My People Or My beloved

Episode 10

On this fine day I walk down the street under a sun that warms my skin in the same way mother's apple pie brings warmth to my core. Music comes from a radio, yet somehow the background ambiance is clean, as if this music was that freshly baked apple pie upon a white tablecloth, the tune dancing in the same way a fragrance does.

White heaven-bound birds were as brilliant rays from wind-dappled sea-water; their brightness amid otherwise infinite blue, gliding as free souls. In each wing-given arc they were the tips of a conductor's wand, a music for both eyes and soul, bringing a wave of sweet earthly joy.

Ochuwa had sent one of the palace maiden to inform me that she has not been feeling well and requested I meet her at a designated clinic, she went for check up ,treatment same time and to receive her test results from the diagnosis of the laboratory.

A day earlier, Omopekhai the leader of our ally, had informed us on a new development and requested we meet up to discuss the way forward.

I decided to attend the meeting first, since the stipulated time was the early hours of the day. I had a bath, put on a nice dress and set out on the course of the day. The meeting seemed to be an arena for exchange of words and argument. Omopekhai came up with a plan to kidnap the princess of Ebeni, he claimed that the prince would have been better choice but he moves around with securities and from his observation and findings, the princess has been leaving the palace in disguise. He can't predict to whom or where she goes but he had been trailing her most times, especially on her return to the palace.

I was in total disagreement with the idea as I opted out. He questioned my reasons, I couldn't gift him any reasonable excuse but I insisted I wouldn't want to dent myself into any form crime. He asked if this is what my father would have wanted, "well I may not live up to my father's legacies but I am certain he would want me fighting for the people not committing crimes" I responded in anger; standing in front of him looking at straight into his eyes.

Then they all concluded that they don't need me to accomplish their adventures, but I assured them, whosoever that wants the princess would have to go through me first. I brushed him aside and walked away.

After an hour, I got to the clinic to meet Ochuwa, at the point of seeing me, she dismissed the guard and the maiden that came with her. She seemed ambivalent from her looks, like she was happy and same time confused. I asked her what the problem was, she was quiet for few minutes, then she asked me if I would leave Ebeni with her.

"Do you mean we should elope"? I asked, she replied yes, I asked why the sudden decision and tried letting her know that I can't leave my family and run away, am their only hope. Aside that I can't leave my Fatherland in this misery they are in.

I began to wonder if she already knows she was in danger, then she said she is pregnant. I was hit by a thunderstruck, the words kept echoing in my head, "you mean I will be a Dad" I asked again holding her hands.Yes, she responded, I hugged her and kissed her with great joy, but in my heart I was happy that we wouldn't be apart anymore but also sad because the great pandemonium that would come with the outbreak of such news, I don't know if I would survive it.