The Bodyguard Episode 28
Written by Tisa Phiri
Ackim…..
I thought after getting home that night l would sleep and rest my mind. well, l was wrong because l kept on turning in my bed , my body was tired but my mind was so active. I couldn’t get over the feel of Paula close to me.
“What is wrong with me ?” l questioned myself loudly.
she was supposed to be my boss from what she told me ,but then l wondered why she stood so close to me. she seemed to like me more than she had mentioned. However, l figured if we had something going on maybe she could have told me..
By the time my eyes closed off it was almost morning and an hour later my phone rang. I woke up with a start , it was the alarm l had set. I picked it up and found a text from Paula. Thankfully l gave her my line so she contacts me to go see my mother at the hospital..
“am on my way, hope you are ready.” the text read.
” s*** !” I jumped out of my bed , l was so late. I took a quick shower and before l could finish dressing up Maya walked in to inform me Paula was outside.
“Oh God, tell her am finishing up” l responded as she smiled. she drew closer to me..
“see Uncle Will , l told you she`s gorgeous and she likes you too.”
“well l like her because she knows who l am” l said plainly.
I saw her wink.
” mmmmmmm whatever” she shook her before leaving the room.
I made my bed as was my trend because l never left my room untidy no matter how late l was , and Maya always teased me about it..
” you act like a woman with your neatness and order uncle” she would tell me.
I grabbed a bun from the kitchen as l ran out to join Paula..
“See you guys!” l shouted as l walked out. I had told the family about everything Paula told me and Dr Mwaba and her husband encouraged me as always to take one day at a time.
“stressing your self will just hinder the recovering of your memory” she told me.
” We just hope your mother gets better soon..”
“Helo morning there ?” I called out to Paula as l sat in the passenger seat. The softness and comfort of the seat was exceptional.
“Sorry am late, l coudn’t sleep last night”
” well that makes the two of us” she answered , turning the ignition.
“But you feeling okey ?” she asked as she joined the road..
“I have a slight headache, but am sure it will go away soon” l said biting on the bun.
“mind having a bite” l asked mockingly.
“um no l will pass” she smiled shrugging her shoulder…
“Thank heavens !” l exclaimed raising my hands ,
” l wasn’t ready to share” l teased her and she laughed loudly the sound of her voice pricking through my heart and making me feel tickles in my stomach.
she sighed at last,
“some things never change” she whispered looking at me as her laugh faded.
“you were always jovial and would make each moment exciting” she told me without turning to look at me..
“Well l could do it over again if l have to see and hear your laughter” l said without even thinking. she swayed her head and looked at me for a couple of seconds and looked back on the road.
“So ?” I asked changing the subject ,
“are you married ? or engaged ?” I asked as l wiped my hands removing some cramps from outside the window.
She hesitated a bit and finally answered..” No, none of those but am in love with someone.” she added quickly..
“Yeah of course” l said, not sure of myself whether l felt jealousy or disappointed. we were almost at the hospital and l felt nervous as we walked to the wards. I had no idea who my mother was so l feared to walk in to her and show l didnt know who she was. Paula told me my sister was around too..
She led the way and l looked at her long legs as she walked her slim fit skirt giving out her skin color. she walked me to some private ward.
“Hey” she smiled at the woman laying in bed a machine connected to her and a drip of water running into her arm slowly.
The woman smiled and turned to look at us. she frowned as she saw me stand next to Paula.
” Ackim ?” she whispered as she slowly sat up careful enough not to move the equipment connected to her.
“Is it really you my son ? Oh thank you my Jesus!” she shouted extending her hands to me. I was still for a moment not really sure whether to go to her or not. she was a total stranger to me and though l could see she was really glad to see me. she even shed tears.
“Come on Ackim go to your mother ” Paula whispered to me ,
“atleast don’t show her so much doubt.”
” Yeah” l nodded, smiled and went to hug her. she held me and cried for some minutes.
” I knew you were alive somehow my son. I missed you so much and l wish your father was here to see this day” she cried still holding me tight. My hands were down as she held me , but after some minutes l held her back and rubbed her back.
” It’s okey” l managed to tell her. I withdrew feeling a bit uncomfortable. she looked at me and she could tell l wasn’t being myself.
“Am sorry mother, l have not told you Ackim lost his memory from the accident” Paula interrupted , saving me from the moment.
“He doesnt remember anything about himself, not even his name or family” she explained. My mother started crying again and Paula sat close to her and comforted her.
” It’s okey please you have to calm down you are still not well, the doctor said it might take time but there’s a possibility he might recover his memory. You dont have to worry now, your son is alive and this is what is important. ” she whispered.
