The Bodyguard 2 Episode 13 by Tisa Phiri
Paula..
“Cecilia” ! I called out the maid. I had dozed off in the couch after the twins fall asleep , waking up I realised I had been sleeping for over 2 hours.
I sat up adjusting the volume of the TV in front of me ..
“Is Ackim back ?” I asked her..
I didn’t see him leave but the time he was going I just heard his car engine outside. I didn’t want to bother him by making a lot of calls. So when I tried and his phone was off, I decided to wait for him to return. I had thought he just went somewhere near and would be back.
“Where could he be ?” I asked looking at the time on my phone when the maid told me he wasn’t back.
“I dont know madam” the maid responded even though I didn’t really need her to respond.
“Okay thank you go on” I indicated ..
I tried to call him but his line was still off , shrugging I went to get Paul who was now crying in their room.
“Hey sonny! up already?” I smiled at him as he kicked his small legs crying. Immediately I lifted him Kim also woke up. I held them both and went back to the living room.
I even missed Ackim’s sister at the time. She was good with looking after the kids but the previous day before Ackim went to show me the house he built she had told me she was going to see her mother.
We had her enrolled at CBU were she was studying she always came back when they closed. I came to love Ackim’s family ,they didn’t have a lot of money like my family but they had this special respect for family. They are not staying together really but everytime their mother called them out for anything , they all corporated and workout things as a family.
I recalled the time Ackim’s two brothers came for the wedding.. The first born who was also married with 4 kids resembled Ackim so much , if not for his height and age one would mistake him for Ackim.
His younger brother who also had married came with his wife to the introductory meeting their mother had organised before we got married. He was the most talkative one and made me laugh a lot when we had a chance to chat.
“Hey kiddo” Ackim had come to us as we sat down on a mat outside their mother’s house at the farm..
“Watch out and don’t make my woman fall for your charms” he teased hugging me from behind.
“Well it’s not my fault that am not boring like you” he responded making us both laugh.
He called me mlamu, Explaining to me how they called in-laws. We spent lots of time with him and the wife chatting. I really felt at home , the 2 days we spent there. The meeting was scheduled on a weekend and my father also came with my uncle who was the only brother to dad to attend the gathering.
Dad only had one brother and both his parents were late. According to him , his parents died in a road accident when I was still a baby and since dad and his family moved to Australia when dad was only 20. He never knew a lot of other extended family members , so far the only person apart from his brother who I came to know was a woman dad introduced to me as his cousin but she stayed in Lusaka and we never really visited each other.
I loved the way Ackim’s mom brought other relatives to our traditional gathering for introductions. Even though l couldn’t remember everyone , they told me the family was large and that in Zambia , they valued family.
I smiled remembering such events. I really learnt a lot and all thanks to Ackim who stayed by me and helped me cop with everything. I knew family for him always came first and there was no doubt he would do anything for us.
I was still thinking about the old days when I heard a car engine outside. I left the boys playing with their toys and rushed out.
He walked towards me wearing a smile.
“Hey my woman !” He called me. I smiled, I liked the way he stressed the words “my woman”
“Hey babe.. where have you been? I missed you” I said opening my hands to hug him.
“Mmmmmh went for an errand love. Not to worry though it’s all done and the job was perfect” he said kissing my forehead.
“How is everyone ?” he asked holding my shoulders and pushing my hair in the side.
“Good” I said giving him a doubt look.
” Ackim tell me where you went. How come I have a bad feeling about this your misterous disappearance ?” I asked him..
“Relax my love , everything is good. I have never felt any better.” he shrugged placing his hands in his pockets and I knew it was serious.
That habbit only happened when he was nervous or from doing something he knew I wouldn’t agree with.
“Babe come here” I said following him inside.
“What now ?” He let a laugh.
“Is My sister back?” He asked changing the subject.
“Cecilia check on the kids!” I called out pulling Ackim to our bedroom.
I sat down and patted the bed next to me.
“Babe please tell me what’s going on. I know you , is it something to do with Sarah and Jay ?” I asked scared about what he could have done to them.
“What have you done love? please come on you are worrying me. Serah was supposed to come pick her things here and she hasn’t shown up, tell me what you did” I insisted.
He sighed and walked towards the couch instead sitting and placing his head on the wall.
“Well if you are worried I killed them, The answer is no, that would be too easy of the purnishment “he smiled folding his arms around himself..
“But ?” I asked getting more worried now, if he wasn’t saying something it was because it was not good and I felt my skin crawl.
“Come here” he smiled extending his hands.
“I want you to relax and calm down my love, everything is okey” he said pulling me to him.
I shook my head , his calmness was really getting to me. Not really that I cared so much for those two but knowing Ackim. I feared for them , all I wanted was for them to leave the country already and leave us in peace.
“Babe just promise me you won’t go beyond limit with whatever you are doing please. I don’t want you ending up in prison.” I sighed giving up asking questions I was not getting answers to.
“We are having dinner out” he answered instead, avoiding the topic.
