THE BODYGUARD
the bodyguard- Episode 29
Written 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
Sorry for the late update
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