Forbidden Love – Episode 8

FORBIDDEN LOVE – Episode 8

A story by Jochrine Kunda

VERONICA

***My whole body was bruised and I flinched whenever I came into contact with something, I turned to Jane who had obtained a cut at the bottom of her eye and was crying uncontrollably. I reached for my phone and called Justin but his phone rang unanswered then I tried Blessings and she answered when I saw thick smoke coming from the living room and people’s voices outside and got startled by Blessings voice on the other end

“He…he’s…. burning… us in the house”

That was all I managed to say before I slipped the phone in my pocket and held Jane who was wailing tightly, I prayed for God to take my life and leave Jane because she was innocent and didn’t deserve what was happening to her then I heard what sounded like fire being quenched then it clicked to me that there was a way out and I was going to do it even if it was the last thing I ever did but I had to do it for my daughter. I ran to the kitchen with Jane and turned down the cupboard drawers looking for the keys to the kitchen door which led outside and I found it then tried opening it but I had challenges until I shouted for the crowd that was gathered outside and gave them the key, they managed getting it open and I grabbed Jane running out. The police had arrived and everyone awaited the fire fighters as the entire house was then burning down, Mwelwa was taken away by the police and I sat on the ground crying as I held my baby tight. I ignored everything that was being said as my mind was far away until my felt someone attack me with a hug, it was Blessings and I cried in her arms then she tried to console me but it didn’t work out. I felt Jane’s body get tense and she passed out instantly, I called for her to open her eyes but nothing happened then Blessings scooped her up and rushed her to her car as I followed behind. We drove to the hospital and I kept crying

“I won’t forgive myself if anything happens to her”

I kept saying that and Blessings assured me that nothing would happen to her, we got to the hospital and Blessings rushed in to call the nurses while I took Jane out of the car. She was wheeled in and we stayed in the waiting area, tears couldn’t stop falling from my eyes as the events of the day played in my mind.

“You’ll move in with me”

Blessings told me and I slowly shook my head

“No, I can’t do that”

“I just can’t, you and Thomas need some privacy besides I don’t want to seem like a burden on you guys”

“how could you say such a thing?we’ve been together through thick and thin, if it’s Thomas I’m sure he won’t mind because he too will be doing it for his cousin”

“It’s just not safe, I’ll go back to mom’s house”

“What do you mean it’s not safe?”

I told her the truth about Jane’s paternity and what led to what Mwelwa did then asked her not to say a thing to Justin because I wanted to tell him myself. The doctor told us that Jane was fine and she only needed to rest so we waited for her to wake up and be discharged, Blessings offered to stay with Jane for a few days at her house as I got over what was going on but I declined because I knew that she’d me more than ever so I wanted her close to me.

After a few hours we walked out of the hospital with my little girl quiet all the time, I checked my phone and found numerous missed calls from mom so I guessed she’d already gotten the news I wanted to call her back but decided against it because I knew I’d get a lecture from her so I reserved it for when I got to the house. We got to the house and found a lot of people gathered outside, there was a truck parked in the yard and I could hear commotion in the yard so I rushed to see what was happening and heard mom crying loudly. Some tough gentlemen were dragging the furniture out of the house loading it in the truck then there’s Mwelwa’s mother shouting on top of her voice

“This family is painted with immortality, you and your daughter planned to pin my son with a child that’s not his just so you could feed your poor selves but no secret stays unrevealed”

**She saw me and wore a disgusted face***

“TAKE EVERYTHING OUT, MY SON WORKED SO HARD TO BUY HER ALL THIS, HE’LL BE TORTURED IN PRISON SO THERE’S NO NEED FOR THEM TO ENJOY WHAT HE WORKED SO HARD FOR. THERE’S NO CONNECTION BETWEEN YOU AND HIM COME ON TAKE EVERYTHING OUT”

I saw the neighbours talking among themselves but was the least I could worry about, the gents carrying furniture bumped into me and I stumbled almost falling but I was lucky Blessings was with me and left Jane in the car. When they were done, Mwelwa’s mother disgraced us more and left, I could tell that what happened meant joy to most of the neighbours including those I thought were friends. Mom sat on the ground and just cried then Blessings and I carried her in, the house was empty since mom had gotten rid of the old furniture and she sat on the floor looking drained and looked at me

“Veronica, is it true?”

***Her voice echoed in the room***

“Yes mom it is”

“You have killed me, what kind of disgrace is this?”

“I’m really sorry mom”

She didn’t say anything and the look on her face said volumes so I went to my old bedroom where I found my old mattress, a brazier and old couch so I just laid there and let it all out…

To be continued...