Iqhawe Ring: Ep 7

In the dinning hall, right at the end of one of the long tables, Kezipe and Mulenga could be seen discussing matters in hushed tones. “What do we do? We can’t tell anyone, they’d never even believe us. Why are they looking for you?” Kezipe asked, unable to eat the sausage and eggs staring at her. “Apparently, my Dad’s a King in the East, and I’m being hunted because my Mum stole something” Mulenga said with a serious stare past the long roll of students eating at their table, up to the teachers table. She stared at the teachers drinking their beverages as they chatted. Spotting Professor Wapi seemingly unmoved by any of the occurrences of the past few weeks. Mulenga swayed her head from one end of the teachers table to the other end trying to spot the mysterious female amongst the teachers eating their meals. However none could be picked out from the many familiar faces. Headmistress Marian sat in the middle of the teachers table drinking and watching upon the students until she turned to face Mulenga, with a smile and a reassuring wink.

“We should talk to Ma” Kezipe said noticing where Mulenga’s eyes drifted to. “Maybe when we have more evidence, best to avoid being easily noticed. Especially if someone is trying to kill you” Mulenga said as she stood up from her table, feeling the urge to avoid the stare of Marian anymore, she walked down the long dinning hall tables sitting almost 50 kids on each side. Mulenga had to stop herself from running to her room once she cleared the dinning hall with Kezipe following close behind.

Back in their room, Kezipe got her sculpture out, now fully stuffed with paper. Mulenga thought it had started to take life. “That thing is starting to smell,” Mulenga raised her right hand to cover her nose while pointing at Kezipe’s science project with her left hand. “At least I have a project, you’ve been thinking…” Kezipe’s words were interrupted by a rasp on the door before it opened to reveal Marian.

“I couldn’t help but over hearing your dilemma, Mulenga. Science projects can be confusing, I find it helps to think in terms of everything, including our very selves as, being science. So what can you do?” Marian carried a calm about her as she winked at Mulenga, then turning to Kezipe “Young lady, your brilliance never seizes to amaze me, perhaps, however we should find someone to help you move your science, before the smell gets stuck in the walls” Marian winked approvingly towards Kezipe. “You have been busy I’m certain, you’re one who chases trouble” Marian spoke softly.

“You’re confused, you want answers. I think it’s important to search for answers, especially when your unknown past hunts you down” Marian eyed Mulenga as she walked towards the edge of Kezipe’s bed to sit down. “It’s dangerous out there” Marian waved her hand towards the world outside their window. “The world is in a state of unbalance, power like that which you have will be sort after greatly.” Marian paused.

“Is Chikwendo safe, if someone is looking for me. Because I don’t want anyone else to get hurt or lose things they have worked for because of me” Mulenga faced the ground as she aired her concern.

“Chikwendo is the safest place, however I must press upon you the importance of yourselves safe. For the one hunting you is cunning, you must also implore cunning but most importantly, courage if you are to stay alive. Both of you!” Marian smiled, satisfied with the looks upon their faces she stood up and started walking towards the door. “Oh! before I forget, go to Chitambo, look for a boy called Samm, he will help you with your science.” Marian smiled, before vanishing completely behind the door, leaving the girls to their collective thoughts.

“She speaks like she knows something is coming” Kezipe spoke, as the girls remained dumbfounded contemplating what Marian had said.

The next day, Mulenga and Kezipe scoured the halls in search of ‘Chitambo’ when they stumbled upon a pink door with very bright lights on the inside. On the door was written ‘chitambo’, which prompted the pair to let themselves in. The surrounding was however not like any of the other hallways at Chikwendo. Chitambo was laden with mirrors all along the sides of the walls, lit spectacularly through out so that a spec of dust would stand awkwardly in the white of these halls. There were six doors, two on each side of the walls with one door ahead and the one door the pair walked through.

A speaker came alive with a crack “You may be lost, feel free to turn around and walk away” a small voice said over the speakers. Mulenga and Kezipe kept walking, attempting to open the doors on the side of the passage but they were all locked shut. “Only one door left” Mulenga thought aloud as they approached the door adjacent to the one they walked through.
Before they could turn the handle the door opened by itself revealing a short chubby big-eyed boy standing by the door.
“Are you Samm?” Mulenga asked the boy, getting straight to the point “Only Ma calls me that, who might you be?” Samm asked, staring at the two from head to toe, before walking back through the door.
“I’m Kezipe this is Mulenga” Kezipe spoke on behalf of the pair as they walked through the doors into what seemed like a different Chikwendo room than they were used to.
“Call me the scientist, I designed this hallway to mirror a futuristic passage with each door transporting you to a different universe.” Samm spoke with pride as he noticed the look of surprise on the faces of his guest. “You’re the first two beside Ma to come down here, how can I help?” Samm spoke, equally getting to the point.
Everywhere the girls looked was a shelf filled with books, even the seats had been carved to hold books, sort of book heaven Kezipe thought to herself.

“She needs a science project, Ma suggested we visit you” Kezipe said “What do you like doing?” Samm asked Mulenga turning to face her directly. “I fight..” Samm interrupted Mulenga, “everyone knows you fight, you’re famous, but is that all you like doing?” Samm continued, wondering if this would be a lost causr. “Right now I’d just like to know more about myself and why…” Mulenga stopped talking realising she was with someone she didn’t know and did not trust enough to open up to.

“You have a secret, are you on an adventure? Only reason Ma would have asked you to come see me.” Samm contemplated as he looked round the numerous books surrounding him “I’ll help you on one condition” Samm thought aloud. “I can help you find a project as long as both of you have me go with you for the adventure” Samm proposed his plan.

“First give me a project, depending on the calibre of project proposed, we may be convinced to agree with you.” Kezipe negotiated.
“It’s obvious, use your body. Fighting isn’t a category for the science fair but dance is because it’s non violent. I can help with the choreography and the paper but you will have to do all the work.” Samm stated matter of factly, looking at Mulenga.
“I’ll even throw in a bonus, I’ll tell you everything I’ve read about you and your people” Samm said with a wide know it all grin.

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