The Land Rover cruised smoothly past the red gates of Hotel Sunset, heading west—away from the tumultuous banks of River Ole and into the only representation of the wild in Randi County. The sun had risen showing that it was going to be a hot day.
Inside the vehicle, Benjamin and Megyn sat in the back seat, binoculars in hand, their eyes bright with anticipation.
They were on a mission—to witness the grace and beauty of gazelles in their natural habitat - the sanctuary created only for gazelles.
The journey to the gazelle sanctuary took less than thirty minutes, but every second felt like they were in their own world.
Every time the vehicle would run over a puddle of water over flowing the drainage; an evidence that it rained the previous day.
They didn't speak much, but were contented in the silence, listening to the sounds of the tires and the roaring of the engine. They watched the acacia trees that lined the road and further into the fields glide by.
As they approached the sanctuary, the signs of human presence became apparent. Several vehicles were already parked in the designated lot beside the sanctuary's administrative office—evidence that they were not the only ones drawn to the magic of this place.
Once the car rolled to a halt, Benjamin stepped out and held the door for Megyn. She smiled as as she stepped out in her high heeled open shoes. They made their way toward the offices, which were situated in the one storey building, that also had a restaurant and a convenient store.
A well trimmed Kay apple fence separated the administration building from the workers quarters. A provision made for personnel that guarded the gazelIes from predators and hunters.
The sales lady inside the convenient store handed Megyn a basket with safari boots, hat, short pants and a T-shirt. It looked like prior arrangements had been made for these - a relief for her.
Benjamin smiled at her and directed her to a room on the first floor. He opened it and they both entered. He directed her to an adjoining room where she had a change of clothes.
Megyn came out ready to walk the trails.
"You look beautiful Gazelle." Benjamin said as he held her hand. "You are stunning."
"Thank you Benjie." She said as she looked at him. "...and you are the most handsome man I've ever seen."
They left together to meet their guide. A young lady guide, dressed in khaki and carrying a field notebook, welcomed them warmly.
"We'd like to have a guided walk," Benjamin said. "Something off the main trail, if possible."
The guide nodded. "There's a herd that frequents the western slope around this time. If you're lucky, you might see a mother nursing her fawn. It's a peaceful sight."
With binoculars slung around their necks and bottles of water in hand, Benjamin and Megyn followed the guide down a narrow trail.
The sanctuary stretched over hundred hectares of undisturbed land—dense thickets, acacia trees and outcrop of rocks that served as hideouts from any accidental predators and trespassing hunters.
Birds chirped above them, and the occasional rustle in the grass hinted at unseen movement.
Benjamin's heart beat a little faster with each step. This place wasn't just land—it was legacy. His mother created the sanctuary with love and foresight, turning a once-idle piece of the Mambo family estate into a haven for gazelles and other vulnerable wildlife.
The land had been idle for years after Mr. and Mrs. Mambo - his grandparents - died. It was Benjamin's mother who, understanding her son's deep admiration for gazelles, took the bold step of transforming it.
With permission and licensing from the county wildlife authority, the sanctuary was born—a concept of conservation of these endangered animals and family memory.
To Benjamin, gazelles weren't just animals. They represented something sacred.
There was something profoundly moving about their fragility—slender limbs, alert eyes, and their seemingly effortless grace as they bounded across the plains.
They were delicate, yes, but not weak. He admired their strength, their ability to survive despite the dangers that lurked in every shadow.
To him, they were living beyond expectations: vulnerable, yet incredibly resilient.
"I've always thought the name Gazelle sounds romantic," Benjamin said softly as they walked. "It speaks of beauty, of gentleness... of a kind of noble spirit...and so you are - My gazelle."
Megyn glanced at him, smiling. "I can see why you love them so much...And I can see how you love me too - Your Gazelle, I am."
She looked at him holding her, tiptoeing she kissed him on the side of his mouth.
He smiled.at her effort.
"There's something poetic about them too." she added.
He nodded, lost for a moment in memory. "I once saw a documentary—years ago—about predators and their prey in the wild. There was this one scene… it never left me. A mother gazelle was cornered by a lion. Instead of fleeing, she drew the predator's attention to herself, giving her fawn time to escape. She sacrificed herself… It was the most heart-wrenching thing I'd ever seen."
Megyn's hand reached for his. "She was brave."
"She was," he whispered. "That scene sparked something in me. Since then, I've always felt a calling—a small but fierce desire to protect these creatures in whatever way I can."
Their guide motioned for them to slow down.
"We're close," she said in a low voice, pointing ahead.
In the clearing beyond the thickets, a breathtaking sight awaited them. A group of gazelles grazed peacefully in the open field.
A few stood watch while others bent their elegant necks to nibble on tender shoots. Among them was a mother with her young fawn, its coat still has round white spots.
Benjamin raised his binoculars, adjusting the focus until the image sharpened. The fawn wobbled on its legs as it approached its mother, who nuzzled it gently.
The moment struck him deeply, a quiet affirmation of life, trust, and connection. He felt Megyn lean into him, sharing the awe.
"This," she whispered, "is magical."
And it was. In that quiet space, surrounded by the whispers of the wind and the warmth of the sun, something stirred between them. A deep reverence, not just for nature, but for the invisible threads that bind all living things. A love that bind complete strangers like them.
They sat on a nearby rock for a while, letting the scene imprint itself on their hearts
Megyn watched him with admiration. There was something grounded and sincere about Benjamin. His love for life wasn't loud or performative—it was gentle, thoughtful, and true.
"I think your mother is very proud of you," she said quietly.
He looked up at her, eyes glistening. "Yes, she is. She has never held anything from me. She gave me this dream… and this sanctuary. It's more than a place—it's a promise."
Megyn held his arms and said, "I would love to meet her one day."
Benjamin smiled.
They walked back slowly, pausing occasionally to watch birds dart overhead or admire the sunlight filtering through trees.
The guide shared stories about the animals and the land. Every tale added layers to their experience, making the sanctuary come alive in new and unexpected ways.
As they approached the guide's office once more, Benjamin glanced over his shoulder at the sanctuary behind them.
"I want to do more," he said. "Not just visit. I want to improve the sanctuary—plant more trees, create more water points, bring in more caretakers. Maybe even start a small education program for kids from nearby schools."
Megyn reached for his hand again. "I think that would be beautiful. And I'll help you, however I can."
The gazelles had given him something he hadn't expected—a renewed sense of purpose.
And beside him, Megyn had offered something even rarer: companionship on the journey.
Together, they walked back to the administration offices, with more determination to accomplish their dreams, like the gazelles they so deeply admired—vulnerable, yet fiercely determined to live beautifully.
The had lunch at the cafeteria, served like royals.
Megyn discovered another secret ownership of Benjamin's family - The Gazelle Sanctuary.
As they went back to the hotel,
She remained wondering about what next she will discover.l