PRICELESS EXCHANGE

THE OLD MAN

My lips quivered and my eye lids fluttered as I tried to wake up from the dream I was having. I saw the scarlet princess crying and running in the woods. I was running and chasing after her but she told me to go back. I tried to get a hold on her but she disappeared immediately

no!!! I screamed as I woke up. My whole body vibrated as perspiration dropped from my face down to my neck.

Sophie.. Tonia called as she held my arms on the bed. I began to gasp for breath as I panted heavily.

Sophie.. are you ok? she asked anxiously. I looked around the room and noticed that I was home. I looked at Tonia and hugged her tightly.

are you alright Sophie.. she said again as she looked at my face

ye...ah.. just a nightmare.. I muttered

Sophie.. Andrew called as he entered the room to meet us.

Andrew... I called softly as he sat beside me.

what happened how did we get home? I asked

you passed out while we were on tour, Tonia said

really? why? I asked in surprise

I don't know, we took you home and called the doctor but he said you were ok, Andrew said

were you sick? Tonia asked

no.. I was ok before we left for the palace... I replied

then what happened? you were acting so strange at the palace all through the tour.. Andrew said

really? I asked

yeah.. what kind of a nightmare did you have? Tonia asked

I.. I saw princess scarlet and I was chasing after her while she ran away from the kingdom. She told me to go home but I was reluctant and then she disappeared, I related

really? is there anyway you could be connected to Methosa? or the palace or even the princess? Andrew asked thoughtfully

No.. I'm just a normal county girl.. it's not possible.. I said with a chuckle

you sing so perfectly Sophia.. and I can vividly remember how mom sang so perfectly too before her death, she told us how grandmother always took her to study under princess scarlet before her disappearance, Tonia said

really? tell me more about her.. I urged

ehem.. Andrew cleared his throat. Hey... you need to freshen up before we have dinner, Dad would soon be home, he said to me

um.. what about Drew? I asked and Tonia looked at Andrew.

well, someone stopped him from coming into the house to see you, Tonia said with a smile and I turned to Andrew

hey.. I didn't do nothing.. he said as he stood up from the bed.

really? why did you stop him from coming to see me? I asked

probably jealous.. Tonia said and we both turned to her.

My bad.. she said grinning as she walked out.

**

Mr Smith arrived just before dinner and we all had dinner together. He asked about the tour and we gave an anecdote on how it all went to him.

are you ok now Sophie? he asked with a warm smile

yeah.. I feel better now, I replied

Dad, I feel like she's somehow connected to princess scarlet cause she sings just like mother...

Tonia!! her dad yelled before she could finish speaking. I saw how his countenance changed and silence fell on the room at once.

Is speaking about your mom prohibited in the house? I asked as we sat on the field after dinner

yeah.. he doesn't like it when we talk about mom.. Andrew said sadly

what happened to her? I asked and they both kept silent. I realized they didn't want to talk and so I kept silent too.

The next day, Drew came to visit us and Tonia and I were really happy to see him.

I.. hope you're ok now, he stammered as he walked inside

yeah.. I'm fine, thanks for yesterday, I said smiling

what did he do? Andrew asked with disdain

oh? don't be a moron, he did a lot for us at the palace yesterday, Tonia said and he kept silent

concerning those dreams you had, I think it would be better if you come see my grandfather, he's still alive you know, he said smiling

whoa!!! Tonia and I exclaimed

that would be nice, I guess he knows a lot about the palace and everything, I said

yeah.. he knows a lot, Drew replied

where does he live? Tonia asked

He lives at Methosa, Drew replied.

We turned to look at Andrew and he scoffed.

**

We journeyed to Methosa to meet Drew's Grandfather. Andrew was reluctant at first but he later acquiesced after much pressure.

The car pulled up in front of an old cottage which was covered with grasses and flowers.

you live here? Tonia asked Drew

no, but grandpa does, he replied.

We walked out of the car and proceeded into the cottage. Everywhere was quiet as no one was in sight. Only the chirps of birds could be heard chirping around the yard. An old bicycle was lying beside the big oak tree in the yard.

Drew opened the wooden door of the cottage and we followed behind him

grandpa, he called as we walked into the old house.

I looked around the old but neat cottage and I was amazed at how neat such an old man could be. Two sofas and an arm chair were seen in the small living room. A round table with a flower vase was in the middle of the chairs. The windows were covered with old patched curtains, the rug on the floor was also old and quite dusty. There was a study at one end of the room, and a dining for two was close to the kitchen.

