The b©dyguard – Episode 27
By Tisa Phiri
Dr Mwaba and her husband gave me a sharp look and Maya ran out to Paula looking at me with anger.
“What ?” I asked
“did l say something bad ?” I asked shrugging.
” I mean she’s been looking at me like am some sort of bad person and l couldn’t take it any more.” l spoke honestly.
“Well Will, you should have asked politely not the way you did” they told me. Dr Mwaba c@m£ closer to me..
“listen my dear. I un-derstand you want to find yourself again but you cant just scream at a woman like that, you could have at least waited until we finished eating and then asked in a gentle way, plus you have to un-derstand that lady didnt know you would be here. I invited her so that you can have an opportunity to ask her about yourself” she outlined gently.
I wiped my mouth , realising what l had just done ,
“you are right that didnt come out well, am sorry” l apologised.
” I just want to know who l’m” l sighed sadly.
“I un-derstand my dear” Dr Mwaba told me..
“now do the right thing” she patted my back.
“Maya come over here!” she called her daughter as she and her husband walked out. Maya c@m£ to me and whispered ,
“go on uncle do like you always tell me to when l make a mistake” she eyed me and left to the other room.
I felt so ashamed, but l had to go out and face her. I cleared my throat as l stood behind her, she had her back on me as she looked at the garden.
“Am sorry, l behaved badly in there” l managed to say ,
“its just that l ..”
“You lost your memory?” she turned and asked, cutting my statement short.
“Yeah” l nodded my hands in the pockets. she looked at my hands.
“well at least you have not forgotten the habit of putting your hands in the pockets especially when you are nervous” she told
me with a weak smile.
I looked at my hands ,
“oh that. At least am now aware about one thing about myself” l told her shly.
“I feel relaxed this way,” l agreed standing next to her and looked at the gardens too.
“Am sorry l didnt know you lost your memory, Maya just told me and l didnt even realise that yesterday” she scoffed sadly.
“Its okey,” l answered ,
“it’s not your fault” l told her sitting on the garden chair near by.
“So you don’t remember anything at all ?” She asked looking at me.. “No , nothing except that l woke up in the hospital three months ago and was just told that l was involved in an accident. I cant even remember my real name” l explained as she pu-ll-ed a chair and sat next to me.
“Maya named me Will” l told her with a giggle ,
“according to her l have some features of Will Smith, the American actor”
She started laughing. I looked at her perfect white sharp teeth and felt relaxed , there was something about her that made me feel comfortable at the moment.
“Well that’s a good one” she sighed ru-bbing her hand on the knee ,
” your name is Ackim” she told me after a couple of seconds of silence.
“I know who you are , l lived with you for some time. ” she explained. “We were together when the accident happened but l was also out of conscious for a couple of days , so l dont really know what happened afterwards , only that you pushed me out of the car before it blew into flames. You saved my life life” she added.
“Wow ! that’s something” l smiled. “Ackim. It sounds like my name for sure. So we were friends or colleagues or something ?” I asked her.
” Friends” she she told me looking straight at me ,
“good friends and you were working for me and my father too”
“What was it l did as my work ?”
“You were my b©dyguard” she answered.
“Oh l see , am sure l enjoyed following you around” l tea-sed her with a laugh.
“Yeah, something like that” she responded not really letting me on on my job thing.
“You were a soldier before so you did a good job” she as-sured me. she went on to tell me about me being in the army as a commando and that l was held captive in Congo. For hours she told me about lots of things about my job and why l was hired to protect her. she even told me l had a family but that l didn’t get to find them after my return. she mentioned that she somehow managed to find them throu-gh someone l hired and that my mother was in the hospital.
All this while l listened like l was watching someone else`s life. It all didnt make s-en-se but at least l was glad l knew who l was, though l couldn’t remember.
By the time we finished talking it was almost 23 hours and Dr Mwaba insisted Paula spent a night at the house. she refused but we all insisted.
“You just told me someone is after your life so l also feel its safer you dont drive out alone in the night” l told her. she shook her head ,
“its alright people l’ll be fine l promise. It’s just that l have to see someone tomorrow morning and head back home before 7 am.”
“Well then let me drive you to your h0tel then l will get a cab back here” l stepped forward.
“Good idea Will ” James responded ,
“at least she will be safe with you ” he added..
They all said their good byes and l walked with Paula to the car. She looked at me and held my hand as she handed me the keys ,
“you were always a gentle man” she smiled
” Thank you.”
“You are welcome” l smiled back at her. we drove to Protea h0tel as l asked her some questions about my mother.
“I appreciate your help to my family” l told her when l parked the car.
” If you can show me where she is l would love to see her as well” i added..
“Of course, shes dying to see you too” she smiled not getting out of the car.
” well then,” l sighed handing her the key.
” will see you at the hospital tomorrow” l told her.
“Sure thing” she answered and l got out of the car and walked to open the door for her. she stepped out holding her dress, stepping on it and lost some balance but l was quic-k to hold her her up.
she stood so close to me and l felt my heart beating ra-pidly. she smiled as her scent clouded my mind ma-king my legs go stiff. she moved her hand on my che-st and whispered softly.
” I wish you could remember who l am Ackim.” she sighed tears filling her eyes.
” I missed you” she added letting go of me and rushing to the entrance.
I watched her as she walked past the door and she looked back at me for some time before walking right in. something in me moved but l ha-rd no idea what it was.
I crossed the road and booked a taxi home. My head was pounding seriously, I had taken in so much information for a day and l nee-ded some serious sleep to ac¢v-mulate it all.
The b©dyguard – Episode 28
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 be-d , my b©dy 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 re-ady.” the text re-ad.
” sh*t !” I jumped out of my be-d , l was so late. I took a quic-k 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 wi-nk.
” mmmmmmm whatever” she shook her before leaving the room.
I made my be-d as was my trend because l never left my room untidy no matter how late l was , and Maya always tea-sed me about it..
” you act like a woman with your neatness and order uncle” she would tell me.
I gr@bb£d 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 pas-s£nger 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 b!tt!g on the bun.
“mind having a bite” l asked mockingly.
“um no l will pas-s” she smiled shrugging her shoulder…
“Thank heavens !” l exclaimed raising my hands ,
” l wasn’t re-ady to share” l tea-sed her and she laughed loudly the sound of her voice pricking throu-gh my heart and ma-king 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 quic-kly..
“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 Sk-irt giving out her skin color. she walked me to some pri-vate ward.
“Hey” she smiled at the woman laying in be-d 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 hvg 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 ti-ght. My hands were down as she held me , but after some minutes l held her back and ru-bbe-d 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 plea-se 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 plea-se 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 wi-dely ,
“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 c@m£ 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 ma-king me fail to focus. I pretended for some time but Paula noticed l wasn’t well.
we had ba-rely gone for a kilometer when l fall back in my seat, everything bec@m£ dark as I lost consciousness.
I woke up in my be-d at home Dr Mwamba sat close to me.
” what happened ?” I asked her looking around. Paula and Maya standing on the side.
“You coll@psed and l asked Paula to bring you here , am sure the stories put a stress on your br@in as you were trying so ha-rd 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 ma-king 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 be-d 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
“st©p 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 p@rt of their family and your mother too, she is so happy to see you with or without your memory.”
“Sure” l responded
“it’s ha-rd 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 pres£nce was ma-king me loose my mind.
“Excuse me, l nee-d to gr-ab 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 pas-sed l felt my control running down. She smiled before leaving ,
“will check on you tomorrow then, Get well soon Ackim.”
To be continued