Capítulo 12: Her Dreams.

As the event continued in the witches' territory, Zamarad was busy exploring her wardrobe. The day was too beautiful for anyone to stay confined in their room. The young lady finally found what she was looking for. A gorgeous mermaid sky blue long dress.

She wore the dress that hugged her curvaceous body like a second skin, combed and tied her hair in a messy bun and wore a black flat gladiator that made the visible skin of her feet look delicate and sexy all at once.

She was not a purse type of girl. She preferred back packs or hand bags to purses hence she carried a small handbag that was enough to carry her things along. The moment she set foot out of the castle, she could feel her veins surge with excitement. Freedom , she thought. This was how freedom felt like.

She had been feeling suffocated in the house which felt more like a prison than a home. Zamarad had strong beliefs. A home to her was not a place but the people in the place. It was the warmth that came with their presence. It was the sense of security that came with their love and support.

Her ideal home was one where she could express herself without fear of her choices being criticized or without her ideas being stolen. It was one where every one respect each other and learn to love each other without their flaws getting in the way.

Zamarad had many dreams which she was afraid even to dream. She had many ideas she wished to put into action. She would not mind staying in a one-roomed house as long as their was warmth, acceptance and love within the four walls of the house.

As she walked along the road that was almost deserted, she recalled the story of a traveler who encountered two types of families. The first family that he had met was comprised of two members; a couple to be precise.

The man of the house was a rich man who are everything that money could buy and more. He was a huge pot-bellied man who had little to no time to stay at home as he was busy making more money. The more money he made the more he forgot about his wife and her needs.

The rich man's wife , however , was a woman I her middle age but looked older and haggard. She had nothing that she needed. Whenever she wanted something, she had enough money to buy it no matter how expensive. The house was like a castle. It had only the two and their many servants. Even so , the madam of the house was short of affection.

She lacked her husband's love and time. She tried so hard to fill in the empty space with material things but by the end of the day, she was unhappy and haggard. unsatisfied and grumpy. The traveler continued on his journey after a week and set off for his destination.

The traveler was tired and his supply was almost depleted hence he decided to rest at the next village. At the next village, he found a small hut that was located on a tiny portion of land. The traveler knocked on the door and was welcomed by a man in a very old cloth that had patched of different colors on it.

yet, the man looked radiant and healthy. The traveler was given a piece of bread and water for supper. Like the first couple he encountered, this couple was also childless. However, unlike the first couple, the second couple glowed with contentment and happiness.

The wife looked beautiful and satisficed as the husband looked neat and well loved. Looking around the traveler concluded that the two were poor and could afford at most two meals in a day.

The traveler stayed with the couple for three day and the day he was to continue his journey, he thanked the owners of the small hut. the man of the house decided to see the traveler off. On their way out of the compound, the traveler asked the man," my dear brother, how comes given your status you and your wife appear contented, so in love and happy?"

The poor man ha looked at the traveler and replied," I might not have enough money to provide for everything material for my spouse but I am wealthy in deed. My wealth is not in the material things but in the things that money can not buy. I feed my wife the meat of the tongue every day. This not only makes her happy but also helps me feel her love and time.

She showers me in her care, dedication , understanding and love. I give her praises for every little thing she does for me. Whatever little I get, I buy her gifts as small as candy to tell her that I appreciate and love her. I give my wife my attention and time. When she is tired, I massage her body. When she is sick I pamper and care for her personally.

when I am with her , I dote on her and give her all my love. this is the meat of the tongue that my wife never lacks." The traveler left for his journey with a lesson learnt. No amount of riches could buy happiness. A rich man is not necessarily wealthy while a poor man is not necessarily lacking. In deed , money can never keep someone happy. A house is just that without the warmth and love of the people in it which makes it a home.

Thinking of the story made Zamarad happy. As she walked along the now busy streets that led to the market, she smiled thinking of her own dreams. She wished for a family that would love and appreciate her. she wished for a spouse that could spoil and defend her. She wished for a home and not just a house. As she walked absent mindedly along the road, she caught some one's attention.

A blond man with a face that could be described as wildly handsome saw the girl who walked with a smile on her beautiful face. She had passed by him but had not noticed his stare. who could this wild rose be? he wondered as he followed her around discretely.