Zara had been in the room for over half an hour now throwing every piece of clothing from her bag to every corner of the room in anger. She hissed in frustration and stood on akimbo. She had taken her bath minutes ago only for her to open her bag to find nothing suitable to wear.
"who could have done this to me?" she said in furry as she pulled the smaller bag off the bed and began rummaging into it but like the previous ones it was also useless the only thing it had were her undies and a few female dresses which was not her kind of clothing.
Furiously she stamp her feet against the tiled floor and match out of the room bare feet only to bump into Ruth who had a steaming cup of tea in her hand. She jump back as the content the mug poured over the towel she had wrapped over her undies.
"ooh shit" Zara cursed under her breathe as she tried to ease the burning sensation on her belly.
"an so sorry madam,are you hurt?" Ruth said in alarm.
"watch it okay?" Zara snapped as she tried to wipe off the brown stain off her white towel.
"are you okay?" Ruth asked concern.
"am fine just tell me where Christian is"
"you mean sir?" Ruth demanded.
"who else do you happen to know another bearer of the name Christian in this house?" Zara fired back impatiently.
"how rude" Ruth thought but to Zara she said.
"Check the next room".
Without another word Zara quickly stroll to the next door and pushed the door open.
Low and behold lay her husband still fast asleep.
" the degree of this man's guts, so he put me in this situation and still dares to fall soundly asleep?" she thought narrowing her eyes at him.
Zara slowly pushed the door closed and tip toed towards him. She ran her eyes around the room looking for a means to disrupt his sleep,then her eyes caught the alarm clock on the bed side table beside him and she smirk evilly.
She picked it up gently not to make sound and slowly reset it to ring in the next minute. She placed one foot on the bed and an arm on her waist while the other held firmly to the alarm clock.
As the time drift by she waited patiently for the awaited moment.
"10....9...8...7...6....5....4..." she counted down quietly drifting slowly towards his ear as each second ticked by.
"and go" she said aloud and the alarm went off causing Chris to jump awake in fright.
Zara though tried hard couldn't keep in her laughter, she held tightly to her stomach and fell on the bed in process.
Chris on the other hand felt frightened, he felt as if his heart had jump into his stomach and sink to the bottom. He sat at a corner hyperventilating with a palm placed over his chest as he tried her to steady his pounding heart not finding the situation funny. He lifted his eyes towards Zara who was still in a laughing feast. He was so shocked at that moment that he couldn't say a word or think of anything in that situation.
The first word that he could form in his mind was a prayer to God that this does not caused him his heart.
He stood and folded his hands staring down at Zara when he had succeeded in steadying his heart.
Zara who on the other hand was still laughing out her heart off stopped abruptly and cough when she felt a peer of eyes on herself.
"what is it?" she said standing as well to her feet.
In return Chris remained silent and instead zeroed his eyes on her and for a moment they involved themselves in an eye battle. The image of the event ran through Zara's thoughts again and she couldn't help but laugh but quickly covered it with a cough.
"what was that for?" Chris demanded calmly.
"what is what is that?" She threw back folding her arms as well.
"you came in without knocking Zara and played a prank that could have caused me my heart" he answered his voice devoid of sleep. The act had caused him to be fully aware like he hadn't been asleep five minutes ago.
"So?" she demanded nonchalantly as she shrug her shoulders.
"I wonder why it didn't and Mr Rodriquez
you're the greatest prankster of all time" she fired.
"how do you mean?" he demanded in confusion.
"how do i mean?" she repeated placing a fore finger over her lips with one hand on her waist.
"you played with me, you, my aunt and your mother, you all shove my life in front of me and I thought it was for the best, you all made me believe that, but I've never regretted anything in my life like saying " i do" she said and Chris froze as guilt gnawed on his heart. He couldn't bring himself to look into her eyes for he felt shameless.
"am sorry" he muttered after a moment of silence.
"of course you will be but does your apology brings back my old life to me?, can it and will it?" she shouted.
