The b©dyguard – Episode 29
By Tisa Phiri
Paula….
A week later in Chongola, I had been staying in the h0tel 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 de-sired 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 c@m£ 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 pas-sed and I was almost loosing my mind. I got up, gr-abe-d 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, plea-se 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 quic-kly 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 as-sured 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 sp©ted.
“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 c@m£ out in a rush. George bu-ttoning his shi-t 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 s£nd 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. gr-abbing my phone, I dialled Dr Mwamba and informed her about my suspicions .
“plea-se tell the police to follow me am sure these guys are up to no good.” I told them before hanging up.
“plea-se 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 ti-ght as I drove throu-gh 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 re-ady 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 n£¢k..
” drop the gun you stupid br@t!” i heard George’s voice echo in my ears.
I threw it down quic-kly 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 b©yfri£nd’s line so you come, now see how God can provide. Things are just falling in place for me” he tea-sed..
“Where is Ackim you ingret!” I shouted furious.
He laughed aloud irritating me the more..
” well, let the p@rty 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 s£ntence?” 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 nee-ds to see a Doctor. plea-se 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 de-ep 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 pu-ll-ed up his trou-sers wiping his hairly legs and looking up at me with a wi-de smile.
The b©dyguard – Episode 30
By Tisa Phiri
Ackim….
“Meet me at the usual place” I told Paula on the phone. I had just seen George and overheard him plan to attack that night. He was instructing some guys on how to capture her from the h0tel.
“I don’t want any mistakes this time around” he told them.
“luck for us that idiot lost his memory. we have to act before he can remember who we are.” George explained as they sat at some drinking place. I wore a hood and some black sheds as a cover. They did not noticed I followed them to their meeting.
One thing puzzled me the most. The woman I saw at Georges house who introduced herself as his mother was the one pushing his son to kill Paula. I clearly head heŕ insist that that day they should make sure Paula was dead.
“listen up guys, George went on, should that soldier show up anywhere we all should not hesistate to take him down, this time for good” he added as they all nodded in agreement..
They were 6 in total, one of them ap@rt from George looked familiar but unfortunately I couldn’t remember who he was.
Sudenly I saw them leave and I followed them, unknown to me one one them saw me as I made the call to Paula. I had taken off the hood thinking they all left. I had planned on warning her and get her out of the h0tel before they did.
I cut the line as they c@m£ menacingly and surrounded me. George had left and now I had to face 4 guys.
“Well, well look who decides to stick his nose in our business again” they shouted, one of them wagging a belt made of a strong ru-bber.
I knew I had to fight them or I would die. As they charged towards me, I gr-abe-d one of them and hit him ha-rd on his face and he staggered backwards. I fought two other guys and when they noticed I was defeating them as individuals. They all charged forward at once, hitting and punching me from all directions.
My furry rose as I fought back ma-king sure my b!ows left a great impact on them. gr-abbing the ru-bber belt from the tall guy who had it, I wh!pped them so ha-rd and they stood a step away. I went wild hitting and slashing as I over powered them.
It was surprising even for myself the way I fought then. I noticed one of them was the guy who had wanted to break in at Dr Mwaba’s house.
I followed him first and gave him b!ows before the others could stand to fight back. It was almost 18 and getting dark, the people at the bar ran in all directions as the fight heated up, I was like a mad dog kicking and fighting with all I had.
With a crack I twisted the guy I identified and he fall down lifeless. I was still on him when I felt a sharp cut in my head and before I turned to look at where it c@m£ from, I blacked out.
When I woke up, I was tied to some pole in an abandoned warehouse. I tried to loos£n up but the idiots did their job well.
The guy with a funny hair cut c@m£ forward and led others as they all hit me so ha-rd I felt powerless. I spat blood and went dark again.
The time I c@m£ to, I saw George and his crew walk in.
He cl@pped his hands amazed,
“well now.. this is more like it.. the wounded buffalo has been tarmed ” he tea-sed placing his foot on my che-st.
“You have to kill me first you fool!” I shouted..
“because if you don’t, I swear to God I will cut off your head.”
“Let’s see how you do that soldier !’ he shouted back..
“you are useless tied up. Besides, am now going to invite your pretty girl so she watches you die before I kill her myself” he added and started laughing loudly. I wondered what was him with his stupid laughter, it so much for to my nerves.
