Sofia

I was still running without looking back, increasing my speed as if someone was about to take hold of me!

I appeared on a tar road. The road was so scanty. No taxis could be seen; only well-loaded trucks were seen passing.

On reaching a bus stop, I halted and looked back, and saw a group of people chasing after me!

I could hear the sound of my heartbeat pumping so hard! I can't imagine those groups of people I suspected Miguel and his friends are after me!

"So Linda could do this to me, even carrying a baby for Miguel!" I lamented so bitterly while rolling my eyes left and right, if I could see a taxi coming.

Immediately, without hesitation, I took off.

My breathing became so intense that I opened my mouth to support my nose.

Suddenly, I saw a taxi coming at high speed, and I felt some sign of relief. I started waving at it when the car finally stopped. Without hesitation, I opened the back door and entered.

When I got home, I was so exhausted and heartbroken. I managed to open the door,

Went straight to my room and slammed the door behind me angrily!

My heart was so heavy, I sat down on the floor, still in my wedding gown. Like a flash, the memory of how Linda and Miguel were entangling themselves flashed in. My wedding day has become a nightmare!

My heart hammered against my ribs as I was reminiscing about what happened a few hours ago. I couldn't hold my long-accumulated tears anymore!

The words of my late father kept ringing inside of me.

"Go for a man who marries you out of love and affinity, not out of necessity. Some may appear innocent and gentle, but are wrapped with infidelity."

This word from my dad melted me the most.

I was dying for a man who had already gotten someone pregnant, promised to transfer money to her and rent a two-bedroom flat for her!

"I will never forgive Miguel in my life!" I screamed. Tears are still rolling down my face.

I became so restless, the room was so hot, I turned on the fan and opened the window, my eyes projected through, and I saw Miguel driving in, my face became so pale and infuriated.

What is he coming to do? I raged, gnashed my teeth and held my wedding gown from the top and tore it in two equal parts!

I brought out the ring from my bag and placed it on top of my bed. Went straight to the word rope and picked up one of my casual wears.

Someone knocked on my door, I guess Miguel, but I refused to open or say a word. The knock continued for a while, and I gave it a deaf ear.

A voice echoed!

"Sofia, please open it's me, Miguel! Please let me in so we can talk. I know you are hurt, please open the door and let's talk!"

You are evil, Miguel! I don't want to see you move away.. just move away. I screamed!

Immediately, I carried the wedding gown from the floor, picked up the ring and moved towards the door. I held the knob so tight and swung open the door. Without looking at his face, I threw everything at him and slammed the door.

I was still holding the doorknob tightly and couldn't move an inch. Miguel continued punching the door so hard. He got tired and left. He was so disgusting that I couldn't bear to look at his face.

His face that I love looking at, a face and broad chest that I once cherished like my whole life depended on it.

I lost grip of the knob and fell flat on the floor, hopelessly.

Thousands of thoughts were flooding in, and my life became so miserable.

"I love Miguel so much, I wish to have him back," I murmured.

"What about the baby Linda is carrying for him?" The more I remember that pregnancy, the more infuriated I became. My heart is bleeding!

I stood up immediately from the floor like someone magically infused with energy. I moved straight to the bathroom. After showering, I went to the wardrobe and picked my blue sleeveless shirt that left part of my breast exposed.

Here I found myself in a hotel!

I looked for a noiseless spot and sat.

The spot was a bit dark, its walls painted in different colors. The top of the roof was designed with different lights.

What exactly am I doing here? I ask myself! Am I supposed to be here in the first place?

A fragile line has been drawn between me and love. I'll never trust any man in my life again, let alone fall in love!

If I survive this heartbreak, this is the end between me and love.

I murmured, while I lifted a glass filled with vodka, as soon as the vodka found its way down my throat, my face turned squeezed, like someone who had tested aloe vera juice.

I'm not getting any better!

"Am I not deliberately punishing myself with this?

What else can I do to lose the memory of this heartbreak?" I asked while gulping more vodka!