"moreover this is not why I am here" she added in a calmer tone.
"why.....why.. why are you here?" he stuttered still not daring to look at her.
"follow me" she said beckoning to him to follow her as she exit his room to hers.
Chris wondered what had happened immediately he stepped into the room that he had left sparkly clean the previous night. It looks as if a gang of robbers have raid the room overnight. Zara stepped over the dresses towards the center of the room while Chris stood by the door reluctant to walk in any further.
"come in" she urged and he walked in picking the item on the floor as he walked further towards her to avoid stepping on the dresses.
"what happened?" he dared to ask.
"what happened ?" he said gliding around.
"I should be asking you that" she said pointing a finger towards him and he frowned in confusion.
"Mr Rodriguez what the hell happened to clothes and who the hell packed my bags? for as far as am concern none if this clothes belong to me"
"mom did with the helper help" Chris answered.
"your mother did?" she asked in an unbelieving tone.
"Mr Rodriguez for Christ sake, look at this (she picked up a pencil skirt and wave it in the air) how on earth do you expect me to wear this for Christ sake, for no reason toll I be imprisoned in my body in the name of being modest"
"Zara you are a woman, a married woman at that, you need to stop dressing like a man and wear clothes women wear" Christian said.
"that's were you get it all wrong Mr Rodriguez am a man if you must know, the only difference between myself and you is our physiological appearance, but my inner being is masculine and anything that comes with that" Zara stated firmly.
"Zara, please am begging you, would you just change just thoughts you are having for me? and embrace the truth"
"hhaha, never, do not give so much value to yourself,I will do nothing for or this stupid relationship for anything so never in your life think or try to change my perspective in any way" Zara warned with every bit of seriousness in her words.
"fine" was all Christian could muster the courage to say.
"I need this clothes out of my room and mine brought from Sacramento to me or else we both are going to have a tug of war in this relationship,you could dare me and see" Zara said as she gave him an intimidating look.
"and while you're at it, make sure to take yours along with you" she added as she vegan pulling on her clothes from the previous t
day right in his presence and he quickly turned away to shy to watch.
When she was through she picked up her phone and wallet and rushed out of the house.
Zara walked out the barracks her eyes zooming through buildings several group of several group of children could be around the vicinity playing games in pairs. Though she knew not were she was off to Zara still felt the urge to walk on. If only walking walking will rid of this entanglement then she will do that times without number until she's worn out.
After a few minutes of walking she went under a mango tree and sat on one is it large root. She breathed in deeply and exhaled loudly. she could think of anything g better to do so she picked up pebble of stones and began throwing them into the distance before her. But after a while she got bored with even that and her eyes zoomed around looking for an activity to engage herself in but found none. She groaned in frustration all she needed was a little distraction but that too seems not to avail itself to her. She rose up abruptly to her feet in an attempt not to think of the pain gnawing at her heart at the moment.
"life is pain" she said aloud and bump a first really hard on the tree trunk before settling her grown on it and staying in that position for some time.
After a while she lifted her head and hooded her head before shoving her hands into her pockets and walking away.
"hey pretty lady, care to tell me where you are off to?" thee soldier at the hate demanded.
"I just need to get out, to cool off" Zara e
responded in a pissed off tone.
"wowowo, chill young lady, you know no matter how angry you are right now, the hear within you won't still roast a corn" the man said but now she remained silent and neither did she show any evident of anger.
"could you please take off that good?" the man demanded but she remained still her face hidden behind her wavy hair and the hood.
"will you?" he prob and she finally took it off.
"you're quite pretty you know, you should be glad showing off your face to the world" the man complemented bit Zara met his compliments with an icy gaze hating the energy man was showing off.
"so are you new?, cause I don't remember seeing your pretty face in the barracks" the stated.
''is this part of your job are you just trying to pry into my business?" she demanded matching his gaze.
"of course it is" the man responded showing his thirty-two.
