THE STUPENDOUS MAN

PULCHRITUDINOUS AND INTELLIGENT

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“Good afternoon, everyone…,” Silas said boldly. His voice was faint though.

“And what's good this afternoon?” Malam Yusuf screamed.

“Hadn’t our daughter had died, he wouldn’t have the effrontery to be standing in front of us and spewing gibberish,” Mrs. Cora said, squeezing her face.

“I am sorry, ma.” 

“Sorry for yourself. Now get out of our side!” Malam Yusuf screamed, grimacing.

“You should even allow him to rest before you start laying curses on him.” “Don’t be offended, darling husband. What kept you so long?” Rachael said, walking in Silas’ direction.

“We were hooked up at a spot because of thieves. Other passengers were killed, but I escaped narrowly.”

“OMG! I hope you were not hurt?” Rachael said, examining Silas’ body.

“No. My phone was damaged instead.”

“I am sorry for that. Don’t worry, we will buy another smartphone.”

    Meanwhile, as Rachael and Silas are discussing, Malam Cora wishes Silas would have been shot and killed by the thieves, so that he can achieve his plan. His plan is that Rachael should marry another husband. He can’t watch the daughter he loves so much live with a Christian. His two other children had married Muslims. Margaret married a husband who was very rich, while Amir married two wives. Amir loves women so much. He had impregnated the two women out of wedlock before he married them.

    Rachael clutches Silas’ bag and they walk away.

“This daughter of yours is a fool,” Mrs. Cora said.

“I never knew she would turn out into a fool,” Malam Yusuf said and spat.

“I wonder what would have come over my daughter if you didn’t come to her aid.”

“She would have died. Where does that bastard see a hundred thousand dollars to pay for our daughter’s hospital bills?” Malam Yusuf said, and Mrs. Cora laughed.

“As soon as I saw him, I was so shocked.”

“I was surprised too. I believe he went to another state. He joined a group of armed robbers. However, they were caught one day when they went to rob somewhere. The other thieves were caught while he managed to escape.”

“How do you know?” “Well, I think I believe you. He has even gotten an expensive phone,” Mrs. Cora said, gazing at Malam Yusuf's face.

“So that we will think he has gathered enough wealth.”

“I believe that’s sarcasm, because Silas can never be rich. He will die a pauper,” Mrs. Cora said and they laughed.

***

***

“I know you are tired because of the long journey to Hawaii. Aren’t you?”

“Yes, I am,” Silas said, rubbing lotion on his skin. He is tying a Chelsea towel round his waist because he had just returned from the bathroom.

“I am sorry for that. Your food is inside the sitting room. When you’ve finished eating, you should take a nap to cool your nerves.”

“Alright, Rachael. Thank you for your care,” Silas said, fastening his shirt’s buttons.

“I miss you so much.” 

“I miss you too. I always thought about you every day.”

“That’s good to hear. I have good news for you…”

“Good news?” “What’s that?” Silas said and sat down beside Rachael on the bed.

“Don’t worry, I will tell you after you’ve eaten your food,” Rachael said, touching Silas’ nose.

“I can’t wait till then. We may not have time to talk again until tomorrow morning.”

“Alright. I have gotten a job finally.”

“Wow! Congratulations…” “What kind of work is that?”

“Banker.”

“You will do well as a banker because you love calculation. I remember how you would top everyone in calculation courses then.” “That was the main reason I fell in love with you.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Honestly, you were pulchritudinous and intelligent.”

“Thank you very much. You should go and eat your food now.”

    It’s Tuesday, 15th March, 2022. Silas entered the sitting room. He could see Rachael sitting on the couch. Her shoes are beside the couch and she is sipping a mugful of tea. She stands up as soon as she sees Silas.

“Welcome, Silas…”

“Thank you.” Silas sits beside Rachael and says, “How was work today?”

“It was fine.” “You look so sad. What happened?”

“Really? But I am fine.”

“I know the husband I married.” “Darling, please, talk to me.”

“My money was withdrawn without my consent.”

“Your money?” “How?”

“I am sorry I never told you before,” Silas said, gazing at Rachael’s face.

“What?” “Please, talk to me…”

    Silas stands up from the couch and says, “Dad gave me six million dollars, so that I can set up a business here in Hawaii. I went to the bank in the morning to withdraw the money, but the money had been withdrawn before I got to the bank…”

“OMG! Who could have withdrawn the money?” Rachael said and moved closer to Silas. 

“I don’t know.” “And why are you smiling?”

    Rachael touches Silas’ chest and says, “Don’t worry, I will help you out. Have you forgotten that I am a banker?”

“And I haven’t forgotten.”

“You should let out a smile.”

    Silas smiles and says, “Thank you...”

“You are welcome. We will talk more about this later.” “Would you like some tea?”

“No. I need to rest now.” “I made lunch for you.”

“Thank you very much.”

    Rachael holds Silas’ hand and they walk away. 

    It’s 7:02 in the morning, Silas walks into the sitting room. He is wearing a white apron and a white cap. Rachael is inside the sitting room. She is dressed in a black suit, a hat and a pair of black shoes.

    Silas stands in front of Rachael and says, “You look more beautiful today.”

“Thank you very much. Your compliments always make me happy.” “I believe you have finished cooking?”

“Yes, madam…,” Silas said with head bowed before Rachael cut in. “When will you stop teasing me?”

“I can’t tease my wife.” “Just hold on, let me go in and bring your food.”

“Alright, sir,” Rachael said with a smile.

    Silas leaves the sitting room for the kitchen. He returns to the sitting room, clutching a covered plate. He drops the plate on the table and says, “Your food is here.”

“Thank you very much.” “And where are you going to?”

“I want to get you a mugful of water.”

“No. I will get it by myself.” “Just sit down and watch me eat my food.” Rachael leaves the sitting room. She returns to the sitting room, clutching a brown mug. She drops the mug on the table and starts eating her food.

“This food is delicious,” Rachael said after she had carried three spoonfuls of rice.

“Thank you very much.”

“You are welcome,” Rachael said and continued eating her food.

    When Rachael finished the food, she drinks some water and says, “Thank you for cooking the food properly. I almost bit my tongue.”

“It’s animals that bite themselves when eating,” Silas said, and Rachael laughed.

“I need to get to the office in a couple of minutes.”

“I wish you would get a bus on time.”

“I hope so.” “Please, ensure you eat your food.”

“Yes, I will.” “Expect more delicious food for lunch.”

“I believe you, darling.” Rachael hugs Silas and says, “I will find out who withdrew your money today.”

“Really?” “I hope it won’t stress you up?”

“Don’t worry. I will sort things out.”

“Alright. Have a good day.”

    Rachael clutches her bag from the couch. She smiles, bids Silas farewell and leaves the sitting room.