Come Summer, Meets a Prince

At the drawing end of Shajibu, the soothing waters of the Leimal turel could be heard one late afternoon. The small river was of the many branches of the large Edom river that flows throughout the Kangleipak kingdom.

A little away from the river, on a quiet and remote spot, one person was drying clothes under the strong afternoon sun. The face of this person was sweating slightly as she checked the clothes on the stony ground to see if they were all dry enough. She touched the last cloth and finding that it was no longer wet, she picked them all up and started wearing them.

The person was Ahanlem, she was wearing a white top and worn blue jeans cut haphazardly above her knees. The shirt was initially a Nike tee shirt and the jeans were initially long ones but she had to cut them up messily and used them as innerwear underneath her usual traditional apparels.

Because there was no way she was wearing only those thin furit and khudei with her actual body.

In this way, it made her feel secure when going out or even when she slept at night. But wearing them every day, it gets dirty and smelly, so she had to wash them often by coming to this secluded place like this.

Still, this won't be a long term solution, Ahanlem needed to buy some cloth, needle and threads and start tailoring some pants and shirt for herself. The needle and threads weren't a problem but cloth was expensive, specially the good kinds. She could do it, she had some experience making them, um, dresses for her dolls when she was kid. Well, she understood the basics at least. Whatever, doesn't matter, not like she have any choice.

She could ask the local tailor but that would arouse suspicion and people might start talking. She knew some of them were already gossiping her background behind her back, after all, she did appear out of nowhere suddenly. Can't blame them, she thought as she sighed heavily.

She raised her head and watched the azure sky above, fluffy white clouds passed by leisurely. Looking at them, dressed in her top and jeans it was like nothing has changed, as if she was still in her own time and place. But it was not. She sighed again.

Anyway, it was getting late, she picked up her bamboo sam. She put the long flat strap on her head and the two other straps over her shoulders wearing it like a backpack and got ready to head home.

She often left on the excuse errands of gathering dry twigs and leaves whenever she needed to go out to wash and dry clothes like today. She would also gather edible herbs or plants in the wild that were aromatic or medicinal and cultivate them in their garden.

She remembered her grandmother who loves to work in the garden. She would invest her time and energy in this hobby ardently. And when she was away from home, she would tell Ahanlem and her brother to water them and take care of them for her repeatedly. So, Ahanlem ended up knowing a lot about them and she could identify these plants by sight or smell. The knowledge helped her greatly when in times she was feeling unwell.

At the thoughts of her grandmother and her brother, Ahanlem almost tear up, so she shook her to stop thinking.

As she was hastening her steps on the road, she heard the sound of splashing waters. She stopped in her track. What could it be?

Splash! Splash!

It sounded like something or someone was in the river. Maybe someone was drowning? Maybe it was an animal? Well, better to make sure.

So, Ahanlem went to the riverside towards the heaps of tall ornamental grasses growing high into the sky, their soft yellowish white flowers blowing gently in the wind like gold feathers. It was a nice sight but she didn't have the mind to appreciate it at the moment. She parted the bundle of long thin leaves slowly and peeked out secretly. The thick grassy curtains before her opened to reveal a silhouette of a very tall and slender man sprawled amidst the clear waters.

The man's broad back was faced onto the body of the water below, while his lean arms were supporting his upper body from laying flat on the surface while his long legs where slightly bent at the knees.

And like that he was only sitting still into the quietly flowing river.

How puzzling.

Ahanlem was just a few feet away from his position, she leaned out the grasses, peering out for a closer look and saw that the man was fair and almost exceptionally handsome.

His body was dripped all over, the light robes he was wearing were too transparent and revealed his tone muscles. The water droplets on his face and body glisten his form making him appeared quite ethereal in the light.

Ahanlem couldn't help but stare at him. His features were extremely beautiful. And his big, dark eyes were like a deer's, an ideal sajigi mita.

But somehow the man looked oddly familiar to her, like she had seen him before.

Ahanlem continued brazenly gazing at the man. But then, her foot slipped and she stumble face forward onto the ground, parting the ornamental grasses down. Swisshhh!

The man alerted by the noise, shouted, "Who's there?!"

Ahanlem clumsily looked up, red-faced and she stuttered, "I am just a passerby!"

Coming to face the man at such proximity, she finally remembered who the man in front of her was. She looked at him, whose expression was like a docile prey caught by a hunter. But in reality he was far a person from the meekness he was showing.

He was the handsome noble prince who made an appearance at the Flower Garland Making Ceremony months ago.

The said man suddenly changed into a cold look and asked,

"Where are you from, boy?"

"I'm from Chengmei, sir."

"I see." He said. Then a little later, he added, "Do you recognise me?"

Ahanlem pursed her lips, she knew the man but she didn't want to expose the fact. Sometimes, ignorance is bliss.

So, she said, "Pardon my lack of knowledge, sir." And then added, "But I do understand that you are from a noble household clan."

At this reply, the handsome man gave a devilish smirk and said in deep, clear voice, "Hn, that's good for the moment."

-

Ahanlem had thought that was the end of things. That she would be on her way home, cook a delicious meal later and retire in her warm bed for the day.

But she was wrong.

Their conversation had actually ended with the prince telling her,

"I'm a long way from home and I'm completely drenched. So I'll stay in your humble abode for tonight. Lead the way, peasant!"

And that's what he said. Well, Ahanlem added the 'peasant' part, but his tone was dripping with it anyway.

So, now Ahanlem was being tailed home by this noble persona, much to her displeasure.

She was wondering about Tomba freaking out after recognizing the man but then on the way she remembered that Tomba had gone to keep watch over the graveyard of an old man that had died in the locality. He was not going to be home for the night.

