When Janice arrived at her in-laws house, she breathed a sigh of relief when she didn't find the two women she was dreading to meet in the house around. She smiled and skipped her steps to her husband's bedroom.
Once she was in front of the room, she breathed in deeply before knocking on the door.
*Cough*
"Come in. It open" a weak voice came from inside. Janice's hand trembled as she held the doorknob and opened the door. She entered the room and tears welled up in her beautiful eyes when she laid eyes on the thin and feeble man lying in bed with his eyes closed.
"Husband, it's me" She spoke softly, her voice barely audible but instead this quiet room, it was loud enough to be heard. The man quickly opened his eyes upon hearing the voice, his eyes stared greedily at her.
"Wife, you came back"he cried, tears filled his eyes.
Unable to contained her emotions, Janice broke down in tears rushing into her man's loving embrace and crying her heart out.
"Sorry I took so long to visit you" She apologized.
Holding her lovingly, the man gently wiped the tears off her face," No it's not your fault. It's me who is useless. I couldn't protect you. I miss you so much. How's our little girl doing. I keep thinking of you two everyday"
"Husband, we're no longer just two people that you have to think about " Janice said, smiling.
Her husband looked at her with a puzzled expression so she took his hand and placed it on her sunken belly. The realisation hit him and his eyes widen with shock. He was too happy to see her earlier that he didn't look at her properly
"You have already given birth?" He asked. Janice nodded His expression turned worried, "You were not due to give birth yet. What happened?"
"I just gave birth early. And it's a healthy baby boy. We have a son now" She uttered, her eyes filled with joy. The man's eyes lit with happiness, hugging and kissing her all over her face.
"Good. Good. Good... Wife you've worked hard" He praised her. He deeply loved his wife and family.
"Mother prepared your meal. Do you want to try it?" Janice brought the basket of food.
Her husband seeing her excitement nodded. His health has gotten worse lately and he couldn't eat much but he still wanted to eat this meal to cheer up his beloved.
"Walk with me to the garden. Let's dig up the fruit wine we buried okay. Let's celebrate our son" he said.
Janice happily agreed and helped him get out of bed. He was too thin and feeble, his body is poor and every step he took was torture but he still wanted to enjoy this little life with his love. Supporting him, Janice slowly walked with her husband in the garden under the moonlight in harmony. They stopped under an oak tree and Janice helped her husband to sit down before kneeling down to start digging up the spot they hide the win.
"Help me!!! Someone help me!!!" Nalani was screaming for help, using her body to bang against the barn in hopes of attracting someone's attention. The binds were too tight for her to break free so she could only hope for a miracle. Janice was startled by the noise.
" Husband, did you hear that noise" She asked her husband.
" Yes, it must be from animal" He replied. Unconvinced but she agreed, continued to dig up to dirt but the noise was persistent. She couldn't ignore it anymore. Even her husband became puzzled.
"Husband, wait here. I'm going to check it out " she said. He agreed. Janice followed the noise and the closer she got, the clearer the voice became and realised that it was someone in distress. She quickened her steps and soon arrived at the barn.
She quickly opened the door and rushed inside. The moment she locked eyes with Nalani, her eyes widen in shock, recognising her immediately as her saviour that she has yet to express her deepest gratitude. She was tied up and locked in the barn of her in-laws house. What is going on here?
Wasting no time she rushed to Nalani who's eyes litbup with hope at the sight of her.
"Miss, what are you doing?" Janice asked. She helped Nalani's into a sitting position and started to unfasten the robes tied around her.
"Please quickly untie me. Your in-laws are up to no good. My life is in danger".
"I'm really sorry Miss. This is all my fault. I got you in trouble " Janice apologized profusely, feeling immensely guilty. But despite trying so hard, she still couldn't untie her.
"Miss, I'm really sorry but l can't untie this" she cried. Nalani felt despair but she couldn't give up now.
"Then quickly go out and look for help. My fiance must be looking for me. Please go ask for him at the hotel. He must surely be searching for me. He'll help." Nalani urged her.
Nodding, Janice run off to look for help. She run to her husband's side and with no time to waste explaining the situation to him, she just told to hurry and prevent his family from hurting someone.
Even if he couldn't stop them, he should stall for as much time as possible while she go out to look for help. Despite being confused, he agreed to follow his wife's words, worry filled his heart at the thought of what his family was up to again. He slowly made his way to the courtyard.
Earlier, he had heard from his grandmother tell him that she has invited a shaman to come and pray for his health. Although he doesn't believe in such diabolical things, he still indulges his family because that's the only way they also cope with his predicament.
They hope he'll recover someday. He slowly made his way there, one step at a time. The burly man returned to pick Nalani to the ceremony. Her eyes grew fearful when she saw everything that was happening.
She saw an old woman dressed in white holding a whisker and a stick, chanting and jumping arrived agilely. Her brisk and forceful movements were not something an old bones like her should be able to do easily. The evil matriarch and her daughter-in-law forced her into kneeling down and the shaman drew a circle around her with a white substance while chanting some incantations.
"You people are crazy. Let me go" Nalani yelled. Her words falling on deaf ears. She could only place her hope on Janice finding Davian quickly to come rescue her.
Meanwhile, Janice finally managed to get to the hotel to search for Davian but when the security saw her shabby clothing and realizing that she must be a local woman, he looked at her with disdain and dismissed her claiming she can't enter without appointment.
Janice cried and pleaded that she urgently needed to see Davian but he still refused to listen and send her off. Helpless, Janice broke down on the street crying.She didn't know whom to go to again So she decided to go to the police station to report the situation.
Just then, a black car parked and a tall and handsome man stepped out of the car followed by a burly man. Janice eyes lit up with hope. This must be the Miss fiance. Although she couldn't remember his face clearly but he had this same superior and unapproachable aura. It must be him and without delay she rushed to him.
"Sir, I'm so glad l found you." Before the burly man could stop her from getting close to his master, Janice was already in front of him and taken a hold of his hand. Her eyes filled with worry.Unaware of the dangerous glint in the man's eyes, Janice continued to urge him to come with her,"Quickly come with me. You have to save Miss. She's in danger".