say then after taking a deep breath, he said, "Gabriel is my name___ Yashilan's citizen." He rolled his eyes from sides, and he noticed Brianna, looking at him with shocking eyes.
"You don't have a family name, young man?" asked the king.
He once again kept quiet, thinking of what to say he raised his look at Brianna, then back to the king as he continues, "Gabriel Mandela." He instead used his uncle's family name.
Brianna looked at him, very surprised over his lie. He also shift a side look at her and turned his focus ahead, escaping guilty for a lie he told.
"You are all welcome. Our kingdom has not engaged in any fight with us, infact, it's a source of help for many kingdoms. Stay in this village for as long as you want, as long as you stay away from troubles. This is a peaceful Village."
They bowed in respect and then left with the rest of the Yosef family. When they went back to their hut, Brianna had to question him for his lies. "Why did you decide to lie about your identity? Isn't it your pride and honour to show the world that you are a prince?"
He immediately cover her mouth, when she mention the word, 'Prince.' "Will you shut your loose mouth! Do you want them to here you?"
"So what if they hear, aren't you a P.....
He once again cover her mouth before she could finish the work, prince. "Listen, it's my life, my decision to tell people who I am, and don't you even dare spoil this for me. I am Gabriel, forget about who my father is." Push her off .
"Then who are you, are you an imposter, in the castle, huh?" She sometimes act stubborn. Before he could open his mouth to speak, someone knocked at the door. They looked at each other quietly.
"Are you guys in there, Lunch is ready." Joseph's voice came from outside.
"We are coming." She replied.
They gazed at each other and then opened the door and walked out.
Princess Shelly is very eager to find her prince. She has paid the newspaper media to publish as many papers as possible, with a picture of him. Beside his, is Brianna's photo with a caption that whoever shall find them will receive millions in dollars. These papers, she distribute even in her kingdom. Everyone one who have come across to the paper is on the look for them.
The report came to Manoah from his men. They have found his Jeep in disfigured, but there were no people in it, no single drop of blood. Manoah suspect them to be near, so he ordered his men to enter deep into the jungle in searching more.
Late that night, he gave another order to some of his men to bring the broken Jeep near their kingdom , so it could be found by the police. Blood is smeared at it front sits and then left near the river that separate two outhern provinces of Yashilan, Southern and Western party, contrary to a place they found it. They did so to confuse the cops from taking the correct direction. He intends to find the prince, before the cops
One of the men made a call to the police station, giving information about the found Jeep. This information was soon shared with his majesty who demanded for the Jeep to be brought fourth and then later tomorrow morning, the royal press team should go and interview the locals, in case anyone happened to see them.
The morning came, as planned, the cops brought the Jeep to the castle. It's disfigured shape and the blood it contained arose people's suspicion over what had happened to the prince and Brianna. As soon as Mrs Kumwenda heard this, she came came running. With her was Michie, Daniel, Tasha and Cindy. The moment she set her eyes on the blood it contained, she passed out.
An abundance came that rushed her to the hospital. Daniel didn't know what to think. He sat down at the waiting bench, sobbing, then doctor Marcos came with good news, he sit beside him. "Calm down dear, mum is out of critical. You need to be strong in order for us to find your sister. Be your mother's shield, can you do that for me and your missing sister?"
Daniel nod in agreement and then wipe his tears. Michie and her two friends, Tasha and Cindy came by when the doctor was about to enter his office. "Doctor, how is she doing?" Michie asked.
"She's out of danger now, keep on comforting her, excuse me.
Alone in his office, fear overwhelmed him. He then thought about it, what has happened to her. "Could she be alive or not?" He asked himself.
Doctor Christine was watching him, how worried he looked, from outside through the transparent door to his office. She felt really bad to know he is looking this way because of a woman, but she thought of giving him a crying shoulder. She opened the door and enter without even acknowledging her presence.
She stood back for a while before she had a touch on him, "Are you ok?" Then he pulled out from his thoughts.
"I'm fine."
"She's a very lucky, young lady." She said.
"What do you mean?"
"Forget it. The patient in ward 13 need you." She changed the topic. "I will be leaving now, my shift has ended, excuse me." She walked out looking very sad, almost to cry.
*****
All youths are called to gather at the village square. The king's birthday is approaching. On this day, youths come together to do some performances in small groups. Each group has their own leader According to what they can perform, but singing has been the medicine to his heart, so music is the main performance of the day.
Youths from different villages of his kingdom, come with different performances For this great day. Gifts are given to the best village group, not for competition, but as a motivation for others to do better.
A leader of Bulawayo village is on the floor, motivating the youths as he does it every year, though the've never received a gift of good performance before. He is a tough, but very fair leader to enourage new members to join , always wanted to hear new talent.
"Do we have any new members who would like to join this big time?" He asked as he stare around to capture a new face. No one answered and didn't see Brianna nor Gabby, as they stood from behind the crowd.