Accordingly, when she arrived home, Tomba was already gone over and due to come the next morning.

Finally inside, the noblemen besides her, exhaled, "Ah, at last."

On the way back, the man kept covering himself with his wet shawl over his head like he didn't want to be recognised while following her conspicuously. Thankfully, there wasn't a soul who saw them other a bunch of kids playing by. At this time, most people were finishing up their work or already inside their homes.

Ahanlem handed the man some of Tomba's clothes but they were too small for him. Still, they had no choice so the man snorted and wore them grudgingly covering his body with a big shawl. Then, he began to make other requests.

"Bring out a fak, I want to rest."

Ahanlem did.

"Give me a blanket, it's getting cold."

Ahanlem did.

"My god, why are there so many mosquitoes? Chase them out."

Ahanlem did, albeit reluctantly.

"Bring me the meal already, I'm famished."

Ahanlem was in the kitchen, blowing the smoke to keep the fire burning to finish her cooking. She couldn't help but wonder how terrible was the punishment for murdering a noble?

Ahanlem had guessed this development. This prince was more trouble than expected. She had suggested him earlier that she will bring him to the chieftain's residence, where it will be more comfortable for his status. But the man had immediately shot the idea down saying he didn't want to bother the chief for such a short stay.

Then, pray do tell, why is he bothering her so much?!

Dinnertime, the meal was finally laid out much to the relief of the troublesome guest. Ahanlem had cooked a simple meal of steamed rice and chicken stew.

The man stared at the plain meal and blurted, "Is this all?"

"Pardon me, sir. This is all I had for the night. I promise I'll make a proper meal tomorrow. Please forgive me."

It was true, Tomba and her were suppose to go for grocery today. But the unfortunate news of their local old man passing had made it impossible for the day. And by the time she came home with the prince, it was already late to go about picking the vegetables in the garden or the field. She was able to make the chicken stew because Tomba had already prepared one from their pen to make for lunch. But both of them were unable to have the meal and instead had settled for some steam potatoes.

Anyway, the nobleman was disappointed but he was too hungry to complain. He washed his hands and ate the first morsel.

".."

"Um, is it good, sir?"

"..It's delicious."

Of course, it was delicious. Ahanlem knew she was a good cook and she makes the best chicken stew. The perfectly cooked chicken meats and bones, with salt and chilli flakes, along with the nutritious and aromatic herbs she picked earlier were put stepwise and made to blend well with each ingredient altogether making the simple looking dish so tasty.

Tomba had wanted to eat this so she went to the trouble to gather the herbs today but he was unable to. Instead, she was serving the dish to this rude guest.

"You have no more?"

The handsome man titled his dark long brows in disbelief.

"I'm sorry, sir. I had only one chicken." Ahanlem answered.

But it was one whole grown chicken and this shameless person managed to gobble up the entire meal! And she only had a couple of pieces! How could a person from a noble and wealthy household eat like this? What the heck!

"Should I steam some potatoes, if you are not full, sir?" she asked.

The prince frowned but that didn't diminish his good looks. He answered,

"No need. Instead, make the bed. I will retire after a walk in the courtyard."

Ahanlem pursed her lips tight in exasperation. This is going to be a long night.

-

Ahanlem woke up with a start.

Loud noises of galloping horses and their neigh were heard right outside the house.

What's happening? Is she still dreaming?

However, another loud neigh from a horse put that thought to rest.

Ahanlem got down from her small bed. From the cracks of the back door of her room, she could see the faint golden rays seeping in quietly.

It was dawn.

She got out of the rooms and walked towards the front door. It was open ajar. She panicked for a moment seeing that but then realisation came to her soon after she saw the figure of the prince.

He was standing outside on the courtyard. He was already clothed in his original white robes. Faint fragrance of leihao wafted from his person.

He was talking to a man dressed in black next to him whose hands were holding the reins to two full grown horses, one black and a dark reddish brown.

The prince turned towards the door and saw Ahanlem standing there. He said,

"You are awake. Just in time."

"Sir, are you leaving now?" she asked as she came out.

"Yes, I was going to wake you but decided you needed the sleep."

And true to his words, she does. Half the night, Ahanlem couldn't sleep. After she left the man on Tomba's bed, not one minute after, he complained that the blankets and sheets were smelly and demanded a new one. There wasn't much in the house, so Ahanlem took her own things and replaced them on his bed. Still, he complained over every triviality that he couldn't fall asleep and then, both ended up chatting. Well, mostly it was Ahanlem answering his questions about who she was living with, what does she do and other minor things. But past midnight, she was annoyed and tired and begged him to let her sleep. After, she remembered getting on her bed and that was it.

The noble prince began, "I'll be going now."

"Alright, sir." Ahanlem answered.

"I'll give you this in gratitude for your chicken stew." He said and handed over a token with beautiful engravings which laid delicately on his palm.

"Eh, no need, sir."

"Don't refuse."

The prince said as he grabbed hold of her hand and put the little token.

Then, Ahanlem watched as the prince got on his dark reddish horse.

"I didn't ask earlier. What is your name?" he asked her.

"The name's Ahanlem, sir."

"Hm. Farewell then, Ahanlem." The noble prince said with a stunning smile.

This smile which came quite unexpected, completely caught her off guard. At that very moment, Ahanlem was hit with the realization that he was the most attractive man she had ever seen thus far. It wasn't that she forgot the fact that he was very handsome, rather, she was too irritated at him the previous day to put focus on the matter.

But now, faced with the full striking appearance of Prince Lamyanba, who sat on his dark reddish horse with a white tint on its forehead, both man and beast had the aura of celestials in the soft morning light.

A truly majestic picture.

Long after they were gone, Ahanlem felt her heart pulsating for a while.