My Ex...

  

The night seemed to stretch on forever. The nocturnal animals providing an endless array of vocal inputs, under a sky as black as coal. Two of the mob men lay on the grass, already deprived from sleep due to the frustration of the prolonged search, they aimed to rest up a bit.

"Eze, do you know what would have happened to her?” Manduco asked. If there was any light, the frustration would’ve been clear on that bullish face of his. He breathed sharply, covering himself with his leather cape to to fight the intense cold that enveloped the area. Dawn was breaking slowly as the dense harmattan cloud soon began filling the atmosphere. "How do you expect me to know?, We were both dispatched to the same direction. It'll be better she were dead. We just have to get back to Sonna and inform him that we couldn't find her", Eze said. 

   "Accord him with respect!", Manduco commanded. "You know he doesn't like being called by his name".

 "Who does he think he is?, it's not like he's our god or something", Eze said in his defence as he shrugged.

   "But I'm still your leader". 

They hastily got up and backed away, braced for the worst. In this darkness, they could barely see a few feet ahead and they had no idea where the sound was coming from.

“Oh, so you’re scared now?” The voice came again, closer than before. The men strained eyes and ears. However, they could only hear steps approaching. A solid step, followed by a lighter one and a third one, like the foot was being dragged across the surface of the ground, rather than being planted firmly against it. 

At this point, the men only needed to know where the sound was coming from so they would tear off in the opposite direction. However, the voice came once more, soothing this time.

“It is I, Sonna. Your leader.”

 He came within their limited eyesight. Sonna Imaha wasn't really blessed with height. He was a slender man, with his smallish nature, dark brown eyes, fully defined lips , light skinned and always on woven pants. He was not the ideal bounty hunter kind of man people visualized. He noticed this but never wanted to be seen as weak. Luckily, he had this in built super human strength and ability and in his defence, he used it as leverage. People always wondered how he became leader of Mildo bount camp. He had a bow leg that was slightly pronounced, his chin was as sharp as blade but he rarely smiled, people saw it as fitting to his position. He always wore a brown eye patch that made one wonder the reason behind it. They then decided it was his style.

Manduco rushed to his side, supporting him. 

Eze, however, wasn’t so sure how to react, especially after his outburst.

Sonna eyed him, and handed him the staff he’d been using to support himself.

“If you have something to say, speak or forever hold your peace,” Sonna said.

Manduco made to move but Sonna inhaled sharply.

"What happened boss?", they said in unison as they approached him slowly. "We were wondering where you went to after asking that young man, you just left us like a ghost" Manduco said as he helped him to the floor gently.

"Aaaah"

"Sorry boss,take it easy"

"I'm fine, besides I decided to stick around that area for a while till I came across a fox"

"A fox?"

"Yeah, unfortunately while battling it, I snapped my ankle. We then stumbled down a hill and luckily it broke its neck in the process", Sonna said trying to massage his already swollen feet , his mild looking face clenched in pain as he snapped it.

"Hmmmm!", he exclaimed as he gnashed his teeth, still massaging, yet there were no tears whatsoever in his eyes, his men were in awe.

"Truly,he feels no pain", Manduco leaned over to whisper to Eze.

"Yeah, whatever", Eze said rolling his eyes.

"So sorry to hear that boss, and here we were wondering if you headed back to Mildo", Manduco said as he handed him some medicinal leaves behind the fig tree that served as their shelter that night.

   "Thanks Manny".

   "Sure thing boss".

"Where are the rest?"

"Probably would have found their way back since they haven't heard from me".

"Aren't they your men?. They're meant to wait behind".

"Manny, pity them, you know they're new recruits, they did well on their first task, unlike some others", sonna said taking a quick glance at Eze who quickly broke eye contact.

"Let's head back and ask some questions around, maybe we could find some witnesses regarding the case", Sonna said as he struggled to get up by himself. Dawn had broken already as the darkness soon became eliminated.

"Let me help you sir", Manduco said as he hung his right arm over his shoulder, staggeredly they moved towards the route heading home.

"Really, I'm fine,there's no need for that", Sonna said as he laughed, but was completely ignored as he was still being assisted.

