10 Caught Just In Time

Tinka adjusted her micro gown, making it fit

properly to her perfect body. She is a woman

with perfect body curves. Her fair skin is

unrivalled; clear, spotless and… perfect. She blew her image a kiss, turning and twirling in-front of the mirror. The bright red gown sparkled in the evening light. Her dressing was to intimidate; but who exactly? An unconscious girl? Her wish was to see Raymond there. He had refused to pick her calls. She had sent messages but none generated a reply. She did not even go near the house because she was not ready for another episode of embarrassment.

She stepped out of the house, later than usual. Her extra-long heels made her look taller than her usual 5:4. Immediately she got out of her compound, she sighted some guys gapping at her, almost salivating. She smiled and flagged down a bike. "Joy Hospital".

Raymond got into his car around 5pm in the

evening. He wondered what he had been doing till that time of the day in the hospital. Thinking about it, he had spent most of the time with the girl. A wry smile was pasted on his lips which he could not wipe away. He had been so engrossed in this strange girl over the last twenty-four hours that he hadn't had time for himself. He drove into the estate, still having that smile on his face. It feels so good to care for someone.

He saw Bella entering the compound. She was

holding a black polybag in one hand and her

phone and keys in the other. He needed a new

gateman. Ever since robbers visited the house and killed his gateman, he refused to employ a new gateman. That day had been a terrible day. He had been inside with his siblings who were visiting when they suddenly heard a gunshot. He has two sisters and a brother.

Fear crept into their hearts without any invitation. Without waiting for the robbers to enter, the ladies were already flat on their faces.

Only male pride kept the two brothers from taking cover. The robbers finally entered and Ray and his brother, William, had to do what their sisters had done effortlessly. When you are at the wrong end of a loaded gun, you cooperate. The robbers took all their money, phones, gold jewelries and wristwatches. Bella had been there with them, also sharing in the fright that had governed everyone.

The robbers left after all was taken and the wailing began, although, in a very low tone. They were glad the robbers had not shoot at them.

Raymond left the apartment that dreadful day to go and monitor the locking of the gate himself when he saw his gateman lying on the floor, close to the gate. He raced there, hoping that he was still alive – his heart had stopped beating. A tear dropped from his eye. Yusuf wasn't just his employee but was also his friend. All his employees were his friends and, most of the time; they were the next set of people in his heart after his family. Yusuf was a very promising lad, who was very brilliant but not fortunate enough when it came to finances.

When his siblings and Bella did not see him return, they crept outside with William leading the way. They saw him where he knelt, beside the cold body and ran there. They mourned together and shared the sad moment together, just as they would have shared a happy time.

Since then, he hadn't been able to employ another gateman and he took to doing it himself until Bella volunteered to do it instead. Now that he is a man and had already gotten used to seeing lifeless people, he was now considering employing a new gateman.

The death of his mother and father in a plane crash on the same day, made him rigid and almost emotionless. He and his brother, coupled with some extended family members had gone to the crash spot to identify the bodies of his parents. They had strictly held the girls back because of what they knew they were to expect.

That day had consistently haunted his dreams

and even his waking eyes. He had walked amidst burnt dead bodies, having the nauseating sight sink in as he desperately searched for his parents.

That incident is something he did not like to

remember, and since he had just remembered it, he knew that his mood would be sour for the rest of the day. He opened the gate himself and drove in.

Tinka entered the hospital as graceful as possible. Her heels made click clack sounds on the floor with each step she took. She smiled lovingly at the nurse.

"Please, I am here to see a patient. She was

brought here yesterday by my fiance, Raymond" she said.

The nurse remembered Tinka perfectly. She was the one who had almost turned a lady deaf yesterday after she had been humiliated yesterday by her so-called fiancé. She wondered if they had settled their quarrel.

"Why do you want to see her?"

"I brought some provisions for her. I understand she is still unconscious" she said with a pitiful look. She had branched by the supermarket to get some provisions.

"Yeah… please follow me."

They got to the room and after leaving some

instructions, Tinka was left alone with the girl. She could not believe her eyes. Lying down, unconscious is the fairest person she had ever

seen. She was not an Albion but was naturally fair. Tinka was fair, clear and spotless; all these things she had going for her, except she was not as pale as the girl laying on the bed.

Anger welled up within her. How would Ray not

spend more time with this girl if she was not this beautiful? She took the pillow on the second bed and held it tight in her hands. Just then, the door opened.

"What are you doing madam?"