Childhood

As a little girl, I think beyond my age. Mum would always say I'm a special child. Oh, the word 'mum'. I can't believe I will no longer hear that voice of hers, I subbed inwardly.

      "Jane!" I screamed as she opened the door.

      "Oh my Meena," as she stretched out her hands for a hug. "I thought I lost you too" she started subbing.

      I started crying too as I hugged her, exactly what I needed, a hug.

     "Jane, how did you get here? What happened? How did you manage to escape?" the inquisitive little me kept on asking as I couldn't wait a minute to know what happened?

      "Meena my dear, it's alright, I'll answer all your questions but, we need to get inside, wipe your tears and freshen up cause you look like a mess"

      I do look like a mess as I was still wearing my birthday dress. At the thought of it, I remembered my necklace and I placed my hands on my neck. Thank goodness it's still there. From then on, the necklace became my priceless gift which I cherished so much, I would always glance at the pendant to look at my mum from time to time.

Nanny Jane helped me freshen up, I ate a little, cause no appetite was found. Who would be able to eat after a great loss, parents as the case may be, I only ate a little cause nanny Jane forced me to.

      I sat at the couch where Gabriel was sitting, he was done freshening up too and eating as well, while she sat on a little stool facing us. The way I gazed at her was telling her now can I hear you out.

      "Hmm," she exhaled "After I helped you walk down the stairs. I went straight to your room, to dress the bed and arrange the room. As I was done and about to leave the room, I heard a gunshot multiple times. So I ran back and hid under your bed. some minutes later, a group of people walked into your room and started searching. Then I heard one of the men say "we can't find her, we have searched every corner of the mansion" and then they all left." She stopped and took a long breath and continued.

      "I nearly got caught but God saved me. I didn't leave immediately, I stayed there almost an hour before I could get out from my hideout, to make sure that they must have all left by then. I board a taxi straight to the train station, which brought me to my City". She said as she brought out her hands to touch mine.

      "Meena my dear, I don't mean to scare you, and I don't even want you to know this but I still have to tell you because of the whole thing going on...I think these people, whoever they are, are looking for you too and you know what that means"

      "But, I'm just a girl," I said a bit confused "Why would they also want me dead?"

      "That's the more reason I brought her here, Jane. It's not safe out there. But if she stays here no one would know or find her here, she's much safe here" Gabriel chipped in.

      Something tells me Gabriel would know a bit of what's going on but he wouldn't let me know, cause he thinks I'm not old enough. But if that's the reason, he would have told Jane but he didn't.

      "I understand, and I will make sure I take good care of her just like I've always done, nothing has changed". she assured.

      "I trust you on that and that's why I brought her to you cause I trust you. Meanwhile, if you ever need anything, list it out so that when I drop by I will make sure I provide them. For security reasons, we won't be able to be communicating, so that nothing jeopardizes her safety here. No keeping in touch, we will only see when I come around." He said as he dips his hand into his pocket.

      "Here, this is twelve thousand dollars, use it to get whatever you both need, for now, will get more when next I come. I have to leave, there're things I need to handle." He handed the money to her and now turning to me.

      Bodyguards have always had this thing of moving around with money in case of casualties such as this.

      "Meena, take good care of yourself okay, be that strong girl I knew you to be. I promise to be back from time to time to check on you and I will make sure nothing happens to you, even if I have to give my life along the line." He said kissing me on the forehead.

      I've always known him to be my dad's best, I never knew he was extremely kindhearted and protective. Now I know why dad chose him over everyone. His last statement gave me goosebumps, I gave him a very tight hug wishing not to let go. This man saved my life and he's still willing to do more, even when he had slim chances of surviving it.

      "Uncle Gabriel"

Uncle? I called out lifting my head, still hugging him. I didn't even know when I called him that, he was surprised too. Have always called him by his name. But he's now my Uncle I don't have any other family just him and nanny Jane. They are all I've got, they became my family.

      "Please, take good care of yourself and don't die. I want to always see you visit me as you promised." I said and burst into tears, now the hug became tighter than ever.

      "I won't die, I will be careful" he assured as he let loose of the hug and walked out of the door so quickly.

      I guess he doesn't want to be caught being emotional. But his eyes couldn't hide it any longer as they became teary and that's why he left the way he did.

      Jane enrolled me in an average school both high school and college and Uncle Gabriel kept his promise as he never seized to check on me from time to time. He would stay a week or two most times, teaching me how to fight, he said it's for me to be able to defend myself when the need occurs.

      As I grew up, I became more beautiful and strong. More like I left the past behind and lived as every other normal lady would, but you know one thing with the past, it will always pop up. Since then, I never tried to celebrate birthdays, should I say I hated the word birthday.

I turned twenty-five and uncle Gabriel showed me all my dad's properties and documents in one of the bank's safes. Only Gabriel knew of it. He gave me the codes and passwords. Now I'm the richest of my age. But still, I have to maintain an average living to avoid attention and I loved it, I got used to it.

      I moved to Agape town, in Medaline. I needed and felt like staying close to home, won't be running forever and nobody would even notice or recognize me. But I never tried going to my village Delus in Nevilla Town. There I got an apartment and a simple job to keep myself busy, and I would visit Aunty Jane, that's what I call her now 'Aunty' from time to time. She will always remind me of getting married each time I come. She's aging, sixty-four years now. She was fifty-four when I was fifteen.

      On my work-free day, we decided to go to the beach. My friends and I, we were running around the sea bank when I got tired, I left them for a rest. I lay on the beach bed when I felt a strong grip on my face then I blacked out.