Chapter 7

Prince Gatamu arrived at the doctor’s house. Not only was doctor Kirimi his friend but also their family doctor. He also happened to be the brother to Mr. Mamiti. This is to mean that, he was Silviah’s uncle. He was the youngest brother at their home. He and the Prince happened to be of the same age.

Prince Gatamu visited the doctor frequently but this day’s visit was no ordinal visit. Gatamu had a bone to break and he surely needed somebody to help him on how to go about it. Despite the fact that Kirimi was Silviah’s uncle, Gatamu knew that he could help him out.

In the past days, whenever they met to have a chat, some of the key things they discussed were women, love and marriage. These two being of the right age, they could not help but to discuss these issues. Gatamu knew for sure that Kirimi was an advocate for love and could help him out. He believed that for two to be together, they must be in love.

Before Gatamu met this girl, he talked of marriage as just a rite of passage and referred to women as a source of pleasure. He believed one did not have to love a woman to marry her. These believes he acquired from his father the king. Kirimi on the other side thought otherwise. He always told Gatamu that the most important thing in life after a good job is a loving and caring better half. A woman in love with him and whom he loves too. He also added that, such a woman could only come from God; therefore, one need to revere God.

“It’s good to see you again my Prince. How is it that you look dull today? Is everything okay?” Kirimi expressed his concern.

“Good to see you too my friend, I am without a flu. Contrary, as it seems, I have just awoken a sleeping lioness!” Gatamu replied with an expression of confusion on his face.

Surprised by his reply, “what do you mean my friend? Do not tell me the whole world is crumbling on you pal! What lioness is more powerful or…can suppress the potent Credonia’s Prince?”

He walked across the room past Kirimi to take a seat, “my friend, as much as I am the Prince, there are times that even I fear. This time…I mean no joke my friend. I am dead serious of what I say.”

“Tell me, what’s up and…how may I be of assistance to you my Prince and great friend?” Kirimi offered as he sat as well.

“Good, see…remember your niece Silviah?”

Kirimi looked astonished, “what is this? Of course I do. She is my niece. Besides, how can I forget her with all her classy being…though she hardly visits…except when in need of something. What did you do to her?”

He juddered his head side to side, “nothing at all but, remember me saying that I do not love her?”

“Of course I do, and, you have always been okay with that. Didn’t you say that, you do not have to love a woman to marry her?”

“Yes of course I said that but, that was before. Now, I do believe that no more. I just found myself a princess or, even better, I should say…the Queen. I now accede with you that love does exist.”

“Gatamu, Gatamu. What has come over you? You are not the Prince I knew. Tell me, who is this queen that you have found and when did this happen?”

“She is a girl from Ruaki and my friend; I have never been so sure in my life. I may have not experienced love before but, I bet this is how it feels to be in love.”

“Just slow down…let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. You mean…you have somebody else.” He looked offended, “I do not know about it but my niece does…right. That is what great friends do! ...Am I surely your friend?”

“Of course you are my greatest friend. It is not like that. Your niece does not know and, so you know…it did not happen long ago. In fact, you are the first to tell about it. Is that friend enough?”

“Well, I suppose by Ruaki you mean the small village at Malaba district, right?”

“Yes, that’s right. She is from that village and I love her so much.”

“In deed, water is surely life. So, tell me, how did you tell her this? How did you begin…by pulling the I-am-the-Credonian-prince stance? I am curious.”

“Not funny. If you must know, I know my way around women…but, don’t be surprised that I have not even talked a word to her yet.”

“What! Gatamu, if I know you right, you cannot let a beautiful woman past your mighty you. You must have told her something. What happened to being man enough? That’s your slogan, right?”

“It’s not that I did not try but, when I did, she made efforts to avoid me instead of talking to me.”

“What! Pastoral girls and their naivety, anyway, how do you intend to go about it?

“I will keep on trying and hope that someday she will talk to me and love me back.”

“My friend, I do not wish to be the barer of bad news but…you are in trouble. How will you tell this to your father let alone my nagging niece? I think you should be worried more about him than my niece.”

“My father does not know and cannot know about it. That’s the reason why I have to do something about Silviah and why I am here.”

“So, what are you afraid of and she doesn’t know…yet?”

“She might not know it yet but the way she talks proves that she may be suspecting something. I think it’s because of my reactions to her these last few days.”

“Did you show her a negative attitude or ignore her in any way?”

“No, not at all, I wonder why she is saying this to me. She even threatens to tell my father. You know, I cannot allow this to take place. My father can never support this.”

“Well my friend, I once told you that though Silviah is my niece, she is a hard nut to crack. Since you had no opinion in this relationship with her and still does not, I suggest you be cool and play her lover lest her finding about this queen of yours.”

“I do not think I can pretend to love her and yet I don’t, especially not now that I have Peninah all over my thoughts and in my heart.”

“Is that not what you have been doing ever since, I don’t know when that, you people started your thing?”

“Now it’s different. I did not know the power of love then. I am a different man now…one in love. What you know not about can do you no harm, right?”

“Well my friend, you came for my help and hear it is. Just go back and apologize to her. After this, be the lover you used to be and all shall be well. If this is not the case, well, find another home and palace brother.”

“I guess I have not any other choice after all. I will try to do exactly that my friend. Thank you for your time and advice. I must leave now.”

“Don’t try, just do it men. It is the only safe way out for you. On my side, I will try to convince her the project had made you do that. Asta la vista my friend.”