“Let me take a bath as you prepare yourself and tell the maid to look after the boys” he added leaving me on the couch.
I shook my head, took my phone and tried to call Serah as I heard the shower running, the line was off.
“Oh God what is happening?” I held my head pushing back my loose hair.
I knew Ackim was still hurting and refusing to go out with him at that moment would bring troubles.
Quickly I removed my top and wrapper I had on and walked to the bathroom to join him.
We walked out to the car after about 40 minutes. I wore a short layered peach dress and black heels, my hair tied in a knot , my face with moderate make up.
He held my waist as we walked.
“You look so hot am not sure I will last an hour this side” he teased.
He was in a pair of brown soft jeans and a black short sleeved shirt showing off a small white t shirt he put inside , the black leather mocussin shoe matching his shirt , as always giving him a killer look.
How could he even think he wasn’t man enough for me , when everytime he was around me I lost control of myself. If only he knew how much I loved him and was so vulnerable around him. I watched him silently as he started the car.
“What is it my woman ?” He asked me.
“Oh so now you have eyes in the sides uh ?” I asked with a laugh after realising he saw me watching him.
“Am just amazed at how great you look babe , am proud of you husband” I added.
He smiled widely and took my hand planting a kiss on the back of my palm.
” Am proud of you too , that’s why l will never let anyone play me for a fool.” Hè smiled.
“Babe please not that again” I told him.
Dinner was great and Ackim took me to a night club making Me dance to some Zambian loud music. We were back home at 22 hours and found everyone asleep.
Exhausted, I went to bed and fall asleep immediately.
The Bodyguard 2 Episode 14 by Tisa Phiri
Ackim….
I looked at her, Fast asleep. I smiled at the thought of her dancing up and down in the night club , I had taken her out for dinner and later on to some club. I heard Mark 2 was performing that night.
I had practically forced her to dance whilst I watched. I knew nothing concerning dancing so I stayed back and watched , her colour and looks won her some glances and I felt proud to be the only one she paid attention to.
Shrugging I walked to the bathroom to make a call. I couldn’t let Paula hear my conversation.
“Hey everything alright ?” I asked the guy I left watching Jay and Serah ..
“Everything is okey man , they have done as you requested after some few minutes of punishing them.”
I sighed and relaxed as I sat on top of the toilet cover. “Good that’s good , now keep that information safe will come get it tomorrow” I told him before hanging up.
“Whoops !” I whispered standing up, stood in front of the mirrow and watched myself for a while.
Replaying the time after I took Jay and Serah from the hotel.
I had gone outside with him after he dressed up. He booked out as l waited for him , at some point he almost wanted to alert the security guard but I acted fast holding and squeezing his palm so hard he winced with pain. He later on packed his bags and my guy carried them to the vehicle outside. Jay , Serah and myself walked out later on and I made sure they acted normal , threatening to shoot them in case of any silly act.
“What do you want from us?” Jay had asked as I tied his hands in the back seat.
“Mmmmmh , will see my dear , all in due time” I had responded with a smile. Serah was quite and looked really scared . I had earlier given her the greatest scare of her life when I told her a story of how I and the other guys operated Under general Loko’s command in the jungle in Congo . I told them a story as we were still inside the hotel.
“You know what ?” I had started , “am a changed person and I swear to God Paula is a big part of this change. I don’t know why you two have insisted on separating us. You Sarah you have been friends with her for a long time but you are too much bitter with your own life such that you can’t stand seeing her achieve and have what she has.
And you,” I said, pointing at Jay , “you can have any woman you want including this Serah here. I am just wondering why you have sworn to separate me and Paula and I can assure you at the end of this day. You both will tell me your true intentions ” I added seriously…
“Now let me tell you the kind of person you two messed with in case the stories you have heard about me left some major details.
I was forced to do the most inhuman things under the command of that ruthless Loko. He started by making us go through the harshest purnishment there was , he tortured us for two months , making sure we came to the point of barking to his orders like dogs. He made sure our sense of human and goodness was shut. What he planted in us was the mind of wild dogs , who would simply comply and do as told.
One day after what he called our initiation was almost over. You know what he did ?” I paused , looking at Jay and Serah who listened though pretended to not care..
“Oh well ,will tell you anyway.
That man took us to a certain village , he wanted us to slaughter the whole Palace murdering the family of the chief just because he stood to oppose whoever was sending our commander Loko.
He made us pull out the entire palace outside pulling everyone out as the women and children wailed creating some noise in the dark quite nights of that time.
I was personally pointed at to go first cutting off the head of the first Princes of the kingdom , a beautiful looking woman. I had to do it, if I refused to do as told, the entire crew of Zambian soldiers would die.
You see, I was so scared, the look on that girls face haunts me up to date. I chose the lives of my friends and myself over that innocent girl’s. I felt the deepest pain I had ever felt before ,it was the first time I was subjected to kill someone.
