Maggie walked to the door very fearfully. She took one step with millions of fear wrapped around her tiny legs. She turned on the lights in the living room but that didn't make any difference. As soon as the kidnappers realized that the lights were on, they hid themselves behind Maggie's car, hoping that she would be out in no time. Now, the sound stopped. Maggie was relieved a bit from the tension that was about to cause her heartache. Back then in school, Maggie was Malid's favourite girl. They met during the usual registration for new students. Maggie had just been admitted to the Department of Accounting while Malid, the Department of Computer Science and Technology. Malid followed Maggie everywhere she went. He was so desperate about making her his girlfriend. Maggie liked him too but just as a friend. She didn't have any feeling for him or looked forward to having a romantic relationship with him. There was absolutely nothing that he didn't do to get her but Maggie remained a
Aunty Raina did not know peace just after she made the confession. She felt so ashamed of herself to have been involved in such an evil act. She told the police how badly Uncle Ben treated her and the children. But they didn't have any pity on her. "Why didn't you say it to the police? Huh?" One of them asked her. She expressed her fear in front of the hefty policemen who did not take it any likely with her. They locked her up in prison without looking back as if she had committed a crime before the one they have just heard. It was the first time Aunty Raina was arrested in her entire life. She never knew what a cell looked like. It was quite dark and rough. Other prisoners were locked up in other rooms but Aunty Raina was left all alone and they wouldn't permit any family member to see her until further investigations were made. It was Uncle Franklin who called to inform me about Aunty Raina's arrest. I was so shocked to hear that she was behind the death of her own husband. I ne
The prison yard became very noisy. Prisoners were chit chatting in wonder. It was a pathetic case. Aunty Raina's family were summoned by the police men. They broke the news of her death to them and led them to the mortuary where her body would be kept until they were ready for burial. When the news of Aunty Raina's death reached me, I sighed in pity. It wasn't until three months later that her husband died. She just kicked the bucket like that without saying a proper goodbye to her family. Her family took her body to the mortuary in shame and she was buried just the next day. Her children mourned and wept like it was all over. They had lost both of their parents in just one year. It was a thing of sorrow and they couldn't do anything but mourn. Close relatives were there to cheer them up and assure them of a bright future. But that wasn't enough. There was no volume of comfort that would bring them back to life. They just had to press on with faith that they will be fine again. I la
Since nobody talked about it, I would just keep mute about it too. But, who knows? Perhaps, what I was beginning to think was true. Uncle Ben was never a good man so if I think that he had a hand in my parents death, it is not wrong to think in such a direction. His kind of life mirrored such an act. John was still perturbed about the health condition of George, his son. I wasn't having enough time for myself at this period because I had to be with Lyda and George at the hospital. The neighbour Lyda kept Gabriel who was about to travel and she couldn't go with the little boy so Lyda had to come for him. I understood Lyda was preoccupied already with a lot of things so I volunteered to help with that. The neighbours knew me well. They called me "Uncle Tony."I took Gabriel from the young lady he stayed with and drove him to my residence. Trina was home and less busy. I begged her to take good care of him until his brother was healthy. Gabriel could be very troublesome and George's il
Uncle Franklin left our hometown with pains in his heart. Aunty Raina's act was the most callous thing a woman could ever do. He never knew that Uncle Ben was more of a monster than a brother. Perhaps, he was always pretending when they met in town or came together to celebrate during festive periods. Nobody wanted to associate themselves with Uncle Benjamin's children. The neighbours warned their children about going any close to their house and talked more of making any of them their friends. They became forbidden beings in the neighbourhood. It was just best for them to leave the place. Maybe Bret should have stayed with his father's brother, Uncle Franklin, who was ready to take them in because they now lived in the cocoon of poverty and suffering. They were made to stay in a small room at the barracks for free. But it was better if they didn't offer them shelter. They shared the small room with insects and reptiles of all kinds. There was no one to monitor their movements and
John began to inform some family members and close relatives about the demise of George. I informed Maggie about it too and asked her to send some representatives to give their condolences to John. The news broke the hearts of many as he was a lovely little boy. I could attest to that fact too. He loved me unconditionally. The way he liked to play with me was totally out of normal. He just wanted to have fun with me at every little chance he had. Soon, there were so many people in their residence. They had come to symphathize with the bereaved. Some of them who were supposed to console Lyda were adding to her headache as they sobbed unrepentantly. I frowned at them because they were just making noise. After what Aunty Raina did to her husband, I couldn't just believe the tears of those so called "symphathziers". They could just be as dangerous as Aunty Raina. Uncle Franklin would always say "no one could see the heart only the face" and I kept words words in my heart like an expensi
