At Gun Point

~19~

Melinda turned to her granny,eyes wet with tears and said,"Granny,I was thinking I will be your first granddaughter to have a wedding but the same devil who took my parents away,and almost get me killed last night has finally took away love from my life. Why does he keep on taking away everything I love and care for. I don't know what I have done wrong to deserve this. I think killing myself is what he wants from me."She continued wailing. We all started to comfort her but at this moment it was futile. She was so confused. My wife then helped her to move back to the kitchen. Melissa and the two brothers had already went back to carry on with their chores. I followed them still holding the two lovely twins. Their Granny was trailing behind us .

My wife and Melinda sat on another mat beside the one that Granny and the girls were seated. Granny came and sat on her place and we sat on the cement bench across her. Melinda was sleeping on the mat with her head on my wife's hips,still crying. My wife was comforting her,telling her it wasn't the end of the world. She would find another man who would love her better than the one who had left her.

I just came back to my conclusion, that men are pigs,they never get satiated. What kind of man was that brute who had cheated on her and dumped her by the roadside like a piece of rubbish. She really didn't deserve the situation she was in. Bad luck was dogging her. Surely there was an evil spirit lingering in her life,but there was hope,our meeting was not an accident though it had appeared as one. I was going to make sure everything will fall in place for,even if it required fasting,I was willing to do so. She is a beautiful young woman and she deserved better.

Melissa had completed preparing the tea. She saved it with home baked bread and sweet potatoes. My wife persuaded Melinda to eat and she complied. I stayed quiet while we were eating. I was immersed in my thoughts. The two twin  girls were eating with their granny,Melissa was seated beside them,also eating. The two brothers were sharing a plate full of food beside me. I was eating alone seated on the bench close to the door. The two brothers had already put some meat on the stove boiling it so they could roast it latter. It was to be eaten with sadza(thick maize meal porridge) .
After eating I thanked Melissa and her granny for their utmost hospitality.

I then excused myself,telling them I was going to my car to take my phone. I strode towards the two parked vehicles and unlocked mine. I opened the drivers door,removed my iPhone from its charger and put it on. Upon putting it on,I checked the time first and it was saying thirteen minutes to four in the afternoon. There were a number of missed calls and voice messages. Some missed calls were from Brian,my managing director and from Mama Erina(our maid,she was in her late forties). The voice messages were from two new numbers. One of the numbers had a government extension number. The other one was from my young brother,the one who followed me from my mother's womb, who was studying Medicine at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.

The first voice message said,"How are you Mr Charlton Mallazamba. This message is from President George Kalasah's office. You are being invited by His Excellency to a private meeting in his office at the State House on Tuesday 04 April 2016, at 9:00 AM. You are required to be formally dressed and please be punctual. For more information you can contact the State Secretary on(number withheld). Thank you."A sweet female voice was dictating the message.

What?The President want to see me,why?Does it have anything to do with Bastion?The people at the State House had already dismissed I would have phones the State Secretary. Surely I needed some enlightenment. There was only one I was going to have a hint on what the President wanted to see me for. I had to call Brian,he would have something to say. Before that I wanted to hear what my brother was saying,I opened his message and he was telling me he was coming back home for his last semester break. It was going to give him a break of two weeks,that was fine I needed somebody to help me with some things. I didn't wanted trouble my wife with them. He told me he was boarding his plane tonight,meaning he was on his way to the airport. I will be there tomorrow morning to receive him at the airport in the capital. Then I will let him come here to do some office work at my office as I wait to meet the President on Tuesday.
I dialed Brian's number and the operator told me it was busy. I waited for some minutes. As I waited my wife,Melinda,Melissa,Michael and the two little twins came to where I was standing. She saw the concerned look I was holding on my face and she asked if everything was fine. I just said sort of,I was going to tell her all the news after I have reached Brian. She kept gazing on me,together with Melinda who was now looking better. Her face was pale but much better from the previous time I had left her in the hut. I dialed Brian's number and this time it got through and he picked up.
"Afternoon Charlly!I have been trying your number lately,were you asleep. You couldn't believe this. Frederick Bastion is dead. He has been shot dead just after we have arrived at the police hospital. Nobody knows yet who has shot him,but it seems the person was already inside the hospital before we reached here. Its all over the news, hadn't you seen it already or you were fast asleep."Brian informed me. I told him I haven't reached home yet. I was still in the farms and was about to go home. He hanged up saying he was now busy with some office work. I dismissed him,telling I was going to call him when I reached home.
All the people around me were looking at me as I was speaking to Brian. My wife was busy asking what has happened because she saw my mouth going ajar when Brian said Bastion was dead.
I then said,"Michael and Melissa may you please take Claris and Claire back home and give us some space to discuss something important." They obeyed,leaving the three of us.

