The Greatest of all Time

674  A Journey of Memories and New Beginnings

The next day, Friday, July 20th, 2018, dawned bright and early for Zachary and Kristin. By 8:00 AM, they were already airborne, on the private plane Kristin had chartered, heading toward Bukavu.

The flight was uneventful, for the most part, allowing Zachary to relax and gather his thoughts. However, as they approached Kavumu Airport in Bukavu, the plane encountered turbulence due to windy weather. The descent was shaky, but fortunately, the skilled pilot navigated the aircraft smoothly, and they touched down on the runway at around 11:30 AM.

Exiting the plane, Zachary and Kristin were immediately greeted by the sunny Bukavu weather. They slipped on their shades to shield their eyes from the glare and headed toward the waiting vehicle beyond the runway. Moving discreetly to avoid drawing attention, they walked briskly across the tarmac while maintaining quick and purposeful steps.

At the designated VIP exit, they found Lorenzo, Zachary's bodyguard, waiting with two armed African men beside an SUV and a military pick-up. Lorenzo greeted them warmly, welcoming them to Bukavu with the ease of a local.

Lorenzo then took their luggage, and Zachary, noticing the armed men, asked Lorenzo in Italian, "What's with the two armed men?"

Before Lorenzo could respond, Kristin interjected in Italian, "They're some of the mercenaries hired by my grandfather to guard the academy project workers in Bukavu." n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

She then switched effortlessly to French, greeting the men with familiarity before introducing them to Zachary.

"This is Augustin Tsumbu," she said, pointing to one of the men, "and this is Andre Kankonde."

Both men seemed excited to see Zachary, greeting him enthusiastically. Zachary responded warmly, and the men's initial hesitance melted away. They even asked for his autograph, which he graciously provided.

After a few more minutes of chit-chating with Kristin and Lorenzo, Zachary hopped into the SUV alongside Kristin. Lorenzo took the wheel while the two armed men jumped into the pick-up.

The pick-up led the way, with Lorenzo close behind. He and Kristin occasionally hashed out details about their plans while Zachary remained silent, taking in the sights of Bukavu flashing by outside the window.

The bumpy dirt roads of Bukavu brought back a flood of memories for Zachary. He remembered living here with his grandmother, but now she was gone. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he focused on the journey ahead.

Minutes passed, and as they approached Bukavu City, Zachary instructed Lorenzo to stop at a flower shop. Lorenzo complied, purchasing a bouquet of fresh flowers.

The journey resumed, and soon, they branched off from the main dirt road, taking an even bumpier path. Minutes later, they arrived at Zachary's grandmother's farm, a spread of about four acres, now somewhat overgrown and neglected. The workers Zachary had hired to maintain the place seemed to have abandoned their duties.

The sight of the bushy farm and the great-looking bungalow he had built three years ago filled Zachary with nostalgia and sadness. The place felt desolate without his grandmother.

Kristin sensed Zachary's somber mood and inquired softly, "What's the plan, Zachary? The workers you hired aren't even here."

"Give me a few minutes," Zachary responded, grabbing the flowers from the car. He strolled around the house to the banana plantation behind it, where his grandmother's grave was nestled.

The path was familiar, yet each step felt heavier as he neared the grave. The plantation was quiet, the only sounds being the rustle of leaves and distant bird calls.

Finally, he reached the simple headstone that marked his grandmother's final resting place. Kneeling before it, he placed the flowers gently on the grave, a wave of emotion washing over him.

"Grandma," he whispered, his voice breaking slightly, "I'm back."

He stayed there for a while, lost in memories and silent conversations with the woman who had meant so much to him. The wind rustled the banana leaves above, a gentle reminder of the life that continued to grow around him.

When he finally stood up, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. His grandma was gone, but he had resolved to do something significant to honor her memory. He couldn't let the farm, the place she had cherished and cared for, fall into neglect.

Returning to the front of the house, Zachary found Kristin, Lorenzo, and the two armed men waiting. Kristin gave him a comforting look before asking, "Do you want to stay at your grandma's house for now?"

Zachary quickly shook his head. The harrowing sight of his grandmother's property in such a state was too much to bear. He didn't want to spend another hour in Bukavu. Without responding to Kristin's question, he asked, "Has the plane already left?"

Kristin seemed confused. But she replied, "No, I booked it for three days. It's waiting at Kavumu Airport until we head to Nairobi. But the pilot and crew might have gone to a hotel."

