Chapter 4
One Day
Maisha drunk from the watering hole until she had her fill, then looked at her reflection. What she saw was an auburn furred lioness with a lighter belly and aqua-emerald green eyes.
Am I pretty? she thought to herself. Then the breeze rippled the surface and deformed her figure. She couldn't help laughing softly. Then another form appeared in the water. It was Upendo.
Maisha closed her eyes and leaned against him. Comfort was just what she needed right now. Jua hadn't been talking to her very much lately and she was worried. Also her parents seemed to be in some kind of fight, but whenever it got too heated they went outside so Maisha couldn't hear.
She sucked in a deep breath, taking in Upendo's scent. It was like honey and cut vines. Then she heard him do the same. Maisha sighed and wished that this moment would last forever, just the two of them, standing next to each other, leaning against each other. She would do anything to keep them together for eternity, so every day could be like this. Maisha opened her eyes and looked up meaningfully at Upendo.
"One day, you and I will be rulers of the Pridelands and we will spend all of our time together. We will have beautiful cubs that are our heirs to the throne.
"But that's not the part I care about. I only care about having a wonderful, healthy family and being able to love you every day." Maisha finished, and waited desperately for an answer.
There was a long pause. Then Upendo finally replied in a soft, loving tone.
"One day...and I couldn't have explained it better." Maisha was so relieved she could barely stand, so she dropped to the ground. Upendo was knocked from their trance and became anxious.
"Are you all right? Maisha?" Maisha didn't respond, just wrapped her forelegs around his back and neck. Then she began to pull him closer until they were hugging in the grass. She growled playfully and started to roll Upendo over. Then he joined in the game and soon they were rolling and tumbling all over the valley, but then they made one wrong turn and they ended up in the watering hole.
Upendo immediately got up and started to get out of the water. Maisha didn't move. She was on her back in the water. Upendo was getting worried again.
"Maisha!" He bounded back. That's when Maisha bowled him over into the water again and they splashed and played until they were both freezing. They stiffly trotted out into the sunlight and flopped down next to each other.
Maisha rolled over to face Upendo and started grooming his face. She groomed his head and the parts of his back that were impossible to reach on his own, and after she finished he did the same. They reluctantly pulled away to wash themselves. Maisha had just finished washing the very tip of her tail when she realized that Upendo had finished and was just watching her.
Is there something on my face? Do I look awkward? she thought. Instead she said,"Is something wrong?" Her cheeks flushed and her ears lay back. She diverted her eyes in her embarrassment.
"You're just so beautiful, it's impossible for me to take my eyes off you," Upendo murmured, with a relaxed, content look on his face. There was no sign of any sarcasm or lust, just intense love for her.
"No one's ever said that to me before," Maisha replied. She brought her eyes back up to meet his.
"Well, now someone has," Upendo said, with that playful tone that seemed to reside in his eyes.
They were on their stomachs now, and Maisha rested her head on Upendo's outstretched paws. He rested his head on top of hers. Maisha had begun to fall asleep when suddenly, Upendo's voice broke the silence.
"I love you." Maisha didn't hesitate-
"I love you, too."