THE CHIEF’S DAUGHTER (02)

PART 2: Into the Wild

The night was cold and dark. The stars above the trees looked like small lamps hanging in the sky. Asha and Kito walked deeper into the forest. The sounds of the village were far behind them now. All they could hear were the cries of owls, the rustling of leaves, and the snapping of twigs under their feet.

Asha held Kito’s hand tightly. Her heart was beating fast. She was afraid, but she didn’t show it. She had made her choice. She had left everything behind—her home, her father, her life as the chief’s daughter. Now, she was just Asha, a girl in love, ready to face anything with Kito.

“Do you think they will follow us?” she asked.

Kito looked behind them. “Yes. They will. Your father will not stop until he finds you. But we must go deep into the forest. There is a place I know. It is hidden and safe. Hunters used it long ago.”

They walked until their legs were tired. Then they reached a big tree. It was taller and stronger than all the others. Kito looked up and smiled.

“This is the one,” he said. “We can sleep up there. No wild animal can reach us.”

Asha looked up and nodded. Kito helped her climb. He had already prepared a small sleeping space in the tree branches. It had dry leaves and soft grass. There, they sat together, close to each other, as the wind passed through the leaves above.

From the high tree, they could see the moonlight shining on the forest floor. Asha rested her head on Kito’s shoulder.

“I never thought I would sleep in a tree,” she said with a small laugh.

“And I never thought I would run away with a chief’s daughter,” Kito replied.

They laughed quietly, but deep inside, they knew this was just the beginning. Life in the forest would not be easy.

The next morning, birds sang loudly as the sun rose. Kito climbed down first to check if it was safe. Then Asha followed. They walked a little farther and found a stream of clean water. Asha washed her face and drank. Kito filled his bottle.

Then Kito said, “Today we need to find food.”

He took his bow and arrows and moved silently into the trees. Asha stayed near the stream, picking wild berries and drying her clothes under the sun. Her eyes kept moving, watching everything. She knew this forest was full of dangers—leopards, snakes, and maybe worse.

An hour later, Kito returned with two birds and some fruits. Asha clapped her hands in joy.

“You are a true hunter,” she said.

“We must eat to stay strong,” Kito replied. He made a small fire and cooked the birds. They ate slowly, enjoying the little they had. After the meal, they sat together and talked.

But far away, in the village of Mapendo, Chief Gidamu was not resting. Ten strong warriors were already in the forest, searching. They had dogs with them, trained to follow human smell. The chief had given clear orders.

“Find them. I want that boy brought to me in chains. And my daughter… she must come back, whether she likes it or not.”

The guards moved fast. They checked every path, every corner of the forest. They talked to old hunters and asked if they had seen anything.

One old man with white hair and no shoes said, “I saw two shadows moving in the trees last night. They were holding hands.”

The guard nodded. “That must be them.”

As the sun went down again, Asha and Kito sat close to their fire. They had built a small shelter with leaves and branches. It was not strong, but it gave them some cover. They were tired, but their love gave them courage.

Suddenly, Kito stood up.

“What is it?” Asha asked.

“I heard something. Footsteps,” he said.

They both listened. Leaves were moving. Branches were snapping. Something or someone was coming.

Kito quickly put out the fire. Asha picked up her small bag. They climbed the tree fast, hiding between the thick branches.

Below, three warriors passed, holding spears and torches.

“I think I smell smoke,” one of them said.

“They are close,” said another. “We will catch them before morning.”

Asha’s hands were shaking. Kito looked at her and whispered, “We must move again. They are getting close.”

In the darkness, they held their breath, hoping not to be seen. The warriors walked past, not looking up.

When they were gone, Kito whispered, “Tomorrow, we must go deeper into the forest. Somewhere no one can find us.”

Asha nodded slowly. She was tired, scared, and hungry—but she was also in love. And she knew they could not stop now.