The Lion And The Princess #Wattys2016

Believing The Truth

Hi there. My name is Amina. I am a royal princess. I probably know what you're thinking. Oh life must be great for you, having servants to get you all this stuff, you're in charge of things, you have a great life, and blah blah blah. But really, I wish I was a regular person like most people are.

Right now I am living with my father, ever since my mother died. The news of my mother dying, is both recent and the past. To my father it's recent. To me, it's both. She died in a helicopter crashing. She was going to some part of Africa, with medicine for children and other people. A pilot was driving her there.

On the day she was going to be leaving people were saying a terrible storm was going to be arriving later in the day. My mother wouldn't hear of it, she wanted to get there right away to help people and save lives. She was one of the most kindest people I have ever met.

Mom had hazel eyes, along with long beautiful dark blonde hair. One of the reasons father fell for her was her appearance. But the main thing was because of her kindness and intelligence. She always believed in certain things, and loved so much.

She had arrived there later after she left home. She said she missed us and was going to return soon. As she was flying back, that's when the storm began. We were all praying that she would make it back safely. We had hope.

But that's not what god grant us.

The next day we hear of news saying the helicopter crashed somewhere in the ocean, my mom and the pilot dying along with the helicopter. At first, these news sounded like a lie. But as we waited and waited, it became days. It became weeks. It became months.

Finally everyone gives in to this rumor, now becoming the truth and history. My father stayed locked up in his room for almost a month. I was there on one of those days, pressing my ear against the door of the bedroom. I could hear his crying and sniffling. Everyone cried a tear for my mother.

 She was one of the most gracious and loving people we ever had  in this whole world. After the rumor of my mom became the truth I ran to my room and stayed in there. I did not cry, I just thought.

Why did god grant us this? Why couldn't she have returned safely? Was this my fault? Was it fathers  fault? I stayed like that for a few days. I still didn't believe it. But as the months went by it turned into a year. As I realized this was going to by how it was, I locked my self in my room and sobbed non-stop.

Everything was going to change. Nothing was going to be the same without mom ever again. I sobbed for her. I screamed for her. Please mom, come back to us. Just walk into my room right now and say it was all a dream. But it never happened.

As me and my father tried to regain our selves one day coming out for once, we both seemed, different. As me and father settled into our seats, his as being the king's seat and mine being the princesses seat.

Father got reports and things sometime while I just sat there, watching and maybe reading sometimes. 

One day while father was staring straight ahead I decided to start a conversation. "So, dad. How are you?"

He flinches, his hands grip tightening on his seat. "Do you feel fine? Great? Delightful?" I continue awkwardly a little.

He has had enough of this and stands up his eyes looking watery and infuriating. "DO NOT SPEAK TO ME! DO NOT EVEN TRY TO START A CONVERSATION! YOUR MOTHER IS GONE AND YOU CAN'T ACCEPT THE FACT THAT SHE IS!" I looked at him terrified.

My eyes begin to get watery and I run out of of our palace gates entering the village and weave myself through crowds of people and run towards a flower field. I drop to my knees and cry. 

As I continued crying no one really came or bothered me while I was here. I was glad to be the only one here so no one would have to be here feeling my sorrowfulness and being sorry for me.

I stayed here till sunset. I look up my eyes red and my cheeks pink from crying. I look around at my surroundings and sit there peacefully and quietly. I stay like this for a few more minutes and then I begin to get up a little.

I sniffle a little but I wipe my eyes and continue trying to balance myself. I finally can stand and begin to walk slowly.

Suddenly, I heard a rustle around somewhere in the woods. I look around. I then see something in the sunset light coming towards me. My eyes widen, hyenas.