HIGHLAND AVENUE

 

I was interested in listening to the calls Katlego was making but I dozed off. I didn't know how much information he had gotten that very night, but he tried. I had woken up twice to ease myself in the same night. I found him still making calls, still optimistic to attain results the very night.

 

I asked him to come and lay for a little bit but he turned my offer down. I on the other end was pretty much tired. I tried to stay awake for a while to keep him company but my eyes wouldn't cooperate. I, later on, woke up to make him a cup of coffee after I eased myself. I was supporting his work, I wanted him to find what he needed, but not arrest H.

 

With no luck in finding the thug that almost killed me, Kat was frustrated and I was trapped. I was still not sure about the kind of emotions I was feeling. They were blended very well.

 

Mr Mdnase didn't do me any justice. He publicized the footage I had procured from the drug store, the only evidence incriminating H. The story behind the publicity being entirely exaggerated to the core. Every station- Radio or television, was running the story.

 

They said he insulted the head of state, attempted coup d'etat, four counts of attempted heists, manslaughter, and murder among other things. He had a hand in every crime existing in the world. It made me sick. Every channel was talking about it. It was utterly pathetic. The perfect propaganda to turn a whole nation against one man.

 

But in all this, I also learned something new about my new profound crush. He was the most dangerous man in Zambia. He may have been dangerous to the others. But he was foolishly humble and soft around me. And I liked that. Not everyone had access to that side of him.

 

He was also the leader of the largest and most coordinated gang in the country. This meant that he was working with people. It was a network and a cooperative. They seemed to have the same goal, no matter what walk of life they originated from.

 

The police have been looking for him for over eighteen years. He couldn't be traced on the surface of the earth or under it. He couldn't be caught. He was invisible and untouchable.

 

And here was Mr Mdnase playing detective like Pikachu in pokemon. He had all this strange hope of finding him and probably making it to the headlines and having a major promotion. He saw himself being invited to the statehouse and having all these interviews with different kinds of journalists. He was completely engulfed in this story.

 

 

Manhunting for H was a bad idea. I would be the one to pay for it. Either the hard way or the easiest way. My preference was the easier way. But it honestly wasn't my call to make. I'd have to submit to whatever the authorities would say. H being the leader. My conscience knew it. He would get to me regardless of the boundaries and security pacts Kat enforced and entrusted around me.

 

I warned Kat. But he said he had "connections". He only said that because he worked for the office of the president. But he forgot something. You can never be smarter than the devil himself in hell. Master trickster.

 

H may be as smart as Kat and I was in between men on the verge of being enemies. The reason being me. I felt like a stranger in my own body. At this point, it was safe to say, I knew not both men and their intentions. They both desired me. Yet again, it may only be for their selfish reasons.

 

Katlego was partially asleep on the table. His forehead was on the table as he faced down. I could hear him lightly snore, he must have dozed off in the process. I lazily picked myself up and headed to the toilet to relieve myself of the pressure. I was washing my hands when something caught my attention.

 

I heard a fuzzy sound originating from the window. I realized the corner of a paper was being slid right below the window seal. I quickly rescued it and realized it was a note. I tried to peek out the small window but saw no one. I knew whom it was from. H had this particular way of folding the coloured paper notes he sent.

 

It read: Carry a new bar of soap.

 

I registered that in my head before I chewing the note and flushed its remains down the toilet. I thoroughly washed my hands with soap and headed to the kitchen to make breakfast for my housemate.

 

I made him a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with orange juice. Exactly what he liked. Mr Mdnase preferred sandwiches every morning to any other food. I know he hadn't had enough rest, I decided to pack him a bowl to carry to work. I packed an apple, a banana, and a piece of cake with an energy drink.

 

I felt I owed him this kind gesture. He was restless for the sake of my safety. I went ahead to wake him up and pushed him around to get prepared for work. He was never a morning person but he thanked me today for being one.

 

I ironed his attire and prepared breakfast for him. I helped him power on the devices he needed once he was in the car and walked him to the door.

 

" Thank you so much ", he said. I smiled to reciprocate the energy.

 

Yesterday was a blend full day. I experienced different kinds of emotions. Some, that I hadn't felt in the longest. I couldn't stop reminiscing about how the events turned out to be.

 

Today was another day, the news repeatedly telling the tale of the infamous Hezekiah. Everybody had to know who he was by the end of the day. I was worried he'd be caught. It would be inevitable not to notice him at all after this. Unless otherwise.

 

I kept myself busy all day looking for a job online while Kat left to look for H. I was on the edge. Worried and desperately sick. What if he gets caught? I wouldn't be delighted to see him behind bars.

 

But he was a man who knew what he was doing and how he was playing his cards. He has played this game before. I understood that.

 

I began to prepare for my evening date very early. I changed my nail colour and dyed my hair gold by the tips. I curled my hair and set it well. I did my makeup neatly and carefully, ensuring it was light and modest enough. I needed to look classy not confused. Cultivatedated meant an elegant dress and heels. I had so many of them, but of course - One would stand out.

 

I picked the dress that would go well with gold heels. I comfortably and confidently wore them. I headed to the storeroom and collected a new bar of soap. I did not know what it was for but I obeyed instructions. Instructions from H. This was me being entirely submissive. I slide the bar of soap and my mobile cell phone into my bag. I was pleased with what I looked like at the end of the preparation.

 

I stood before a mirror and admired myself. I was a beauty to behold. I cut the power out and this automatically puts the security settings back to default. This meant that the last scene captured would be on the monitoring screen of whoever watched me. All would look normal and they would not have the slightest idea of any other thing that would change.

 

I drove out the yard, manually opening the large gate. I hadn't had the slightest idea as to where I was heading to. I had input the address, unlike coordinates into the car GPS. It was my only sight at this point. I trusted it. I closely followed the instructions as the GPS led.

 

It took me about thirty minutes to decipher the exact place. I left the car and co-checked the address. I looked for something that could establish and confirm the address I was at. I saw a mailbox at a distance, a pretty good two meters ahead of the building.

 

I walked towards the mailbox to check it out. It was written in 1335. I located the place and the mailbox confirmed it. I was startled by what I found out. I looked up and around. I still wasn't sure if there was a mix-up with the address or I was in the wrong street.

 

I saw an old lady sitting on a bench further to my right. I went before her and slightly knelt and asked for direction.

 

" Muli bwanji amama ? ( How are you, ma'am ) ", I greeted her in Nyanja, a native Zambian language.

 

She smiled with a mouth almost toothless.

 

" Nili bwino ( I am fine ). How are you my dear ? ", She responded and returned my greeting.

 

" I'm fine ma. I needed to ask.

Where is 1335 of Highland Avenue ", I asked.

 

She smiled revealing few teeth and pointed at the same place. I was confused but I had a mind to make up. I was yet again, trusting a stranger.

 

I came to terms with having to go inside the place.