"it's my duty to know everyone and who comes and go.....
" I need to leave I don't give damn about your responsibility as a soldier Manning this gate so if I've I have satisfy your inquiry in every criteria I did love it if you let me go" Zara responded feeling impatient.
"what's your pretty name?" the man demanded and Zara couldn't help but wonder if this too was part of his job or he's was just asking for selfish interest.
"Zara" she responded finally after giving him a once over in an annoying manner.
"Dunno" she smirk when she caught the name on his name tag.
"sounds like a name one will give to a dog" she mumbled.
"what did you say?" Dunno demanded as he penned down her name.
"nothing" she muttered before replacing her hood and taking off.
*******
It was mid afternoon when Zara had gone to the market to purchase some suitable clothes for herself.
All morning she had been walking d
from one street to another getting to know the place and now she was drained out and looking tired bit decided to purchase something before returning home. The hustling and bustling were in full force and pedestrian could be seen crushing against each other in an attempt to get to their item of purchase. She went from one boutique to another observing it's wares through the show glass doors and windows. Finally a pair of black three-quarter jeans and a white hooded cardigan caught her eyes and she proceed into the shop to make her purchase.
"hello how may I help you?" the shop owner who was quite old and grey haired in navy blue tight pants and fitting T-shirt showing off his balled stomach greeted.
"I need those" she said pointing at the jeans and cardigan.
"ooh you've got a pretty eyes and a good fashion....
" cut that crap old man just tell me how much the clothes go for,I do not have all day" Zara interrupted shutting up the man mid sentence.
"ooh boy" the man exclaimed scratching his bald head.
"well both will cost you a hundred dollar"
"what do they come with a free ticket to heaven or will I ascend to heaven when I pull that thing on?" she demanded.
"what do you mean?" the old man demanded confused.
"I will take the two for fifty" Zara said her hands on akimbo.
"because I got them free" he said sarcastically.
"well let me share in the blessing" Zara said with her hand outstretched playing ignorance to the his words.
"I won't sell for fifty girl, even if got those item free, which I didn't" he stated.
"really, we both know old man" she began and proceeded to place an arm around the old man's shoulders with her leg crossed and wright leaning on the old man.
"that this clothes are not worth more than that, you see I got something similar for a shop close by but because I have a soft spot for the aging members of this society,i decided to come hereto encourage your business, so tell old man with utmost respect to your age, how much will you sell then for because i really really want to support your hustle?" she added causing the to lift up his head to stare at her for a while before lifting her arm off his shoulders and coming face to face with her.
"try something different girl, those lines are so common" the man said folding his arms.
"and I think you should take me to that shop I will purchase my wares from them from now hence forth" he added.
Zara walked towards him and placed her hand back around his shoulders.
"you are my grandfathers age you know, help out your granddaughter?" she said with a childish glee in an attempt to get the man to sell for a lower price.
"what imprudence" the short Man said and pushed her away and she staggered and almost fell to the floor but regain her stance and stood firm.
"do I look like your grandfather or husband?" she man said running his hands through his whitening air with a sly smile gracing his face.
Zara almost screech in disgust.
"and I thought you had a little self-respect due to you grey hair,I thought the gift of age comes with wisdom, your seems to have come empty handed" Zara lamented.
"I may look old but am quite strong you know, and I could give the clothes based on what you're ready to offer, if you know what I mean" the man said wiggling his brow and trying to grab her hand but instead she grab his and twisted it behind his back and whiled the man yelp in pain she seize the opportunity to pull the jeans and cardigan out of the hanger with her spear arm.
"you disgust me old man and I can't believe I compared you to my grandfather, though I didn't know him but am certain he won't have been shameless at this age" Zara said her hand still twisting the old man arm.
"you bitch, get your hands off me" he hurled.
"not before breaking your bones, you old men do wrong things and use your old age as shield,you've touch the wrong man today and you shall pay" she said and twisted the arm one final time before finally letting it go and fell with a the on the ground holding tight to his arm an moaning in pain.
