My fists relax, and I straighten up, a glint of resoluteness igniting in my eyes.I cannot afford to dwell in the maze of uncertainties. I need answers and closure—whatever form they might take. And I need them ASAP because, with a little slumber, I will be struck like a vagabond. I won the first round with this monster; this time around, it should not be an execution.Drawing on the strength that had carried me through the darkest of times, I make a silent vow to myself: I will not be a victim again; I will not succumb to the paralyzing grip of fear that had plagued my existence for far too long.With firmness of purpose hardening all my features, both physically and internally, I squared my shoulders and set forth on a mission—to uncover the truth, confront the inexplicable, and ensure that the darkness of my past wouldn't overshadow the light that I have fought so hard to find. I will not give that monster that satisfaction. Never!I will not let these echoes of this unheralded res
Officer Daniel took a deep breath first, trying to choose his words carefully. "We acknowledge your trauma, Gia. We will help you however we can because we have a responsibility as diligent police officers to uncover the truth. I mean, we all believed you killed him. Maybe we thought wrong. Just maybe. I am not confirming that he is actually alive.”I scoff; my frustration is palpable. "Just maybe? Well, that can do. At least you are giving room for my claims. And I believe everyone is intelligent enough to know that all these coincidences have a reason behind them. And that Ejay! I have no other enemy as far as I know."Detective Ramirez leaned forward, his eyes reflecting empathy. “This will not be easy at all, especially now that the general is against it. We may not be able to help much, but we will do our best.” He said it with a heavy voice.My voice and expression soften at the sense of his sense of humor. He and his team are willing to risk it all for me, even though this migh
We get back to the hotel, leaving the three security officers outside, and we get inside our room. I breathe out a doughy sigh, and I dedicate it to the starting roller coaster. “Shouldn’t we probably be moving back to Nairobi or something?” My sister speaks for the first time.I abort the mission to slam down on the couch and turn to her. Even from a distance, you can see how she is uncontrollably wobbling. I clear my voice, making sure that my assurance comes across as persuasively as possible. “We run away? What good will that do? What is even the point of wasting our time trying to hide if the monster broke the chains of death just to find us again?"She swallows hard. “So we should just stay right here and wait for him to come and get us so that he can finally kill us both? Is that what you are trying to say?” She implores, her words lingering on her trembling lips.I walk closer and take a stand before her. “Look, anywhere we go from now on, that monster will follow us. Everythi
“Whatever the case, Gia, we will win. You slayed that monster before, sis. I am sure that even now, you will. We will.” Grace says.Right!Did I?No!Because if I did, we would not be here worried sick of the beckoning doom. Things would be peaceful. So, as long as that monster is breathing and roaming freely, I cannot count what I did to Ejay as a win. I was robbed of that win.“But at the expense of what, Grace? I do not want to imagine what Deep is going through in the hands of that monster. And all this is because of me. If something happens to Deep, I will never forgive myself.” My heart is breaking into a thousand pieces at the mere notion of Deep being with that monster. I hope with everything that I hold dearest that I am wrong about this. Everything else can be true. I can handle that. But not this.“Your problem is blaming yourself for problems in the whole world. You did not take Deep to that monster. If this is true, then it is not your fault at all. It is that monster’s t
The morning sun greets me. It is not like I was asleep. No! It is my sleepless season again. And yet again, because of that monster. I cursed him a million times. I spent the whole freaking night tossing and turning and thinking, trying to crack these puzzles. But until this minute, not even a single one has been solved.I turn to the other side to find my sister just staring at the ceiling. It seems like she did not have even just a few winks last night. Who could have slept in this situation, huh?“I guess you did not sleep too?” She speaks first, turning her head to me.“How could I? With Deep missing and his parents coming over here, and given what I am coming to tell them and the fact that his mother detests me, how could I have slept? My head is banging me like hell.” I say this as we both pull ourselves up and rest our backs on the headrest of the bed.“You need to take things slow. Know that you are not alone in this fight. Speaking of your future in-laws, how do you think the
“Actually, he is not in jail.” Grace and I snap at Deep’s father. He is not in jail. How did… “My son told me the whole story. Sorry, Gia. What is getting me confused right now is how a dead mother is supposedly holding my son captive. What sense does that make?"“Dead? That man is dead and not in jail." His wife snaps. “How come I do not know this?” She adds, glaring at her husband with questioning glances.“Nobody was supposed to know. I only pushed my son into a corner to tell me the truth.” Mr. Azzua explained to his wife and gave her a look that said, ‘Do not ask for more’.“So, if the man is dead, then who has my son because I don’t believe even in the ghosts of Mombasa, which are believed to be real? Explain yourself, Gia! Nothing is making sense here.” Deep’s mother speaks.“We have suspicions that Ejay is alive! He is the only one who can do all these things that are happening to us.” Grace speaks on my behalf, shocking the hell out of them.“Okay. I think we need to start th