Everything else I was trained to do was to serve the lives of people but that lunatic made me go against the principle I was taught of defending and protecting lives. I stood there like a stone the head of that girl in my hands and cried like a baby.
I could hear the mother curse and spat insults at me , but my ears had become deaf. All I could hear was the last heart beat of the woman laying on my foot.
From that day I decided to stop feeling. I turned off my humanity because that was the only way I was to survive whatever followed. The killing, the beating and burning of innocent people. I thought God really had neglected all of us , the people we were forced to kill and our poor souls.
I was dead inside and that was the lesson Loko taught me , to shut down my human nature so that I don’t feel any pain or sorrow, Until one day I started planning on escaping gaining courage to try and survive , call it luck or blessing . I managed to find myself free from that cruel life and for sure heaven’s made me find Paula..
I fall for her but it took me a long time for me to make a move , know why?” I asked , pausing as I saw Serah Now shivering with fear of what I was telling them. Jay’s head was turned down to the floor.
Because I feared myself. I didn’t trust I was capable of loving someone that special , that pure. My instincts were to protect her at all cost and that I did to cover up the love l felt for her. She made my life sane and easy. She shined some light into my dark past and my heart started beating again.
Now , tell me if you were in my shoes and someone tries to mess with you after everything. Won’t you do the worst to that someone ?” I asked with a grinn .
“Let me make this clear , everything that hurts me forces me to turn off my human self that’s the way I learnt to shield myself from pain , that should tell you that right now am pissed with both of you and l was trully hurt with what you two did. So as it is , am capable of anything and I have no remorse whatsover. Now, coming to the present , do as I tell you and you will live to see your country again” I warned standing up..
“I will not let you take away the only thing that keeps me alive and sane” I added opening the door to let them walk after me. Without hesitation they both stood looking at my now stern gaze giving them the impression I was not playing around.
Later that day I took them to some cabin in a shanty compound maiteneke area. I saw Serah’ s face turn pale and Jay looked older than his age as I indicated them to go inside the one room cabin.
Sighing I pulled a stool and sat facing them both as they sat on the small bed in the corner.
“Your issue is simple from now on” I told them ,
“you two are going to narrate your stories about how you planned on destroying Paula’s life. You Jay cannot give that fake story that you love her , that’s not true and you snake hearted girl , will tell why you hate Paula so much to the extent you want to see her suffer and probably get to enjoy what she has. So now guys ” I smiled slightly ,
” this gentle man here will first show you how serious this is especially if you don’t corporate and he will record your confessions.”
I stood to go and paused by the door .
“Oh, before I forget ,say the truth only. If you lie.. Mmmmmh” I frowned putting my hands in my pockets.
” I bet you will leave me no choice but to make you part of the people l have helped see their master earlier than they wanted to” I added looking at both their faces and grinning before leaving .
“Give them both some discipline and be careful not to hurt them beyond expectation , all I want is for them to understand am dead serious and I will have those confessions tomorrow before putting them on their flight back to their country” l told him as I opened the door to the car. “Prepare the recording now” I added reversing to head out to the main road
I called a few friends and for someone to organise for me two plane tickets to Australia via South Africa.
I had no regret I was going to spend money. All I wanted was to close Serah and Jay’s chapters from our lives. From what I noticed , their interest was not so they win Paula’s heart back to Jay. I had started understanding they both were skimming for something bigger , probably wealthy.
I was almost driving in the yard that evening when Paula’ s father called me to let me know he was nomited as the person to stand on the position of MP for Solwezi constituency. I honestly congratulated him.
“Don’t tell Paula yet son, I will come tell her myself later. I called you because the opposition has it’s own plots arising against my campaign coming soon.I want you to help organise for me tight security know what I mean ?” He had asked.
“Yeah I understand , don’t worry consider it down sir.”
” By the way how did it go with your mission to Lusaka ?” He asked.
“Someone else went in my place Sir. I had some things to sort out but will join the crew in a few days. ” I answered rubbing my forehead.
Mr Benson was more involved politically than l ever thought , he was one of the main money funding person to the rulling party and had a strong relationship with the President. He knew of my reinstatement at the force and most of the target missions we were to carry out .
I looked at the door to the apartment and saw Paula run to me and she suspected something was up with me. I had a lot on my mind but I had to stay calm.
The new Job I was to go do in Lusaka was not only dangerous but also life threatening , the people sent ahead were sent to prepare the way for the main job we were to pull out.
I shook my head as I saw my eyes look sad and tired in the mirrow in front of me. I had been standing there lost in thoughts for almost an hour.
I swore to myself that trip would be the last. I decided to fight gor a resignation. I had a family to look after now and at 34 I bet I had seen a lot of things and had been through enough tough conditions.
“Am going to let go of my past and old military life to enjoy my life with the woman who is in my hands” l said to myself holding her as she shook a bit grabbing my hands and rapping them around her body.
I smiled and closed my eyes feeling her heart beat from her back as sleep clouded my head.
The Bodyguard 2 Episode 13
#OpraDre
To Be Continued..
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