"Strong indeed", Eze said sarcastically to himself as he gathered the weapons that were scattered on the grass. "Wait for me!", He shouted as he caught up with them, using his sharp edged cutlass to cut through the vegetation effortlessly as they progressed.

*******

The birds chirped by the window, a soft breeze crawled across my skin and rays of light descended on my eyes. I squinted, blocking it with my forearm.

Suddenly, realization hit so hard, like someone played a reel of all that had happened since yesterday at the speed of light.

 “Where am I ?” I asked, coming to completely. I was in bed. How did I get here? Why was there a bed here? Last I could remember, I was running through the forest. Or was that all a dream? Did none of that happen? Then I turned, and there it was, once again, the recent events flashed through my mind. My wanted poster was stuck on the opposite wall.

   I immediately sat up. 

 A masculine figure, with his intense golden brown eyes and broad chin was standing right in front of me, staring, like he saw a ghost, I recognized him immediately, it was Kamdi.

  "Dilindu, is that you?” he asked amusedly and continued, "I thought it was another chick big brother brought over to spend the night,” he said with an annoying smirk.

"I heard that!"

My heart almost flew out of my chest at the sudden deep voice that came in and filled the room. The rest of the events came back to me.

"My savior,” I muttered. There must’ve been vibrations in the air because I could feel goosebumps all over my skin. It was too soon for that, I know, but don't blame me. Blame him for being this mouth watering.

"I'm a changed man you know,” he grinned, leaning against the doorway with his feet crossed. He had a cup in his right hand and all of his shirtless glory was exposed and I could not take my eyes of it. I licked my suddenly dry lips and swallowed, averting my eyes from his gaze. 

"You can say that again, but you'll never fool me,” Kamdi smirked, rolling his eyes.

"Fool who?"

" Fool me.”

I watched as they wrestled playfully with words, not even noticing my already dropped jaw. I was staring at these two beautiful creatures like a fool. Kamdi and my Savior are brothers? I was shocked. I had no idea. Also, I was pleasantly surprised to see this version of Kamdi. How come I never saw this side of him?

"Good morning Dili,” Tobere said., successfully bringing my mind back home. “Here.” He said, handing me the cup he’d been holding.

"Good morning Tobe,” I replied.

He had a weird look on his face. I wondered if I I had said it wrong but then I realized I was caressing his thumb as he handed the cup to me. 

  “Get a grip,” I whispered, focusing on the cup to avoid eye contact with him. I still noticed his smile though. "Good morning Kamdi,” I said quickly and took a gulp from the cup, trying to get rid of the awkwardness earlier.

     'Gosh! I must have been really thirsty'

"So tell me Dilindu, what brings you here?” Kamdi asked.

I trailed his eye movement. He was scanning my thighs, exposed from the duvet I must’ve used earlier. I quickly covered them shyly as our eyes met.We weren't together anymore so I figured it was weird, though I noticed he wasn't moved because he had seen on multiple occasions.

"What? Oh yeah…” I muttered nervously. A bit embarrassed.

" Kamdi, she'll let you know the details later, go and brush your teeth, they reek,” Tobere interrupted, covering his nose with a blue handkerchief for emphasis.

   "Ouch,” Kamdi said as he left the room.

"Hope he didn't bother you while I was out,” Tobere said, as he neared the bed. He climbed on, leaning forward till our faces were few inches away from each other. Then he leaned passed me and grabbed his top. 

From the moment when he climbed the bed, my breath hung and now, with him do close that I was ensconced in his scent, I was still completely paralyzed. 

   "And yes, I did sleep next to you,” he said, backtracking till he was on his feet. However, I still needed him far away and at the same time, extremely close to my body - I couldn’t understand it either.

"Nothing happened...but I did clean your bruises while you were asleep,” he said.

"You really didn't have to, but thanks,” I said, flushing. Once again, I was grateful for my skin color.

   I looked out the window by my left. Control was mine once more and I inhaled deeply, noticing the fragrance of the beautiful garden.

  "Tea or coffee?” he asked, on his way out.

“Any would be fine, thank you,” I replied in gratitude.

   "See ya in a few mins,”he said and left.