IT was Ayel who had done that. The moment he landed in front of her with a loud shout, startling the peaceful path into chaos, he burst out laughing.

Xaniyah staggered back, nearly dropping the woven basket from her head. Her heart slammed against her ribcage.

“Oh my goodness! Ayel!” she exclaimed, her left hand flying to her chest.

Ayel bent over laughing, genuinely proud of his prank.

“You should have seen your face!” he wheezed, “it looked like a monster,” he was still ...