THE AFTERMATH

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

ALINA

Dearest Butterfly

I am writing this letter as we prepare to come for the exclusive operation to save you from the hands of the kidnappers. I understand that this is a dangerous mission and I might not make it out alive. In case I do not get a chance to speak with you face to face, let me pour out my heart to you in this letter.

It feels just like old times back in Mberengwa when we used to write each other mini letters at school. Anyways, let me get into it now. There are a lot of things I would love to explain to you. I am sure you must be wondering about what has been going on and a lot other things in general.

I made very very bad and stupid decisions Alina.

I feel ashamed as I write this letter admitting my weaknesses to you. Joe is not the man I thought he was and somehow along the way I crossed his path and he ended up hunting for me. I witnessed him commit murder and I ran. At first I thought I would just leave you behind but when I later realized that it would only be a matter of time before he hunts you down too, I decided to call for you.

I had a plan for us to go away and start our lives on a new page. You know how that turned out. In a positive way though, a savior came for me in the form of your boyfriend. I will leave the how part for him to discuss with you personally.

I must say though, I am glad and honestly relieved that you have found each other. He is a good man Alina and I think you could use someone as tender and protective as him for once in your life. I am so sorry my love for breaking your heart and ruining your relationship life. I dragged you along when I knew deep down in my heart that I wasn't meant for you.

I was wrong. I should have only been a brother to you and a best friend so to speak. When I look back, I realize that was exactly what we were to each other. We mistook our love for an intimate one. I love you Alina. That has never changed. It has remained constant from the very first day I met you. It just wasn't for a partner but for true friendship instead.

I loved and still love everything about you, even that annoying twitch you do with your nose when you are angry. It always made me want to laugh even when we were fighting. Those puppy dog eyes and face you made when you apologized to me. It always melted my heart even when I was too angry to forgive you. I am just trying to say I have loved you Butterfly, you should never doubt that.

Please please promise me that you will never change who you are. You are beautiful inside out. The only strongest woman I have ever met in my lifetime. The things you have endured I could never wish on anyone even my enemies yet you conquered and wrestled against all the odds. You inspired me during your good days and your bad days gave me lessons too. You encouraged me when I should have given up yet you were battling your own wars which you neglected to fight for my own self-inflicted battles.

Most importantly, you forgave me even when I really never deserved it. I could see it in your eyes even the last day I saw you at the restaurant that your love for me would never really fade no matter how much I would try and make you forget. I was selfish. I shouldn't have pushed you away. All you ever tried to do was love me. I could say a lot more things and remind you of the good and great memories we share too but I have to pen off soon. Bottom line is, those were the best days of my life.

Last but not least, your doctor boyfriend told me that you are with my son. I am so embarrassed that you had to find out that way. I honestly didn't believe that it was true. His mother told me about it and never showed up for the DNA test so I just thought she was lying. I didn't deliberately cheat on you with her. Long story short, she was an organized one night stand. I am so sorry Alina.