Zara quickly grab a shopping back on the counter and put the items into it.
"am only letting you go because of your aged bones, if not I would have tortured them longer and also for the sake of those who will waste their tears at your funeral, if you know what I mean" she said mimicking his wiggling of his brows.
she ran out of the shop bumping into another customer at the entrance. She ran as fast as she could to avoid the cops or before anyone realised what as happened and spread the news.
Usually she will break into a run when the road was free and then then walk with long strides when she comes into a crowded area.
She was able to leave the market safe and get into a cab. it was while she was seated in it that she chance to sniff her body.
"I can't believe the stupid scent if his cologne has diffused to me" she lamented with a gag and an irritated face sniffing from arm to arm.
She shook her head to rid herself of the pang of guilt that she felt in her heart for taking away the man's ware's without payment.
"I didn't mean it, and he caused it, if he had been true and fair in his dealings all this wouldn't have happen and i would have even paid him, though only half the price" she said to encourage herself aloud and the driver looked at her through the rear view mirror.
"mam are you okay?" the driver said bringing out his thoughts to life after much hesitation.
"mind you business by focusing on not getting us into an accident " she yelled in returned and the man turned away focused his attention on the road.
After grabbing a few more things Zara was able to maneuver her way out of the busy streets with the aid of her phone GPS. she flag down a taxi and hope in with her shopping bags on both hands. She settled into the vehicle with her back leaned against the soft leather seat.
pulling out her wallet she counted the money she had left.
"only 70" she gasped and turned the wallet upside down for any hidden money but nothing came out.
She groaned and kick in frustration the passenger's seat in front her.
After a few minutes drive she alighted in front of the barrack gate and made her way in. She was walking to her final destination when her eyes caught sight of a group of boys on the football field about to play a game. She took her heels towards them running as fast as she could with the luggage on her hand.
She quickly shove her items under seat and ran into the field just as the team were choosing their players.
"hi may I join?" she said and wave her hands but the boys between age 16-20 only gave her a Sideward glance.
"okay I will just stand in the corner, carry on then, you wouldn't know that an here" she said as she walked to the side lines but again they ignored her.
"fools" she muttered as she sat on the perfectly mown lawn to watch the game.
Her eyes had caught a group of kids running after each other and their activity had taken the whole of her attention when something hit her against the left cheek causing her to loose her focus on the children and turned towards it. She realized it was a football and it was lying there right between her legs. Picking it up she rose to her feet in anger with the aim to take revenge but froze when one on the boy who seemed to have thrown the ball said.
"you can play?, fall in we are short of one defender" he said and turned away before she could respond and walked back to his mates.
Happily Zara took off her hoodie leaving only her blue tank top and match in.
The game started well and Zara was doing well at it, for she was a lover of football and a great ayer,in fact she had been a captain for one of the female football club back home in Sacramento and they had been the best but now even that she had to give up for marriage and this was a great opportunity for her to play to her satisfaction after being off the field for such a long time.
Zara at the cause of the play was able to make friends with some of her team mates and couldn't help shooting and shaking hands with her when she had scored them their first goal.
Minutes into the game a blond guy with a very sharp nose that seem to be suspended in the air came and for some reason only known to others the game came to a halt and everyone gathered around him.
"after a minutes of lecture and scolding to some if her team mates he finally stopped and ordered that the game should be started from the beginning which annoyed Zara but she decided to be quiet to see how things go.
" and who do we have here?"
"a girl" Mr pointed nose said eyeing down at Zara like being a girl was one if the most degrading things ever.
"she's a great player" Paulo one if her team mate chipped in.
"no one spoke to you fatso" he insulted and Zara didn't missed how Paulo face fell when he was called that not that he wasn't fat.
"who are you?" he guy demanded pointing a finger at her.
Zara glance around only to notice that everyone has their eyes on her waiting fir her to respond.
