Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 408: The Tour(3)

Chapter 408: The Tour(3)

The village had a very fertile land and water and more importantly fresh air, but the people there were really impoverished. Talia talked to the kids there and asked where they go to school and she was stunned when they said they work in the fields.

Those kids weren’t that old; most of them were around eight or nine. She was surprised to learn that kids these young already work, supporting their parents.

There were at least two kids and a few adults she saw who were affected with polio. She thought polio is eradicated since the vaccine is not patented and most governments offer free polio vaccinations. But these people didn’t even have access, or they weren’t educated enough, to take the vaccines to protect themselves from an easily avoidable disease.

They have brought antibiotics, vaccines and a team of doctors to have a free medical camp. They provided free spectacles for those whose eye-sight is bad. Seeing those people leaving with a grin in their face, gave Talia an unexplainable joy. She understood why her mother was so interested in various kinds of charities. Seeing someone getting better because of one’s help gives an immense joy.

Talia learnt a lot of things visiting this country. The things that she thought as rights like schools and healthcare are in fact privileges some people in the world cannot afford. Also, she regretted her decision not to cut her hair.

This place is hot... terribly hot, she felt like she was on fire all the time. She wanted to undress and soak in ice cold water at the end of each day. But there weren’t bathrooms with big tubs here and they’d make make-shift showers for her every day. She felt like she was not entirely clean as she sweated a lot.

But still she was glad she made this trip.

As she was conversing with the kids, the reporter who’s been questioning her for the few days came for more questions. Talia had gotten comfortable with the cameras watching her all the time and Mr. Thomson who’s been conversing her in the interviews. The TV crew already had more than ten hours of footage and it was only the fourth day of their tour. They’d edit the footages to a two hour documentary, which was the plan.

The reporter talked about some of her charities and Talia answered them. But she always circled back to the charity that works on building schools for the children and medical facilities in impoverished nations as she was in one such place.

Talia was speaking about the health concerns and that many people die here due to snake poisoning since there are no hospitals nearby to give the antidotes. As the topic was about health, Mr. Thomson skilfully turned the topic towards mental health and brought up Talia’s suffering in the tabloids for the past ten years. He wanted her to talk about her struggles with mental health and how she overcame everything.

Talia has prepared herself to talk about her mental health issues, especially depression and how she is keeping herself positive these days. In fact there is a charity that gives help to people suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts in Rosandale. Talia’s people are joining with that charity and they are planning to launch a new initiative to help people with such issues.

Since it is in the developmental stage, they are keeping everything under tight wraps. During the launch of the initiative, Talia was planning on talking about her story to bring hope to others who are suffering like she used to.

Did Mr. Thomson got a wind of it and wants to break the story himself? It will give exposure to the cause. But is he really going to ask about my mental struggles here? Or is he trying to pit me against the tabloids?

She looked around. There was a little kid with one of his leg shrunken. He couldn’t even afford crutches and was moving around holding wooden sticks tied together. The whole place is filled with people who isn’t sure if they could afford to have their meals the next day.

Standing in the midst of these people who are in need of help, is she going to complain about her grievances? She is here to bring their sufferings to the world view. Is it acceptable to air her grievances here?

What should I say? What is he expecting me to say?

See those people who don’t have proper meals and not even a hospital near them? They are suffering and so am I. Some people wrote mean things about me and people talk bad about me in the internet. Wah! Wah! I’m so pitiful!

How tone-deaf would that be?

Yes, she suffered and it is undeniable. She got over her depression and talking about her experience will help someone. But there is a time and place to talk about her experiences. Talia felt like this tour is not the place for her to talk about herself.

She called a little child as the cameras were rolling and asked the child what she wants. The shy child had a very cute smile as she spoke in a sing-song manner in her language. The translator translated what the child said.

"She wants to go to school like the kids in the big town. She wants to learn to read and write and help others to learn reading and writing too."

That was such an impactful statement and Talia knew they could raise millions just by using this child’s words. With the whole world watching her, she is not going to whine about people writing bad things about her. She will use this chance to help the people who are in actual need.

Talia promised the girl that she’d do everything in her power to bring a school near a village.

She finished the interview and went to the tent arranged for her stay and called for Raphael. Raphael knew why she is calling him. He knew his boss was annoyed by the way the reporter tried to hijack the interview and turning it about the Princess when it should be about the people.

"This tour is not about me! I know many people are interested in this tour because of me, but that doesn’t mean it is about me! Tell him not to ask me stupid questions!" she said controlling her anger. She knew if she talked to the journalist, she might lose her temper and so she sent Raphael.

Already Louis asked her to not cause any troubles. Her giving away the details of the funds received by the charity was not accepted by the Basmian government and they had already complained to Louis.

"They think you’re stupid and slipped up the figure. Little do they know you’re purposefully acting ditzy to bring the corruption to light. What you did is smart. You helped the people and at the same time, maintained the diplomatic relations between the two countries. But still, Mary, be careful. Just keep everything in your heart and don’t make any move until you leave the country. Let me handle the dangerous stuff..."

Louis’ "advice" spanned several minutes and Talia had to agree with him.

That night, when Talia was talking to Arthur, Bear joined in and was barking loud which he doesn’t do usually. Talia had to speak to him through a video call to make him calm down.

"I hear a lot of whispers in various circles that your tour is an epic success," Arthur was not holding back his praises. "A lot of people want to support your Royal foundation since they appreciate the work you do. Many called me and I directed them to your foundation. You’re a force for change."

"Aww, look who is being a very supportive partner!" Talia was all smiles. She really felt lucky thinking how encouraging he is whenever she needed his support.

"Is there still three more days? Come back soon... I miss you. Bear misses you too," Arthur said amidst Bear’s howls.

"Why is he acting weird? IS he sick? He never gets this grumpy," Talia got worried about Bear,

"I don’t know. I’ll take him to the vet just to be sure," Arthur assured her.

"I’ll be visiting an elephant sanctuary tomorrow," Talia was excited. "And I hate hanging out with a camera crew all the time," she sighed.

Arthur chuckled seeing her excitement turning to sigh in a matter of seconds. Both of them chatted carelessly and Talia fell asleep with her phone in her hand.

The next day she loved meeting some of the elephants. She couldn’t believe how someone could kill these majestic and intelligent animals just like that. She talked to the local Rangers about the steps they are taking to protect the animals from poachers.

Talia watched how carefully and respectfully the locals buried an elephant that died of old age as if it was their family. Watching it made her heart prick with guilt. She’s been using a lot of furniture with ivory in them and she thought she’s being thoughtful when she is using them. She thought she is validating the deaths of those animals that died by using parts of them.

Maybe I should bury them...

Talia decided to talk to Louis about it.

Talia looked at the vast plains in front of her with scarce trees and she could see the beauty in this place that seemed desolate. Suddenly there was a commotion and Talia felt the ground beneath her shaking.