“Actually, he is not in jail.” Grace and I snap at Deep’s father. He is not in jail. How did… “My son told me the whole story. Sorry, Gia. What is getting me confused right now is how a dead mother is supposedly holding my son captive. What sense does that make?"“Dead? That man is dead and not in jail." His wife snaps. “How come I do not know this?” She adds, glaring at her husband with questioning glances.“Nobody was supposed to know. I only pushed my son into a corner to tell me the truth.” Mr. Azzua explained to his wife and gave her a look that said, ‘Do not ask for more’.“So, if the man is dead, then who has my son because I don’t believe even in the ghosts of Mombasa, which are believed to be real? Explain yourself, Gia! Nothing is making sense here.” Deep’s mother speaks.“We have suspicions that Ejay is alive! He is the only one who can do all these things that are happening to us.” Grace speaks on my behalf, shocking the hell out of them.“Okay. I think we need to start th
"I didn't know this would happen!" I plead yet again, tears streaming down my face. "I tried to keep him safe."Sure you did.” The sarcasm in that “Your past caught up with you, and my son paid the price! He is paying the price for you." Mrs. Azzua's voice cracks with anguish. "You should be the one missing, not my son! You should be the one going through what Deep is going through, Gia."I hunch my face down, nursing the beardown of the weight of Mrs. Azzua's words crushing my spirit. Will she ever understand me or forgive me? In a way, I understand where she is coming from as a mother. I can understand her fears, worries, pressure to find her son, and the frustrations of not knowing where he is and how he is doing. I can understand all that. But can’t she understand that I would have never wanted this cursed monster to come back to life? I mean, come on! Why would I have wanted this? "I understand your worries, and I accept the blame. If I knew this is how things would turn out, bel
As the plane descended over Nairobi, the city's familiar skyline welcomed Deep and Gia back home after their three-month absence. The sun bathed the landscape in a golden glow, casting a warm embrace over the land they had missed dearly. Exiting the airport, they were greeted by the bustling energy and vibrant colors that characterized the city. Deep couldn't help but notice the changes in the skyline—the new buildings that had sprung up during their time away. "It feels good to be back," he remarked, a sense of belonging settling in as they made their way through the familiar streets. Driving through the city, memories flooded back—places they had visited, experiences they had shared. "It's like we never left," Gia exclaimed, her eyes taking in the sights of Nairobi's lively streets. "Kenya always feels like home," Deep replied, a smile tugging at his lips. Arriving at their house, they were greeted by familiar faces—neighbors excitedly waving and welcoming them back. The warmth of
After exchanging vows and being pronounced husband and wife, Deep and Gia set off on a remarkable journey—a honeymoon pulsating with the allure of Boston City. The city's rich history and vibrant culture drew them in, promising a blend of enchanting escapades and romantic exploration. As they stepped into their hotel room, overlooking the bustling streets, Gia's eyes twinkled with excitement. "Deep, can you believe we're finally here? It's going to be incredible," she said, beaming with enthusiasm. Deep chuckled, his arm wrapping around her waist. "Absolutely, love. Ready to uncover the charm of this city together?"Their first day in Boston was filled with wanderlust as they traversed the cobblestone streets, absorbing the city's historic vibes. They visited the renowned Freedom Trail hand in hand, immersing themselves in the tales of the American Revolution. "This place holds so much history," Gia remarked, captivated by the stories echoing through time. Deep nodded, feeling the wei
"Gia, from the moment I met you, my life took on a new meaning. Today, as I stand here in front of our loved ones, I promise to love, cherish, and support you through every joy and challenge that life may bring.I promise to be your partner, your confidant, and your best friend. I vow to always listen with an open heart and to comfort you in times of need. Your dreams will be my dreams, and I will do everything in my power to see them come true.I promise to laugh with you in moments of happiness and hold you close in times of sorrow. I vow to respect and honor you and to stand by your side as we navigate the twists and turns of life together.I pledge to build a life filled with adventure, understanding, and unwavering love. I promise to create a home filled with warmth, where our love will continue to grow deeper with each passing day.Gia, you are my rock, my guiding light, and my greatest love. With all that I am and all that I have, I give you my heart and my soul for all eternit
