Our relationship took a new turn from that
day. Zahra and I grew closer. And I grew to love her more if that was possible.
She was like an obsession. There was only one
problem. She constantly worried about my parents reaction whenever they found
out about us.
I reassured her all would be well, that she
should not let the matter bother her.
"Remember that they took you like their
own daughter," I said one evening at Flo's apartment. We had been watching
a movie until a power outage occurred.
I lit the rechargeable lamp and placing it on
the dinning table, returned to sit besides her.
"But that was before my pregnancy,"
she pointed out. She cuddled up to me, placing her head on my shoulder.
"I know. But I'll tell them the truth
about what really happened when the time comes. And they will learn to love you
again."
"Are you sure?" she asked anxiously.
"Don't worry, baby. Everything will be
fine," I said reassuringly as I drew her closer to me. I caressed her
smooth face, lingering on her lips that were invitingly open. I kissed them
murmuring:
"Your lips are so soft, I could kiss them
all night."
As I raised her top to unhook her bra, she
whispered:
"The light's back."
"Good. Though we won't need it for what I
have in mind."
"And what's that?" she asked softly.
"Be patient, babe and you'll soon find
out," I said huskily, burying my face in her warm body. The taste and feel
of her was like sweet wine that was making my senses reel.
But she kept twisting and turning, trying to
slip from my embrace.
"Aunty Flo might come back anytime,"
she said.
"Flo is an adult. She won't have a heart
attack if she sees us making love in her living room. So, relax, my sweet
baby," I said, my hand on her breast, stroking her nipple in a way that
made her start twisting again, but this time in ecstasy...
"Archie," she moaned softly, arching
her back, offering herself fully to me...
Vicious attack
Zahra and I saw
regularly for the next couple of months. Then I had to travel to the United
States on a business trip. I had been away for about two weeks and was rounding
up the business when I received a frantic phone call from home.
It was Flo.
Zahra had been an accident, she said and I had
to return home quickly.
"She's in the hospital right now. But you
need to come home. She's asking for you," she said. My heart froze at the
news.
As I made arrangements to return to Nigeria,
I prayed she would be alright.
On my arrival home, I went straight to the
hospital. I was shocked when I saw Zahra. She looked like someone that had been
run over by a drunken driver.
Her face was swollen,
her hand was broken and in a POP, there were bruises all over her body; a deep
cut on her leg had been bandaged.
I stared speechless at her sleeping form for a
few seconds, then turned to Tina.
"What happened?" I asked in a
shocked tone.
She said someone had called her at work with
Zahra, stating he had found her by the roadside, wounded, very weak and unable
to walk. He had taken her to a clinic nearby and Zahra had told him to call her.
"I brought her here as I didn't like that
clinic."
"Did she tell you what really happened?
Was she hit by a hit and run driver?" I asked.
Flo shook her head, stating she had not spoken
much except to say she was beaten by some men.
"What?" I exclaimed. What men? Who
would dare do that to her?"
"I don't know," she stated glumly.
"We just have to wait until she's stronger."
It was a long wait.
I sat by her bedside watching her sleep. It
broke my heart to see her in this state. I
also felt guilty.
Perhaps, if I had not left her alone, this wouldn't have happened. I vowed to
get the men who dared lay their filthy hands on my girl.
On getting home later in the evening, my
parents were curious about my whereabouts all day since my arrival in the
country. I was not in the mood for any small talk so I gave a vague answer and
went to my room.
The following days were very tense ones as
Zahra battled for her life. She drifted in and out of consciousness and was
delirious most of the time.
We feared for her life and I prayed as I had
never done in my life.
I had not informed my parents about Zahra's
situation. But the strain and stress I was going through because of her
situation must have shown on me, for my father asked one evening if I was
having any problems.
I was on my way to the hospital to see Zahra
and I was in a hurry.
"Nothing, Dad. I'm fine," I said and
went out.
At the hospital, I was lad to see Zahra had
recovered a bit. She was even sitting up and was being fed by her stepmother.
Her eyes brightened when she saw me.
She looked much better too. The bruises were
healing and her face was not so swollen anymore. Later, after the mother had
left, I asked the question that had been burning in my mind all this while.
Did she know the men that had attacked her?
"I've never seen them before," she
said. "There were three of them; big, heavily built men with bulging
muscles. They came to the restaurant and dragged me away into their car parked
outside. Everything happened so quickly. They sped away before my Madam and the
others around then could do anything."
"They took me to
an empty warehouse where they beat and tortured me for a long time. They
finally let me go with the threat: "Stay away from Archie or the next time
we come, you'll be having a sweet reunion with your ancestors!"
I was shocked at her words; I held her
gingerly and consoled her, mindful of her injuries.
"Don't worry, my Sweet. I'm here now.
Nobody would dare hurt you again," I vowed.
That night, I lay on my bed mulling over
Zahra's words. Whoever had sent those thugs to beat her up obviously wanted to
separate us.
Who could that be, I wondered. Ronnie? I had
broken up with her after Zahra and I started dating. She had been begging me to
take her back but I was not keen.
My heart belonged to Zahra and I didn't want
anyone else. Ronnie did not look the type to engage in such an act. But who
could tell what was on a lady's mind especially one that had been dumped? She
could do anything out of anger and desperation...
Whodunit? Who sent the goons after Zahra? The
mystery will be revealed soon so watch out!
To be continued...
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