Love Unveiled

The News

I moved among the bushes, the berries plump and sweet surrounding me and each pluck of the vibrant fruit carried the promise of a simple delight amidst the hard labour of the day.

Lost in the rhythm of my task, the rustling of the leaves, and the gentle hum of the village, I was startled by Kemi's hurried footsteps approaching. Her eyes sparkled with an excitement that mirrored the fluttering of a thousand butterflies.

"Zola! You won't believe the news," she exclaimed, breathless with anticipation.

I paused, my curiosity piqued. "News? What news?"

Kemi's voice bubbled with enthusiasm. "How have you not heard? The news has been spreading like wildfire all morning. The Adebayos will prepare a lavish banquet for all peoples. A banquet of aged wine, choice pieces with marrow, and refined, aged wine."

My heart skipped a beat at the revelation. A banquet? 

"A banquet?" I echoed, the word hanging in the air with a weight of incredulity.

"Yes, a banquet!" Kemi's eyes gleamed. "And it's said to be a grand banquet. And rumor has it that Prince Ade's family wishes to find him a companion. Zola, this could be your chance!"

I blinked, the reality of Kemi's words slowly settling into my consciousness. Me, attending a banquet meant for the noble families of the village? The idea felt like an echo from a distant fairy tale—a narrative in which I had no place.

"I can't, Kemi," I replied, hesitancy lacing my words. "I'm just a farmhand, I have no parents, nothing to my name, my life is simply meant for working in the vineyards. A royal banquet is not meant for someone like me."

Kemi's expression softened, and she placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Zola, you are more than just a girl from the vineyards and this banquet isn't just for nobility; it's for the entire village. The invitation said to all, 'Come as you are'."

Her words lingered in the air, carrying the weight of possibility. 

As Kemi continued to paint a picture of the forthcoming celebration—the vibrant attire, the music that would fill the air, and the enchanting atmosphere of the ball—I felt a spark of excitement kindling within me. 

"Perhaps," I murmured, the idea taking root in my heart. I felt myself smile as I picked a black berry finally noticing the village buzzing with the words of excitement, and grand proclamations seeping through the thatched roofs. "Perhaps, I could attend."

Kemi's eyes lit up, and she grinned. "That's the spirit!"

A swirl of emotions churned within me—excitement, apprehension, and a flutter of anxiety. 

"Why the furrowed brow now?" she asked.

I sighed, my gaze fixed on the gathering dusk. "Kemi, what am I going to wear to the ball? I don't have anything suitable. I can't attend such an event in the clothes I wear to work in the vineyards."

Kemi's smile widened, and she leaned in, her voice conspiratorial. "You are in luck, because my mother is renowned in the village for her dressmaking skills. She can create a dress for you that will outshine the stars themselves."

"But Kemi, I can't ask your mother to do that for me," I hesitated, the idea of imposing on their generosity conflicting with my sense of pride.

"Nonsense!" Kemi dismissed my concerns with a wave of her hand. "My mother loves a good challenge and she's always eager to showcase her talents. Trust me, Zola, you'll be in good hands. You deserve to shine as bright as anyone else attending. Come we'll ask her now." Kemi took hold of my hand and tugged me towards the direction of her home where her mother welcomed us with open arms. The small room, filled with the vibrant fabrics that she had collected over the years, felt like a treasure trove of colors and possibilities.

"Mama, we need you," Kemi announced with a playful grin. "My dear friend Zola needs a dress for the banquet."

Kemi's mother chuckled, her eyes twinkling. "Well then, let's see what we can make for her." The colours and patterns seemed to dance before my eyes as Kemi's mother took my measurements and perused the array of fabrics, while my excitement began to grow like a vine reaching for the sun.