Chapter 8

Grandpa explained to The Prince that Buhle was not exactly good at communicating with others.

"May I bring her flowers? I want to say thank you to her for her kindness. She saved my life and carried me to safety from the woods. And even here, she had to adjust to a life with an extra person", The Prince said.

"I think that would be sweet", grandpa responded. "But make sure no-one recognized you."

The Prince wanted to show kindness to Buhle. That made grandpa happy. He thought that gesture of The Prince would warm Buhle's heart and give a smile for the day.

They finished preparing the food for storage. The Prince washed his hands and adjusted his clothes; tugging and pulling. Grandpa took out some coins and stretched them out him. The young man refused. He explained that he is the one that wants to thank Buhle, thus he should acquire the flowers through his own means. Grandpa was pleased to hear the perfect response.

The young man entered the house and brought out one of his jewelleries. He bid farewell to grandpa and went away. Along his journey he went to a pawnshop and traded in his jewellery piece for some fresh flowers.

Buhle and Mini were still at it. They put seeds onto the ground and covered them. They worked through the fields, carrying out their tedious work.

The Prince reached the farm after asking for directions from passers-by. He went to Mini who was closer to him in proximity. He asked;

"Hello. I am looking for Buhle. Do you happen to know her?"

Speechless, Mini stood there in shock; The Prince of the kingdom was speaking to her. She tried collecting herself, but she found that task even more challenging. The Prince was asking her about Buhle. Buhle was farther away; she was unaware of what was happening. Mini was confused about whether to lie to The Prince or speak the truth. She pointed to Buhle and said;

"You should speak to that girl over there. I just got here, I will not be of any help, My Prince."

He smiled kindly and went to Buhle. Buhle stopped working when she noticed a figure approaching her. She looked, and it was The Prince. She stood frozen. He greeted her. But she did not know how to respond. So, she looked past him to see Mini. Mini shrug with a big cringe on her face. She then waved goodbye and went away. She went home, trying to escape the awkwardness.

"I am looking for Buhle. Have you seen her?", The Prince asked.

Buhle shook her head and said; "I have not seen her… for a while."

She hesitated through her words.

"She left. She went that way. And I do not know what her destination was", Buhle said.

Disappointed, The Prince sulked. He then looked up and it was only then that he realized Buhle looked peculiar. She had scales on her skin and eyes that were cat and snake-like. He kept his cool but Buhle was already aware of his realization.

The Prince saw some seeds. He went and put his flowers next to them under a tree. The Prince then scouped some of the seeds and joined Buhle. He squatted on a row that Buhle had opened up.

"How should I do it? Do I just throw them in?", he asked.

Buhle stood immobile not knowing how to process his reaction, or lack of, to the way she looked.

"Do I throw just one? Or two?", The Prince wanted to know.

Buhle's attention returned when she saw The Prince stare at her expecting an answer.

"You do not have to be here", she said.

"Please let me stay", the young man pleaded.

"Throw in three in each whole", she instructed.

The two young people continued their farming for hours. They worked in silence. Buhle did not know what to say to him, she was not much of a speaker. And The Prince was dedicated to the task, he was having fun. He preferred the silence.

After hours of working, Buhle suggested they take a break and then return to their homes. They took the farm tools Buhle had brought and went to a river. Seating on top of a mini bridge, they enjoyed the freshness of the air brought by the river and trees in that spot.

"I never knew such a beautiful place existed. Thank you for bringing me here", The Prince said to Buhle, who did not respond.

"What is your name, by the way?", The Prince was curious.

Buhle ignored him.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I should introduce myself first. I am Abasi. May I know your name?"

She still ignored him.

"May I ask what happened to your skin and eyes?", Prince Abasi wanted to know.

She looked at him. He saw that and said; "Oh I should not ask? Right, I will not ask."

"Do you really not know where Buhle is?", The Prince asked.

Buhle finally responded; she shook her head. The Prince took his flowers and said;

"I am sorry to do this to you; I had bought these flowers for her. But she is not here. And I want to show my appreciating to you for letting me partake in farming and for bringing me to this beautiful place."

He paused for a moment wondering if he should proceed.

"I would like to give these flowers to you as a token of appreciation" he stretched them to her. "Someday I will actually buy you flowers and not give you ones that were initially bought for someone else… I am sorry."

She took them. The Prince was relieved that she took the flowers. Buhle tossed them into the river below. Unbelieving, he looked at her and then looked away. The two started their walk home.

"You go on ahead. My home is on the other direction", Buhle lied.

"Oh no. I could never let you walk alone", The Prince said.

Buhle started to panic a little. The Prince was being adamant about following her home. She feared that he might realize that she was leading him to the wrong way. She also feared that she might transform soon.

Her scales began to appear on the back of her arms, and she was wearing a sleeveless top. She wondered how The Prince might react if he saw her transform.

She began to panic a little. She was about to emit a green glow soon. Buhle did not know what The Prince's reaction would be, but she was still worried. He might get her prosecuted for being a witch living among humans.