Where is Mum?

Chapter 89

(Where is mum?)

Africa~~

Ariel’s POV

I was so excited to breath in the fresh air, as we came down from the plane. Axel had fulfilled his promised of bringing me here to see mum, and I can’t tell how happy I am. It’s been months since I left home; coming back here is more like a relief. They are my people, the culture is perfect, different for the western culture, but I still love it even if it seems attic.

We lodge in a hotel to get enough rest before proceeding to the slum where mum resides, or let’s say my former home. Axel has been himself this few days, none of us talked more on what happened the other day, but I think I’m cool not speaking about it, it’s better that way.

“What route should I take” Axel muttered from the wheels. We had rented a car for the main time, before leaving.

“Follow the right, it’s a slum” I mumbled with glinted eyes. I was eager to see mum at all cost. Will she be happy for me, or will she be angry that I left her for so long? How is she coping staying alone? All these thoughts kept bubbling in my mind as we got into the street where my ex-house is located.

“Over there….just stop in front of that compound” I stated. I notice his strange look, which was followed with a question

“You once lived there?” he asked, squinting

“Yes…that was my home” I sigh, he nodded

He parked the car in a good position as I scurried down, but halted. Something if off, this is the compound I once stayed; but it looks rough, unkempt and busy. Mum would never live in such an uncomfortable environment, she always make sure to keep the surrounding clean, even if she is sick, she will still try to make things ok.

“What’s wrong” Axel asked, as he steps down room the car, standing beside me, while I look on in a puzzle state; different thought making their way into my mind.

“The—the house” I shuttered.

“It’s doesn’t look like someone has been here in years…hello…is anyone in” Axel shouted, but got some squeaky sounds from rats in return.

“No one is here Ariel…come on…” he held my hand

“No—no—” I mumbled, pulling my hand off his gently.

“It can’t be…this was where we lived. Mum still stays here…but where will she go…how will I find her now….how…” I was already at the brink of tears when he pulled me into a hug

“Hey…come on, you won’t wanna cry here…we will find her okay..”

“No you don’t understand…she has nowhere to go…I don’t have a relation where I can go look for her. She is my only family, my father, mother, siblings, family, she is all I have” I wiped a tear tickling down my cheek. Axel sighs wiping my tears

“Maybe..we can just ask the neighbours around. They might have a clue on where she went to” he suggested as a bit of hope filled my heart

“Yes…I- I think I know who to ask…she might have a clue”

“Ok….who….a neighbor?…”

“Not really…I think Kabria will have a clue…come on..let’s go to her joint…”

“I think that’s fine...don’t worry, we will find your mum” He reassured as I nodded. He is just trying to make me feel better even when it clearly shows that I’m not fine.

We arrived Kabria’s joint in no time. This is where she is always seen, playing the poker game or punishing some rude kids for trespassing or going against her rule. She calls it her small palace. But this time around she wasn’t at the game or passing judgment; she was singing along to the song playing on her music box. It is one of Axel’s songs; she rapped along with it, so perfectly that it made Axel surprised that someone could rap so well to his song, without skipping a beat. One word, she is damn good

We had parked the car a bit far away in order not to attract to much views from onlookers. Kabria was alone, her girls where not here, so it was easy for her to be oblivious of our presence despite the fact that we have been behind her, watching her performance for close to five minutes. There was no one to alert her of our presence, as the girls usually do. She was lost in her own world, eyes closed with mouth moving in a fast pace.

I was forced to clear my throat, bringing her out to reality. She stopped to look at my direction, pausing the music. The word ‘shock’ is an understatement if compared to her present expression on sighting me. She is yet to see Axel; she squinted a bit, dropping off the music box, as she stood to her feet. He mouth slightly opened as she called my name in more than a whispering voice.

“A—Ariel..” she shuttered. I gave out my best smile…well, she will surely be shocked. No one was expecting me to come back, and even if they knew I will, they wouldn’t have thought that I will be who I am today. Such is life

“Hi Kabria….it’s me…erm…meet my friend..Axel” I stated as Axel stepped forward. He had been behind me all along. Her mouth dropped this time, I could feel the countless emotions running through he, her mouth quiver as she tried to speak. Is this the scary Kabria I once know, I thought.