My five years with Miguel were just a waste. He never loved me. He should have made this known to me earlier. Not promise to marry me only for him to shatter my heart on all other days but on my wedding day!

"Am I supposed to let it chill?"

Like a flash, the purple gown Linda was wearing on that day of my miserable and unrealistic wedding looked the same as the purple gown we saw displayed on dummies in front of the sky superstore where we bought rings.

Linda showed admiration for the gown before we entered the shop.

"I suspect Miguel secretly bought it for her."

"When she requested to drop off, Miguel never altered a word. But he was seen giving her a continuous wave of the hand even when we drove into the distance. It was all a planned deal."

I winced and flashed through the vodka in front of me!

How can all these ridiculous memories be erased permanently? I ask, pouring more vodka into my glass.

My head wasn't that strong for this!

Waiter! I shouted.

Everywhere was becoming so dim.

"Let me pay off my bills and leave."

I murmured. I wouldn't want to embarrass myself in public.

I lifted the glass for the last sip, and it slipped out of me and smashed on the floor. I dragged my seat backward and stood up immediately. I staggered randomly, my legs couldn't carry my body, someone held me from behind..

Sofia

Evidently, I was losing consciousness!

I started feeling as though I were on top of the world.

Unable to picture who held me, he dragged and forced me to sit back in my seat.

He then dragged the next stool and sat next to me.

I was beginning to feel embarrassed; my eyes were going dim.

I held my bag on the table, stood up forcefully, and my two legs were shaking, unable to carry the weight of my body.

I fell back on my seat.

With this stranger sitting beside me, I don't feel like spending another second.

He might take me for a harlot!

"Who is this stranger that has the guts to hold me by my hands?" I raged. And my head was dancing downward like someone responding to music!

Every stroke of a second, I feel drained.

My phone has fallen twice, and my hand couldn't hold it any stronger.

I lifted my head, and I came into direct eye contact with him!

His cheeks and golden eyes flashed so deeply into me that I couldn't blink!

His blue eyes were so piercing.

And his beard is so dark and glaring.

When he smiled, I felt some changes within me!

His glittering tooth sends a shiver down my spine!

I felt lust.

I started craving.

"Why are you all alone, young lady?" He questioned.

I kept mute. Busy scrolling through my phone. The phone slipped off again and smashed on the floor.

Immediately, he stood up to pick up my phone on the floor, his height and hairy broad chest, his muscular endurance, threw me into an uncontrollable high sexual urge!

I was lust, and my veins were so ignited.

He introduced himself as Donal.

The CEO of Ocean Group Of Companies.

My brain was off the planet.

I was burning!

"I can't let go of this heavenly being."

I cooed while nodding my head downward.

I noticed someone was supporting me to walk, and that was it.

I opened my eyes, for some seconds I was staring at the white duvet I was sleeping on,

I raised my head, and everything feels strange to me

The window was halfway open. The morning light cast its rays across. The entire room was so disarranged. My eyes flicker.

My eyeballs rolled over the marble floor, and I saw my clothes and bra littered!

I quickly looked at myself, then I realized I was naked. Immediately, I covered my nakedness with the duvet.

I became so embarrassed with myself. I was so enraged!

I fell prey to a stranger!

I buried my head in the bed.

Like a flash! The memory of the sex last night flooded in!

How he was sliding in mercilessly!

He was riding on me so hard!

He continues pulling out and smashing in so hard. I could hear the sound of an ocean clapping together!

I felt the burning!

The friction was so intense.

He gripped me so hard, kissed me. I felt the texture of his lips.

Am I okay? I shouted and snapped out of my ridiculous reminiscing.

I feel like committing suicide!

"The ground should just open, let me go!" I screamed bitterly.

"How stupid I was to allow a stranger to do this!" I frowned.

I uncovered myself from the duvet, picked up my clothes and dressed up.

Reaching to get my bag, I saw money placed in it, two hundred dollars!

I have made myself a harlot before a stranger! He even dropped money after pounding hard on me and left.

The alcohol really pushed me.

What a "fuck".. I hollered and left sadly.

When I got home, my mom and Lizzy were out.

