Palesa smiles cheerfully. Queen is sleeping, leaning her head by the window. How much she missed talking to the man who used to make her blood rush! She couldn’t stop thinking how Tony was in her life. She reflects the way he used to talk to her. She misses it, though, and it’s funny being Queen. If it’s slipped that it’s her, Palesa, maybe Tony would be hurt. It shouldn’t come to that. What is my goal, anyway?

Palesa: Pales talks about you a lot.

What happened?

Tony: It’s a long story.

I’m glad she is doing okay.

Palesa: Oh she wrote a book about you.

Tony: What? Jeezy what’s the book about?

Palesa: You and Ashley.

Tony: Oh no.

I did love to read the book.

Palesa: It has your real name.

Tony: What? Ashley sold me out.

I can’t believe it.

What is in the book?

Palesa: Everything about your relationship.

Tony: Oh my Gosh.

Ashley surprises me.

Will you lend

It to me?

Palesa: I will hey.

He goes offline. Palesa smiles and doesn’t notice Queen looking at her and her phone. She quickly gets offline and slides her phone in her bag. Palesa is ashamed thinking about her cousin seeing and reading what she is writing. If she sees something she would going to smack her and hate her forever. Their relationship would be affected.

“You won the lottery with that smile,” Queen says.

“What did you see?” she asks nervously.

“Nothing except the smile,” Queen answers.

“Are you sure you didn’t read my messages?” Palesa asks.

“Wait…what were you doing on your phone? I didn’t read anything. But the expression on your face speaks volumes. What is with this secretiveness on your phone?” Queen asks curiously.

“Nothing, okay,” she answers, putting earphones in her ears.

She plays some songs. Queen looks at her, amazed. She can see her cousin under wraps. She shakes her head and looks through the window.

The bus stops at a garage for recess, but Palesa and Queen don’t get down because they are sleeping. The passengers rush to the toilets, and some rush to buy food and water. Palesa wakes up and she watches Queen, who looks out the window. Palesa checks her phone. Tony is online and there is a message from him.

Tony: I’m quite surprised, how could she do this to me.

Palesa: Well I think writing helps her to move on.

Tony: You got a point there. How is she doing?

Palesa: She is ok but she has been looking for you for long.

Tony: Oh I blocked her, she would shout at me every day.

Palesa: She was just angry.

Tony: Yea, I know. Can you give me your number that’s if you want to talk to her. I don’t have a grudge with her.

Palesa: 0779534231

Tony: Thanks.

Palesa can’t scream for joy because Queen would want to know what had happened. Instead, in her heart, screams loudly. She smiles, then Queen sees it.

“That smile again…I wonder what is going on with you,” she says anxiously.

“I am just happy,” she replies.

“You are in love?” Queen asks.

Palesa shakes her head.

“You found a good man?”

“Something greater than that,” Palesa answers.

Queen looks at her, hoping she’ll spill the beans.

Tell us: Do you think Palesa will eventually tell Queen what’s happening?