The splashing sound of the water touched his
ears. He was enjoying the feel of the cold soft
beach sand on his feet as he stood watching
the mighty Zambezi River. His thoughts clear
but frightening at the same time, the phone
call he just received had spoiled his wonderful
first anniversary. It was the 5th of August,
exactly a year after Mike had married his
beautiful woman, Isabel, she was the woman
of his dreams and he wouldn’t ask for
anything more. She was beautiful, loving,
funny, a good cook, romantic and so caring,
he knew whatever may come the woman he
married would stand by him and support him.
5th of august was not just Mike’s wedding
anniversary date, it was his birthday, he and
his twin brother, were born 32 years back on
the same day him coming a few minutes after
his elder brother Jake. Even though it was
hard for him to think of his brother and stay
with clear thoughts. Mike did not have the
best story to tell about his brother, in fact the
only secret about himself that he had held
from Isabel was the fact of him having a twin
brother. She was aware of most of his life
story but never came to know that Mike had a
brother.
“Hey my sunshine, you have been quiet for a
while, what is wrong? Are you feeling okay?”
Isa asked her husband holding him from his
back as her bare stomach touched his back.
She was clad in a blue bikini letting her long
weave loose she pushed it back a little before
kissing his soft back skin. She lifted her short
self a little bit to reach his neck and kissed it
gently.
“Babe, I have to go” Mike spoke turning to
look at her, “what? Have to go? Where? What
happened Mike?” she asked feeling something
was wrong with him.
“Well, I have received a very important call
and I need to get back to Kitwe today.
“Well, well, easy Mike. Tell me what’s going
on you freaking me out. Please calm down my
love” she held his hand talking him away from
the water.
“Listen my love, am sorry, I know I promised
we would spent the whole week here but you
have to understand. This needs my urgent
attention and we have to leave now” Mike
looked at his wife his gaze serious and his
eyes filled with what Isa could not ascertain.
He looked terrified more that worried.
“Babe, you always tell me what’s up with you.
Please tell me what the it is please, is it
something with work? “She asked still refusing
to take a step to leave as he pulled her off the
shores.
“I know this is sudden and its unfair, am truly
sorry my love but I cannot tell you. This I
have to sort out on my own” Mike tried to
make Isa understand but she even become
more worried and confused. She had never
seen him that petrified before.
“No!” she bellowed stopping him from moving.
“ No Mike, don’t you dare do this to us, am 3
months pregnant and this is our day, don’t
take this away from me please, don’t do this
my love” she cried holding on to his hand.
“I am so, so sorry my love, I truly am. The last
thing I wanted was to hurt you. I promise I will
make it up to you some other time. For now I
want you to trust me and please come with
me, we have to drive back before it gets back,
we can make it to Kitwe by morning. When
everything is done and settled I will be able to
explain everything to you. All I ask is this last
time chance for you to trust me. “Mike
pleaded with his wife holding both her hands
in his.
“Please” he exhaled deeply
“I don’t…” she almost spoke but he cut her
short.
“Please, please Isa, can we go now?” He
nodded his head.
They walked back to the room they had
booked in and Mike silently packed the bags
as his wife stared at him without a word. She
had changed into a short dress and put
pumps on her feet.
He led her outside after he was done loading
everything in the car outside.
‘’ put on a seat belt Isa” he spoke in a soft
pleading voice.
She obeyed without looking at him, her face
towards the window she watched the River as
they drove out the shores of the Zambezi
River in Siavonga. She had no way of
explaining how disappointed she was feeling,
her loving and caring man has of late been
treating her with less of regard. She was
feeling his love less everyday even when he
kept assuring her he still loved her. “What the
hell is going on?” she asked herself pushing
back the tears in her eyes.
Mikes phone rung a fifth time and she looked at him seeing he kept driving and totally ignored it. “Is it a woman? “She asked giving him a deep look. “What?” he quickly looked at her “oh my God Isa, is that what you think this is all about? Come on, you know I can never cheat on you, I love you and you know that. “He tried to touch her hand but she pushed him away. Mike shook his head wishing there was a way he would make her understand how much he loved her and would never think of another woman, how was he going to tell her his own twin brother was out to haunt him and he had to find a way of keeping both of her and his unborn child well and alive. He just received a call which made him shiver. His brother’s deep voice came through the ear piece. “Hey twinny! Missed me?” he had asked and Mike had looked at his phone just to try confirm he was talking to a human being “Jake? “He had almost chocked on his voice. “yeah sure, how can you forget my voice brother, you and I speak exactly the same” came Jakes laugh making Mike`s hand
sweaty.
‘’ how did you escape prison you devil? “Mike
responded almost in a whisper as he looked
back at Isa who was swimming to make sure
she wasn’t getting him.
“I need to see you now brother, come meet me
now” Jake had told him
“You are out of your mind if you think am
coming to see you. I know you just escaped
and the police will find you soon and take you
back to prison where you belong” Mike scoffed
angrily
“I know you took that your wife on a trip and I
want you back right away or you will regret.
Start driving that your car and meet me here
tomorrow or she dies” Jake had warned him
and cut the line. Knowing the kind of person
his brother was, he knew he was not to take
him casually. His main priority would be to
make sure Isa was unharmed.
Mike was lost in thoughts thinking about what
had happened back at the beach, when the
phone rang again, this time he picked it.
“Am on my way damnmit!” he yelled and cut
the call turning his phone off instantly. Isa
looked at him and shook her head without
saying another word, she closed her eyes
trying to get herself to sleep.
