Tamura was given the guest room that he used last time to sleep in once again. He had spent some time with Leona in the dining room on their own before they went to their bedrooms to sleep. She had asked him questions about his trip but realised he was reluctant to discuss it and opted to quickly changing the subject and rather preferred talking about how they missed each other.
Tamura found the courage to ask Leona what her mother meant when she said Leona was pining since he went away. Leona said, “Mother is always exaggerating, yes, I did miss you a little that’s all, no big deal.”
Tamura responded cheekily, “I missed you a lot, no big deal there either, is there?”
She jumped on him and shouted, “Hey, cheeky, it sure is a big deal if you missed me lots.”
Tamura said, “So can I get a kiss since I am the only one here who missed you more?”
Leona smiled and said, “You may certainly not!” She giggled.
“Well, at least now I know you didn’t miss me half as much as I have missed you,” said Tamura, pretending to look serious.
They stood up and embraced and just stood there for a while in each other’s arms, neither wanted to let go, and they were both blushing and had their eyes closed, just enjoying the sheer pleasure of the moment. The two lovebirds said goodnight to each other and went to their bedrooms grinning.
That night Leona dreamt she was in paradise, with no one else but Tamura on her side holding hands and feeding her all the sweet ripened fruits of the garden.
When she woke up late the following morning, she felt sad at the reality that Tamura might be going back home today and never coming back again, although they never discussed him leaving the following day. She quickly ran into the bathroom and wore one of her best dresses and went off in search for Tamura, without eating any breakfast.
She found him sitting with her father in deep conversation and she dared not to interrupt them, though she was quietly pleased at seeing him still around. They glanced at each other from a distance and smiled calmly, remembering last night’s embrace.
The king continued to give him an account of what he wanted him to do, and how he wanted his siblings to come and live with them while he worked as the king’s armour-bearer. Tamura leapt up with joy and fell down to prostrate before the king in appreciation of what he had just said.
Leona from a distance looked on puzzled, as Tamura had not told her of his plans to try and ask the king if he could move to Goza with his family. He was careful not to build her hopes up prematurely. She guessed that maybe the king was giving him grain or money or some other token to take back home to his family. However, she was quietly disappointed that he could be so happy when he knew he was going to leave her behind when he would return to Huru.
She waited for him to come to her and explain what the excitement was all about, but Tamura was totally engaged by the king and immediately after talking to him, he ordered him to go and see Chief Bongo for more details.
Leona felt a little left out but knew Tamura will tell her all about it when he got the chance. It was mid-week and the king wanted Tamura to start work at the beginning of the following week. Since there was nothing much to pack in his village, he told the king that the next couple of days were ample time to pack his and his siblings’ belongings to return with them in time for his new job starting the following week.
Tamura told the king of how he had sold all their livestock to use the money for other necessities. The king had told Tamura to take as long as he needed, but Tamura insisted the two days ahead were more than enough to go and come back. After all he had other personal reasons to rush back, but he didn’t dare mention that to the king, because this had to do with Leona, whom he was falling for in a big way.
After a brief from Chief Bongo, Tamura expressed his great appreciation for what his newfound friend had done and promised to see him in two days and rushed to go and say his goodbyes to the king and his family and to break the good news to Leona.
She was so excited as he expected and he quickly went on his way back home, as it was midday, he needed to get home at least before everyone went to bed. He carried a small rucksack with a few bits and pieces to nibble on the way. Leona walked him to the end of the compound and stood there for a very long time watching him disappear in the distance. She felt like she wanted to go with him, but she knew this would be foolish.
Chapter 6
Tamura made his way home to Huru hastily. He couldn’t wait to tell his siblings the good news, especially his little sister, Mara, who always thought she would be a princess one day, as her dad always called her ‘my princess’. She was going to find the prospect of living within a palace compound a dream come true.
He got home just after dusk as he was too excited to take his time walking and
