THE BODYGUARD
the bodyguard- Episode 6
Written by
Tisa Phiri
……Paula….
I took a bath after I sent my rescuer to another room to clean up. He was a totally messed up, but I respected his braveness. If it were not his good deed of coming to my rescue. I had no idea what those idiots were going to do to me.
Recalling the moment Ackim came in the room I was tied up, all my hopes where gone. All I knew that any moment I would die at the hands of those thugs. My hands had gone numb from being tied up. The many hours they kept me seemed like forever.
Then, I saw him..Ackim, he stood behind the guy who was almost going to hit me again so I shut up. His face was covered in a long and bushy moustache. However, I could see how honesty eyes were. He charged forward and slit my captor’s throat and I frooze. I had never seen a dead body so close to me. As Ackim walked behind to untie me I was so scared my voice wouldn’t come out right when I asked who he waa. later on as we ran in the dark night, my running abilities charged in and I ran like I was in a race on the running track. I was always a good runner but at that moment fear added to my speed. I had to ran like my life depended on it.
Though I was at first not comfortable being with a total stranger, there was something about his voice, he sounded to be an honesty and good man. I mean, who would risk his life for someone he didn’t know. He’s combat told me he was in some kind of army, but definately not Zambian army uniform. Everything about him showed he was Zambian even his accent.
I fall asleep on his shoulder covered in his Jacket. Under normal circumstances I wouldn’t lay besides a stranger and use a jacket with a strong scent of dirty. but I needed to keep warm before I could worry about the scent, it just felt safe being close to that stranger.
With each step I took walking with Ackim I realised he trully had a big heart, though he thought he was more of an animal because of What he was subjected to in Congo. I still thought he’s humanity was still intact.
When I finished taking a bath, I sat down in my office and called my father. I had to let him know I was alive. I needed to be a bit relaxed when talking to him no wonder I cleaned myself up first.
“Helo!” Dad answered at the third ring of his telephone. I had guesed well, that he was in his office that afternoon.
” yes dad it’s Paula” I answered back..
“Paula? My baby where are you? I have been so worried. I sent people to look for you all over. what happened to you?” he asked further without giving me a chance to respond.
“Dad calm down” I said softly.
” am fine now.. some people had me kidnapped but am safe. am at the lodge I thought it wise I stay here today not knowing what is really going on.”
I heard my dad sigh.
“I thank Jesus you are alive Paula I was loosing my mind and my enemies almost succeed in getting what they wanted from me. I think it’s a good idea you stay over there in a couple of days until we put in place the people who did this to you. so I will come over tomorrow. I don’t want to act fast. By coming there i might risk exposing you. Am suspecting someone from the inside my company or friends is working against me.” Dad explained.
“Sure dad, I will fill you in on the details of how i was rescued by a stranger later then”
” take care my baby” dad added before hanging up.
Whatever it is my father’s enemies had planned against him was serious and I intended to ask him now that I was alive and well.
I walked to Ackim’s room an hour later, stood by his door shocked. The perfect guy that stood before me didn’t look like the one I spent hours with. Ge was so hot, my heart skipped a bit. His bulged muscles and broad shoulders were like that of an American basket ball player. I tried to compose myself when I noticed he saw me drolling over him. I stammered as I told him he looked different, his well shaved face and head showed off his handsome face. His weak and soft eyes looking at me, made my throat move up and down swiftly. I was embarrassed and I quickly walked out leading the way to the eating table.
All the time i was marvelled by his speech, he smiled most of the times especially when he talked about his home. I had to control my drolling owing to the fact that, the man I was admiring was a stranger who would probably leave the following day never to return again.
I had not gotten involved in any serious relationship since I broke up with my boyfriend back in Australia. I had gotten myself a couple of men but non of then caught my attention to the extent of me wanting more from them than some one time hook ups.
After our dinner, Ackim patted my back and told me to rest well. For some reason he didn’t pay much attention to me as I did him, so I guesed i wasn’t his type of girl after all.
Early in the morning I woke up and took a quick shower, pulled a pair of brown skin jeans and a white sleeveless blouse then I put an orange throw on. Satisfied with my casual looks I let loose my hair, the curls from the previous day were still visible.
I heard a soft knock on my door.. “come in!” I called out.
I peeped from the bathroom door and i saw Ackim standing his hands in his pockets.
“good morning !” I called out.. “morning!” he answered in his gentle voice.
” did I disturb you?” He asked as he looked around my room.
“Um, no you have not” i chuckled coming out of the bathroom. I suggested we sit by the eating table. So we discuss the way forward.
” My father will join us soon” I looked up at him..
“Alright.” he smiled putting his hands in his blue jeans again. I smiled inwardly..
My designer instincts were perfect. just looking at him I had known the exact size of his clothes and shoes and the good part is that the the person I sent, bought the exact things I told him.
My father joined us and I explained about Ackim. He was so grateful for his actions and immediately wrote a cheque to compesate him, but Ackim turned down the cheque.
“Sorry sir, we just told you I have been away for some time. so I don’t even have my valid papers and an account. I would rather you give me cash if you don’t mind and then I will head my way.” he added.
“Sure I understand young man” my father told him.
” but it means you will have wait up until tomorrow so that my bank can issue the cash.”
“thank you again.” Dad told him.. “it’s unfortunate you want to leave otherwise I wanted to propose you stay here and work for me as my daughter’s bodyguard am afraid her life is still in danger and I don’t trust my own men. my instincts tell me to trust you more than them Ackim..” he continued.
“Am glad you regard me like that Sir” Ackim smiled at dad.
“but I have to go home and try locating my family, besides, am still indented to my unit as a commando. I need to report back and probably help rescue the other guys who remained behind…” he explained..
I knew it was hard to convince him to stay. I too felt safe around him but it wasnt fair of me to ask him sacrifice his life further more..
“it’s okey dad.” spoke up.
” let him go and sort his life and if he would decide otherwise he might as well come back and work for us” I said looking at Ackim. He smiled and nodded his head to agree with me.
Dad left us after we chatted and he filled me in on what was going on with his political issues and how the enemies wanted to get him to surrender a big sum of money for my release. He had almost given up the money but the bank delayed the process and luckily I should up before he handed them the cash.
Later that afternoon, I asked Ackim to drive me to town to get a few clothings for both of us. I couldnt risk going home to get my clothes and the clothes i had put in the room at the lodge were not enough to take me for more days.
I noticed Ackim look around as we headed to the shops. He walked a step back from me and I wondered what was going on. I was still wondering when Ackim shouted.. “get down.!.”
confused, I lay down and watched in fear as he stood up after a gun shot missed us. He pulled me back to the car and ran after some guy. Holding his gun
“don’t come out!” he told me before going. Trembling with i got my phone and dialled dad’s line.
“Dad !” I shouted.
“someone just attacked us in town, you have to send someone here. Ackim is gone after the shooter he might be in danger.” I told him crying.
” am coming Paula” dad’s panicking voice responded as i hang up.
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