Maggie became so terrified after the second attack by Malid and his co-workers. She didn't want to loose her life so decided to leave the place. But nowhere was safe for her. She could still be traced home and killed.When she shared the events that were happening in her life with her mother, she advised that she leave the vicinity and resign from work. But that was impossible for Maggie. "How would I feed, Mum?" She asked her mother. "You will find another job, Maggie. Trust me. There are so much jobs out there that you are not aware of. By the time you are in need of one, it will come by. All you have to do is believe and it will be done." Her mother replied. "Mum... Look, I'm not ready to begin to search for one job or the otherg now. I have a job! Besides, I love my boss so much. We've both done so much together. He pays me well and I can't afford to just let it go like that..." Maggie said, trying to explain. "But your life is in danger, my dear Maggie! How much is worth your
I didn't keep it in mind for so long. After all, it was just a mistake anyone could make. But Maggie was now feeling very shy. She couldn't look into my eyes with confident after the scenario until I apologized to her again and begged that she assume it never happened. Thunder and Maggie were really getting along. They enjoyed the warmth of each other. They would sit at the verranda at the backyard and talk all day like lovers trying to know themselves better. I then sensed that more trouble was yet to come but Malid was becoming very adamant and unrelenting. He wouldn't just give up so easily until he has successfully stolen our joy. I thought of the possibility of visiting Maggie's house again after the failed mission.Mr. Maxwell was unrepentantly looking for all means to bring Mr. Wellington to their business but that wouldn't happen under my watch. Douglas never returned from his hometown. He was now learning a trade at the central market to cater for his poor mother and siblin
I wanted to save his face the disgrace of his past life. I asked him to walk to the cafeteria while I follow him behind and he did as I commanded him. The cafeteria is a big one with so many serving tables here and there. Some of the costumers were eating some Kenyan delicacies and you needed to see how they were devouring the "sumptuous" meal. It had a good aroma that would cause anyone that is famished to salivate but this wasn't the time to try their food. Douglas and I had something important to discuss. We sat at the nearest serving table as I signaled the waiter to get us soft drinks. My kindness caused Douglas to fear the more. He thought I was doing him a favour that he would pay back in a thousand folds. But this wasn't so. He wasn't thinking well enough. I wanted to hear his story. Everything about him. The waiter had served us the drinks. It was enough to calm my nerves down. I gulped it as I was thirsty. Douglas felt very reluctant to take his drink. But I asked him to tak
I wasn't too sure if the idea of naming the child George was a good one. How will John and his wife take it? Will they be happy about it? Will I be mocking them with the name? I hope my son will not die prematurely like the late George? My mind was preoccupied with these thoughts so I had to relax for a while. When there wasn't any other name that my heart desired, we named the child George. Sometimes, our fears only threatens us but if we shun the threat, we would be heading for success. The christening was a success and to my greatest surprise, John and his wife were happy about it. The way they snuggled the child in their arms read a million meanings. Lyda said that he looked like George during his days as a toddler. She smiled and hoped that he lived long. Thank Goodness I didn't change the name. After another week or so, I travelled for a leadership conference at Nairobi - the capital of Kenya. It was hosted by one of the most accomplished business man in the world and it was hel
Maggie and I were having all the fun in this world. It was just she and I. No disturbance. I kept the news of Mama's death at the back of my memory. I wouldn't let it interfere with the nice time I was having with the love of my life. The wailing was for Uloma and Lizzy to do. I wailed enough while she was alive. Even in her wickedness, I loved her. I hope that her soul find rest in heaven or wherever! It's God's choice not mine. It was the first time Maggie had a sexual experience. She was a virgin. No one would believe she was because she was a full grown up lady. All through her years with Malid, they maintained "sexual distancing". Malid must have his own good sides too. Waiting till after marriage before such an experience must have come with a lot of patience. But maybe he wasn't patient enough so he loose his girl and not only his girl, but now, his life. I wonder what explanation he was going to give his creator for taking the life that was given to him on a platter of gold. I
In as much as we all enjoy peace, no one desires an eternal peace or say rest. But this wasn't the case for Mama - Uloma's mother. She desired death even though her children rebuked her severally. "Mama, don't say that!" "Mama, stop!!!" They cautioned. They warn her on a daily basis about her pessimism but she turned deaf to everything they ever said to her. She wanted a ticket to hell or wherever because life was teaching her hard lessons. She suffered from chronic fever, an illness one would consider "minor" or "ordinary" but it was getting worse by the day. There wasn't any kind of treatment Mama didn't receive. They did one thing or the other to ensure they meet up with the bills. They sold some of their properties and even their bodies for money to take good care of Mama. They went out of their comfort and did some menial jobs and secured something profitable for themselves. There was virtually nothing they didn't do. But their efforts were not amounting to any positive result.
