<< Part 2 >>
As I walk home from work, I take in the scarce scenes of my city, the lively hustle and bustle that once existed was sucked from us like a blood-thirsty snake. Certainly, people and places alike can be painfully poisonous… but we cannot harbour their venom forever. The cream-white buildings were cracked and dressed with destruction. The crumbling rubble and bullet holes bearing us the brunt of this brutality. My city used to ooze with history and beauty, now our present is peace-less and filled with hatred.
As I almost reached home, I hear my fathers mutters from a distance, peaking from the slightly ajar window. I gazed into it as a curly-haired figure gleamed from afar, twinkling against the brittle yet clear glass.
“I just miss her, you know. May God grant her heaven. Now I have to look after 4 kids on my own…” I hear my father confess as I got closer.
“Don’t worry, Uncle.”
“I understand.” I overheard a deep rich voice consoling my father.
As I strolled in, I laid my eyes on Samir. He had a towel flung as across his shoulder like he was hard at work cleaning. My younger brother giggling and curled up next to him satisfied with a surprise of biscuits.
“I need to go to the market quickly.” I said as I gathered shillings from my pocket.
“I’ll come with you.” Offered Samir.
Although the city was lost, anything in the market could be found. It was filled with fellow neighbours and a large amount of livestock casually loitering the sandy streets.
“Hi Amina” quietly whispered a voice from behind my shoulder as I scanned the fruit stalls.
“Oh! Hey, Subeyda?” I said jumping from my posture.
Subeyda glanced at her brother then back at me and smiled.
“I have some good news to tell you!” I announced excitedly.
“I got a job!”
Subeyda’s expression neutralised ever so slightly, as she suddenly forced her face to light up with joy.
“Oh, Amina! I’m so happy for you.”
“The thing is, I might be leaving soon... I’m moving to Dubai.” I said reluctantly.
“What?” Replied Samir and Subeyda in unison.
“Yeah, I will probably be able to leave this place… for good. I have to you know?”
Subeyda’s face casted a cold glare, she was trying to hide her hate-filled expression. But it was too late… I could sense her jealous energy seeping out her sight. Something was off… what else could she be hiding too?
“Ok… I’m happy for you. Amina.” said Subeyda as she hesitantly nodded.
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The next morning… it was 6:37am. Samir stayed over for the night help me with my siblings. My little brother, Zach overslept again and was awoken by Samir.
“Zach? C’mon you have to wake up for school” he said as he quickly lifted his blanket.
He saw Zach curled up in his soiled bed as he became visibly tearful.
He carried Zach along from his bed.
“Okay let’s get you in the shower.” Said Samir.
Zach often had these accidents, ever since the night his mother passed away. He has been scared to go to the outside bathroom alone in the morning.
“I feel so embarrassed.”
“It’s okay. You don’t need to be, Zach.”
“Please don’t tell Amina she’ll kill me.” Zach pleaded as Samir washed his body with warm soapy water from a bucket.
“Don’t worry it’ll be our secret.” Said Samir, affirming with a warm smile and glow.
Unknowingly, there stood Amina right behind the bathroom door, overhearing their sweet secret. She was taken aback by Samir’s grown and gentle nature, fantasising how he would comfort and care for their future children just the same. She held her hand against her chest, falling him harder. This was a solidifying moment to her… confirming her future choices.
“He’s the one I want.” She proclaimed.
“No one else.”
——————————————————————————-
4 months later
Amina and Samir go for a hearty yet casual breakfast date at their local cafè. It was busy white cafe on the corner on the street with mainly uncles and fathers keeping up with neighbourhood news as they sip the sweetest coffees and teas. The bells chimed as they strolled in with poise and elegance. They took a seat in the corner for some quiet privacy. Amina took a deep breathe as she warmly glances down at the silver-gold heart incrusted ring on her left hand decorating her ring finger, the satisfaction covering her face as her jewel piece shone back at her.
As she takes in all the changes in her life she can only reminisce on her mother… longing she could tell her that her only daughter is getting married for the first time.
“Do you enjoy killing people?” I asked calmly.
“No Amina, I don’t enjoy it.”
“I believe all soldiers are a bit sadistic in nature.” I replied
“I was forced into being a young solider… I don’t enjoy it all. But I do remember my first kill though.”
“What happened?” I asked intrigued as I stirred my tea.
“I remember I shot a woman.” He confessed.
“I remember her begging and pleading for her life as her kids hid in the next room. Her husband tried to come after me but couldn’t.” Said Samir.
I glared at him and began to stop in my tracks.
“Honestly when it happened I kind of dissociated… I remember a girl running into one of the rooms as we stormed in. She was dressed in yellow and blue.”
“I saw everything… from how she turned pale and lifeless. It haunts me everyday.” He says as he took a bite of his toast.
“I don’t enjoy such things, Amina. But she was my first victim.” He said
Amina’s whole world broke for the second time around. Her hot brown tea in a small clear mug shattered onto the floor and burnt her foot.
“If I could go back in time, I would’ve not killed anyone.” Samir said rushing to clean up the mess.
She stared into space as her heart tore into a million pieces again. All the noise suddenly blocked out and her vision blurred. All she could think about was that one fateful day.
“How could you?!” Cried Amina as she stormed out the shop distraught.
Click here for Part 4