“Hi….” She greeted as Axel waved

“You have a nice voice…” he complimented, and I saw her blush, her cheek becoming a tomato. The way she stared at me, made me believe she is kind if guilty, no doubt, Kabria had hurt me a lot in the past. But like I said, that was in the past, right mow…I need my mum.

“Ermm..Kabria….I visited where my lived when I left, but no one seem to be there anymore..please do you know where she left to” I ask in haste. I saw her froze

“You can’t find…your mum” She returned the question

“Yes..i mean you don’t know where she is too?” I asked, my fear already increasing. She heaves a sigh

“I don’t know how to say this…but about a week ago, a woman came to pick your mum…stating that she was taking her to the states” She revealed. I couldn’t believe my ears at first until Axel took up the interrogation. I was already lost in thoughts

“What do you mean…a woman…came for her mum?”

“Yes…her name is …erm…”

“Miss Peggy…”

“Yes…the woman who came for you then…” Kabria stated, but she couldn’t look me in the eyes. Whenever I tried to make eyes contact, she quickly look away.

“F**k…” Axel cursed

“We are late…one week ago…so..so..mum is in the state with me…and I don’t…gosh.” I was about bursting into tears, when he held me close reminding me about my environment. He became dawn on me that Kabria was still here, and I don’t want to cry in front of her…I just decided to keep it cool, covering it with a nervous smile.

~~~~~

“Why is she doing this to me…why” I sob as we got to the hotel we lodge in. Axel has been trying to calm me down for a while now, but it seem futile.

“Miss Peggy is so dangerous, she is a she devil..i hope she doesn’t pull mum into that nasty job.”

“She won’t ….we need to be strong….” Axel stated

Just then my phone beeped as I clicked on the notification bar, with tears still sticking in my eyes. Tit was a strange message that got me cleaning off the tears to have a better look

Hey pretty..I believe you know who this is in this video…text me when you are ready to get her. Just known that it’s gonna cost you a lot

 ~Anonymous

A video was also attached as I clicked on it. It displayed mum in it, she was busy going about her activities, oblivious of the fact that she is being videoed.

Tear welled up in my eyes, as Axel took the phone from me and watched it

“Shit….”

“We need to leave here now…we need to go back to Cape Town” I cried, goin to pick up my back

“Hey.hey..shh..i know…but we can’t leave now….we will take the next flight tomorrow but not now…please Ariel…try to calm down..we haven’t gotten out tickets”

“Do I look like i care…that woman my mum is in her possession is crazy and evil…she will hurt my mum”

“She won’t….”

“No she would…let me go” I sob more, trying to free my grip from his

“No no Ariel…you are actually going crazy right now…I need you to calm down…we are in Africa…it takes hours to get back to the states…try to understand this. She will be fine” he stated but all fell on deaf ears..

“No….no..you have been saying this since we came here, but I knew right from time that she was in danger…I’m such a bad daughter..I left her for so long…gosh she is gonna hate me for this….i hate myself for this…”

“Come on Ariel…you are making me feel bad bringing you here….please don’t say that..”

“What else do you want me to say huhn…..i’m such a joy killer…I bring pain wherever I go…Kabria was right about me then….I’m always in for trouble everywhere even when I tried avoiding it”

“No Ariel…you are sweet…soft..and kind…don’t say this….”

“What….don’t pretend Axel…you and I know that you and your brother haven’t had this kind of rift not until I came into you guy’s life…I’m so done for…why…I think I’m cursed, must I bring pain to everyone…..” I cried further. He grabbed my hand, pulling me closer to him; I could feel him burning with fury…he doesn’t seem pleased with what I said

“Look at me Ariel….you are not the reason for any rift between I and my brother. As a matter of fact, this is not the first time we are getting worked up over something, and we do settle it after a while..why are we brothers if we can’t sort out our differences. So don’t blame yourself..it hurts seeing you take all the blame…you did nothing wrong….”

“You just can’t understand” I yelled yanking my hands off, but he grabbed it back almost immediately

“No I do…is it about my love for you…fine…the feelings started when you came to live with me…long before Aiden asked you out…long before he even think of approaching you. Wait a sec..do you think Aiden keeps things from me? No…in fact, we share almost everything together..secret…talks…and whatever we wish to do, seeking advice from each other.”

“He told me about you when I arrive from Paris…he told me he likes you and want to date you, only if you will accept him. I didn’t care as at then, I was still drowning in heartbreak which I was trying to recover… But the day I saw you at the club and took you to my house…I was drawn to you, I had to put up the hard guy act so as not to fall for you. I was scared…scared of falling in love again…falling for the wrong person and getting another heartbreak…it will just bring me down.

“I tried Ariel…I tried not to love you..i acted like I hated you…I pushed you away…ignore you…but I couldn’t help it for long. I believed Aiden will be the one for you and perhaps set my heart free from the growing love for you. But he didn’t tie the knot on time..

Seeing you every day at rehearsal, just made it worse. My feelings are weird, it can row wide like wild fire, and will be unquenchable..

True; I love Flora..but my love for you is beyond hers. I shouldn’t have fallen in love quickly after an early heartbreak, but I found myself doing it. I didn’t want to betray Aiden; if he hadn’t told me he likes you, I would have come out clean a long time ago. But I couldn’t, instead, groan alone in pain of loving someone I can’t have… someone who is also confused

“I know you love me Ariel….but you don’t want to admit it…I have done my exams…and my results are out.. It’s just that I can’t say if you feel the same way for Aiden too” he swallowed in after saying that

“But it’s fine if you want him…all I want you to know is that you are not the cause of any rift or problem. Everything is meant to happen the way it wants to, that’s fate….The more I wanted to move farther away from you, the more we get acquainted to each other.” He muttered, gulping down his saliva

I looked away, still sobbing, well I can’t say if it’s what he said that ignited the tears or I’m still bothered about the message. He came closer to clean my tears, our face just inches apart

“It’s ok…don’t cry..please it’s heartbreaking seeing you this way” he pouted

“I know….b-but----but—but…” I shuttered. I couldn’t complete my statement when I felt his soft lips on mine. I couldn’t resist it, I needed it, I was just being a fool all this while, not knowing what or who I wanted. But right now, I need someone to calm me down, and he is doing just that. I reciprocated, enjoying every bit of it.

Dropping the bag off my hand, I slip my hands into his hair, pulling him closer as he caress my back down to my waist level, nibbling on my lips as we enjoying the warmth of our body; leaving sparks in between each strokes.

