Chapter 2: Chapter 2

CHAPTER ONE

Kuburin was a community noted for its skill in fishing, hunting, cocoa business, and palm kernel production. The village was located close to the large river which served as their source of fishing, swimming, washing, and drinking. The people were generally enterprising and accommodating. The next morning, after the incident, Cynthia went to the river to fetch water. As she aimlessly wandered to the grassy side of the narrow path that led to the river with her bucket of water firmly clasped, on one hand, the beauty of the morning air which was redolent with the scent of the grasses and the chirp of crickets as they jumped from grasses to grasses in search of food was lost to her. She broke off a stalk of grass and started peeling the leaves, at the same time thinking meditatively. She was worried for her mother’s sake; as young as she was, she knew her mother was taken too much abuse from her father. Since when she was conscious of herself, she had never experienced her father’s love; to him, it was as if she never existed. She was tempted to ask her mother one day. “Mama, is Papa truly my father?”

“Why would you ask that?” Her mother had asked in bewilderment,

“He shouts at me at the slightest provocation, he has never called me to ask how I fare at school, you are the one who buys my dresses and shoes. Papa doesn’t even care whether I existed or not...” she trailed off as tears beclouded her eyes and in her sorrowful state, she stumbled and fell while the bucket which was unconsciously released from her hand rolled away from her.

A young boy emerged from the bushes nearby and quickly came to her aid, “Hey, sorry about that!” he said apologetically and helped her up. “I was close by, and I heard the noise...”

“Thank you very much...” she enthused and wiped her face with the back of her hand.

“What is the problem? You don’t look happy?” the boy who couldn’t be more than twenty years asked with concern. He helped to pick her bucket and gently handed it over to her. She smiled and nodded in appreciation. He was carrying a fishing rod and a small bag which was clasped to his shoulder and from his dressing, it shows he was from a royal house. She had never seen him before. “I must hurry up; my mother will start getting worried if I don’t return on time and prepare for school.”

“I’m going towards the river; let us go together so that you can confide in me on what the problem is...”

“Please, do not bother, you have done enough for me already.” She replied and wondered how he expected her to confide in someone she hardly knew. She hastened towards the river with her bucket firmly clasped in her right hand while he hurried after her, “At least you can tell me your name. Can’t you?” he asked but she had already gone ahead and turned at a bend. He hastens to catch up with her but when he turned the bend, he discovered she was already with a group of five other girls who were also on their way to the river. One of them turned at the sound of the rustling of his feet on the wet grasses and greeted,” Good morning, Prince Liam, you are going fishing?”

“Good morning...” he replied with clenched teeth. “As you can see, I’m going fishing.” He was disappointed at the turn of events.

“The prince is not happy,” one of the girls whispered. “What could be the problem?”

“Yes, uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.” Another replied and they laughed heartily while they continued their discussions, giggling and uttering shrieks while Cynthia’s heart skipped a beat, “So he is the king’s son?” she pondered, “What could he be doing in the bush so early in the morning?” she shrugged her shoulders and hurried to the river.

●●●

Later in the afternoon, when she returned from school, she had eaten her lunch and was sitting under the big tree in front of the house waiting for her mother who had gone to the market to sell her palm kernel. She knew her father would not come home, at least for the next one week or more. She was surprised and ruffled when Prince Liam visited her at home in the company of one of her friends, Shilati.

“Shilati, how could you bring someone to my house without my consent?” she had called Shilati aside and expressed her displeasure.

“I am sorry, Cynthia, he is the prince, he saw you and me together in the morning and he requested I brought him. I cannot refuse such a request. Can I?”

“It is wrong! You could at least seek my opinion first before doing that. You know what my parents would say if they saw him here?” she stared at her friend accusingly,

“He said you tripped and fell on your way to the stream in the morning and you were weeping. Is it true?”

“Anybody can miss a step and fall, will you say you have not fallen before?” she asked, pouting her lips defensively.

“Well, you have gotten the prince’s attention, I will suggest you open up to him. He is harmless and he might be able to help you.” Shilati advised. “Don’t be angry with me for bringing him here, I cannot refuse him because I don’t want a royal sanction.”

They were distracted by a little cough beside them, “Excuse me, I am sorry to distract you, I guessed you were not expecting me.” Prince Liam said, “I was worried about what could be troubling you to the extent that you were not concentrating when you were going to the river.”

Shilati looked expectantly at Cynthia for response and seeing her discomfort decided to excuse herself that she wanted to go on an errand for her mother. As she went away, she signalled to her friend to play along but Cynthia just shrugged her shoulders and looked away.

“I don’t mean to be a nuisance, but I wasn’t myself since morning when I left you along the road to the river. What could be the problem?” Prince Liam asked after Shilati had gone.

“I am sorry, Prince, I wished to be left alone,” Cynthia insisted, feeling uncomfortable, “My mother won’t be happy meeting you here if she comes back from the market.”

Prince Liam smiled with understanding, it was expected, Kuburin girls were not cheap, and they do not give in at the slightest pressure. He liked Cynthia because of her perseverance and beauty. He knew her story already, there was no secret in the community. He was already thinking of how to help the family, he would start by discussing with his father to call Azar to order but he wanted to be discreet about it. He did not want his father to guess he was interested in Cynthia because he could be sanctioned.

“It is okay, I will see you another day but whatever the problem is, take it easy.” He said with a warm smile, “You shall overcome all problems,”

“Thank you,” She muttered and went into the house while Prince Liam walked away.