Two Months Later.
Do you remember when I said I'd apologized to Samira after I was discharged? Well...
I didn't.
I got discharged two weeks after my decision to make amends however, I was too scared to go after what I wanted, or should I say, who I wanted.
In the meantime, I filed an official case against Gerald and Harriet and a week ago, the first trial was conducted for the murder of my parents. They were both found guilty! The second trial and hearing was to take place today.
Feeling much healthier, physically and mentally, I had taken quality time to get dressed in my favorite suit for the day. By the time I had arrived at the court, everyone, including my lawyer, the jury, the judge, the accused, the press and some other people I barely recognized, was already seated.
The whole process went by so smoothly as I had been assured by my lawyer that with all the evidence gotten, they would be locked away for a long time. I wasn't surprised when both of them were sentenced to life imprisonment for double charges of murder—my parents—and a charge of attempted murder on my part.
As the police took them away, I caught sight of my uncle who still had that venomous and spiteful expression. I ignored him, of course. The battle was over and I would make sure both of them rotted in jail until the very end.
On my way out of the building, the press gathered around me, asking questions but I remained mute until I got to my G-wagon, where Phillip was to usher me in. There was a woman next to him, she still looked the same, nothing had changed about her in the past two months. I seethed as I got close to her.
"What are you doing here?" I looked between her and Phillip who turned his gaze away, an act of formality to denote he was minding his business. I looked at the press behind and back at her. If I chose to leave her here, she'd be bombarded by the press who were already hungry for even the tiniest piece of gossip.
"Get in!" I ordered and Phillip obeyed by opening the car door for both of us to get in. Once he had settled in the driver's side and started the car, I turned to the woman beside me and asked again.
"What are you doing here, Rose?" after she had chosen to trick me into swindling two hundred thousand dollars, she had the guts to face me? "You should be glad I didn't lock you up in jail as I ought to." I added.
"You have every right to lock me up and I'm thankful you didn't. Give me five minutes to speak with you and I'll be gone. Please." she all but begged. I checked the time from my Rolex wristwatch, noting it was just 1PM. I had a free day and was planning on spending it lazying around my home. I had employed new staff members and cleared away anything that reminded me of Gerald and Harriet.
"I give you five minutes!" was my response. I didn't miss her sigh of relief.
"Thank you. I came here for two reasons. First off, I wanted to apologize for what I did to you or for use of more precise words, what I would have done to you. I'm sorry Chiké. Please forgive me. I did it because..." I listened to her narration of how she had struggled to make ends meet for her twin sons and grandparents. As she explained, I was yet again humbled for my background. I never lacked anything as a child. God bless my parents!
And oh, did I mention, I had begun to pray? Five nights at the hospital and absolutely no one to talk to, I had gone down on my knees and prayed. It was an elevating experience, one that brought me peace and the strength to carry on.
I zoned back to Rose's narration and plea for forgiveness, feeling an engulfing emotion of compassion.
"Why didn't you tell me the truth? I would have helped you voluntarily." the question had been one thing I thought about consistently. If she had told me the true reason why she needed such amount of money, I'd have wasted no time in giving her. Heck, I'd have tripled the amount if she had asked!
"Funny, that was the exact thing Sam said." Samira. I hadn't heard that name for two months now. However, that never stopped the ache inside of me. I missed her terribly!
"I'm hoping you can find it in your heart to forgive me please. I'm so sorry!" her contrite apology softened all restraints I had initially built.
"I forgive you!" I exclaimed and she smiled at me, despite her tears. "Please don't cry anymore. How are your sons doing?" I enquired.
"They're fine. I have worked hard as a mother to provide for them though I don't have enough but my sons and I will survive." all her words were just euphemisms, all to make the unpleasantness of her situation sound pleasant. I knew they needed help. I heaved a profound sigh!
Unlocking my briefcase, I fetched my cheque book and scribbled a sum figure, which I handed over to her. She received it reluctantly and gasped as she read the amount of money I had written.
Turning to me, she squealed, "Five hundred thousand dollars? Oh no, this is too much!" and handed it back to me.
"No, take it! You can use it to solve whatever problems you have. If you have any more problems, contact me. I know you have my business card." I grinned at her suddenly remembering Samira recounting how they had both contacted Alexa through my business card, leading them to my home and saving me. I owed both of them immensely. I couldn't imagine what would have become of me if they didn't make an effort to confirm my safety.
"Thank you for saving my life, Rose! Samira told me all about how you both rescued me at home." I said, while giving her the cheque and folding the palm of her hand to accept it. "Let this be my way of showing my appreciation. Please accept it."
