HIDDEN GENDER

With a lot of contentment, as a week elapsed and was time for naming the child born. Handed to grandma Magdalena's arms, a wave of joy cascaded over the old woman. She gazed lovingly into the baby's bright eyes and, with a heart swelling with affection, named her "Ongatuny," meaning * lion—symbolizing strength and courage. With a gentle blessing, she whispered to the child, "You shall be the pillar of this family."

Forced to adopt to living as man yet a woman become so hilarious for Ongatuny, left with no choice, she had to be called a *him* and not *she* , but she never complained about it, after learning the reason behind it .

Years flowed like a serene river, and Ongatuny blossomed into a spirited boy, embodying the courage her name suggested.

However, in a zestful and colorful evening, with hues of red, orange and pink streaked across the shadow of the skys, king Emorimori announced that all boy from 18_years have to be recruited as warriors, and who ever defills the new law will be banished to the evill forest, A decree from the king echoed through the villages. Fear curled itself around Ms. Agrippina's heart; only she knew the truth that Ongatuny was, in fact, a girl.

"How long can I keep this secret?" she thought, worry etched across her brow.

It was a moment of agony and worry for the family knowing that Ongatuny had just clocked 18 years, but the most worring part was fear of the child being exposed as a girl not aboy, they all didn't know what to do.

Ongatuny saw her mother in agony and ponderous. All he could do was to comfort her, she decided to make her busy by requesting of animal skin. With it , no one would recognize her as a woman with the features of the hard dry animal skin.

Her brilliant idea made Agrippina happy and relieved, as the skin cloth was ready , it was also time to go to the palace for review, Ms Agrippina packed all the necessities needed and handed them to her.

"Ok mother am going to miss both you and grandma," Being the only child in the family she was loved by everyone and they were not ready to let her go but they had no choice.

Soon his friend Okirror arrived, brimming with excitement. "Ongatuny! Hurry up! We can't be late for the palace!" he shouted, unaware of the turmoil swirling in her chest. The thought of being separated for two years filled Ms. Agrippina with anguish. As she embraced Ongatuny tightly, tears glistened in her eyes, fearing the unknown dangers that lay ahead.

Hand in hand, Ongatuny and Okirror journeyed to the palace, where a long line of young warriors stood straight and proud. As they approached, anxiety drummed in Ongatuny's heart.

The moment came when they were ordered to undress for inspection. A swell of panic surged within her; if anyone discovered she was a girl, it would bring disaster upon her family and village.

Ongatuny's heart raced fast as she trimbled in fear, "how shall l remove my shirt?" She thought. Looking at a pale skinned young boy , Okirror knew he wasn't okay removing his shirt as it's be so since childhood

"what is your fear? Because l can see it through your eyes and you even Trimble", as a good friend all he did was to encourage Ongatuny to swim a way from fear.

"Hey! What are you two doing standing there?" a stern trainer Okwi shouted, startling them from their fearful thoughts. They stepped forward, trembling. "We can't!" Okirror stammered, lowering his gaze. The trainer's confusion morphed into anger as he demanded to know why.

At that moment, Okirror, quick on his feet, concocted a tale. "Sir, we made a vow with our fiancées to never undress in public until we are wed. If you make us break our vow, there will be a curse upon you!" The trainer, well-aware of the eternal repercussions of breaking such a promise, hesitated, fear gripping him. Reluctantly, he allowed them to remain without undressing.

Grateful for Okirror's quick thinking, Ongatuny felt a bond deepen between them, yet she feared the truth would eventually surface. Days turned into weeks, and the duo endured rigorous training, preparing for the coronation that was to take place the following day.

As the sun rose over the horizon, casting a warm golden light over the trees and dusty ground. The sound of clashing wooden swords filled the air as two figures moved gracefully in a makeshift training ground. Ongatuny looked on, his heart with amixture of longing and determination as he snarled and raised his wooden sword while they trained.

The bond between them was evident in the fluidity of their movements, a dance of respect and skill that Ongatung and Okirror yearned for as they glimpsed into the kind of warrior they aspired to become.

During a sparring match, Okirror, trying to regain his balance, accidentally stumbled and fell, his hand brushing against Ongatuny's body. Shock rippled through him as he registered the truth—his friend was a girl! "What have you done? How could you lie to me?" he shouted, disappointment etching his features. For a moment, time stopped as Ongatuny's heart raced, fearing he would expose her secret.

"Please, let me explain!" she pleaded. But Okirror was angry and refused to hear her out. Desperation washed over her, and she cried, "I'm cursed!" His anger faltered at the mention of a curse, curiosity igniting within him.

With trembling words, Ongatung explained that revealing her true identity would not only endanger her but could plunge their entire village into chaos.

Soonest he was half way his speech, the rage of tempest skies bore down, smashing houses into blizzards of slicing confetti. Trees of aeons tumbled as the devil's dominoes. Neither man nor beast could stand in the path of the storm, yet hunker down and pray that it was evil's last, Is was a sign of calamity.

Glancing at the strange rain, the midwife already knew what had happen and directly treked to Ms Agrippina,

"What have you people done?, Now watch as calamity befalls our kingdom because of your carelessness," her face was so creepy out of disappointments. Unbeknownst to them , grandma Magdalena was snooping at their conversation. Disappointments inflicted out of her eyes .

"You kept me in the dark all this years Agrippina!"

By the week's end, misfits occurred as the once peaceful and loving king become greedy and envious, that his egos covered his eyes, drawing calamity and marking the begining of disasters in Morungatuny kingdom.