“Oh no poor thing” she frowned looking at me.
” Just when you find some peace again you won’t remember a thing. My Jesus please intervene for him ” she whispered tears in her eyes.
I felt bad she was crying so l sat next to her on the chair and held her hand.
“It’s okey mother, whatever the case you will help me get to know myself by telling me my childhood stories for example” l told her trying to smile.
She smiled widely ,
“you were always the gentle one my son , the strongest of all and most popular Commando youth of the camp” she added with a laugh. I smiled back as l listened to her talk, she was amazing. she told me about my other two brothers and my sister. she explained her condition and how Paula came to help her. After some time the Doctor asked us to let her rest and we left her. I told her l would visit her every day and she was glad.
From the hospital Paula took me to my sister and she too was so happy to see me. she talked a lot and started telling me all versions of our childhood , how l unfairly treated her but would defend her from boys from her primary school as l was in high school back then and many other things I had no idea of. I had enough for a day and by the time we drove out of the lodge she was staying at , my head was pounding making me fail to focus. I pretended for some time but Paula noticed l wasn’t well.
we had barely gone for a kilometer when l fall back in my seat, everything became dark as I lost consciousness.
I woke up in my bed at home Dr Mwamba sat close to me.
” what happened ?” I asked her looking around. Paula and Maya standing on the side.
“You collapsed and l asked Paula to bring you here , am sure the stories put a stress on your brain as you were trying so hard to remember things. How do you feel now ?” she asked me..
“Still feeling some headache” l answered. she handed me some pain killers and l took them.
“you have to get some rest ” she said as she stood to go. Maya held my hand and smiled,
“get well soon Uncle Will.”
“Thank you angel” l told her making her smile the more.
Paula turned to leave too but l called her back. “Mind if you stay back with me?” l asked her.
“No” she answered walking back.. “sit here” l told her patting the bed beside me.
“You scared me out there Ackim” she spoke after a moment
“Am sorry l didn’t mean to, Its just that everything seems so awkward. My own life sounds like a story for someone else. I feel lost and it hurts sometimes, it’s like am living in a strange land where everything and everyone is a stranger. Imagine I cannot even remember my mother. Poor her, she was so happy and yet sad. I couldn’t even do a thing to help her fell better” I shook my head sadly.
She frowned
“stop talking like that Ackim you are not alone , there are people who love you and they would do eveything to make you feel okey. Just look at how Dr Mwaba and her family treat you like family , they adore you like you are part of their family and your mother too, she is so happy to see you with or without your memory.”
“Sure” l responded
“it’s hard to feel attached to her. Atleast i have grown fond of this family too. They are the only people who made me feel good about myself. You as well, thanks for everything” l added holding her hand.
She smiled warmly as she put her hand on mine.
“see we are all here for you.”
I couldn’t help but fall in love with her, she was so sweet and gentle. But then, l remembered she told me she was in love with another person and l withdrew my hand. I had to respect her and give her some distance. Her presence was making me loose my mind.
“Excuse me, l need to grab some sleep if you dont mind.” l told her fearing l could take action in the wrong direction , her skin was calling out to me and with every minute that passed l felt my control running down. She smiled before leaving ,
“will check on you tomorrow then, Get well soon Ackim.”
The Bodyguard Episode 29
By Tisa Phiri
Paula….
A week later in Chongola, I had been staying in the hotel visiting the hospital but of course the major reason was the fact of me seeing Ackim everyday.
He’s headache had lestened but he still couldn’t remember a thing, the most exciting thing though was that he just had this tender look and gentleness towards me. I loved the way he looked at me and talked. I never got to tell him about us, for a reason, i wasn’t comfortable telling him I felt like it was just right for him to remember things on his own.
He was still in a State of confusion and for me that was an excuse enough not to push him to love me. Though I trully desired him.
I sat at the restaurant waiting for him one afternoon, he just called to meet me up something to do with George. Ackim had told me he had been following him since he came from the police cells. According to him, he had gone to see him some time back when he recovered from the accident wounds.
“Even if I didn’t know him I knew he was not up to any good.” Ackim told me.
“now that you have given me an hint about my past and this man, I now want to finish my mission and make sure I protect you and your father. It’s my job after all” he added..
Well here I was waiting for him to show up and I was getting worried since it had been over 30 minutes since he called me but he wasn’t showing up.
I looked at my phone, it was past 18 hours and I started panicking.
I tried to call him but nothing he’s phone went unanswered.
Another 30 minutes passed and I was almost loosing my mind. I got up, grabed my hand bag and went to my car. I had to go look for him at his place.