I fetched warm water and poured it into a bowl, and submerged my whole body. I was really messed up!

When I came out, I was so exhausted.

After dressing up, I spread myself on the bed.

The thought about what happened last night surfaced uninvited. How a stranger smashed me the way he likes.

"I don't want to think over this,

I don't! " I frowned.

I stood up and sat.

A call came in.

Lo and behold, it was Linda.

I picked but never altered a word

"Hello Sofia, I am out here in your compound, can you please come let's talk!" She spoke so calmly and innocently.

I was so enraged that my eyes paled in anger.

She even has the guts to walk into my compound!

"After shattering my wedding and separating Miguel from me, you came to do what?" I roared.

I pulled the phone off my ear and struck it on the bed.

"I don't want to see Linda with my two eyes again!" I screamed. She is a traitor, a betrayal!

She has succeeded in destroying my wedding. What did she want to tell me?

What else did she want from me? My shattered life? I raged!

I moved straight to the porch, placed my two hands on the guard, staring furiously at her. I became so restless and infuriated!

I was striking my right leg continuously on the floor.

I feel like strangling her if I meet her!

"You just crossed into my territory. Who are you, and what are you doing here?" I roared venomously!

I was simmering, my heart was boiling with anger! The anger in me has reached its boiling point.

She lifted her head, and we came face to face with eye contact.

She became speechless.

Immediately, she buried her head in shame

I went and brought water in a bowl and poured it on her

Before she could realize it, she was already drenched.

"Why did you do this to me?" She asked aggressively! Her eyes paled.

"I only came for us to..." I cut in immediately..

"Wait there for me!" I raged!

I went inside, picked up a hard metal and rushed down, but couldn't find her. I only saw the gate wide open!

I was so irked

I sighed and went inside, murmuring.

As soon as I got inside my room, a call came in. I suspected it was Linda who had taken to her heels!

When I picked it up, it was Lizzy.

"Sofia, please rush to the government hospital. Mom is unconscious."

My heart almost carted away from me when I heard such!

Unhesitatingly, I put myself together and rushed immediately. Even with my tired body, I couldn't hesitate!

When I got there, I appeared okay, but my spirit was gradually leaving my body. My heartbeat was uncontrollable.

She is already on live support!

Lizzy was down emotionally when I stared at her.

I held myself so strong.

"What happened to Mom?" I asked.

"I can't just tell.. but....the..the doctor...said"..

She couldn't express herself; she choked on her words.

I quickly cut in.

Said what!

"The doctor said it's high blood pressure?"

I became so nebulous.

For some minutes I couldn't speak.

Fighting so hard to prevent the accumulated tears from raining down.

"Evidently she developed this blood pressure after the public embarrassment Miguel gave me and my family."

I was contemplating on this when a doctor walked in..

Sofia

The doctor started moving around, checking other patients and finally arrived at my mom's location.

I was leaning on a wall. I pulled, went and met him. A very young doctor, dark in complexion, with a stethoscope hung round his neck. He was carrying a file.

"Good afternoon, doctor," I greeted.

He never bothered to listen. He was busy trying to put on his stethoscope to check on my mom.

He never altered a word.

I wasn't myself

"Doctor, is she okay?" I asked calmly

He raised his head and couldn't say a word for some seconds.

I became terrified!

"Your mom will be okay, but you have to act very fast, so that her condition doesn't get worse. He purred.

"Doctor, do everything you can to save my mom. Money can't be the issue! " I spoke calmly. Knowing full well I don't have enough money.

But I can't let my mother die! Something has to be done!

"I can't lose both parents in one year, no, doctor, please save my mom's life!" I echoed tenderly.

He brought out a receipt from the file he was holding and gave it to me.

"Deposit the money you have there on the receipt to enable us to commence with other treatment her body needs urgently." He spoke calmly.

He never waited a second for me to look into the receipt; he turned and left.

The amount was huge and shocking!

"Where can I get this huge amount of money from?" I was asking this question inside of me. Not letting Lizzy notice how I am feeling inside.

