chapter 24 - Saved
Dabo walked casually with an annoyed expression to adorn his face, painfully knowing that he could do nothing to help his friend. He had known Sari for a long time, seen his struggles and felt his misery. What could he do to at least lessen his pain? No one would wish to be in that situation. Why did this befall his friend?
He couldn't come close to any girl because of a certain cursed fruit he ate when he was a child. His parents are dead and his uncle took over the kingdom, treating him like an urchin if not worse. The whole kingdom sees him as an outcast in the royal family. Some pity him, some laugh at him, some just like him and wish him the best. Either way, it still doesn't help him in anyway.
Dabo continued to walk in the greasy forest. The rain had just succumbed, leaving a way for the sun to laugh. He had to find more firewood because he and his friend, Sari would be camping. Not that they were doing anything special, Sari just wanted to get away from the kingdom like he normally did and being the good friend he is, he always accompanied him.
When he found some woods on the ground, he tiredly bent down to pick up the woods which were going to be used. Looking at the claw marks on the wood, he was sure the woods had been cut down by wild animals; the major reason he hated camping.
(May the gods protect them tonight as they had been doing).
He carried the woods on his arm, walking with agility. He wanted to get to where Sari was as fast as possible. The sun was setting and he wasn't too good at protecting himself. Sari was a better fighter. He had dealt with wild animals so many times, since he was young. Sometimes, his uncle would put him in a dangerous battle with wild animals just to entertain his subjects. It was meant to weaken him, but it only made him stronger.
Just as he kept walking as fast as he could, his eyes unconsciously turned to look at the river. It felt like he saw something and he couldn't help but bow to reflex. Looking keenly and slowing down his pace, he could see that there was something floating on the water...or someone!
Oh my gods!
He dropped the woods, ran towards the river and with no second thoughts, he jumped into it. He was a really good swimmer, one of the best in Arin Kingdom so it was surely a walk away for him.
He swam as fast as he could towards the body, took her by the waist and swam back out. He lifted her up when he got off the water, taking her far away from the water.
He tried resuscitating her, but to no avail. Her pulse was so low. She was dying and quickly. He didn't know how long she had been in that water but it was a miracle that she was still breathing.
He stood up distressed, ravaging his brain to think of something to do and fast. Just as he kept looking round, thinking of what he could do, he stopped to look clearly at her from head to toe; short, plump, chocolate in colour.
Oh my gods!
This girl is exactly what his friend needed, all the more reason she must be alive. Knowing that he was wasting time trying to think of something, he decided to run quickly to his friend while carrying the girl in his arms. Of course, it wasn't easy but when there is determination, nothing is impossible.
He ran as fast as he could, shouting his friend's name when he was almost there. Sari ran towards him with a confused and worried expression.
"What happened?" Sari asked.
"No time for explanation. We need...need to help her" Dabo said panting.
"Ok..ok...it seems like she was in the water" Sari said with it sounding more like a question than a statement.
"Yes, yes, I found her drowning in the river" Dabo replied.
"Ok, get the dunk water I'm boiling, mix it with lime leave and bring it"
"You want her to drink it?" Dabo asked confused. Nobody is to drink dunk water. It was what they used to chase evil spirits so they could sleep properly.
"Of course not. I want her to sniff it. Hopefully, it would jump start her system to feel something. It's the only thing I can think of. Her pulse is really low so it's all we've got".
Without hesitation again, Dabo sharply did as he was instructed. The hot dunk water mixed with lime leave was placed close to Mayowa's nose for her to sniff it. The stench from the mixture passed through Mayowa's nose, finding her nervous system. It took some time but after a minute or two, Mayowa coughed but she didn't open her eyes. The two boys breathe a sigh of relief as it could be noticed that she had started breathing properly.
They put her close to the fire, wrapped her firmly against the night cold. They sprinkled the mixture round to protect them from evil spirits, while they were looking out for wild animals.
Dabo kept smiling "You have finally found the chance you have been waiting for" he said.
Sari replied "Yes, and she is perfect. I just hope she will agree to it". He smiled.
Author's note: Hey guys, I have finally uploaded. I have not uploaded for weeks, if not months so I'm happy to resume back. I didn't want to continue because little to no one is reading it but I decided to continue since the inspiration is flowing. I don't know where I might need it. And besides it keeps you busy and gives you hope that you are doing something worthwhile while I keep on waiting for a chance to put my work out there and you all read it.