Balogun

DOWNHILL (2)

"Love has reasons which reason cannot understand."
- Blaise Pascal.

"It is okay to lose your pride over someone you love, but don't lose someone you love over your pride."

xXx

When Jamal stepped into Murewa's room the next morning, it was a mess.
The whole room was upside down, messed up. But the Prince was standing in the center of the mess, like it was nothing.

Jamal watched as he stuffed his bag with their work out supplies, his face set in stone and wondered what happened last night.

The bookshelf was broken and was almost crashing to the floor, all the books scattered about it the room.
All the cloths in his wardrobe were strewn about him and as he moved, he trampled upon them without care.

The bed was unmade and the sheets were on the floor too.
The mess was so unlike him and Jamal just wanted to reach out, but couldn't.
Murewa flung the bag across the room and Jamal caught it and waited till the Prince was done before they left the room together.

Soon they were treading the bush path that led to the campsite and still they hadn't said a word to each other. Jamal cleared his throat to break the silence.

"Are you..?"

"We are training with level threes today." Murewa cut him off. "Let the recruits train with their combat instructor," he said and marched off.

Jamal sighed.
It was going to be a long day.

                                     xXx

Thankfully, Abike discovered she had been moved to another room in the harem that morning.
She no longer had to deal with Tinuke's continuous whining and complaints.

This new girl was a lot like Awelewa, very calm and no one came to visit her.
Her name was Adenike.

She talked to Abike as Abike worked and honestly, there was really nothing much for Abike to do.
The room was as neat as it could be.

Abike finished with cleaning the bathroom and wanted to retire for the afternoon.
She had been feeling sick lately and Murewa made it so much worse yesterday.
Even thinking about him upset her. She viciously pushed him out of her mind.

"Are you done?" Adenike turned away from the mirror as Abike exited the bathroom.

"Yes, I am."

"Come look at this." Adenike smiled and turned back to the mirror. "Does this powder compliment my face?"

Abike walked towards her and admired the beautiful face. "Yes, it does. It's exactly your color."

"Thank you." Adenike smiled harder and put finishing touches to her face. "I hope he likes it."

Abike went still and felt bitter bile rise up her throat. "He? Are you going to see the Prince?"

Adenike laughed and turned away from the mirror to look at Abike.
"I wish." She turned from the mirror and went to sit on the bed. Abike turned to her.

"Why do you wish? Don't you see him?"

"I don't." The girl shook her head. "I only see him whenever I go downstairs or in passing."

"You don't go to his room?"

"Well, I did. Once." The girl patted the space beside her and motioned for Abike to come sit.
"You see..." she started when Abike sat down. "I met the Prince three years ago at the annual ball. I had won the Pageant for that night and my Parents wanted me to join the harem."