“Hello, good evening?” I greeted James and Dr Mwamba as I walked to them in their yard. They Sat on garden chairs on the veranda.
“Evening my dear” they both answered with smilling faces.
“Is Ackim home?” I asked without sitting down.
” I had an appointment with him but am worried he didn’t show up” I explained..
“No my dear” Dr Mwaba answered “he left over an hour ago and he has not returned since.”
“Oh my God!” I frowned.
“he never does that, where could he be? I tried calling him but he is not picking up the calls.”
Worried, I went back to the car, after some minutes of thinking I decided to drive to river side.
“maybe he went to George’s place and something happened there” I shivered at the thought.
“oh my God, please let him be safe ” I prayed silently.
“he has to be okey, not this time my God, he should be okey”
My phone rang and I quickly picked it.
“Halo Paula it’s me” Ackim’s mother answered.
“are you with Ackim?” She asked .. “I have been trying his line but he isn’t answering.”
“Um no mam , but don’t worry I will tell him you called am not with him right now.” I responded.
I didn’t want to tell her what was happening. she was recovering well over the week, the Doctors assured us she would be discharged the next day. I was glad Ackim was trying to be close to his mother and sister. Even though I could tell it wasn’t easy for him.
He had been insisting he wasn’t really attached to them both but with me he said he actually felt more than comfortable.
I was lost in thoughts as I drove to river side, when something caught my attention as I indicated to turn right, the road heading to the plots..
I saw Kakoma and another guy, who’s face looked familiar but I couldn’t remember where I had seen him. I watched their car move ahead of me and I reduced the speed on mine so to avoid being spoted.
“What are these guys doing here?” I wondered as I watched them park outside George’s wall fence.
Patiently I waited for them to come out. I was certain something wasn’t right as they came out in a rush. George buttoning his shirt as they rushed to the car.
“let’s go! now!” he shouted excited.
I ducked in the vehicle. luck for me I had changed the car, The X5 was at the garrage for servicing and I asked dad to send another vehicle for me.
Slowly and steadly I drove behind them as they turned left on the Kitwe road, heading in the Kitwe direction.
I felt my blood rise as they turned to some bushy place. Grabbing my phone, I dialled Dr Mwamba and informed her about my suspicions .
“please tell the police to follow me am sure these guys are up to no good.” I told them before hanging up.
“Please Paula, just wait for the police don’t go after them alone.” she begged sounding really worried.
“No I won’t sit and wait Dr it might be too late for Ackim” I told her cutting the line.
I concentrated and held the steering tight as I drove through some pot holes on the small path. I could see the new built filing station far on my right.
A few minutes later, I noticed a shed in front of me and the car I was following parked outside.
I got the gun from my bag and headed out. I had been walking around with it for the past weeks. I wasn’t ready to be caught unaware. I had to prpare myself all the time.
I was walking slowly to the shed when I felt a grip on my neck..
” drop the gun you stupid brat!” i heard George’s voice echo in my ears.
I threw it down quickly and he pushed me to the ground.
“well, how you made things easy for me” he smiled wickedly.
” I was supposed to call you on your boyfriend’s line so you come, now see how God can provide. Things are just falling in place for me” he teased..
“Where is Ackim you ingret!” I shouted furious.
He laughed aloud irritating me the more..
” well, let the party begin!” he told Kakoma and the other guy.
“take her inside” he ordered.
I was lifted and taken inside the shed, it looked like an old warehouse. it wasn’t being used for something at all, It was full of wrecked cars on one side and empty everywhere else.
“Paula!” I heard Ackim’s voice “what are you doing here?” He shouted.
“you should leave her alone” he spat looking at the now smiling George as they tied me across where Ackim was tied.
“No way!” George answered rudely
“she’s the reason both of you are here” he told him.
” so now since all my efforts to get one of you at a time has failed, today is a blessed day for me because I will put an end to all this.” he spat proudly.
“So any questions before your sentence?” He mocked sitting in between us. I looked at Ackim, he had some cuts on his head and blood was coming out. My heart reached out to him.
“he needs to see a Doctor. Please let him go” I pleaded crying as I saw him looking weak. It was obvious they had given him a serious beating. knowing Ackim, I knew he put up some fight I could see two guys standing near the entrance, they were swollen on their faces and one of them even had a deep cut on his arm.
“Well, he’s better off dying from bleeding because what awaits him is worse.” George answered me . “Whatever happens here, you two are dying today.” His facial expression showed he was being serious and I felt hopeless.
“Let me tell you how the story begun” he announced leaning on the chair he sat on.
“at least you have to know before you go to your resting places” he added as he pulled up his trousers wiping his hairly legs and looking up at me with a wide smile.
To be continued