I danced David's dance at the reception of my wedding. We were so elated and fulfilled. I now had a woman I could call mine with confidence. Friends and family joined in our dance. The bridal train were not left out too. The songs were so melodious. I mean, it was remedy for any broken heart. The musical instruments synchronized without any flop and we were just taking different steps - from left to right. We heard of the tragedy. It was as though we didn't hear the right thing. But it was true. Zero lies. It was so pathetic - the untimely death of Malid. No one could have thought that he would kick the bucket so quickly with the life of wealth he lived in. It was no news that he killed himself with poison right inside his room. He just wasted his life for nothing. He threw his poor family into mourning and complete bitterness. They hearts were heavier than the stone that was used to cover Jesus' tomb. The rumor was all around the place. It was everywhere that the founder of El-Tech c
Nobody would believe that I "snatched" Maggie from him. After all, I didn't do that. She simply got too tired of him so she "kicked" him out of her life and will not allow him back. Thank God for Thunder who stopped him right at the gate perhaps he would have done something worst. He was such an animal. I think God assigned some angels to create him and that day, they were too tired to add a pitch of calmness in him. He just liked to burn everywhere he is found. But the fire from a lantern is not same as the one that erupts from a cooking gas. Thunder's punches were enough lessons for him and a warning never to thread the path of lions like us. Malid got home badly injured. He collapsed on his couch in tears. He had sacked all his staff and some of them resigned because they could no longer be patient with him. He was acting like a demigod and they wouldn't let another man trample on them like a snake Malid hates to see. He was growing more wild by the day so they all had to leave him
I think Maggie is truly the divine woman made for me because for the first time in my entire life, I felt truly loved by a woman. I was betrothed to Uloma by her father who considered me a responsible man. He was sure that I was going to take good care of his daughter because of the traits I displayed during my stay at his house. I felt like I was marrying my step sister even though we were not in anyway related by blood. This was his death wish so I decided to honour the poor man. But one of the lessons I have learnt in life is never to marry a man or a woman in pity. I had compassion for Uloma and her family especially after the demise of their lovely father. So I married her but I regretted it quite too early. I wonder how Uloma, Lizzy and Mama coped with a man whose spirit provoked their demons. He was just one of a kind. A complete father and an epitome of love. I mean, he took me in without knowing a thing about me. Just assumptions and the fact that I was a human being as him.
Now I had to tell Maggie the story of my life to clear the air. She kept asking too many questions and I couldn't deny her the right answers because she was now very dear to my heart. I mean, can one withhold the truth about the colour of one's skin from one's buttocks? That would be eating beans with the eyes. Maggie was pensive when we got home. It was as though she had just finished watching a Hollywood movie but this time, she didn't watch it on screen but on set! She was amazed to see me take them down, one by one, as if I had prepared for the attack. I didn't prepare for anything but that sharp thought that flashed through my mind was enough to sense something. I usually had such a feeling when something goes wrong. My demons were never asleep. They kept on knocking the door of my heart until it dawn on me that there was something wrong about the route we were taking. I told Maggie about the Dark Dragons something I never mentioned to Uloma. Paula knew about it of course, because
It is true that once a soldier, always a soldier. But I also think once a fool is always a fool or maybe... Once a culprit, is always a culprit! Malid was at it again. His usual display of foolishness. I called it "foolishness" because he thinks he can play smart and get me tied to his trap. Me? What a dream! Malid couldn't sleep well. Of course, he wouldn't have. He was dreaming of the impossible. So how possible was it for him to find sleep? Sweet sleep are for those who have laboured in truth. Not some evildoers like Malid! I sensed it from the smile, the handshake, the gestures, uneasiness, friendliness, useless talks... everything! I knew he was surely up to something. Can I ever forget Aunty Raina? Even if she belongs to the family of evil-doers with Malid as the head. She would say; "a rat does not run in daylight for nothing. He must have seen a cat or something." Malid is the rat here but instead of staying clear, the idiot remains adamant, like a forgotten morsel of pounded