Although I didn't feel like eating, I had to force myself. Maybe it would save me from a premature death. The food was ugali and eggs. If it were not for the gravity of the situation, with Tasha's cooking skills I swear I would have enjoyed that meal. Finishing it wouldn't have been much of a problem. But now someone was watching me. Death was lingering in the air. How could I enjoy the meal with the smell of death stinging my nose?
After eating about a quarter of the food, my throat refused to allow more. I tried and almost choked myself. Benjamin was now busy with his phone. I didn't know what he was looking at, but he would occasionally smile. I wondered what made him smile like that when in front of him was a young man whose life was about to be cut short by him. Tasha was on the bed. I didn't know what she was doing because the curtain had been pulled down.
I got up from my seat and walked to the sink. I was about to open the tap and wash my hands when a heavy slap landed on the back of my head, almost smashing my head against the wall.
"Does your ears have problems?" the slap was heavy. For a moment I felt the world around me was spinning.
"But…I have already eaten and my stomach is full…" Benjamin grabbed the back of my neck with his right hand and turned my face towards the table.
"And what is that? Do you have a dog in this house? who do you think is going to feed on your left overs?" I shook my head timidly. My life was hanging by the rope and I didn't know what to do.
"Now go. Finish the food before I change my mind and snap your tiny neck" Benjamin pushed me.
Tasha realizing things were getting out of hand tried to intervene. She grabbed Benjamin's arm and tried coaxing him, but he pushed her away
"Please Benjamin, just let him go…" the moment Tasha tried touching him again, it was a slap that sent her to the sofa.
"If you try to touch me again; I swear that child you're carrying will grow up without a father. Because I'm going to kill this malnourished pig." I felt chills run down my spine. My life now depended on whether Tasha would touch Benjamin or not. Wasn't feeding me a two person's share of food not enough for him?
After being threatened, Tasha retreated back to the bed. I was now on my own with the cold beast in front of me. Time seemed to move very slowly, I guess that is what happens when you're in serious trouble. I wished the ground would open and swallow me alive. At least it would save me from torment. Slowly, my hand continued moving back and forth into the plate. My survival instincts kicked in. I was determined to get out of their alive at all costs. Even if it meant eating more than my stomach could accommodate.
To be honest, I wasn't blessed with a large tummy. After forcing myself for a couple of times my limit was reached. Nothing could move down my throat again. My stomach was full. Benjamin was no longer busy with his phone, he was staring at me. But at this point his gaze was useless. It didn't matter how much I was intimidated; the food just couldn't go.
Benjamin noticed how I was struggling but didn't say a word. He got up from where he was seated. I thought it was over and my end had finally come. I tried to think fast how I would escape from this man's snare, but my mind refused to function. I gave up on thought of getting out of there alive. I removed my phone from my trouser pocket to do what I thought it was the best thing to do at that moment; text my mother goodbye. I was about to type the text when a jug of water slammed the table. I heaved a sigh, but I'm not sure if it was of relief because the tragedy wasn't over yet.
"You see kid, you're exactly the same age as my son. So I know when you're full and when you're pretending to be full. Here is water. Let me know when it is finished so I can get you more."
I didn't know what to do. My stomach was full to the extent that it was paining. And now a whole jug of water was in front of me. At this point all the remaining bits of hopes broke into pieces. Benjamin was trying to kill me. It's just that his methods of killing were a bit different.
"Are you going to drink or should I assist you?" I shook my head almost immediately.
I poured the water into a glass and started drinking. Even the first glass took me a lot of effort to finish, and that wasn't even a quarter of what was in front of me. My breath became shallow. A cold sweat was dripping from my forehead. There are no words to describe how my heart was ramming against my ribcage. It was as if it was going to shatter the thoracic cage at any minute.
"I think you need a little help." Benjamin said a mischievous smile carving his face. He grabbed my chin and forced my mouth open. Then he started pouring the water into my mouth.
"Benjamin…no…that's enough… what are you trying to do?" Tasha tried to come to my rescue again. I could see how she feared this man, but now it was a matter of life and death.
"You! …I said stay away from this. Don't force me to do something I will regret later." Benjamin threatened before his hands left my chin and descended to my neck and started choking me.
"Benjamin… please…" Benjamin threw his left leg which landed on Tasha's stomach when she was trying to grab him. Tasha fell on the floor groaning in pain.
I felt air escaping my lungs. My vision was slowly becoming blurry. Benjamin's hands tightened around my neck, and I knew if it continued like this then I might die. But it would be more foolish dying without fighting. I lifted my hands and tried scratching his face. That effort earned me a hard slap on my face before my hands were grabbed over my head. I tried screaming to see if at least someone would hear me and come to my rescue, but from the way his right hand circled around my neck there was no way my voice would come out.
Just when I was about to meet my maker, someone knocked on the door. It wasn't a knock exactly; it was a bang which distracted Benjamin for a moment. I figured that might be the only chance to save myself from the glaring death. I lifted my leg and kicked Benjamin on the groin. His hands involuntarily left my neck and went to his groin to try and sooth his testis which perhaps now they felt like they had been busted open. Then without wasting a second, I ran towards the door. I don't know where all that energy came from, because what had happened had sucked all my energy. I quickly unlocked the door and threw myself outside without even looking back.