Grandpa, Drew called again

hey we don't even know this boy, we could be trapped and killed you know.. Andrew whispered in low tunes

Andrew, Tonia cried and pinched him.

Hey guys relax, I guess he is sleeping, Drew said and he walked into a passage

I'm scared of this place, the neighborhood is so quiet, you noticed? Tonia asked

what's wrong with you guys.. stop making me scared.. I said angrily and they both kept shut.

Not long, Drew returned with an old man supported by a walking stick. He wore a pinafore jean and a black hat and shoes. His face was corrugated and his hairs were grey.

We all watched him walk slowly to the living room and he waved as he saw us.

who are these...?.. he asked with shaky voice as he sat on the sofa

my friends, they came to visit you.. Drew muttered

sit.. the old man motioned to us and we all sat close to each other.

The old man turned to us and his eyes fell on me. He stopped and continued to stare at me with a smile forming on his lips

He's staring at you.. Tonia whispered

hi.. I greeted

hi.. Tonia and Andrew added and the old man smiled

meet my grandpa Mr Sydney.. Grandpa, meet my friends Sophia, Andrew and Tonia, they're from Mayor city, Drew said excitedly

Including the Blondie? the old man asked

you mean Sophia? Drew asked and he nodded

no.. I'm from mariossa, I said at once

come here, he motioned to me with his hands.

don't go, Andrew said trying to hold me back

Andy.. Tonia whispered to him and he let me go. I walked slowly to the old man and he smiled. He tried to touch my face and I bent closer to him.

Why.. is your hair blonde...? he asked

um.. it was so.. right from birth.. I said

no.. it wasn't.. he said touching my hair.

what? I don't understand.. I said to him

Go back to your parents and ask them why your hair is blonde.. he said to me

We all kept silent as we stared at the old man.

Grandpa is there something you know about Sophia? Drew asked

He sighed and looked out through the window.

I know you can't disappear forever.. you'll always find yourself back home.. he muttered to no one in particular as he let out a chuckle.

What do you mean sir? I asked anxiously

take me to my room Drew, he said to his son.

father.. we..

I need to rest Drew, take me inside.. he said again and Drew acquiesced immediately.

**

What is happening I'm confused, I said as we set back home

I don't know, maybe you really need to go to mariossa and speak with your parents, Andrew said

Do you feel like maybe they're keeping a secret from you? Tonia asked

I don't think so, my hair had always been blonde, I said touching my curly hairs

We all kept silent all through the rest of the journey.

o gosh.. I'm so tired, it was a fruitless journey cause the old man didn't even say anything useful, Tonia said as she threw her clutch on the sofa

What if you are a princess? Andrew asked and we all burst in laughter

come on, every woman is a princess I said smiling

yeah.. wait that's one of mom's favourite songs, by Maria matte, Tonia said

your mom loves Maria matte's songs? I asked curiously

yeah . she does a lot.. and I do too, Tonia said excitedly

wow!! come on sing with me.. I urged as I got up

hey guys.. you can't do this right here, Andrew protested

why not? come on Sophie.. Tonia urged excitedly

I'm not your regular type of woman

but I'm a ruler in my own world...

every woman rules their world..

And that's what makes us a princess...

(yeah.. yeah..yeah..)

Chorus: Every woman is a princess

Every woman is a warrior

Every woman is a battle Queen..

I'm a princess!! I'm a princess!!..

Tonia and I sang so beautifully around the house. We were halfway through when the door opened and Mr Smith walked in.

I'm.. a princes... Tonia was still singing when he yelled,

Stop this madness right now!!!

Tonia and I froze and we turned to look at him slowly. I saw his facial countenance changed into a sad angry one. He walked towards us slowly and dropped his briefcase on the table.

what do you think you're doing? he asked angrily at Tonia

um.. just.. singing.. she stammered

how many times I've I warned that music is forbidden in this house! he yelled

Dad!! she screamed

shut your mouth Tonia!! shut up!! The next time I'll hear you sing again, I promise you won't like me!! he screamed into her face

I stood in my spot shaking like a leaf. I've never seen him so angry before, I turned to Andrew and saw the sadness on his face too.

you can't stop me from singing!! cause that was mom's last wish for me...!!! Tonia cried and a slap landed on her face instantly

don't you ever dare go against my orders!! Mr smith yelled as Tonia held her cheek in disbelief.

you're so unbelievable!! she cried and ran away in tears.