THE KIDNAPPER

CHAPTER 12

It has been seven months since my Dante left. I was told that He passed on three days after I was discharged from the hospital. His family took his body. He was buried just next to my sister and my mom.

I went through counseling. I had undergone depression and daddy made sure I got help for I was the only remaining child.

Akim left for France after three months. It was so difficult for him to overcome the loss of Chirry and the baby. She was one month pregnant and the plan was to get married before the belly could show.

I made sure that, they got fresh flowers every three days.

I sat down beside his grave. Dante was my hero and he remained to be.

"The doctor said that it is a baby boy. Remember when you told me that I was pregnant, it was true. Am now seven months pregnant. The baby is healthy and is due in two months. I will name him after you dear but how I wish you were here to see him come to this world, wake up when he cries at night, teach him how to walk and play football with him. He kicks every time I give him the story about us and how we met. Am very sure that his first world will be daddy and not mummy." I explained everything to Dante hoping that he was listening. I don't know if I shall ever stop moaning my beloved. My face was ever wet for him but my heart was always smiling for the fruit of our love growing inside me.

The baby gave me a reason to be alive. I knew the gap was wide but there was nothing I could have done. I was determined to bring up my child with a lot of love just the way I loved his father.

Dante's grave was on the right, Chirry at the middle and mother's on the left. I kept fresh red roses on their graves except Dante's. The blend of white and red roses was my choice for my Dante.

"Dante junior will be his name." My eyes were filled with tears when I said that. I closed my eyes and let the tears flow down my face. They were mixed tears of loneliness, pain, sorrow for my Dante will never come back again, love and Happiness for Dante loved me and he gave me the most beautiful thing which is growing in me.

"With your permission, I will give him my sir name." Akim whispered from behind. My heart skipped and legs went weak. Akim held me before could lose control and injure my unborn baby.

I turned and I saw Akim with my father. "Shally, it has been seven months since they left. You are aware that my Chirry was pregnant." Akim wept when he mentioned Chirry and her pregnancy.

He came close to me and places his palm of his hand on my tummy. The baby kicked. He laughed in tears.

"Please Shally, give me this opportunity to call your child my own." I kept quiet. Akim turned to my father who was standing in front of his wife's grave. "Father, help me to convince Shally. I want to marry her and give her baby my name. I loved Chirry but she is gone, I cannot afford to start over again. Shally was part of our lives with Chirry. Please father, help me convince her and I promise to take care of her." Daddy turned him down. "No my son. You see, It is her decision to make." Father replied.

Akim went on to his knees in front of me and wrapped his hands around my waist resting his head on my belly." Please Shally, give a chance and I will treat you right.

I turned to my long gone love. I was in tears. "My love, you are gone. I cannot love a stranger but am familiar with Akim. I once felted some attraction for him before i met you but he belonged to my sister."

"Need to have a family and a father to my son. Akim will give us shelter and a shoulder to lead on, on your behalf and will fill the gap Chirry left in his life. I love you and I always will..... but life has to move on for us." I wept when told Dante all that from inside. I felt a wave of calmness run through my body.

Daddy turned around and left for the car. Akim turned to follow him but I stopped him. "Yes." "Yes what?" Akim asked."yes I will ..... give you a chance." Are you sure, I don't want to pressure you. I looked in to his eyes for the first time since the burial. Yes, I want to be with you. Akim turned to Dante and Chirry" graves. Forgive us. Take care of each other in the other life and grant us permission to move on together. Dante, I promise to take good care of Shalline and your unborn child.

He took my hand, drew me closer to him and kissed me slightly. He looked in to my eye with love but not lust. "I love you Shally" he kissed me again and this time I kissed back.

Suddenly, it started raining from nowhere and we were rained on. "I guess that is a yes form them, we go ahead." Akim whispered and kissed me again. I withdrew to catch my breath. I looked into his eyes, "yes I guess its a go ahead."