"am Zara" she said with her hand outstretched for a hand shake but he huffed and looked away immediately.
"come on everyone take your position and fatso sit this kind out,I want to see what miss here is made off" the guy said daring Zara with his eyes while Paulo walked away with slump shoulders. Zara was left to wonder who the guy was and why he speaks with so much authority and looking down on everyone like an inferior but one position she was sure he occupy was the position reserve for people she hates in her heart. She just despised his raised shoulders and the aura around him though she couldn't deny the fact that he looks hot and us well built at that.
Mr pointy nose didn't make the game easy for Zara, actually it is they didn't make things easy for each other on the field. All he while they had their eyes fixed on each other like a hunter and a prey. Zara tried all she could to score a goal but Mr pointy nose seems to know what ever tactics she was planning on using and will block her. The first goal she scored was canceled because Mr pointy nose said she had touched the ball with her hand in the process and also there was a foul because her foot caused a boy to trip and fall in the process. It was few minutes to the game ending that she finally got a chance to score a goal. But while she was running and jubilating with few if her team mates Mr pointy nose stood at a corner observing and laughing at her. At first she brushed it off and focus on the complement rendered on her by her team mates but when the looks and the laughter got intense she. couldn't pretend it doesn't bother her anymore. She charge forward bouncing toward the group and their laughter grew in intensity.
"common what the fuck is the problem with you?" she yelled and her words only spike up their laughter.
"what in hell is wrong with all of you?" she yell again in frustration as the group gathered around her.
"you're only a mere girl Zara, let me give you a piece of advice, your game sucks and the only reason your scored that goal was because we let, so you won't end up crying in the end" Tyson said.
"ooh really, common I ado understand" she said partying him on the arm.
"it's really hard admitting defeat,isn't it, especially if it's from a stranger from no where" she added and her words caused Tyson to frown in anger.
"whatever you say bitch, you are a girl anyway and the only thing you did be ever very good in is lying on your back for men,making babies and cooking in the kitchen, chicken brain" Tyson said pushing Zara lightly on the arm continuously while she Step back as he did so while they laugh enjoying the taunt.
"ooh yeah, that role will only be attached to your mother and female in your family, but as for Zara(she shook her head and smile evil"
"am made for what is beyond an eye sight".
For a while Tyson and his maye remained silent, her words had shock to the core leaving them speechless.
" you bitch, fuck off" Tyson cursed charging towards her but was held back.
"you do the same" Zara yelled back ignoring the signal Paulo had been giving her to keep quiet.
"common girl, do you work in a milk industry, because with those boobs you can meet up with the whole milk demand of this entire barrack" The boy who had thrown the ball on her face said while licking his lips with his eyes fixed on her chest. They others burst out laughing except Paulo who rather than funny was finding the whole exchange disgusting.
Zara followed his eyes down to her chest and became alarmed when she saw that her bra wasn't well set and her the nipple of her left breast was out of it and poking on the thin layer of her tank top. She froze and her eyes zoomed through their faces and they all looked pleased starting at her. She quickly pull on the straps of her bra putting them place at the same time feeling awkward about the whole thing.
"how much, does it cost, those watermelon look quite juicy and I don't think I will be needing any food if I have them tonight" Tyson said and they once again burst out laughing. She was disappointed that even the few people she had made friends with t
during game also see her as a source of entertainment and were laughing out their heart.
Full of rage she scream and aimed for Tyson, She kicked him had in the stomach and taken unaware he fell on the ground and she quickly turned him around with his stomach flat on the ground and held his arms behind his back.
"you bitch" one of his friends screamed and tried to pull her away but she but his hand so hard that it drew blood scaring the others.
