Chapter 34

At St Mary's Catholic Church, we all assembled earlier morning in different attire while we wait for the priest to say the wedding mass. Different people in different dressings. My aunty and her friends arrived earlier before Ken and his crew drove in. Just as I already knew, aunty Sandra kept sending me from place to place and I couldn't concentrate on the wedding 5mass. Luckily enough for me, met them when they just dismissed the mass and were about to take pictures. I and my brothers together with Sarah had the opportunity to take pictures with the newest couple in town.

Just as I finished taking pictures with my aunty and her husband, I sat behind to rest and also to observe what was happening. I saw this familiar face taking pictures with them when the photographer said that he want Ken's siblings to snap with them. The face looked so familiar but I couldn't just recall where I got into contact with face. I couldn't tell whether I knew him in Enugu or Abuja. But I'm sure, I knew the person. Still wondering where I knew him before my aunt whispered to me to rush to the hall where they'll be having their wedding reception and make sure everything was in order. That's how I and Sarah left the church and went to the hall.

Kabir, we need to discuss this. Follow me.

Sam said since he saw Jessy giving them such a suspicious look. Kabir followed him to the corner where he went.

Kabir, we're in the wrong place now

Sam whispered in a lower voice with a serious look on his face.

What do you mean by that? Can you explain,n, please...Kabir questioned him confusedly

Have you recognized anyone here since we came?

Yeah, I recognized officer Jimmy but that's not a problem now. Haven't we been seeing each other in Abuja and even in the office?

We're in the family of the late M.r Louis. The one I shot while working for Alhaji Yakubu.....

Ina-d lahi!!!Do you mean Barr Louis? How comes??

Now you understand. The lady we came to marry is the lady that survived your gunshot near Karu bridge that day she was invited for questioning at Karu police station.

WalahiAkweii wahala!!! What then must we do?

We either hunt or get hunted. Those things we brought are now to our advantage

Wait, you mean you want to kill your brother's wife or what?

That's the problem because even if I escape everyone, I won't escape him.

Terrible. We just have to be watchful. Once they pull any stunt, we reciprocate.

That's better. We need to reschedule our flight. Instead of tomorrow morning, let it be this night. Once the occasion is over, we're zooming off to the airport.

That's good so we escape the trouble of the night.

Yeah, get your tools loaded.

Na drama !!!

Wow!!!! the event planner did an awesome job for my aunt. The decorations were top-notch. Everywhere was just glittering. I inquired about the arrangement for food and drinks since that was the assignment given to me by Sandra. They showed me everything I requested for. Then I called Sandra and gave her my report. With the help of the event planner, I and Sarah went on to divide food meet and drinks in the proportion she directed us to. We continued until the master of the ceremony, MC started calling people into their chairs for the main ceremony.

At one point, I heard him call Adeboye Samuel. In other to hail him he still called him Officer Sam. It was like someone tapped me. Is that not the same Sam that made me an orphan in less than an hour? I needed to confirm that he's not the one because I don't think it'll just slide that if he appears to be the one.

As I got up frenetically from where I was seating, I saw Jeff running toward me

Jeff, why are you running? what's happening? Did anything happen to anyone?

Where have you been since you left the church? Aunt Sandra has been looking for you. He replied while still trying to control himself from breathing faster.

Why didn't she call me? What happened to her? Hope she's okay. I questioned Jeff since his words and actions weren't just clear to me.

She's okay but he cautioned that you should leave whatever you're doing and meet her in the room where they're preparing to join their guests.

Jeff, tell me that nothing happened to Sandra because I don't understand what you're telling me anymore...My voice went low since I was losing strength from the shock of what I imagined. Jeff then held my hand and we went to the room mapped out for Sandra and her Bridesmaids.

In the room, I met Jimmy and his wife asking Sandra to stop crying. I can't recall whether I dived or fled to where aunty Sandra was sitting

Aunty, what happened to you? Where's Ken? Hope all is well.

Despite my screaming, no one talked to me. I had to request attention.

"Someone should talk to me, please!!! Uncle, what happened to her? Why is she crying?

Sandra reached out her hand to me, got hold of my hand then drew me closer to herself.

....Jessy, I'm getting married to someone from a family of thieves, a family of killers...

What do you mean by that? aunty?

I couldn't wait for her to finish before I asked the question because I already knew Ken as a friend and a good one for that matter.

Ken is a brother to the notorious Sam that killed your parents...

I knew it!!!!!!! I screamed as my heartbeat increased rapidly. I rushed out of the room. The only thing in my mind was just to strangle the life out of Samuel or whatever they called him. I knew not that Jimmy followed me up. I couldn't even get to the party hall when he caught me and dragged me back to the room. All my strength to escape him was to no avail since he held me like a baby with his bare hands.

Uncle Jimmy, I need to race against time because Sam already knows us and we're not safe again even at the place I came for asylum. We have to take advantage of his ignorance and make him pay with his blood....with such anxiety I spoke the Jimmy irrespective of anyone that may hear my voice.

That's the reason why we're gathered here. Look around, this is your family..... Jimmy replied trying to calm me down but that wasn't just enough reason to allow my worst enemy to dance under me and go unpunished.

Uncle, I have no time to do anything with you. You have to leave me. It's either I die or he dies. But the truth is that I must struggle even with the last drop of my blood to revenge the death of my parents

Jessy, that's not just happening now. I sent for you and you never asked me why I sent for you. You remember I'm a trained police officer and Sam is also an officer as well? What do you think you know that he doesn't know? My daughter, calm down and listen to me. There are many ways to kill a rat.

Though I was raging Jimmy's words pierced my heart. I needed to hear him out.

Uncle Jimmy, the only thing I want to hear from you is the strategic way of getting him down. Even if he survives, my life and that of my aunt will be at stake ...I told him since he dragged me closer to himself and gained my interest with his words.

Is it only your own life and that of your aunt? What of mine and that of my entire family? Can't you recognize the face of the other two guys that walk around with him? Those are the notorious criminals we have in our unit. I know they're heavily prepared. They know me and I know them. Once we saw ourselves, we knew one might hunt the other and I don't want to ruin aunty Sandra's day. Today should be the most remarkable day in her life. If we claim our rights, we make it her worst day. Now is the time to show your love for Sandra..... Jimmy continued addressing us just as the elder he was in our midst.

.... Jimmy, do you mean I should continue with the marriage? I don't see myself staying with killers. One day I may be their victim. Not me!!!!

Sandra screamed from her end.

You people should keep quiet!!! allow me to say something. Uncle Jimmy screamed since the room was getting noisier.