“I guess you have watched too much movies uh? You want to be the bad as-s guy who threatens everyone and do all sorts of crazy things ” I mocked him..
“but if you paid attention, you would notice the bad guys like you never make it to the end alive” I added sarcastically.
He c@m£ forward and sl@ped my face.
“you are dead meat my friend” he whispered near my face.
“say all you can cause today is the last of your miserable life” he spat looking straight at me.
Some other guy c@m£ and whispered some thing to him and I saw him smile happily.
“oh well today is indeed my day” he said as he went out side.
He c@m£ back a few minutes later with Paula held by two of his boys.
I shouted for him to leave her alone but he mocked me, saying she was the reason we both were there.
I felt bad and useless being tied up. my heart ached as i watched them tie her across where I was.
“I swear they will pay” I thought to myself. I wasnt going to let them harm her, not when I was still alive. I started looking around for something to help me loose myself.
George started explaining what he was calling the begining of the story….
“I lived a poor life with my mother and my elder brother” he started.. “that was some years back. our mother told us we both were born from different father’s. My brother who is supposed to be your real step brother” he said looking at Paula.
“he’s name is or can I say was? Gerrad” he went on..
“What are you saying you fool ?” Paula answered.
” you mean you are not even my brother?” She asked surprised..
“Yes actually” he responded folding his hands..
“You see i had to kill that fool cause he always thought he was more intelligent and clever. When our mother told us about who the father to Gerrad was. That is your father Paula,” he paused.
” I knew if he was to find his father before me he would become rich over night as we all knew he had lots of money. Anyway, to cut the story short, i wanted his inherritance and i killed him but my mother thinks it was an accident.
I later on convinced mom to go confront Mr Benson and tell him I was his son. Since she also nee-ded the money she agreed and we brided some doctor to forge a DNA test and blah! Am your brother!” he said rising his hands as he stood before us looking at our surprised faces.
“You are evil George” Paula snapped.
” your greedy is so vast it will lead you to your grave.”
I watched him in silence my head was cracking with pain. I was almost screaming in pain but I couldnt show weakness at the moment.
“So now what followed?” He asked himself as he walked to and from.
“yeah I remember, then I started my plot to kill you. my only mistake was I wanted some quic-k cash so I damanded a ransom for your re-lease when I s£nt some guys to kidnap you” he let a laugh..
“Mmmmhm it was wonderful how I used your workers to get to you. Remember Simon? And Shila? ” he looked at Paula
I saw Paula’s face frown
“what? You used those two?” she asked.
unfortuately for me everything was news cause I couldn’t remember the people in question.
“Yes, yes” he agreed smiling
“Shila is my girlfriend and shes the one who drugged your drink before we got you then and she was my eyes there. Simon may he rest in peace, was my cousin and he did lots for me, for instance kill the guys this j£rk left to guard my right hand man Kakoma after he kidnapped him, remember soldier?” He tea-sed me popping his eyes at me, Istayed silent.
“Am sorry I have to kill you Ackim, It’s nothing personal but you spoiled everything for me when you decided to pl@yhero. A guy like you would save me better but since you are on the wrong team, guess I have no option.”
He went on br@gging about how he squandered the money he was always demanding, he mentioned his plans of taking over from Paula’s father. Surely one could tell he was a lost cause, he harboured pure hatred towards Paula and her father.
He stepped out with his group later after he was done narrating his story. Some guy told him the police just past by the main road.
I took the opportunity to speak to Paula.
” i will get you out of here I swear on my life!” I as-sured her..
“Don’t do anything stupid Ackim plea-se ” she told me crying.
” you are hurt and this maniac won’t hesitate to kill you.”
“if I don’t do anything we are both dead” I whispered to her.
“this person is sick in the head.” I shook my head.
“Ackim!” She called me..
“I love you” she told me without warning.
“You and i where were more than friends we both loved each other before the accident”
I smiled weakly.
” wow that’s the best thing I have heard in this horrible day” I told her trying to smile wi-dely..
“whatever the case, I have fallen for you all over again. I love you now Paula, am not sure about the past cause I can’t remember but I know I love you still” I added with a smile..
I saw her cry and I was devastated. “am sorry we will never get to be together” she smiled whilst crying.
“No don’t say that, we have not come all this way just to die like this, i will get us out of here.” I said looking around. I nee-ded a plan and I had to act fast.
To be continued