"Oh thank you so much. Thank you, Thank you! With this, I can bring my boys to Quebec to live with me and help my grandparents get settled in Ontario. They'd all be so exited! Oh thank you again." as she thanked me profusely, displaying nothing but relief, cheer and merriment, I remembered my resolution to put a smile on people's faces.
I had truly done that. And I felt better through them all!
All thanks to a certain someone you've refused to see and apologize to. My subconscious hurled.
I just couldn't bring myself to go see her.
"She's miserable without you, you know!" as though gifted with the uncanny ability to read my thoughts, Rose muttered.
"She's quite successful now. She got an email from Dior the same day you sent her out of your life. She's now a supermodel, I don't know if you've come across any of her billboards or magazine covers, have you?" I nodded. I had seen her once on a billboard, advertising the latest purse collection for Dior and another time, on a runway fashion show on TV. She looked so different, her modeling talent was a natural. She had captivated my mind so much, I wanted to jump right into the TV to see her.
Yet, I also didn't want to because I believed she had moved on. She never contacted me ever since. I knew I was at fault but the lovesick part of me hoped and prayed everyday that she'd come back to me.
"You love her, I can see it in your face! I know she loves you too. Why have you both decided to suffer when you could be happy together?" Apologetic Rose was gone, Counseling Rose had arisen.
"It's not that simple!" was my lame response. I had nothing tangible to say.
"What's so difficult about it? You love each other, why don't you let your egos aside and do what's right?" She placed her hands on her hips in a motherly fashion.
"I just can't. I—I feel she deserves someone better. Plus, I said some mean things to her the last time. I cannot bear the rejection 'cause I know that's what I'd get." I replied defiantly.
"How would you know if you haven't tried? Listen, she's in town for a few days before she leaves for Vancouver. You have to go apologize right now. Don't let her go! In fact, I heard there's a new guy in the marketing department who's interested in her. Do you want him to have her, huh? Is that what you want?" Her last words were my undoing. If I didn't go to her soon, I'd lose her for life. My heart couldn't bear that!
"I don't want to lose her! What do I do?" I asked miserably, but she only smiled and said,
"I have a plan! Consider it my apology gift to you." she winked at me and turned her attention to my driver in front.
"Phillip, you know where to go." She clapped just as he nodded.
She was one strange woman, however, if it meant settling things with the love of my life, then she could do whatever her strange heart desired.
**********
SAMIRA
I had just sent my parents their monthly allowance for the upkeep of the home and my siblings when I got a text from Rose.
Please come help me at the Ice cream shop right now. Malcolm is in trouble!
Shit! What kind of trouble had Malcolm gotten into this time? Why couldn't Rose date the wrong men?
Look who's giving relationship advice! How's your love life going? When did my subconscious become this sarcastic?
I hissed at myself and grabbed my coat from my closet. Finally, my dreams were slowly actualizing. My modeling career had taken an astonishing boost in the past couple months. I had modeled for Dior and other international fashion brands across Canada. In one month, I was able to move into another apartment. A condo in the heart of Québec city with a breathtaking view. I got myself a car as well, a 2018 BMW and never failed to send a large sum of my earnings to my parents who were now involved in investments that would bring an influx of money. I was hoping to return to France for a surprise weekend visit in six months time. I knew my family would be amazed!
My music career had also taken a leap for the better after Shawn Mendes saw my demo video on Instagram where I played the ukulele while singing. He had invited me to work on his upcoming album!
Somebody pinch me! Pinch me please!
My dreams were no match for my recent reality! Sometimes, during photo shoots, I'd excuse myself to go cry in the restroom over how great my life had instantly turned around! Remembering how shitty my life had been before this, my story was truly from grass to grace!
Jesus, thank You so so much!
Who would have thought I'd be a supermodel, a condo and car owner and a soon to be, album crew member? My advice; Never give up on your dreams!
I drove with full speed to the Flavoured Papi Ice Cream shop. What a name! I laughed, recalling how weird I had found its name and how memorable working there had been. It was there I met my amazing best friend, Rose. Where I met amazing customers and where I met the man who wouldn't stop intruding my thoughts no matter how hard I had tried to let go of him.
Ugh! Leave my heart alone, Chiké.
After that day, I had waited and waited for his call but he never did call, I just had to survive each day after the other, until this very moment.
Still thinking about him, I arrived at the shop but there was no one outside. Stepping out of my car, I hopped to the shop, grateful I wore a pair of sneakers and not the stilettos I had been subjected to wearing nowadays. A dim light peeked at me from inside the bus which served as the shop. Okay so, Rose was inside. I turned the door knob and walked right in.