~~~~~

 Axel’s POV

I kissed her when I noticed that she wasn’t convinced. She looks so pained about her mother’s disappearance, and the message made it worse. I think that woman she mentioned kidnapped her mum, and she is getting really crazy about it.

All I said to her were true, if only she could understand….

~~~~~

Gina’s POV

I woke up feeling someone’s hand caressing my body; I feel cold as I shiver. I managed to open my eyes, scrutinizing my environment, before it landed on a woman who wore a smirk. This isn’t my room where I slept, what am I doing here? I thought. This place looks awful and it stinks, it’s more like an abandoned building. The woman’s face seem blur at first before becoming clear, she was naked, and squatted in front of me.

“Hargh…scarlet..” I whispered to my hearing alone…wh-what is she doing? I thought

“Pretty lady is awake…oh..you slept for too long…were you given an overdose” She stated. I stared at her puzzled, what does she mean? The last thing I remembered was having lunch, and later retire to have a nap and that was all..how did she brought me here, and why am I tied to a chair.

“What do you want from me?” I asked and just immediately, Peggy walked in, also nude, what’s going on. My vision was still a bit blur, the drugs which I believe was given to me, still have a strong effect on me

“Oh…she is awake….”

“Yes….”

“That’s a good thing…at least we won’t be bored being watched until her daughter replies the message” Peggy stated, and slammed her lips on Scarlet’s, giving her bre@st a hard squeeze. Scarlet let out a loud mo@n...which disgusted me

“What am I being kept her for? Why did they drug me? And what message is she talking about…..” I wondered, watching the unholy scene they make.