SARAHI got back home and headed straight to the kitchen to cook the noodles that I bought on my way home. I was returning from Raya's place. She was the only one I could share my sorrows and joys with, even in my darkest moments, she alone understood me. And that's why I would never stop blessing the day I got to know her.We met at a colleague's wedding party. She was a sister to the groom. She was cheerful and friendly, that was the kind of friend I wanted. That is a story for another day.While cooking the noodles, Leo walked into the kitchen to get a glass of water. He wore a white shirt, but his chest was opened, exposing the hairs on his chest. "You're home!" He said as he walked up to me, and stretched his hands to grab a glass in the cupboard. His chest, very close to my face "Yes, I'm home," I replied, trying to withdraw myself.He grabbed the glass and got some water from the water dispenser. I froze all the while he was with me, and the only moveme
SARAH.Opening the door to the office with a feigned smile, I noticed the mood was different from usual. My departmental head, Mrs. Montana, stood in front of the room as everyone gathered around, all smiling at me.I was glad to be at work again, at least I wouldn't have to be with my fake, grumpy husband all day. "Our dear Sarah Powells.. no, Sarah Limbert, is resuming today. See how fat she has become in just two weeks of getting married. Welcome back honey, we have missed you." It was a sort of a welcome-back speech from Madam Montana. I was short of words on the kind of reception I received from them."What better way to welcome you back than a little celebration?." She said, as she reached into her drawer and pulled out a bottle of red wine.I accepted a glass of wine from her with so much relief and excitement. It was a small gesture but it meant so much to me. After everything I had been through, it was nice to be part of the team again."I'm so grateful
SARAH. Cora turned back and rolled her eyes against Leo. She ignored him and continued speaking with Julian. "How dare you speak to my wife like that!" he shouted. "Sarah is a part of this family, and you will treat her with respect!"Leo's face was red with anger as he glared at his sister, Cora. Cora didn't back down. "I will not respect her," she said coldly. "She's not welcome here, and I will not pretend otherwise." "Sarah is my wife," he said through gritted teeth as he fumed. "I love her, and I will not tolerate your disrespect towards her."Julian, who had been watching the drama, stepped in. "Leo, calm down. This is not worth getting worked up over."But Leo was beyond reasoning."You stay out of this Julian." He snapped. "This is between me and my sister!"Julian held up his hand in surrender, but his expression remained serious. "I'm just trying to keep the peace, Leo" "There has never been peace between both of us, and there never will be!" C
SARAHMy heart ached at the words that protruded from my mother's mouth. She had been scolding and cursing ever since I stepped into the house. I didn't go to see her, I was only there because my Dad sent for me. And thanks to Raya, who agreed to go along with me. "That's enough Leila!" My dad yelled."Let the poor girl breathe… She has gone through a lot."And there I sat, silent all through. Leo had requested that I find out how much it would cost to get back to the hotel from Anthonio. The knock on the door disrupted my mother's nagging as I sighted Anthonio forcing himself through the door. His protruded belly never ceased to amuse Raya as she would always chuckle anytime she saw him."How would you have married a man like Anthonio? I can't even imagine that!" She spat in a whisper.My mother rushed towards Anthonio, trying to help with his briefcase but he refused her help."Don't bother!" He pushed her aside and walked over to one of the sofas, thro
LEOGoing through a hectic day at work, all I wanted was to get home and have a proper sleep. Clara dropped by at the office, still insisting that the child in her womb belonged to me. "What's up, Man?" Julian looked up at me, stretching out his hand for a shake. Without wanting to speak to anybody, I waved at him and headed straight to my room to freshen up.Done with showering, I descended the stairs, wanting to grab something to eat, then I heard a strange noise. It sounded like someone was sniffling.Curious, I stopped and listened more closely. The sniffling was coming from the living room, so I crept over to investigate. As I peered around the corner, I was shocked to see Sarah, sitting on the couch with tears streaming down her face. Standing in front of her was Julian, looking all concerned and speaking in a hushed voice."You don't want to tell me why you're crying?"I quietly backed away, careful not to attract their attention. When I was out of
SARAHThe night was deep and cold. The moon and the stars were just enough to lighten up the earth and I stood by the train station, thinking of where to go, at least to lay my head for the night.I sat on the cold, metal waiting bench, and my hands were shaking from the chill in the air. The wind howled around me, whipping my hair into my face. I managed to pull my phone out of my bag and quickly unlocked it.My thumb hovered over the "call" button, as I thought if I should call the man with the menacing voice or if I should wait to see if he would call me first.Just as my mind raced, the buzzing of my phone brought me back to reality. Looking into the screen, I found an unknown number and I knew it was the guy with the menacing voice. "Your time is running out," he said, his voice low and threatening. "I'm going to waste Raya's life if you don't do what I say. Do you understand?" "I've already left Leo's house. I've ended everything with him. Please, just
LEO"Why did you keep this away from us? Away from me?" I was mad.Julian had called me earlier that night to say that he had found Sarah and that he had taken her to his grandmother's house far away in town."He threatened to kill Raya if I said anything. He warned me against involving the police too. What do you expect?" She said. "But at least, you should have let me.. ""You're the reason I'm in this mess right now " she accused, pointing her finger at me."I'm asked to stay away from you, and that's what I'm trying to do. But you still find a way to pester around me." "I'm pestering you?" I asked. It was too much of a thing to hear."You both should calm down. Let's figure out how to save Raya. Fighting can never solve this problem." Julian said, cutting the both of us short.Sarah's eyes were pale and reddish. I knew she must have cried a lot the previous night. "I don't need any of you around me. Most especially, you Leo. Please, just disappear from my
SARAH."I think Anthonio is telling the truth. We may be fighting the wrong person." Leo said, confusion written all over his face."What if he's pretending?" I asked."Sarah is right. We can't just believe that he is innocent." Julian supported."It could be Clara!" Leo said.Julian and I both turned to him, at the hearing of what he had said. I adjusted myself, to have a proper view of Leo."That's true! She could be the brain behind it." I said, supporting Leo.It dawned on me that Clara was another person who could be held guilty if Anthonio was innocent. It made me go mad."It's Sarah, I'm sure of it." "Let's not conclude yet. Let's investigate this on our own, to be sure." Julian said."For how long are we going to keep investigating? Raya is in danger, she's with an unknown guy and I don't know how long he would let her live. " Leo and Julian promised to save Raya, but it was almost a week and we got nothing positive about it. The strange guy would call