Chapter 8

"By the way, Zendaya what are you doing in this forest? I heard that it is forbidden for a woman to here." Zaire asked.

His question made me recall what transpired in the Royal Amari dance. The question was like a wake-up call, of what I did. I embarrassed myself and my family. What l did was unladylike. I don't think, l will ever return to my village. "Don't worry about that", l replied after giving it a thought. I certainly didn't want to speak about what led to this forest.

"Alright, but you have to return to your village. It is risky for you to be here, don't forget that you were almost swallowed by a Python.", Zaire stated, "Let's go, I will accompany you."

I wandered around a bit and sat on the rock that was nearby, then covered my face with both hands. I know that I can't go back to my village, even if I wanted to.

"I said let's go and you sit down. Are you kidding me or what? Or should I call that python to come and eat you? Do you want to be killed or what?" Zaire told me with that playful irritating manner.

I couldn't take it anymore and I started to sob.

"Wow, why are you crying? Did I say anything wrong?", Zaire inquired while coming toward me." If I anywhere offended you, then I'm sorry Zendaya."He laid his spear on the rock, took my hands off my face, and started to wipe my tears."Tell me what is wrong.", he said looking straight into my eyes while his fingers still rubbing my face.

I held both his hands, to stop him from wiping my tears and turned away from his stare." I can't go back home", l simply stated.

"Can't, why?", He asked as he holden my chin to turn my face so that he can give me that gaze again.

I held his hand and removed it from my chin. Stood up from that rock and moved away from him." I insulted the King in front of the whole village. l even poke him with a finger. They will undoubtedly give a harsh punishment, if not kill me.", I quickly said and suddenly started to cry again. I folded my arms and let out the tears.

Zaire wanted to ask much from Zendaya statement. One of his biggest questions was why did she take such a step. He could try to understand the consequences of insulting a King. Being the King's son, he never raised his voice against his father as he understood the outcomes. "So why did Zendaya took such a step?" He thought.

Despite the curiosity, Zaire didn't ask. He stepped in front of Zendaya and warmed her with a hug." It's going to be okay", That all he could say, though he is not sure himself.

Zaire hugged me and I hugged him back. I cried till I felt a bit better, then pushed him." I'm going to alright ", I said, even though l was not sure myself.

"Of course, you will but If you don't help me gather some branches to make fire then you will not.", Zaire said in a playful tone. You could tell that he wanted to cheer me up and leave this topic about insulting the King. I respected him for this.

I didn't want to be a cry baby so I also playful said," Yes sir"

"Good, let get started. It is getting darker."

***

"Wait a minute, are you not suppose to be somewhere. Don't you have to go to your village? I asked Zaire while we're sitting in front of the fire to get warm.

"I'm supposed to be somewhere but I will not leave you here in this wild forest. The python may come back."

"It is nice of you, but you don't have to. I can take of myself."

"You can take care of yourself, Zendaya should I remind you that you were almost swallowed by Python?", He said in a kicky way.

"You don't have to remind me. It is just that I don't want to keep you here, while the something important to do"

"Your safety is now more important. Tell me what is the most intelligent animal in the wild?" Zaire said, trying to stop her from asking more about where he is supposed to be. If they continue with that topic, things may get out of hand. The last thing he wants is Zendaya to know where he is from.

***********

Back in the village, King Amandla is laying on his bed, inside his chamber. It is being a while since he called off the Amari dance. What happened is right after Zendaya flee from that ceremony, the King ordered villagers to go to their respective homes. It was a surprise for the villagers as their King didn't do anything as Zendaya insulted him. He didn't order the guards to stop her. Firstly from speaking in that manner, second from poking him, and lastly from running away. At least he couldn't have sent the guards after her. But King Amandla stood there and showed no emotions.

"Why I'm not furious about what that young lady did? I would say that I liked it. She looked straight into my eyes with no fear in hers. Why do l love what she did when it was clear that she was wrong.", King Amandla thought. It was there the first time a woman raised her voice against him. He is the firstborn and since he was a toddler, he was treated like a King. The only person who reprimanded him was his father.

Zendaya may have acted unladylike but to the King, she was just a unique woman. Someone that he should have married a long time. He didn't pick her, probably because he thought she was just like other women. He judged a book by its cover, but now he was ready to rectify his mistake.