The second I stepped in, a switch was turned on and it felt like I had walked into Santa Claus' den. Christmas lights filled the place and a song I recognized as Love-song by Adele, played from nowhere in particular.
What is going on here? I mused.
All too soon, I found Rose, Malcolm—wait, wasn't he in trouble or did I misread her text?—and the man who dominated my heart. I gaped at him, wondering if I had conjured him up from my thoughts.
He looked so different, much healthier than I'd seen him. Much more handsome, I'd say. He smiled at me and I almost returned it, however, I remembered how he treated me the last time and I turned to leave.
"Sam, wait! Please hear him out, I was the one who called him here. Please listen to what he has to say." Rose ran to me, stopping me. I was in a dilemma; Run away and forget all about him or stay and hear him out?
I decided on the latter because, for real, I could run but I'd never be able to forget him!
"Okay. I'm only doing this for you, Rose." I responded. Oh still so arrogant to admit you want to stay because your heart wants you to? Pathetic! Please how does one rip off their subconsciousness? Mine was starting to get on my nerves.
Rose gave a thumbs up and left the bus, with Malcolm behind her.
I turned to him and our eyes met. My heart nearly leaped at the emotions I saw by only staring into his eyes. I never knew the eyes could truly reveal one's soul! I could see so much hurt and pain in their very depths. I could also see... Love?
"I know its too late to apologize but I still want to." maybe its been a long time since I heard his voice, maybe that's why it sounded smoother, calmer, different from before. I realized I was in love with his voice as well.
"Samira, I'm sorry for all the hurtful things I said. I could try to be defensive and blame it on all that befell me back then, however, that's no excuse to treat you the way I did. Please forgive me." he begged with hope.
"You hurt my feelings that day. How could you ever think I was capable of fraud? You then went as far as referring to my past, shattering me to pieces." I replied. Thinking about that day hurt so much. I had tried to forget about it and now, it felt like opening up a fresh wound.
"I'm so sorry. I knew you were innocent but I was so scared. I was petrified of the thought of further betrayal. Petrified of my feelings for you. I just believed pushing you away was best for my heart."
"Now, I know otherwise. I know that being with you completes me. I know that I ought not to be scared of loving you. I want you back in my life, Samira, please come back to me!"
"Why should I, huh? What's the guarantee that you wouldn't toss me away another day? That you wouldn't push me out of your life on the long run?" I asked, my eyes already watery. Ever since I met, this man, happy and sad tears had become the order of the day for me.
"You have my heart and that's the guarantee! You should know that in as much as I'm capable of breaking your heart, you are more than able to shatter mine into a million pieces. All my life, I have searched for that one thing that'd make me truly happy and I found two." I waited to hear the two things.
"God... and you, Samira! I have found completeness since you both came into my life! I've always felt so alone, so empty and unhappy until you both showed up! Now, I know what its like to be at peace, to be happy, to be in love and I want to make that permanent. I love you so much, Samira."
These were the words I had always wanted to hear him say and now that I heard them, I couldn't breathe.
"What are you asking of me?" I questioned. No assumptions, just knowing what he really wanted.
"I'm asking you to be mine, Samira. Come share my life with me. Will you marry me?" he asked a rush, slightly apprehensive, posture bent, about to go on one knee to propose.
"Oh no! Calm down Mister, you haven't even dated her yet. Ask the right thing! Do I have to do everything for both of you?..." Rose ranted on and on, hollering outside the shop. We laughed at the truth in her words.
"She probably has a point!" I replied, laughing and feeling genuinely happy!
"Yes she does and I'm here to rectify that." he cleared his throat and asked the number one question I had always envisaged he'd ask.
"Samira, will you be my girlfriend?"
The moment had finally come and there was no turning back.
"Yes, I will!" I answered gleefully as I ran into his arms.
***********
CHIKE
And I as I sealed our love with a fierce kiss, I could feel it all.
Purpose!
I wish I could go back to those days I was held captive by depression. I would have comforted myself with the fact that my tomorrow would be better than my today! I would also hold on to God firmly for He would always be the sole source of my peace. I would also thank my mother, oh I had the best mother! Even in death I could still feel her presence, urging me to fight, to never give up!
And I had her, the railway singing lady, my Samira. Getting to know her had opened my eyes to discover her role in it all. She was the key that opened my eyes to the light! Oh, what great light I would have missed if I had truly ended my life that day at the train station. Imagine if my uncle and Harriet had successfully carried out their mission of stealing my company from its bloodline. Who would have brought them to book for the death of my parents and their attempt to destroy me as well? Thank God I chose to live!
Now, I had chosen to value life! To accept each day as a privilege! To count my blessings and share them with the woman who had brought them all to me.
Henceforth, there would be no room for regrets!