Sparkling

CHAPTER 2

I don't know why I get excited anytime I see Chris. I just can't seem to get him of my mind. As soon as he saw me running down the hill, he ran to meet me. I wasn't expecting a hug though but I was glad it happened. "Welcome back your highness",he said in a mocking tone. "You know I don't like you calling me that",I replied in a tone I didn't recognize anymore because of excitement. I couldn't wait to tell him how it went . "So,how was the meeting?", Chris asked as we headed to the shore. "it was great", I replied. "Hey Chris, I remember you said you'll tell me about where you're from", I reminded him before he forgot. "Oh yeah Sure I'll tell you. So my mom and I are from far away. Way back to Africa, we came from a city called Kumasi.". "Kumasi?" I asked, that name sounded familiar. "It's like I've heard that name before, but I can't seem to remember where I saw it". . "Really, I'm not sure you've seen it anywhere. There's no way your family will talk about that. The daughter of the queen of Xander has no business with my country". Chris always found a way to make fun of me. But I think that's what I liked about him. "Let me continue, so in Kumasi, we stayed at Santasi ,one of the largest place in Kumasi. That was where I schooled and had my school certificate".  "Wow you had a certificate?", I tried to mock and I could see it worked because it drew a smile on his face. "So what school did you attend?", I asked. "I attended Opoku Ware senior high school,  I know the name sounds weird but in my country it's one of the most prestigious schools". "Oh no it's not weird. It actually sounds amazing", I replied. One thing I loved about Chris was that he was always smiling and I  liked his sense of humor. "So back home, My mum used to sell at the Kejetia Market. We sold all kinds of foodstuff and fresh fruits." "That's amazing. No wonder your mum is such a great cook",I said with a big smile. Before Chris could continue, I heard someone calling my name very loudly from the hill. "Princess Jane!, your mother wants to see you now",the guard yelled. "I'm so sorry Chris, we should do this another time", I said as I made it to my feet. Chris responded with a nod. I didn't know what it really meant but I'm sure it was his sign of Approval.

When I got home, I realized that the whole palace was under preparation for some sort of great event. "What was going on?" I asked myself. I would have asked one of the guards but they kept bowing down and saying "hail the princess". I pretended I didn't hear them and I walked as fast as I could. When I got to Mum's lair, she was sitting at the fireplace with a story book in her hand. "Mum?", I said in a low tone. "Don't just stand there like a wet tissue darling come in",she replied. I quickly marched forward like some unknown force just pushed  me. "What's going on Mum", I asked. "Darling, she said as she got up. All the decorations and  music you see out there is your birthday", "My birthday? ",I asked half surprised. Half surprised because I knew my mum was capable of doing anything so it won't be much of a surprise. "But my birthday is not until next week ", I replied. "I know darling but I want everything to be so perfect. It's your 18th birthday and soon you'll be Queen of Xander. I want to usher you into it" Here we go again. I wish I could speak against it but it won't be of no use. "Here you go darling, this is an invitation list. I want you to list all the people you want to invite so they'll come to your grand party.", she said as she handed me the green paper. As I took the paper a lot of things came running to my mind. I didn't know what to do about this anymore. How do I explain to my mum that I don't want to be a queen. I want to live a normal life. How I wished dad was here. He would have understood me.

As I was heading to my room, I stopped by dad's office. The place had been kept well ever since he died. I walked in and sat behind his piano. I begun to have flash backs, I remember very well when I was a kid, I'll come to Dad's office and he'll put me on his lap and show me how to play the piano. "Sparkling, these keys that you see are more than just ordinary keys. There are  lots of history hidden behind it. Once you're old enough to guide yourself then you'll use it"      I wondered what dad was trying to tell me all this while. What did he mean by secrets and how come they're hidden in the keys of the piano. As I tried to understand this the more I got confused. Ever since Dad died, I had not played his piano. It reminds me of him very much so I don't play it. I still remember his favorite tune and how it goes but I didn't want to try it. It was half past 6 in the evening. I was so tired that I fell asleep immediately I got to my room. I even forgot to make my guest list. But tomorrow is always a new day.............