Good morning Mrs Payne. Sorry I’m late, I met some irritation at your door.
Good morning Advocate Grey, thank you for finally agreeing to meet. Please take a seat.
Sorry, I have been busy, she lied. Please call me Aziza, she said sitting down.
I presume you busy so I will get to the point. There has been a lot of racial incidents in the country and the tension is evident everywhere. If ignored I’m afraid we could end up with a civil war. I have been tasked by the president to bring in a team of leaders and influencers who can look at our policies and give constructive advice on changes that could lead to healing of old wounds and bring all races together. I would like you to be part of that team.
Thank you for considering me Mrs Payne. I am really humbled but I’m afraid I can’t join your team.
The door opened behind Aziza. I am so sorry I’m late Mrs P. I had an accident at the door and had to go change my suit. I hope I did not miss our guest.
Come in Steve. This is ....
You! Aziza said narrowing her eyes.
Steve smiled extending his hand. Hello again Detective Grey.
Dolly Payne watched the awkwardness between the two. Steve had offered his hand to greet Aziza but she just looked at it like it was plague. She wanted to diffuse the situation fast. Of course you know each other, you both in the legal fraternity.
Aziza stood up. I was just leaving, thanks again for the invitation Mrs Payne.
Steve stood up blocking her way. Did I offend you in anyway?
Besides trying to convict an innocent black man of a crime he didn’t commit and spilling coffee on my suit, I can’t think of anything else.
I had no idea that was a setup, I swear but I should have picked it up. The coffee was an accident.
Yes, you should have. You would think accusing someone of murder is a big deal because it messes up their whole life and stresses the whole family but it did not really matter, did it?
Steve was called in, that morning to take the case to stand in for the Advocate who fell sick. He had to read everything in five hours. Dolly explained.
Aziza was caught off guard. She remembered Steve very well in court. He did not sound at all like someone who just read about the case that morning. She would have been impressed if the whole case was not so infuriating.
Steve watched closely the expressions on her face and found the way she bit her lip very sexy.
Who takes a case five hours before appearing in court? Are you an idiot or a pushover? She snapped at him.
An idiot I guess, he said with a smile. It seemed Aziza just wanted to find anything to scold him for.
Look what we are trying to do here is important. I will be leading the team, Mrs P thinks you will be a valuable member and I trust her judgement.
Aziza remembered that she was on her way out when Steve blocked her way. I have already told Mrs Payne that I won’t be able to join the team but I wish you all the best. She said trying to go around him but ended up facing him.
Why not? He asked with one eyebrow raised.
I don’t think I owe you any explanation.
Why not? Because I’m white and you think all white people are racist.
Not all, just the ones alive, she said cheekily looking directly at him.
You can’t possibly be serious! he exclaimed.
Now you know why I can’t join your team. She said, trying to walk around him to get to the door again.
Steve moved in front of her, blocking her way again. I spilled coffee on you, let me clean your coat.
Not a chance! she exclaimed.
Why not? You don’t want a white man shaking your hand and touching your coat? That’s racist you know? Advocate Grey, are you a racist?
No I’m not, she said looking at Dolly to back her up.
Well, if Steve had refused to shake your hand and refused you to touch his coat, it would be regarded by some as racist. I guess that applies to you as well.
Aziza opened her eyes wide in disbelief. Mrs Payne was supposed to be on her side and back her up. Are you being serious right now? There is just no way I could be racist.
All racist say that, I will organise a spot for you on racist anonymous. Steve said, enjoying himself. Her disbelief was so cute and satisfying.
I am not a racist! She snapped, taking off her coat and stuffing it on his hands. LL cleaners and nowhere else, she said before storming out.