My wife and Melinda seemed like they couldn't wait anymore to hear the breaking news. I started by releasing a loud sigh before I spill the beans to them. I then said,"First of all Bastion is dead. Secondly,I was invited to meet the President on Tuesday morning for a private meeting with him,and thirdly my young brother,Charles is coming from the UK today night and we will be with him tomorrow. That's all I have received for now."After telling them this, they  wanted me to explain further on how Bastion had died;and who had called me delivering the news of the invitation. I then told them what Brian had told me. On the invitation, I played them the audio message. They were all left surprised with the news.

"What does the President need you for? Maybe since you said Frederick is dead ,maybe that's the reason. You have once personally met before though. Last year he came to our home for a dinner after the industrial area tour. So you are no new man to him. Why does he request your presence on Tuesday?It must have something to do with all what happened last night and today."She said looking at Melinda, who was now seemed disoriented.
"I don't know sweety!I will see when I got there."I answered her.

She then said,"Before I forget, we also have news of our own. Melinda is not feeling well so she needs close feminine attention. Granny said she can't do that and Melissa is still too young to cater for her sister's needs. So,Granny had agreed that we could take her for the weekend,together with Melissa,who pleaded she also wanted to go."
"It's Ok,I don't have a problem with that,but taking Melissa with us,does it not lay more pressure to Granny since she will have to fill Melissa's gap. Look girls!There are also the two little kids who need attention from time to time and all the house chores. Is it not wise to leave Melissa behind?"I asked.
"We have already discussed the issue with Granny and the boys. The boys said they will help Granny do all the house chores. Since it is school holiday,they will be home all the time plus its only for two days. Lesley will also enjoy her company too"My wife pleaded.

"I think if I would spent some days away from this place,it will help me recover and be fine again. I'm still in a state of shock you know. The images from last night are still recurring in my mind. Guns,blood and dead people. Things I haven't seen before. I used to see them in the movies and not in real life. Plus a bonus of being thrown away like a piece of garbage by some senseless dude. I'm tired,I really need a hot shower and some sleep. Maybe afterwards I will wake up from this dream."Melinda lamented.

" You are going to be Ok dear. It's life. You go through mountains and valleys. When you go into a valley just know that there is a mountain in front of you."I informed her.

We all left the cars and went back to the hut. Melissa was already bathed and was now well dressed for the journey to our mansion. Two travelling bags were already packed,a sack with cucumbers and other vegetables was also there. A small bucket with goat meat was also in the company of the baggage.

Michael and Joshua carried the bags and other items to the back of my truck. It was now time to return home after a terrific experience at the hands of scoundrels.

We said our said our goodbyes to Granny,the boys ( including the one who had gone to collect the cattle,he was now back),and the two little girls. They were all smiles when we were hopping into the cars preparing to drive west towards the town and latter to our estate. My wife,Melinda,Melissa and Tootsie all got into the BMW, leaving me to drive alone in the Navara. I didn't have a problem with it since I wanted to meditate and plan whilst I drive. I always liked travelling alone when something was bothering me,and my wife knew this. My wife's car was the first to leave,followed by mine. It was now twilight, darkness was now permeating. I was happy to finally go home. Home sweet home.

FROM THE AUTHOR: Thank you for reading!If you have enjoyed the story,please remember to vote and feel free to comment below. Note: All comments,good/bad,are also very welcome. I'd really like to know what you think. It would mean a lot to me as a budding writer, and may help my career.

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