Lizzy collected the receipt from me and looked at the bills intensely. Her face veered as she scanned through.

"We are to deposit half the total amount before he can continue with the treatment?" Lizzy burst.

Still staring at the receipt.

I don't want to let her spirit down, so I quickly collected the receipt from her.

"It's okay, Lizzy, Mom will be fine. Nothing will happen to her. Look after her, let me go and see how to get the money." I encouraged her and left.

"Where do I get such a huge amount of money to foot my mom's medical bills?" I asked, silently standing on the roadside with random thoughts flooding all over me!

Miguel, who has been supportive before and after the death of my dad, has deleted himself from my life just because of Linda!

"Who do I meet to assist me?"

"I don't want anything to happen to my mom. Who do I run to?" I was contemplating not knowing the next step to take.

My five months' salary put together is not even up to the amount requested, and I have to deposit half the amount before he can commence with the treatment.

Pinatech lubricant company, where I work, my boss gave me only a week to resume back after my wedding! We are in the second week today!

"Is this not an ample opportunity for Mr Charles, my boss, to fire me?"

What excuses will I give that will make him believe me? He is such a wicked boss and an asshole, too pompous of himself.

Ever since I refused to yield to his sexual demands, he has become a thorn in my flesh. A demon who is after my life.

A boss who wouldn't want to listen to others complain. At the slightest mistake, you are fired. Unless you agree to sleep with him. A married man with children.

Most of the female staff always fall prey to him

No matter what, I will never open my legs for Mr Charles, never! I muttered.

Then I looked around, and no taxi was seen.

Most of the staff are due for promotion

But Mr. Charles has refused to acknowledge that. Once you get down with him, your promotion is certain.

Always seen issuing orders, making policies that will never favor the staff.

Not as if the salary is encouraging.

If I see a more preferable place, I will write my resignation letter.

I sighed as I snapped out of my reverie.

"I must resume work tomorrow!" I muttered.

While waving down a taxi that would take me home.

When I got home, my eyes went straight to where my dad's bus was parked and covered with a tarpaulin. One of the tires has deflated.

A thought flashed in.

"Since I can't afford such a huge amount of money to foot my mom's hospital bills, I will look for a buyer and sell it off.

"This is a wonderful idea," I nodded my head.

"Let me go in and search for the documents."

I took a picture of the bus, an 18-seater blue bus.

I will be posting it out there on social media with a tag, "For Sale."

"My mom had wanted to give it out for commercial purposes. So that the bus can continue generating money for us."

I can't watch my mom die without making an effort. I became so restless. My wounded soul flamed up!

"This is a very hard decision I am about to take!" I spoke calmly.

"Lizzy won't support it!" I murmured.

"I must save my mom's life, yes, I must save her life!" I spoke courageously.

"An hour later, Lizzy called."

"Sofia, do you want to sell Dad's bus?

That is wicked if you do that!" She burst!

She has come across the post I shared.

"How do we foot mom's medical bills?" I asked her calmly.

For more than a minute, she couldn't say a word.

"Go and take loads." She finally speaks!

"Give them the bus as collateral." She suggested. And hung up!

"Loan?" I murmured.

"The only bank capable of offering such an amount of money is the ETC Bank, where Linda works.

"I don't want to see Linda with my eyes again," I screamed.

The last time she visited me, I treated her with contempt! Drenching her whole body with water!

"How do I go and face someone who betrayed me, who shattered my heart and my dream and put me in the condition I am in?"

"My mom's illness is a result of her treacherous action! No, I can't go for such a load." I winced.

"Once I see someone willing to buy the minibus, I will go ahead and sell it. I muttered.

My heart is pounding, clashing against my ribs.

Oh my goodness!

My situation is dire.

"I can't watch my mom die without doing anything!" I hollered.

I scrolled through my phone. Lizzy has commented on the post I shared many times, repeatedly writing and reposting with a tag, "This bus is not for sale.., this bus is not for sale.., It is a family bus."

When I saw it, I became so infuriated. What is Lizzy up to? Did she desire Mom to die?