Steve Marlone, I believe I just saw your heart jumping. What was that? Dolly asked narrowing her eyes.Come on Mrs P, I’m just messing with her.Careful with her, she could completely destroy you.How so? He asked curious.You saw how everyone followed her when she walked out of court?MhmmShe has an ability to start war on her own that one, that’s why we need her on this team.You sound certain about that, is there something you not telling me? Steve had thought about the way the audience was cheering Aziza in court. It was almost like she was an inspiration of some sort.I’m late for a meeting Steve, just don’t mess with her, okay.Yes Ma’am, he said but deep down he knew there was n
Aziza climbed the stairs slowly, she had no intention of getting her there on time. She had to show the white boy her irritation in using her favourite coat as bait to make her come to some stupid meeting. She still couldn’t believe that he actually called her a racist as if she was capable of being one. She opened the door to the conference room, intentionally banged the door and took a seat near the exit.Steve noticed her the moment she walked in. She was wearing black suit that fitted her perfectly. The peach silk top underneath her coat complemented her flawless skin. Her hair was neatly tied in conrows, he could see the precision of the straight lines on her head. Thank you Advocate Grey for finally joining us. I would appreciate you being on time on our next sessions. He said with a smile. The rest of the guest turned to look at her, clearly disapproving of her being late.Aziza glared at him, she did no
Steve and the rest of conference guest rushed out to investigate the commotion outside.Aziza was standing proudly in the centre with Seth and at least forty bikers riding their bikes slowly around her. She was surrounded but didn’t look bit worried.Steve swallowed hard, sweat already coming down his brow. He retied the strapping to secure Naomi who was fast asleep on his chest. If Aziza, a black woman was injured or worse in front of states department by a group of white bikers, there will definitely be war and his vision for the city and country would be completely destroyed. There was no sign of police, he had to do something but what could he do?Aziza looked at her watch and smiled. It was
Steve walked around for the the third time through John’s basement. He forced himself to look at the horrific pictures, read through the horror stories and the shocking end of Aziza’s family. He wiped the tears from his eyes with his shaking hands. How does anyone get over this? he wondered, her words echoing in his head “We are the generation that saw it all, felt it all and we lived with the physical and psychological scars”. Dolly was right, Aziza could start war on her own. She was the gasoline that would fuel the racial tensions and the recent targeting of blacks by Seth’s bikers and framing of John was enough to tip her over. Now she was a time ticking bomb that could go off anytime. He had hoped that knowing more about her would help him confront and reason with her but now he was terrified to even look at her in the eye.He walked up slowly, emotiona
It was a Sunday morning, Aziza was seating with James eating popcorn, playing computer games while waiting for her laundry.Do you really think we are all racist? James asked uneasy. Aziza was on the news a lot lately and he thought some of her views were extreme.Who is we? she asked.Us, you know, white people. He said shrugging his shoulders.No, just the ones whose parents were born here. Your parents moved here six years ago, I don’t have a problem with you.What about Steve, he asked curious.What about him?He was born here, his parents were born here but you like him.And what gave you that crazy idea? she asked, stuffing
Aziza turned off the alarm and got out of bed. She had no work to go to since Judge Laymore suspended her practicing licence for six months but Dolly and John had called her a multiple times last night begging her to come to Steve’s meetings at the state department. She had eventually agreed but she was already regretting that decision now. She was getting tired of meeting, listening and hearing about Steve. Her mind seems to be also playing tricks on her. Not only were images of him playing in her mind, now there was also that kiss. Even when thinking about something else, he just creeped in. She has to actively block him from her mind, it can’t be that hard, she told herself.Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and braced herself for the comment Steve was going to pass about her being late. She looked around expecting to find everyone seated but everyone was standing and chatting over tea. John saw her
Where are you taking me? Aziza asked. Steve had insisted that she leaves her car and drive with him. Small talk was exhausted and the conversation between them was becoming awkward. They had been driving for two hours already on a route she was not familiar with and she was getting suspicious.Are you always this impatient and suspicious? he asked amused. He was caught off guard when she took a photo of him. What are you doing?Sending my friend your photo incase I go missing, she said typing on her phone. His heart sank, her words piercing deep through him. Do you really think I would do you harm Az? he asked, unable to hide the hurting in his voice. At that moment he wanted her to say it was all a joke, that she trusted him but she just stared at him. He sighed, why would she trust him after everything some sick psychos put her and her family through because of their skin colour. Tell your friend we are going to Joe’s at P
Bra Joe and Angela left Steve and Aziza with a menu to tend to other customers. Steve turned his focus on his date whose mood had completely changed from the time they walked into Joe’s. What is it Az? he asked softly.Aziza didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Steve had the audacity to ask her what was wrong. This country became democratic ten years ago Steve, she said calmly.I know that, he said paging through the menu.Before that, there was no mixing of races. You couldn’t have spent your childhood in Joe’s house. He is black, you are white, that was not allowed, she said doing her best to remain calm.Steve narrowed his eyes, the implications of her statement starting to kick in. What are you trying to say to me Az?You are lying to me to prove that you are not a racist. You hav
Four years later Aziza watched the youth flooding in her house to celebrate her firstborn’s twenty first birthday. She could not help noticing the diversity and how happy and in harmony they all were in their different skins. Standing at the balcony, she watched everyone and took in the scenery. Her own twenty first birthday was marked with bruises, scars and hatred for the other race that wiped out her family and hunting her down. How everything was so different now. If anyone told her that one day she would host youths of different races, know each one of them personally and truly love and care about them like her own children, she would have had that person assessed for a mental illness. She smiled when she saw John, Joy and Steve’s parents basking in the sun and chatting happily. All four of them were so old now, they were the best parents she was granted after loosing her biological ones. They will all hold a very dear place in her heart. She laughed when she saw a group of tee