"Call the pilot and ask if he's ready to fly to Nairobi immediately," Zachary said urgently, pointing to the neglected surroundings. "I don't want to stay here."

00:11

Understanding his distress, Kristin nodded and stepped aside to make the call. After about five minutes, she returned with good news. "The pilot and crew are still at the airport. They only need to refuel and do a few checks, and the plane would be ready to go."

Relieved, Zachary looked at his grandmother's farm one last time before climbing into the SUV. The armed men again led the way in their pick-up, with Lorenzo following in the SUV. Zachary and Kristin sat in the back seat, the silence heavy with unspoken plans.

Finally, Zachary broke the silence. "I've been thinking about what to do with my grandma's farm. I want to buy more land around it and quickly build the first football academy in DR Congo to commemorate her."

Kristin raised an eyebrow. "Won't that conflict with the academy we're building in the Bukavu City center?"

Zachary shook his head. "Even if we build ten academies in Bukavu, it wouldn't be enough for all the young people here who dream of becoming footballers. This new academy will be the main one, and the one in the city center will become a branch. I'll fund the entire project."

Kristin nodded, impressed. "I'll inform my grandfather. With the funds available, we can start the project soon."

"Thank you," Zachary said, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders.

The journey continued uneventfully, and they eventually arrived at Kavumu Airport to find the pilot, crew, and plane ready. Thanks to Kristin and Lorenzo handling all the travel procedures, they quickly boarded, eager to leave Bukavu and travel to their final stopover in Africa: Nairobi.

As the plane took off, Zachary stared out the window, watching Bukavu disappear beneath the clouds. His mind buzzed with plans and hopes.

He was determined to honor his grandmother's legacy through the academy, offering young people the opportunity to pursue their dreams. It was the perfect way to pay tribute to the woman who always believed in him. As the aircraft soared toward Nairobi, Zachary felt a newfound resolve to turn his dream into reality.

The following flight from Kavumu to Nairobi was remarkably smooth, allowing Zachary to unwind and reflect. Upon landing at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 2:31 PM, the sun was still high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the tarmac.

Kristin, whose meticulously organized plans had been disrupted by Zachary's abrupt decision to leave Bukavu, turned to him with a question.

"Do you want us to travel straight to Turin, or would you prefer to spend a few days in Nairobi?" she asked.

Zachary's sour mood had already dissipated after the peaceful flight. He smiled and replied, "Let's spend a few days in Kenya. Think of it as a short vacation before I dive back into my routine of training and matches."

Kristin nodded and began making calls as they exited the plane. They continued into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, but their peace was interrupted as they went through procedures when Zachary started attracting attention. A few fans recognized him, their excited yells drawing more onlookers.

The always-vigilant Lorenzo kept the fans at bay until airport security arrived to guide Zachary out safely. He sighed as he entered the hired car, reflecting on the demanding nature of celebrity life. Even on vacation, he couldn't escape the eyes of his fans.

After the initial commotion, Zachary was relieved to reach their hotel, where they would spend the next few days. It was the luxurious Giraffe Manor, a place where elegance met the wild spirit of Africa. The unique charm of the hotel, with giraffes poking their heads through the windows, immediately set a relaxing tone.

But that was only the beginning, as their following adventure in Kenya's National Parks was even more remarkable. From witnessing the Great Migration at Maasai Mara to marveling at the majestic elephants against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro at Amboseli National Park, each day was filled with awe-inspiring moments.

Their journey culminated at Lake Nakuru National Park, where they were treated to a vibrant display of flamingos and rhinos, making their experience in Kenya's rich biodiversity immersive and unforgettable.

The peaceful ambiance around the parks allowed Zachary to unwind and savor the experience. It was so enchanting that he spontaneously decided to prolong their visit. However, on the fifth evening, while enjoying dinner with Kristin and Lorenzo at the hotel, Zachary received an eagerly anticipated call from Emily.

"I've finished the final negotiations with Liverpool," she said, her voice brimming with excitement. "They are ready to finalize the contract. They hope you can travel to Liverpool as soon as possible to go through the medical and complete the transfer procedures."

Zachary's heart raced with excitement. "That's great news, Emily. I can travel to Liverpool next week."

"Perfect," Emily replied. "The people from Liverpool FC will soon contact Kristin to arrange your travel. Be ready."

As Zachary ended the call, a wave of anticipation washed over him. His vacation in Africa had been a welcome respite, but now it was time to return to his professional life and embrace the new opportunities awaiting him in Liverpool.