Chapter 3 What is she

Tania

I said goodbye to my kids and my sister then went to board a plane. I was excited about my trip that I could not wait to get there, this trip feels likes it's going to be life-changing for me and I can't wait to see what it has in store for me. I kept looking at the brochure of the place and imagining being there, standing by the river listening to the running water, or having my feet in the water just listening to the birds singing on the trees around.

Oh, how amazing it will be, I will take the kids the next time I go, am sure they will love it. The flight felt longer, but I did not want to close my eyes as if it will turn back around if I do. I have never felt this excited about anything, well; I have on my tenth birth when my parents promised me a bike, I couldn't even sleep that night, I stayed up till midnight and after that, I don't remember falling asleep but the following morning when I woke up; the bike was standing next to my bed.

The way I screamed made Lorraine come rushing to my room with her face covered in worry only to find me grinning from ear to ear admiring my bike, she has called me stupid and a fool for screaming like that, but I did not care. That evening my parents took me out with Lorraine to celebrate but they never made it home. A drunk driver hit us, and they died on the spot while Lorraine and I survived.

I don't know how but we did and ever since then life has never been the same. I never celebrated my birth or went anywhere by car; I always take a train to wherever I am going, and I have never flown anywhere. This is my first time, and I am loving it. Soon we hand and a shuttle to the place is already waiting. I am so loving my sister right now, if she didn't convince me to come, I wouldn't be experiencing this.

I look out the window as the shuttle leaves the busy city and takes a road that leads us to the bushes. I am anxious and can't wait to get there. We pass some fields on the side of the road and I wonder why the crops look so dead. Did they maybe experience draught this side? It would be a shame if they did because the place will not be as nice as it is in the pictures. The more we drive I see more dead crops and withering flowers.

What the hell happened to this place? I see chalets up ahead and my excitement returns. We Park next to one and the driver helps me with my bags. "Here is a map mam, you can explore all those places and I promise these woods are safe. Most people love going to the river, I would also suggest the flower garden but it died." That is a shame because that flower garden looked amazing in the pictures. "Don't worry, I will check it out and I am sure I will love it," I tell him and he gives me a polite smile before he leaves.

I get into my chalet, and I immediately fall in love with how cozy it is. It has a small fireplace, a kitchen, a dining room, a lounge, and a room. Everything looks amazing and clean. I would not mind living here, just me and my kids being one with nature. How wonderful it would be. I quickly take a shower and change. I want to see the garden and the river today. When I get out of my chalet, I meet a handsome man outside coming my way.

I stop in my tracks and smile. "Hello, I am be... Derick and I came to welcome you and find out if you need anything?" he smiles at me, he is a handsome man with muscles all in the right places, I never would have lived this long in my town if I knew they make men like this on this side. "Hello, Am Tania, I don't need anything, thank you. I was on my way to the river right now and maybe visit the flower garden after." I tell him and his smile turns into a frown.

"Unfortunately, the flowers are dying, we are not sure what the cause is yet, but we are looking into it, am sure you saw on your way here that even the fields are dry." He tells me. "I saw, and the driver told me about the garden, but I would still like to visit it," I say and we walk. "Not a problem then, I will leave you to it and if you need anything please let the maid know and we will take care of it," he tells me.

"I will do so, thank you." I smile at him; he seems like a nice person. "I will leave you to it then." He tells me then leaves. I walk among the cornfield that seems to be dead as well, there are farmers in the fields and they give me this weird look as I walk past them, I just smile and pass. I don't know why they are looking at me like that but who cares, I am here to enjoy myself and no one is going to take that away from me, not even their weird looks.

"Tania!" someone calls to me and I turn to see Derick coming my way. "Hello again," I say and he smiles at me politely. "Am sorry but do you mind if I walk with you, show you around and all that. I have time in my schedule, and it would be my pleasure to show you the place." He tells me and I like the hospitality in this place because it comes with him. "I would like that," I tell him and he smiles.

"Great! Let's go." We walked side by side with him telling me about the history of the place and I asked questions. They seem to have a rich history and I wonder why this place has not been made a historical site. Because according to him the place had been here since the eighteen hundred, the soldiers of the war at that time used this place as a hiding spot to the enemy. Now if that is not history that people need to know about, I don't know what it and this place doesn't only have history but beauty as well.

"Here we are, the Naga River, it is said that in the eighteen hundred the wounded soldiers who drank water from this river got healed but as the years went by, I don't know what happened, but the water lost it's healing powers, it might be a myth we don't know but that is what the history books say." He tells me and for some reason, I believe him. "I would like to believe it is true, if the history books say so then I believe it was, I would have liked to know what the cause was for the water to lose it's power," I tell him.

I saw a beautiful smooth rock just on the riverbank and I kick my shoes off then went and sat on the rock with my feet in the water. The water looks clean and clear and with that soothing sound as the water runs downriver. Derick comes and sits by my side. "This is peaceful and soothing," I say with my eyes closed just listening to the water running and Derick's breathing sounds labored. "Indeed, it is, when I get a little chance, I come here to think." He tells me and I would do the same if I lived here.

We stay like that for a while before I hear movement and I open my eyes and find Derick getting off from the rock. "Time to go?" I ask and he shakes his head. "No, but I forgot to show you some of what this place has to offer, stay there and I will be right back," he tells me, and I nod. I close my eyes again and I feel myself drifting off. I lay on my back on the rock keeping my now heavy eyes closed, my breathing evens out and I heard a whisper.

At first, I don't hear what the whispers are saying but then I concentrate. 'Welcome home, princess, do the ceremony and heal the land. We have been waiting too long for you, heal the land and bring us home.' The whisper says, I am not sure I am dreaming or what is going on, but the whispers repeat the same thing. I feel someone shaking and I open my eyes. Derick was hovering over me with a smile on his face.

"I leave for ten minutes and find you sleeping. You must be tired." He says and I sit up. That is when I noticed he is carrying barriers with a handkerchief. "Sorry, I didn't have something to put them on, but I thought you would like them." he says then pass the barriers to me, "Thank you." I smile putting one in my mouth and they taste amazing that I moaned. Derick chuckles. "Am sorry, they are just so good," I tell him and he nods. "I know." He tells me then comes and joins me on the rock again.