Twelve years later, Steve and Aziza finally got a chance to retire from politics and parliament. Even though Steve was no longer the president of Asherway, his ideals and the processes he worked very hard to develop were still in place and kept the country going. He did not achieve a non racial world as he had hoped but he spoke so loudly and widely against racism and got the rest of the world to listen, to acknowledge and work towards non racial societies. There were still isolated racial incidences around the world, some even in Asherway but there were more people speaking out against it than those condoning or making excuses for it. Happy and content that he gave the country and the world his best, Steve could finally be a full time husband and father. As if compensating for the time he spent away from them, the spoiled his children rotten but Lucy Unity Marlone was the most doted of all the children. Even though seventeen years later, Steve still could not forget how his little
In Asherway Presidential office, Steve pulled his wife to his arms and looked down at her “Aziza Gray Marlone, what did you do to President Clive?”he asked charmingly.Aziza looked away, avoiding his infatuating emerald eyes “Nothing,”she said softly.“Are you keeping secrets from me now?” he asked, sulking knowing she could not keep anything from him.“He came to hold you ransom with his secret nuclear weapon, I hijacked it” Aziza blurted out. She just could not keep secrets from Steve even when she tried.“What?” Steve asked, shocked. “No wonder Clive was so terrified,” he added.“He had no interest in non racial world Steve,&rdq
At the Asherway National Assembly, Aziza sat next to Steve and his Vice President with President Clive and his wife across them. At this point both Steve and his Vice President were so angry, they were ready to tear President Clive apart but Aziza had other plans. Her hand remained on Steve’s knee, keeping him seated. President Clive had asked her a question she was very glad to answer “I’m glad you asked me that, President Clive because I have asked myself that very question many times before” she said “You see it’s not about war alone, it can be anything. A racial incident for instance, which side would Steve take? which one would I take? and where would that leave our children?” she added.“That’s what I’m talking about. I am right, am I not?” President Clive beamed.“It depends on what stage of my
The Asherway airport was buzzing with activity, national and international journalists were there to capture the moment two very different Presidents with completely different ideologies meet. Everyone was curious to know how President Clive, a known racist would be received in Asherway, a country known to be very intolerant to racists with a President calling for a non racial world. At exactly 11 o’clock, President Clive’s presidential plane arrived at Asherway. He disembarked with his expected all white staff, something journalists did not forget to point out. Steve and Aziza were captured approaching the group.“President Clive, welcome to Asherway” Steve said shaking Clive’s hand before moving to shake his wife. Aziza followed behind Steve and offered her hand but it remained in the air, none of them willing to shake her hand. The journalists went crazy capturing the moment. Steve shook his hea
In the Marlone house, Aziza stood at the door watching her children play outside with a thankful heart and gratitude. Lorraine, Mike and Nick turned out to be a handful from the day they came out of the hospital and now three years later, they had too much energy for her to keep up with. Each day she noticed how each one of them was different, their unique ways of doing things and how they all thrived at creating chaos around the house. Lorraine was the tinniest of the triplets but pulled all the strings. She influenced her brothers on which games they played, got to choose the toys first and always got her way, especially with Steve. It did not help that she had Aziza’s eyes, Lorraine had her father around her little finger, Steve just could not reprimand Lucy no matter what she did. Mike and Nick on the other side were behaving like typical twins, even when following Lorraine they did it together. Mike was the least talkative but Aziza found to be the most stubborn while Nic
Christmas eve marked Four days of Aziza in the intensive care unit. She had not improved but had not deteriorated either. Steve remained by his wife’s side more hopeful than before that Aziza will pull through. Speaking to a lot of people restored his hopes. Not hearing bad news from the doctors was also reassuring except he did not know that they counselled his family behind his back. Everyday he moved from his wife to his children with lots of energy and cheerful heart until a call from his deputy President shuttered every hope he had. His deputy happened to be in Steve’s office when John and Steve’s father called the secretary asking him to forward them the policies and protocols should the First Lady or the president be no more. Out of concern the deputy had called Steve to check on Aziza’s condition, unintentionally revealing Steve’s worse nightmare. He did not need to ask John or his father what they were up to, he knew exactly what they were tryi
In the hospital neonatal unit, Dr Smith finished checking the triplets out. “Congratulations Mr President, your babies are healthy and ready to go home” she beamed. She loved seeing healthy babies.“Thanks Doc, is it fine if they stay here longer. Their mother is..” Steve explained but could not complete his sentence. Just speaking about Aziza made him emotional.“Certainly, Sir” Dr Smith responded sympathetic. “The First Lady is a warrior with the whole country vouching for her, she will make it” she added. She aught not give hope she had no control over but could not help herself. Steve and Aziza’s story was well known, like Shake Spear’s Romeo and Juliet. She could only hope that their end is not as tragic, especially with now four children to raise.&ldqu
Nine months later, Aziza groaned in pain as contractions ripped through her, each wave more severe than the one before. Steve helplessly rubbed her back while the midwife’s and Dr Hail got ready for the unexpected delivery. She should have known better but everything had gone smoothly the whole nine months, they had put their guts down, took a chance to visit Steve’s parents out of town but then her water broke two hours away from their hospital. She was meant to have a cesarean section because of her previous one and the multiple babies she was carrying. Her operation was booked for the following week but it seemed the little ones decided to come earlier. Now fully dilated, no room for any pain medication, the hospital team had no choice but deliver the babies the natural route.“I can’t hold on anymore” Aziza screamed, already dreanched in sweat as her pelvic bones shifted to make way for the new