Tyson tried to wriggle out of her grip but she held tightly forcing him to stay face down. After much struggle and panting coming from the both of them Tyson succeeded in referring the position and Zara couldn't help hauling curses at him. She struggle and succeeded in kick g him very hard on the knee and he bent down in pain. She seize that opportunity and stood to her feet. She flip him over and he landed with a thud on the mown ground and several gasps could be heard from the group. She sat in his back and twisted his hand until she heard a twist. Zara had been bottling anger up within her since her arranged marriage and now Tyson had gone and step on her tail making the whole thing worse. Boiling in a few and frustration she took that as an opportunity to let out all her frustration and Tyson was the receiver. With each blow she made sure she put all her energy into it causing damage to Tyson.
"she has run mad" someone screamed.
"are you sure she isn't from the psychiatric?, she might kill him" another said and just as she began feeding him and she was pulled away by several hands. she shook off the hands immediately she was on her feet.
Zara chest rose and fell and continuously as she tried to steady her breathe. She searched for her inhaler in her pocket but found it squashed for she had sat on it.
She threw it and inhaled continuously trying to steady her breathing.
She walked away while Tyson's friends tried to help him off the ground.
Zara quickly grab her bags and pull on her hoodie.
"Zara you shouldn't have done that" a voice said from behind her and she had to turn to see the owner but she hissed and walk on when she saw him.
"Tyson hold his mother in high regard and his parents are late you know and he doesn't like people talking bad about them"
"am an orphan too but I do t have to be as stupid as he is,I can't just stand by and have him say all those nonsense to him" Zara said remembering that moment. Though she wouldn't blame anyone for that except her stupid self that think wearing under size bra will make her boobs smaller.
"hhhhgg" she groaned in frustration slapping herself.
"don't you think what you did was too extreme?" he asked.
"should I have sat back and watch them humiliate me like a Coward, you saw it all,unlike you I can't just sit back and watch being called names,though he's right you a sack of potato and he can call fatso because you're fat and he's fit though a weakling" Zara said and Paulo frowned.
"Zara your..... " Paulo was saying but was cut off my Zara's sharp voice.
"if you aren't going to support me then leave, moreover I didn't ask you to come after me" Zara said as she swung around.
"I was only going to tell that your arm is bleeding" Paulo said and Zara gave him a questioning look before going to her arm.
"it's nothing serious" She said with a shrug.
"who is Tyson?" Zara asked out of curiosity.
"He's uncle is thee barrack provost and he's the best footballer on our team and also the captain" Paulo responded.
"that doesn't give him the right to make all the decisions" Zara said with a huff and they bean walking again.
"you can drop following me now" Zara said after some minutes of silence.
"am not, my house is this way" Paulo said and the walk on talking and Zara got to know more about the barrack.
******
Christian couldn't help but space back an forth, it was already late in the evening and since he saw his wife In the morning he hadn't seen her again all day. He couldn't help but worry that something bad had happened since she was new to this environment and wasn't picking up his phone.
"calm down sir, the day isn't over yet" Ruth said but her words gave him little to no assurance. The only time he could calm down is when she See's his wife with his eyes well and fine. Even the couch couldn't give him any comfort and ft itchy all of a sudden.
Zara chose that time to make and entry into the house and Chris couldn't help but sigh in relief. Zara though had seen her husband and the help and didn't miss the concern in their eyes when they saw how tattered she looked. she ignored them and stroll up the stairs to her room without a word. She walked into her room which and switch on the lights and was surprised to find it opposite of how she had left it,she threw her bags in the now empty closet and made for the bathroom after taken a bath and putting on her pajamas
she heard a knock on her door.
"yes" she responded and her husband walked in.
"Zara are you okay" he asked concern laced in his voice.
"what did you see" she threw back in a displeased tone as she focused on making her bed and silence followed.
"dinner is ready" he said.
"I don't want to eat" Zara started and hope on her bed.
"Zara you can't continue to..." Chris was saying but Zara couldn't wait for him to finish all she wanted was to rest at the moment.
"you should switch off the light on your way out" she said as she laid down and pull the blanket over her body and Christ shook his head before offing the light and walking out.