He went on talking, " musicians, are you there?" He called and they separated themselves from the majority. "You guys are the owners of this event. We all know how the king loves music, please let's improve. Music is medicine to a broken soul, it penetrate through, deep a humans soul, no matter the language." This speech made Brianna clap, when no one could clap. Every eye was on her and she felt embarrassed. The youth leader walked through to her and bring her with him to the front.
"I have never seen this face before, but she seem to conquer. "Are you a musician, Miss?"
She kept silent for a moment and then nod a yes.
"You see, she is a musician! A round of applause for our new member!"
round of applaudes and cheers.
"Tell us your name and to which family you belong."
"Brianna is my name. Coming from the Yosef, family." She spoke with a big smile. With her dimples, always charming people, they all clapped. Everyone knows Yosef family to be good people, so they had no difficulties in accepting and trusting their visitors.
"Anyone else, who has a talent in anything?" He asked, but all were silent. Then he spotted Gabriel from a far end who seem not interested in everything that was happening at the moment, though he was forced to come.
He realize that the man had his eyes on him, and so he decide to turn his back to go back home, "Wait, sir." He called. Walking towards him, he stopped at a few steps to his face. "You seem with great potential in you, can you do anything?"
"How do you look at a person and judge them?" Gabby answered him in his tough tone and unfriendly look. Brianna took a deep breath from where she stands, knowing very well how rude Gabby is.
" I can see, through you that you've got great talent within you."
"Listen, I don't believe in magicians, so spare me the drama, you hear." He turned to take his leave, leaving everyone in wonder of a rude man he was, though ladies still desire him.
He only made a turn and meet Yosef who revealed something about him. "He is an artist, and he will draw something that will impress the king." He said as he fixed his look in his eyes.
"How did you know, of this?"
"I'm a magician, the ones you don't believe in. So, will you take part in this event?"
Everyone insisted that he take part, until he agreed. "Alright, fine.
Everyone was happy for his unique skill. No one among them has ever done art. What he will draw depends on him. "I will sketch his face. let me have his picture." He requested. This was really a unique idea, for no one has ever thought about it, not only in their village, but even other villages.
A photo of the King is promised to be given to Gabriel who will work on sketch it on a big portrait.
The day passed, rehearsals went on and Gabriel closing himself in their room, drawing, as Brianna leaves for trainings everyday. For seven days it has been this way. People are happy with Brianna's Melody, they have come to love her, such that they voted her as their leading vocalist and a vice youth leader.
The awaiting day has come, but before they could depart, they went through the rehearsals again, making sure every performing group, does their performance for others to see and help in where they where not doing well. It is from here that Gabby presented his sketch. The coming out of the painting everyone could not believe. He made sure every single feature on his face, could be seen.
Brianna was shocked even more, to Know that he has such a skill in him. The two looked at each other for some minutes in disbelief until the youth leader interrupted with his praises
"This is unbelievable, Gabriel? My instinct were right, when I said the's a great potential in you."
Gabriel decide not to say anything in return. At that moment the elder in charge of the youths came with the news that they have run out of time and that they need to hurry.
The painting was presented to the elder who recommended him to be the best, ever. Gabriel decide to remain back, he is not comfortable to be getting involved in all these entertainment, least, one person recognize who he was.
He refused to follow, but they begged him until he accept. They reached at time that performances already begun. Being late comers, they found no empty sits and so they went and stand at the back, wait for their turn. This year's event seem very boring , as people went on repeating their performances, as last year. Until it was Bulawayo's turn, that the people's faces glow with warmth. King bafany raised in great shock when his saw his face painted on that big portrait that Was carried up, symbolizing his power and authority as the lyrics in the song they are singing speaks.
All the musicians could not believe Brianna's lead. Gabriel, where he was standing, he got lost in her singing as everyone was.
The painting was given to the king at the end of the song. He received it with so much joy and showed it to the audience who applaudes thunderous.
Performances were over, Now is the speech from the king and the giving of prize to the best performers. Bulawayo village was announced the best and the first prize were given to them.
This was great joy for everyone. They came back home celebrating with a two big cow, given as prize in singing and for a great sketch. late in the evening, they reached their village and departed to their various homes.
King Bafany hanged this beautiful drawing in. his bedroom feeling very happy and proud.
For the first time in since they begin to stay in the same house, they have talked like friends and no argument as they always do.
"I never knew that you could draw so well." She said without looking at him.
"Thank you. You sing so amazing, too." he said in his deep voice.
"Thank you."
These were the only words they spoke to each other and kept quiet. They turned simultaneous for each one to get to their sleeping place and they meet on the same point. No one of them could make a move. For a while, they stared in each other's eyes, then blink affectionately at once. She was embarrassed to know that she felt something as soon as their eyes met, and so she moved back. "I'm sorry." She grabbed her sheet and covered her whole body. Gabby did the same.
Both Gabby and Brianna thought about what just happened. Brianna's heart could be too fast, "No, why is my heart beating this fast? Come on, stop thinking about him, he is not a good man." She thought.
He also couldn't sleep peacefully, "Stop it, she is not your class." He convinced himself.
The thoughts continued until they were able to fall asleep.