As Gia stood at the threshold, ready to walk down the aisle toward her beloved Deep, a whirlwind of emotions surged within her. Her heart fluttered with anticipation, and her eyes shimmered with unshed tears of joy.With every step she took, the soft melody of the music echoed through the venue, setting the tone for the momentous occasion. As she moved forward, the aisle seemed both endless and fleeting, each step carrying a weight of significance and a sense of elation.Surrounded by the love and support of family and friends, Gia felt overwhelmed by the outpouring of emotions. The sight of familiar faces, the soft murmurs of admiration, and the loving gazes directed her way intensified the feelings swirling within her.Her eyes met Deep's as she approached the altar, and the sheer depth of love reflected in his eyes washed over her, calming the storm of emotions within. In that fleeting glance, a silent promise passed between them, a promise of a lifetime filled with love, support,
Gia stood in awe of her reflection, feeling a surge of emotions coursing through her as she beheld herself in the exquisite gown. The gown's intricate lace detailing hugged her figure delicately, enhancing her natural elegance. Layers of soft silk cascaded gently around her, creating an ethereal aura that seemed to float around her with every movement.Her dark hair, adorned with fresh flowers intertwined delicately within the curls, exuded an air of natural sophistication. The delicate veil, adorned with handcrafted lace that matched the gown's details, fell gracefully, framing her silhouette with an air of timeless beauty.Grace entered the room, her eyes wide with admiration as she witnessed her sister's transformation into a radiant bride. "Gia, you look absolutely breathtaking!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine admiration.Gia turned to her sister with a smile, her eyes shimmering with a mix of excitement and nervousness. "Thank you, Grace," she replied, feeling a sur
Gia, adorned in her wedding planner hat, gracefully approached the cake matrons and caterers in the bustling wedding venue. With a calm yet assertive demeanor, she aimed to ensure that everything was in place for the grand event."Hello everyone," Gia greeted them warmly, her tone carrying a sense of urgency. "We've got just a few hours left before the ceremony, and we need to ensure everything's set."The cake matrons and caterers looked up, acknowledging her with attentive nods. Gia's earnestness was evident, and they knew the importance of meeting her expectations."We need the cakes to be arranged and the desserts set up in their designated stations by the agreed-upon time," Gia continued, emphasizing the criticality of their roles in the wedding's success. "The guests will soon arrive, and I want everything to be picture-perfect."Gia observed the cake matrons meticulously arranging the tiers of the wedding cake, ensuring each detail aligned perfectly with her vision. Approaching
Deep and Gia sat comfortably on the plush couch, a sense of anticipation lingering between them. The soft glow of the living room lamps illuminated the cozy space, creating an ambiance conducive to their wedding preparations. Wedding magazines and planners adorned the coffee table, their pages marked with colorful tabs and notes—a testament to their joint effort in planning the perfect wedding."Where should we begin?" Gia asked, flipping through a magazine filled with venue options. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, reflecting the dreams she had for their special day.Deep leaned in closer, studying the magazine. "How about a location that resonates with both of us? Somewhere that holds meaning for our journey together," he suggested, his tone reflective of a desire to create a meaningful experience.They deliberated over venues, themes, and guest lists, each detail adding to the tapestry of their shared vision. "I'd love to incorporate elements from both our cultures," Gia said, tr
Gia had always carried music within her soul, a harmonious symphony entwined with her essence. Yet, for too long, the melodies had remained dormant, overshadowed by the trials of life. But now, a spark had reignited her passion.With each lyric she penned and every note she strummed, Gia felt the familiar rush of emotions flooding back—a cathartic release through music. Her return to the music scene wasn't just a comeback; it was a resurrection of her deepest passion.In the intimate setting of a studio, surrounded by a cocoon of creativity, Gia poured her heart and soul into crafting songs that mirrored her journey—songs that resonated with raw emotion and authenticity. Her fingers danced across the strings, weaving melodies that echoed the ebbs and flows of her life.The studio walls absorbed her voice, carrying the weight of her experiences, as she sang with unbridled intensity. Each word she sang seemed to carve its place in the hearts of those who listened, evoking emotions that
In the quaint setting of their family estate, Paul and Sheryl's wedding preparations were in full swing. The air was tinged with excitement and joy as family and friends came together to create a magical celebration."Sheryl, darling, you look breathtaking!" exclaimed Mrs. Marlow, Sheryl's mother, as she adjusted the veil with delicate care. Sheryl beamed at her reflection in the mirror, the excitement radiating from her eyes."Thank you, Mom. I can't believe the day is finally here," Sheryl replied, her voice filled with joyful anticipation.Meanwhile, Paul stood with his groomsmen, ensuring every detail was perfect. "I hope the flowers are set," he remarked, glancing at Martin, who nodded in assurance."Everything's in place, Paul. Don't worry," Martin assured him, patting his shoulder with a reassuring smile.As the ceremony drew closer, the atmosphere buzzed with lively chatter. Grace and Gia, assisting with the last-minute arrangements, shared a moment of reflection."This is bea